How To Build A Pickup Tube?

[afromaiko]

Flare some copper pipe and stick it through from the outside with the idea that the flare will be locked in place between your male threaded outlet and the tap that is screwed onto it. You may need to flatten the flare and file it a bit to ensure it all seats well. When it's done up tight the copper pipe should fit nicely and be held in place.

 

[redbeard]

how high is the inside hole from the bottom ? if you whirlpool, then when draining just tilt the kettle when the last few litres are left, might not need a pickup tube. works for me

 

[Tim]

Can you take the tap off? You can take the tap off and put a copper tube through and then use a compression fitting to seal it against the external male nipple. Then you need to put a tap on the copper tube (probably via another compression fitting? Sort of botched up , but will work without having to cut and weld

 

[Screwtop]

Can you take the tap off? You can take the tap off and put a copper tube through and then use a compression fitting to seal it against the external male nipple. Then you need to put a tap on the copper tube (probably via another compression fitting? Sort of botched up , but will work without having to cut and weld

Not a bad idea? What do others think?

 

[Tony]

Could work.

Only one way to find out..........

Poc....... back to you mate

 

[pokolbinguy]

Sounds like a good idea. Aslong as I can get tube small enough to fit inside the 1/4" fitting. Only problem is this will restrict the flow even more.

Where should I source some small lengths of copper from??

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[bigholty]

Depending on the internal diameter of the nipple, you may be able to cut a thread into the inside of the nipple using a thread-tapping tool (available from hardware shops). You would then just screw a compression fitting on the inside (as someone else mentioned they do) to hold the pickup tube.

 

[yardy]

Where should I source some small lengths of copper from??

Thanks for all the help guys.

try the local scrap metal yard mate, not sure how much it is a kg now but around $10 should get you some annealed copper if they have it.

my 2 bobs, if it were me, i'd be cutting that tap off at the weld, drilling it out and fitting a new one, just me though.

Cheers
Yard

 

[jayandcath]

Good call Yardy, I've got a very similar problem with my system, and thinking of replacing the nipple with a socket. Where do you get S/S all thread and compression fittings???? Would I be right to assume that the olive in the compression fitting will have to be copper or will nylon work???
And what would be the best way to bend up the S/S tubing for the pick-up?

Jay

 

[yardy]

Good call Yardy, I've got a very similar problem with my system, and thinking of replacing the nipple with a socket. Where do you get S/S all thread and compression fittings???? Would I be right to assume that the olive in the compression fitting will have to be copper or will nylon work???
And what would be the best way to bend up the S/S tubing for the pick-up?

Jay

Hey Jay,

try Reece plumbing, or any other plumbing supplies for that matter, expect to pay a bit though.

does the pickup have to be stainless ?

go the annealed copper imo, you can bend/roll it without too much drama.

Cheers
Yard

 

[eric8]

Where should I source some small lengths of copper from??

Bunnings sell annealed copper as well, and it is usually in rolls, so you just cut off what you want.

 

[Doogiechap]

Maybe the nipple would fit neatly inside the holesaw? Still the weld would be pretty hard to cut I would imagine. Probably best to suck it and see.

Pok if you do go down the path of using the holesaw to drill out the original fitting there are a couple of ways of steadying the holesaw.
a) Bash a plug of dowel into the hole so the central drill bit has something to bit into (make sure the plug is tight).

B) Get a strip of timber, drill a 22mm hole through it first then clamp it onto your vessel (if it has a bottom lip like a keg it's easy) lining up the hole with the desired area to drill out.

Option B) worked a treat for me when modding a fellow brewers HLT.
Cheers
Doug

 

[Cortez The Killer]

There was an article in the BYO before last on building a pick up - looked pretty ingenious

Cheers

 

[SJW]

This is the same as my kettle. I just got a bit of bent copper, stuck it through the socket and put a plastic olive on the outside and screwd my valve over that onto the socket. Easy.

Steve

 

[pokolbinguy]

This is the same as my kettle. I just got a bit of bent copper, stuck it through the socket and put a plastic olive on the outside and screwd my valve over that onto the socket. Easy.

Steve

I like this idea. Seems nice and easy. Not too sure how it would work in a 1/4" fitting though...might be a bit narrow.

These "olives" you speak of I assume can be picked up at local plumbing supplies etc. I don't have any experience with using copper etc.

Cheers, Pok

 

[SJW]

Yes mate. STD stuff. Just a little pvc? ring...thing

 

[pokolbinguy]

Ok cool I'll try and suss it out....any idea what diameters copper tube comes in????

 

[Tony]

By the sounds of it the threaded nipple on Poc's kettle is 1/4 bsp, meaning it has a 5 to 10mm hole up the middle. Not much chop for olives and pipe.

hard to tell from the photo's and without seeing it first hand cant really comment. Just an observation form the conversations.

cheers

 

[SJW]

All std stuff mate. 12mm I think

 

[pokolbinguy]

By the sounds of it the threaded nipple on Poc's kettle is 1/4 bsp, meaning it has a 5 to 10mm hole up the middle. Not much chop for olives and pipe.

hard to tell from the photo's and without seeing it first hand cant really comment. Just an observation form the conversations.

cheers

Yes this is correct. The nipple that is welded to the kettle is 1/2" at one end (the end welded to the kettle) and 1/4" at the other end
(the end I have my ball valve connected to) .

As i was saying before....I can see this internal diameter up the middle being an issue.

Maybe I should just hole saw it out and install a 1/2" valve etc

EDIT. Alright I just had a thought.....I think I will cut off the current fitting with grinder and then use my stepped drill bit that I used to cut the holes in my HLT (valve and element holes) and install a new weldless fitting this way. Im pretty sure this will work. No welding or holesaws needed.

Would an angle grinder be the best way to "cut" the current nipple off?