Stainless Steel Compression Nut - Further Comments

[markws]

Dear All,

I know that I have aske about this previously and others have continued to probe this question, but I still doo not feel that I have a full grasp of this situation.

Question: Can you (actually) by a 1/2" stainless compression nut.

Following previous threads and talking to distributors - the only way to intergrate a stainless compression fitting onto a 1/2" BSP thread is to use an adaptor (to attach to the 1/2" BSP threaded pipe and compression fitting).

Therefore the closest we are able to get to a brass 1/2 BSP compression nut and olive fitting is a chrome plated brass compression nut.

Am I correct or am completely off centre?

Any help - distributors, part numbers etc would be very much appreciated

thanks in advance

Mark WS

 

[schooey]

You can buy them, but they're rare and they are hideously expensive...

 

[notung]

Some available from Beerbelly here.

I have bought one of them from Geordi stainless in Melbourne also. Link. It works really well in my kettle.

I believe it is the same with stainless and brass compression fittings: to attach to a 1/2" bulkhead thread you will need a reducing piece that the compression fitting attaches to. Look at the example from the Geordi product in the pic below.

 

[Doogiechap]

Bloke I looked at buying a SS 90 one from Couplers in O'Connor for my false bottom but it was going to set me back $90 so I opted for brass........
Cheers
Doug

 

[3G]

Yep, you can get them they are known as swagelock or gyrolock fittings. Yes $$ but they are beautifully made and will last for ever.

 

[Spoonta]

Yep, you can get them they are known as swagelock or gyrolock fittings. Yes $$ but they are beautifully made and will last for ever.

try sterling s/s in caningvale

 

[markws]

Dear All,

Thanks for the responses from everyone, now after investgating this issue for a far while and not getting to far I finally identified how to eliminate brass from my AG brew system.

(FYI - I had no luck finding a group that you actually supply a 1/2" BSP Compression gland or nut).

So today I modified two 1/2" SS cap nuts by reducing the length of the nut to a similar size to a standard brass compression nut, skimmed and drilled a hole in the end of the cap to essentially create a compression nut.

For approx $10 to $12.00 a fitting and 15 mnutes worth of work on a lathe - I believe this is about the best solution for achieving a 'brass free' brew system.

I have included a pic of the two nuts and for comparison a standard brass nut, as well as each nut fitted (1 in the msh tun and the second in the brew kettle).

Cheers

MWS

 

[kook]

I found the cheapest local place for stainless compression fittings to be Couplers in O'Conner. If I remember correctly they were about $30ea (for a 1/2" BSP thread to 3/8" compression fitting).

 

[muckanic]

So how much of the compression nut is exposed to the liquid anyway? (after factoring in the olive). I tend to think stainless nipples, elbows, etc are the major requirement. And of course valves. People seem to be happy enough with nickel-plated brass - I wonder how hard it is to DIY for some of the dearer or rarer stuff? It presumably doesn't involve much more than a power supply (battery charger for cheapskates), some chemicals, and a heck of a lot of technique.