How To Build A Pickup Tube?

[Tony]

I recon thats your best option. That fitting is never going to work properly.

 

[pokolbinguy]

I think that is what I shall do Tony. I have edited my last post aswell...think I will cut off the fitting and drill out the current weld with the steped drill bit I have and just install the 1/2" fittings. This will allow me to easily add a pick up tube using compression fittings etc I assume.

I'm sure I can work it out once I have a nice hole

 

[Tony]

I was just thinking that..... cutting off the 1/4 inch end. Good work!

I have special plate steel hole saws, 1/2 inch pipe benders, pipe cutters, thread tape ect here if you want a hand one night once you have all the gear together. Have a go and let me know if you need a hand.

cheers

 

[pokolbinguy]

Thanks for the offer there Tony. I will have a go and see what happens. I'm sure I can get it to work. The stepped drill bit I have worked pretty darn well on my HLT so will see how it goes on my kettle.

Will cut off the fitting as close to the vessel as possible and drill out from there to make a new...larger hole in the wall of the vessel.

Will let you know how it goes. will try and have a go tomorrow if time permits.

Pok

 

[devo]

I've had pretty good success with this simple method that is easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning, prevents air from being drawn in when the liquid level drops below the outlet and dip tube can be easily rotated if you need to purge any trapped air bubbles.

Excuse the photo quality, my digital camera recently died and I've had to switch to using my mobile phone.

items required: 1 x length of 1/2" copper tube, 1 x fit a tap 8.5 "O" ring, 20mm brass nipple and 1 x brass compression type cover.

 

[warrenlw63]

C'mon Devo... That's too simple and effective.

Warren -

 

[pokolbinguy]

Thanks Devo looks like the go mate.

Thanks for all the help folks...alright I'm off to try and get this welded nipple cut/drilled out.

 

[pokolbinguy]

Alrighty....done....well part done.

I grinded the welded fitting out with angle grinder....was nice a quick.

Before


After


Then drilled the hole out to 22mm with the stepped drill bit I had.

Hole done. Fitted 1/2" to make sure all is well.



Ready

Now just to get the materials to make the pick up tube and done.

Glad I went about it this way. Now I can get 1/2" fittings and 3-piece valve down the line and ditch the 1/4".

Ohh and give the front area around the tap a new coat of paint....damn grinder.

Pok

 

[pokolbinguy]

Ok so it pays to go back and read previous replies again. Devo's post clearly shows 1/2" tube.....damn I'm an idiot. Right off to find some tube.....

But....will I need a special tool to get the copper tube to fit inside the 1/2"nipple???



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Ok so I am off to get the gear to build this pickup tube today.

BUT one question..... I was going to buy 1/2" 3-piece valve etc so it is all uniform with my other vessels and not restrict the flow as much. However does copper tube come in 1/2" diameter....and if I can get some will it be easy to bend into shape?

The reason I ask is because If I put a compression fitting on the inside of the kettle to the 1/2" fitting and I can only source the copper tube in say 1/4" diameter then there is no advantage upgrading from the 1/4" 3-piece valve that I already have??? (as the pickup tube will just restrict the flow anyway)

I hope this makes sense.

Maybe I just use the 1/4" to start with (it is mounted to the vessel using a 1/2-1/4 nipple anyway) and just see how it goes, can always get the new valve later???

Anyway what do you guys think??? Can I get 1/2" copper ??

Cheers, Pok

 

[devo]

no special tool required, should just fit as is.

 

[pokolbinguy]

no special tool required, should just fit as is.

So should fit the inside of a 1/2" nipple nice and snug???

 

[domonsura]

Nah, there'll be a little bit of play there, as the tube will be 12.7mm O/D and the nipple should be ~ 15mm. I/D.
All you really need now is a piece of copper tube and a 'kingco' nut from the plumbing outlet, usually ~$1.50-2.00 ea. It will have a nylon olive in the nut that will compress between the edge of the nipple and the outside of the copper tube, making a seal.

 

[pokolbinguy]

Nah, there'll be a little bit of play there, as the tube will be 12.7mm O/D and the nipple should be ~ 15mm. I/D.
All you really need now is a piece of copper tube and a 'kingco' nut from the plumbing outlet, usually ~$1.50-2.00 ea. It will have a nylon olive in the nut that will compress between the edge of the nipple and the outside of the copper tube, making a seal.

So I would have:

1/2" tube -> "kinco nut" -> 1/2 nipple???

If it is that simple that is awesome. To the shops

 

[domonsura]

Yep, that simple. nylon olive and nut slide over copper tube, nut screws onto nipple The kingco nut looks almost like the one Devo pictured, but a little smaller overall. His one looks like a flare nut, usually used as a gas fitting I think - they cost a bit so the kingco nut is an extremely cheap alternative (not for use with gas of course)

 

[pokolbinguy]

Awesome thanks for the info there domonsura. Greatly appreciated.

I will drop into my local plumbing supply on the way past....never know they might be able to help me out with a small length of copper tube aswell.

 

[pokolbinguy]

Right so I went to the local plumbing shop and picked up a "kinco" nut and love and also some 1/2" copper tube (which the guy ended up give me for nix ).

Decided to stick with the 1/4" valve that I have at the moment, can always up grade to 1/2" down the line....BUT....damn 1/2" nipple that I have has a damn tapered/angled thread so the locking nut I have when its tight doesn't make it all the way to the end of middle of the nipple...grrr.....

So now I either have to get a 1/2"-1/2" straight (not tapered) nipple and then a bush to make it fit my current valve or do the switch anyway.....frustrating.

O well atleast the tube was free. Just to got bend the pickup tube and sort out the nipple/valve setup and all is ready.

Pok

 

[domonsura]

How do you mean? the kingco doesn't fit on the nipple you've got in the vessel? It should pull up tight on the olive and secure the tube inside it well before it gets all the way on to the nipple...

can you snap another pic?

 

[pokolbinguy]

No it fits the fitting fine.....but as I was hoping to use the nipple to secure itself to the vessel (the 1/2" end through the wall with a locking nut on the inside) with the tapered thread the locking nut does not go lock right up against the wall of the vessel.

Hope this makes sense.

I will take a photo when I get a chance.

 

[Tony]

Thats what washers are for mate.

SS washers on either side, a fiber washer on either side of the vessel to seal when the fittings full them up tight on the vessel wall. If you nes 3 or 3 washers its no big deal...... just use 2 or 3

cheers

 

[pokolbinguy]

Damn you Tony...thats just way too simple... haha thanks I knew there would be a simple way.

Cheers, Pok