Copper Downspout

Post by **rad14701** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:56 pm

While surfing the net a while ago I stumbled across a site with relatively inexpensive copper downspouts in 3 and 4 inch diameters... Anyone ever entertained the idea of using them for a column still...??? Sure would reduce cost and weight... Even if there was a seam that needed to be soldered it wouldn't be that much trouble... The only big issue would be use with other fittings... Would sure make a lightweight Bokakob dual slant plate column... Thoughts...???

Post by **Hawke** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:18 pm

Definately cheaper than plumbing pipe. Couldn't tell from the pic, but I would guess it does have a seam (States that it's made from 16oz copper).
Fittings would be a problem, but it's thin enough that it should be easy to work it into submission.

Post by **maheel** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:34 pm

did a bit of a google on this, made quite close to me here in Australia, gonna give them a call and see where i can go have a look at it

more info
http://www.zrainwaterproducts.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

some more pics here
http://www.zrainwaterproducts.com.au/za ... ts_pty.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

brewmaker1 · Post by **brewmaker1** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:51 pm

My neighbor had some 3" left over from his house and let me take a piece. The seam is a rolled joint and very tight. Might be a little tough getting a nice solder.

Post by **rad14701** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:59 pm

brewmaker1 wrote:My neighbor had some 3" left over from his house and let me take a piece. The seam is a rolled joint and very tight. Might be a little tough getting a nice solder.

It may not require soldering if it's a tight enough rolled seam...

Post by **Hack** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:56 pm

A fellow from a sheetmetal company I work with told me that you have to be careful about ordering sheet copper because often times it is only copper plated. This advice probably transfers to the copper downspout as well.

I'd think to assure the rolled seam is sealed you wouldn't necessarily need the solder to work all through the joint. You'd only need a bit on the surface since the solder os only for sealing and not mechanical strength.

Post by **rad14701** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:16 pm

Yeah, you'd need to be sure it was pure copper, not plating...

brewmaker1 · Post by **brewmaker1** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:20 pm

This one is all copper. The guy wanted a hundred year roof and went copper everything. Even the gutters are solid copper. More money than sense in my book

Post by **Husker** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:38 am

brewmaker1 wrote:This one is all copper. The guy wanted a hundred year roof and went copper everything. Even the gutters are solid copper. More money than sense in my book

heh, yes, more money than sense. 100 yr roof, that will last 18 months, before the crack heads steel as much copper as they can grab.

H.

pHneutral · Post by **pHneutral** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:56 am

I guess its just a "style" thing, but I don't understand why, when you want a 100 year roof, you don't just go with clay. I realize it is a bit heavier, but you're doing a 100 year roof.. seems to me you can afford to think about a bit of reinforcement

Amsterdam is a great example.. some of those roofs are well over 100 years old and only need a few tiles replaced each year or two.

brewmaker1 · Post by **brewmaker1** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:44 pm

The odd thing is it's an old farm house. It'll fall down in twenty years. City people do funny stuff when they move to the country.

Lowerarchy · Post by **Lowerarchy** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:08 pm

Thanks for the tip. I'm trying it if I can find a local supplier. Poking around the web I've found 5" for about the price of 3" type M here.

Anyone know at how thin is 16oz in mm/inches? Assuming the downspouts are just copper and not alloyed, copper/sulfur interactions thinning the tube wall over the years seem to be the only thing to worry about.

Post by **myles** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:55 am

I found another site that suplies this product although this one hapens to be in the UK
http://www.coppagutta.co.uk/index.htm
They supply solid copper items. I asked and they say any corners are TIG welded and their seams on the downpipes are electro welded. They make their downpipes with male and female push in joints that could be usefull.
Downpipes are 0.6mm although they make heavier ones for the bottom section of the downpipe nearest the ground.
Could be of interest to anyone UK based.

Blind Eye · Post by **Blind Eye** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:04 am

I have worked with this material in the past, the only thing besides the fittings holding me from experimenting was on the inside of the downspout where it was soldered was very messy and would need to be thoroughly stripped, cleaned and rebuilt using a food grade solder,I dont think that was part of the original construction plans, but other than that and the fittings who knows with a little work!?

