Where can I find a 3/4" Copper Coil

[CurlyHfarm]

I am looking for a 3/4" copper coil about 16" across, by about 12"-16" high I don’t know maybe 6 or 8 loops around. I tried to bend a 10' piece from the hardware store, and it didn’t go so great. They have the flexible stuff at the store but its $5/ft I would guess I need 8-10' don’t want to spend that much money on it. Can anyone think of something that would have a coil this size? I was thinking of an old fridge or something like that. Here is a link to what imp trying to make

YouTube

Please let me know if you have any good ideas.

Thanks

[rambler]

Well - that's kinda the price of admission. Flexable copper costs more. Smaller flex would be less, but probably not enough flow for what you need. Going to be hard to find 'scrap' flex that big, doesn't hurt to ask tho.

Glad you included the link, was thinking you were up to something illegal.

--->Paul

[arcticow]

Did sound a bit like a condenser, didn't it?

I'd go to a junkyard and check out some old heater coils.

[blooba]

a roll of copper tubing is already bent in about the radius and everything, doesn't look like he used a full roll but I would think the more surface area the better.
Ask around to HVAC/plumbers for some leftover copper rolls, if you have to tighten the radius just be careful you don't kink it.

[retire2$]

You could also use smaller diameter pipe but more coils.

[texican]

Buy scrap, you takes your chances what was in the pipe beforehand.

I don't/can't do youtube... what did you need it for?

[CurlyHfarm]

Originally Posted by texican

Buy scrap, you takes your chances what was in the pipe beforehand.

I don't/can't do youtube... what did you need it for?

It's a wood fired bathtub/hottub the coils are in a barrel with a fire in the center. Heats up the tub

[LisaInN.Idaho]

Try Pacific Recycling in Sandpoint. They are terrific about fabricating things. My husband is forever sending me over to pick something up they've made for him.
Or...you could just buy our Snorkel Tub we'll be selling soon. (grin)

[rockhound]

Will aluminum work? Be cheaper.

[CurlyHfarm]

Originally Posted by LisaInN.Idaho

Try Pacific Recycling in Sandpoint. They are terrific about fabricating things. My husband is forever sending me over to pick something up they've made for him.
Or...you could just buy our Snorkel Tub we'll be selling soon. (grin)

How much are you selling yours for???? I dont know if I can talk my wife into it but heck its worth a try. Why are you selling it?

[blooba]

Originally Posted by rockhound

Will aluminum work? Be cheaper.

No i wouldn't use aluminum. Ever throw a beer can in a hot bonfire? They melt pretty good.

[LisaInN.Idaho]

Originally Posted by CurlyHfarm

How much are you selling yours for???? I dont know if I can talk my wife into it but heck its worth a try. Why are you selling it?

We just never use it. We did the first year we were here though. I remember soaking in it with a glass of wine after a day of building, listening to the fire crackling in the firebox and thinking..."Heaven!"
It's my husband's and he's just decided to sell it in the last week. He thinks probably about $2500.

[TnAndy]

Originally Posted by blooba

No i wouldn't use aluminum. Ever throw a beer can in a hot bonfire? They melt pretty good.

Lot of difference between a thin, empty beer can and aluminum tubing.

And as long as you keep water in it, you could make it out of paper and it won't burn.....ever hardboil an egg in a paper cup in a fire ? The paper will not burn except above the water line.

[rambler]

Al melts at 660C.

Cu melts at 1084C.

That's a fair difference. Saying that, maybe it works, I donno.

--->Paul

[tomstractormag]

Roll of copper... Any HVAC supply house.

Tom

[Forerunner]

My understanding here is that the coil will be suspended in a barrel of hot water, not directly exposed to the flames. If that is the case, aluminum would work.
So would stainless steel, and there are as many premade coils in the world constructed of stainless as there are copper, I thinks.....
If the coil were to be directly exposed to flame, I would rule out aluminum, just in case.
Copper or stainless would be my choice.

......and, if purchasing a used finished product for 2500, give or take, was my other option..... I wouldn't be afraid to purchase my tubing brand new.

[solidwoods]

You don't have to use copper.
Use 3/4" black steel pipe. A welding/metal fab shop can bend it into a coil.
It also has threads on each end.
What are you using for a tub? Are you building a wooden stave style hot tub ?
jim

[artificer]

A typical price for 3/4" soft copper tubing is $125 for a 50' roll from Grainger's. While $2.5/ft is not cheap, its better than $5/ft. Along with the HVAC supply, also try the local plumbing supply. (or order online)

At about 4'/loop, you need 24'-32' of tubing, plus the lead in/out for connections.

I would be hesitant to use aluminum tubing. Yes, it has water in it most of the time, and should be safe. I've also heard of a bubble stopping flow in the coil, which could lead to melting in a good hot fire. May not happen with 3/4", but why take the chance.

Another way to make the heater is to buy/find a cheap stainless steel pot, and plumb in the top and bottom connectors.

Forerunner: the video shows the coil in a can/barrel full of burning wood. It's directly exposed to the flames.

Michael

[ninny]

Do like Tomstractormag said. Either go into town to your Air Cond. dealer or just find an A/C truck running around and buy a short piece from the driver. They generally carry several different sizes of copper tubing on their trucks.

.