Making copper pipe round (shotgun condenser build)

[JeremyF]

I picked up some 2" copper pipe from the scrappy and it's not perfectly round, I'm looking to make a shotgun condenser so at worst I need to be able to make each end round to get the end caps in (this would make it a difficult build but we'll see how we go).

I've seen videos using adjustable spanners and sockets and nuts to re form the round pipe. Any experiences on which method is most reliable (easier for someone who hasn't done it before)?

Also once round (assuming I can get it fairly close) has anybody made a shotgun condenser and heated the pipe (to expand it) and cooled the cap assembly (to shrink it) to make it easier to assemble?

Thanks.

[Dancing4dan]

Hi Jeremy, will depend on your ability as a metal worker shaper and what tools you have. But it can be done.

How badly out of round is it? Pictures? This would really determine what approach I would take. Let us see what you are working with.

You can anneal copper pretty easily if you have a torch. This will make it workable so it may not crack. Heating to expand and contract for fittings should not be necessary.

One more thing. What do you mean by “shotgun” condenser? The term is used pretty loosely and can actually mean different things to different people.

[JeremyF]

I'll try to get some shots later it's only just out (mm's), I should be able to get the elbows and connectors on it's sliding the internals for the vapour tubes into position that might be the issue. I was hoping to build the vapour tubes and end plates as a single unit and then solder into the water chamber. I may need to try to construct it in one go and solder everything at the same time. that could be challenging.

I have access to general workshop tools hammers, g clamps, vice, propane torch and mates with more specialised stuff. No big arsed plumbing gear though. I understand annealing copper as I have done this in the past with head gaskets.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2in- ... denser.jpg

is what I call a shotgun condenser, mine will be 2" tube about 500mm long with 4 x 12mm vapour tubes

[JeremyF]

I took a different approach, I measured the pipe with vernier calipers and found that it was only a short length of pipe that wasn't round, I cut this off. Still had enough length in the remainder of the pipe to achieve the length of condenser I want.

[Dude]

I took a different approach, I measured the pipe with vernier calipers and found that it was only a short length of pipe that wasn't round, I cut this off. Still had enough length in the remainder of the pipe to achieve the length of condenser I want.

You could anneal the section that is not round cut it with snips and roll it flat to make your condenser end plates.

[JeremyF]

I took a different approach, I measured the pipe with vernier calipers and found that it was only a short length of pipe that wasn't round, I cut this off. Still had enough length in the remainder of the pipe to achieve the length of condenser I want.

You could anneal the section that is not round cut it with snips and roll it flat to make your condenser end plates.

Correct this is exactly what happened (well almost), I used a 54mm hole saw, the bit that was cut out is a perfect fit in the 2" tube.