Post by **rad14701** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:41 am

Blind Eye wrote:I have worked with this material in the past, the only thing besides the fittings holding me from experimenting was on the inside of the downspout where it was soldered was very messy and would need to be thoroughly stripped, cleaned and rebuilt using a food grade solder,I dont think that was part of the original construction plans, but other than that and the fittings who knows with a little work!?

So, Blind Eye, the down spouts you worked with were indeed soldered then...??? Good to know... I guess it would pay to check into such details before ordering any to see if they are soldered or whether they have a rolled seam... Might be more work that it would be worth to have to de-lead...

myerfire · Post by **myerfire** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:56 pm

I was at the plumbing supply house yesterday and asking about some 3" copper pipe. The guy said they have type M, type L that everybody knows about, but also a third type that is used for vent pipe that is a little thinner and cheaper. I'm thinking about building a 3" column with a 1.5" take off to a leibig condenser to make a nice VM still.
myerfire

Post by **Husker** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:54 pm

myerfire,

That is probably DWT (drain, waste, t-something pipe). It is thinner, but works ok for a still. Be sure to check around. The last time I got 2", I bought 2 10' sticks of M, as it was $12 cheaper than DWT (at the same store!!). You just never know. It was when copper prices were falling. I think they had a large lot of DWT bought, and bought the new copper, and priced it accordingly. The DWT was still 20% higher in price than the 'newer' acquisition M pipe they had.

H.

rabbit_ · Post by **rabbit_** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:55 am

Hmm..

I managed to find a lot of 2 1/2" copper downpipe for cheap don't have my tape measure but well over 12feet for $50NZD.

Didn't cross my mind that there'd be seams. Just finished building a reflux still and a graham condenser out of it.

Haven't stilled anything yet (still waiting on the boiler...) but the condenser doesn't seem to leak...

If the reflux leaks vapour, i'll see how it goes if i solder it.

I cut a bit off to use a copper sheeting for some parts. It seemed like pretty tight joins.

Post by **rad14701** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:20 am

I can get either seamed or seamless copper downspout in various sizes for relatively cheap prices... The distribution warehouse is only about 50 miles from here... I'd love to stop by to drool over the goods and perhaps buy a few lengths... I can get both 3 and 4 inch for about half the price of regular 2 inch copper...

gleamingthecube · Post by **gleamingthecube** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:04 pm

Sorry to necro this, but it seems to be the info that I am after. Did anyone try out this downspout pipe for a column? I am interested but worried about finding fittings that will mate up with it. If anyone has tried this or has some 3" downspout they can measure the OD of I would be grateful.

Post by **rad14701** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:39 pm

I haven't made the trip to pick any up yet... Might be tempted now that I have room to build...

frozenthunderbolt · Post by **frozenthunderbolt** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:57 pm

rabbit_ wrote:Hmm..

I managed to find a lot of 2 1/2" copper downpipe for cheap don't have my tape measure but well over 12feet for $50NZD.
.

Where did you get it that cheep rabbit?

Post by **WIski** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:25 am

Where did you get it that cheep rabbit?

IL,

That was in June 2009....... DUDE!!!!!

Post by **1bottler** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:50 am

I work part time in a sheet metal shop and make the occasional down pipe, the joint is a 'lockformer' . a 'hook' is rolled onto each side of the joint and hammered flat.

frozenthunderbolt · Post by **frozenthunderbolt** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:37 pm

WIski wrote:
Where did you get it that cheep rabbit?
IL,

That was in June 2009....... DUDE!!!!!

Ah . .. just gotta build me a time machine then . . . posting tired

Post by **WIski** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:18 pm

Hey Iced Lightning, it's all good. If you find any of that cheap downspout on your time travels please bring a huge load back. I'm sure theres alot of folks around here that could put it to good use.

Thanks for the chuckle.......

Post by **Theo** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:56 pm

WIski,

If you time travel back, will it be cheaper?

Home Distiller

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