Made a start on the condenser today. Decided to use bits and pieces around the workshop to do the job. First item I needed was a mandrel to wind the coil on. Grabbed one of my home made wood turning tools which was made from 19mm round bar. Thought that would be perfect for the job. Sanded a bit of the rust and scale off and drilled a small hole in the centre of the end of the tool.
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A bodgy handle was then screwed to the outboard faceplate on the lathe. This would allow the spiral to be turned slowly.
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An off cut of 3/4” pipe was tack welded to the mandrel and some 1/2” copper was clamped near the 3 jaw chuck. This would hold the 1/4” copper in place while the spiral was formed.
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Fine salt was placed into the 1/4” tube and the ends were crimped. The coach then slowly turned the handle as the inner helix was formed.
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Was quite happy with how the first spiral turned out. A piece of thin walled 30mm PVC was slotted and then placed over the newly formed spiral.
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The outer helix was then formed over the slotted PVC.
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Job done. A bit of muscle was needed to remove the PVC but it did turn out reasonably well for my first effort. Crimped and soldered some 1/2” copper to the end of the condenser and connected it to the hose.
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Turned on the tap and then waited. And waited. And waited. After about an hour a drip of water came out the other end of the condenser. At this point I knew I had it beat as the salt would now be wet. Just had to wait for it to dissolve. So I waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually I left it and did some other jobs around the house. Came back to check and found that it had cleared and water was freely flowing through the condenser. Another couple of hours work and the whole thing will be done. May leave the finishing touches for a week or so. Ordered some tri clamps and seals from 5 Star and they should be here in a couple of days. Thanks Andrew. Awesome service. I Want to get that pot up and running first. Vinegar run here we come. Time to also put some of the stored foreshots and heads to good use. Will post some pics when it’s all together.
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