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Hey all I’m in need of some help.

I am in the process of putting some upgrades on my vevor still. I’m switching out the crappy flex lines with copper pipe and better attachments.

I’m ok soldering pipes together but I’m not 100% sure what I should how I should attach my threaded connections to my pot lid and thumper. I’m using 1/2” pipe and matching connections so do I solder them in place or is there another process. I’ve seen stills upgraded like mine but I can’t see how they are attached.

Thanks for the help

Tri clamp bulkheads are an option, not to sure they make them in half inch though

I originally soldered 3/4” pipe through holes in the lid of mine. It works fine, but it’s damn near impossible to get it straight and neat. Also, I have had a couple of those solder joints fail. I think I could make them stronger now than I did back then, but I found a better way and haven’t looked back.

I used 3/4” pipe and copper unions throughout, and saw a noticeable improvement in operating over the 3/8” tubing that the still came with. I’m not sure if 1/2” would be any worse. It’s a moot point for me, though, as I opted to just go with 1.5” tri ckamps. They’re a bit overkill for an 8 gallon pot still on the kitchen stove, but I love the flexibility they give me, and the ability to set up without tools. Plus, they just look cool.

Here’s what my first modification looked like, if it helps.

I'd recommend a bulkhead fitting.
Wrap the O-ring with PTFE tape.

If I had known those bulkhead fittings existed, I would have used them! Me being me, I’d probably ditch the o-ring and just solder everything to the boiler. And then, again me nagging me, I’d probably be mad at myself for having made it permanent when I decided to change something later.

Steve Broady wrote: ↑Mon Dec 19, 2022 7:27 pm If I had known those bulkhead fittings existed, I would have used them! Me being me, I’d probably ditch the o-ring and just solder everything to the boiler. And then, again me nagging me, I’d probably be mad at myself for having made it permanent when I decided to change something later.

I know someone who did just that.
He installed the fitting with flux and a ring of solder.
Tightened the nut, then heated the fitting to flow the solder.

Later he bitched because he wanted to upgrade to a larger size.