How to.... easy, easy flange.

[MacStill]

Ok here's how I do my version of an easy flange, there are other ways but this is the most simple and effective I've ever made.

Part 1.

Step 1.
Wrap a length of 1/4 inch tube around a piece of 2inch pipe, do a few wraps and keep the tension on with your hands until you end up with a coil.
Then put the coil in a vise and cut a slot through the lot with a hacksaw.... gently does it.

Once you end up with a few rings, hard solder them to form a solid ring.

4 start rings.jpg

5 ring on.jpg

Step 2.
With the end of the pipe you want to flange, bell the end slightly on an anvil or on your vice, gently at first and about 6mm flared out. once the end is at about 45 degrees you can now flatten it to 90 degrees with short sharp taps, again just gentle, it will form but dont rush and theres no need to anneal the pipe first.

1 begin bend.jpg

2 bend done.jpg

3 bend flat.jpg

Step 3.
Place the ring over the pipe you intend to use for your column to keg join, flatten ring with short sharp taps with a hammer.

5 1 ring on pipe.jpg

6 ring flat.jpg

Cont.

[MacStill]

Step 3a.

What you end up with should look like this.

7 ready to solder.jpg

Step 4.

Solder the ring to column after you get it all plumbed up and clean up the joint with a chainsaw file.

8 heat and solder.jpg

9 done.jpg

Step 5.

Check for fit to keg and clamp. You might need to do up and undo the clamp a couple of times to get it all to bed in nicely.

10 clamped.jpg

Cont.

[MacStill]

All done

11 holding up.jpg

You can also use these to make a sight glass.


Cheers.

[SBB]

Interesting post McStill...thanks.
SBB

[TJM]

Hey this is great. Would this flange work ok with a sightglass and tri clamp?

[MacStill]

Hey this is great. Would this flange work ok with a sightglass and tri clamp?

Sure does ;)

..... and remember you first seen it here :mrgreen

[MacStill]

in the link I provided used as a sight glass 5Star :roll: :roll: :roll:

[R-sole]

Your link don't work Captain :? :lol: :lol:

[MacStill]

Does now :lol: :oops: :oops:

Gotta fix the way links show up, dont like the way it's formatted at the moment

[tipsy]

With the end of the pipe you want to flange, bell the end slightly on an anvil or on your vice, gently at first and about 6mm flared out. once the end is at about 45 degrees you can now flatten it to 90 degrees with short sharp taps, again just gentle, it will form but dont rush and theres no need to anneal the pipe first.

Hi McStill, I've had my 2" copper sitting around for ages (probably over 12 months)
Should I anneal it?

[MacStill]

With the end of the pipe you want to flange, bell the end slightly on an anvil or on your vice, gently at first and about 6mm flared out. once the end is at about 45 degrees you can now flatten it to 90 degrees with short sharp taps, again just gentle, it will form but dont rush and theres no need to anneal the pipe first.

Hi McStill, I've had my 2" copper sitting around for ages (probably over 12 months)
Should I anneal it?

See Step 2. above mate ;)

[crozdog]

I just fount this thread - thanks just what I was looking for. I have a roll of 1/4' annealed i can use to make a bunch for my next build.

McStill, i'm curious about 2 things :
1. Am I right that this works for 4" too? or is the 4" flange a bit bigger?
2. how long does it take you to make one these in 2" & 4"?

I'm not l looking forward to the cost of buying 15 x 2' & 5 x 4" flanges... so hope it works for 4' too

cheers

[MacStill]

1. Am I right that this works for 4" too? or is the 4" flange a bit bigger?
2. how long does it take you to make one these in 2" & 4"?

It works fine on 4"

Only takes about 10 minutes max to make one in 4" and a little less for 2"

Making an easy flange also negates the need to solder/braze Stainless to copper.

;)

[SBB]

Croz they really are easy to make.....Im usually hopeless at forming metal into shapes.
I had my first 2 inch one made in about 25 min and it worked perfectly.

[MacStill]

You can also skip step 2. if it's for a non structural joint, or if you use brazing rods on a structural joint.

Makes it even quicker and easier :mrgreen:

[crozdog]

McStill & SBB - thanks for the quick replies.

will give em a go!

[stimson]

brilliant idea.... :clap:
:text-thankyoublue:

[Skeeter]

Hey guys. Did these pics get messed up with the holiday fiasco? Or Something else? Either way think we can get them reposted? This seems to be exactly what I have been searching for, for weeks....

[MacStill]

Will repost this arvo :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[dogbreath vodka]

Just made my first easy easy flange in about .... 15 minutes start to finish... damn easy :D :D
Paint me " happy" :D :D

"Snip"

You can also use these to make a sight glass.



Cheers.

What do you use for the outer section of the sightglass to fit between the glass and the triclamp?
And what kind of cork is that?

Have been putting off making a flute because of the cost and the sight glass issues.
But with your method for them the cost will be low and the finish will be great.


DBV