Imperium

[TLHarrell]

You are just straight gluing the acrylic tubing into copper pipe fittings???

[blueonblack]

Hopefully. That's the experiment that's currently underway. The adhesive is curing on my test pieces now.

Don't get your shorts all bunched up (???), it's just an experiment at this point but you have to admit it looks pretty damned slick.

[Airbozo]

I do like the look and have been toying with something similar instead of all copper. Can't wait to find out if it works...

Hopefully. That's the experiment that's currently underway. The adhesive is curing on my test pieces now.

Don't get your shorts all bunched up (???), it's just an experiment at this point but you have to admit it looks pretty damned slick.

[blueonblack]

So this particular experiment was a failure I'm sorry to say. I really think it will work but I need a different adhesive. Pretty sure a 2-part epoxy would do the trick but it's a bitch to work with.

If I can figure out how to straighten the copper tube I bought in a roll I'll be going with that and soldered joints. If not, it's back to standard bent acrylic.

Any pointers from anyone on straightening soft rolled copper? I figured out that a 7/16 dowel fits very snugly inside the 1/2" OD stuff that I bought and figured that would make it easy. Not so. I can get it *almost* straight but not perfect. I don't even know if anyone would notice but they might.

I can get 1/2" OD copper pipe (hard copper as opposed to the soft roll I already bought) that's perfectly straight but at $8 a foot I can't afford it.

[msmrx57]

So this particular experiment was a failure I'm sorry to say. I really think it will work but I need a different adhesive. Pretty sure a 2-part epoxy would do the trick but it's a bitch to work with.

What did you use for an adhesive? I'm thinking that most types of glue would be rather brittle or not aggressive enough to bond to both materials. You could try an automotive silicone based product like RTV.

If I can figure out how to straighten the copper tube I bought in a roll I'll be going with that and soldered joints. If not, it's back to standard bent acrylic.

Any pointers from anyone on straightening soft rolled copper? I figured out that a 7/16 dowel fits very snugly inside the 1/2" OD stuff that I bought and figured that would make it easy. Not so. I can get it *almost* straight but not perfect. I don't even know if anyone would notice but they might.

I can get 1/2" OD copper pipe (hard copper as opposed to the soft roll I already bought) that's perfectly straight but at $8 a foot I can't afford it.

You could try using the dowel like a rolling pin with it inside the tubing. Either that or wrap tape around the dowel to make it a little thicker.

[blueonblack]

What did you use for an adhesive? I'm thinking that most types of glue would be rather brittle or not aggressive enough to bond to both materials. You could try an automotive silicone based product like RTV.

I used a great product called Amazing Goop. I've used it for plumbing work in the past with great success. It's very thick and solvent-based but it didn't grab like it needed to. Honestly I don't think I'd be comfortable doing this setup with anything less than epoxy at this point. I may try that in a future build.

You could try using the dowel like a rolling pin with it inside the tubing. Either that or wrap tape around the dowel to make it a little thicker.

It would never fit in there with even a single layer of masking tape on it, it's that tight. I had not thought of rolling with the dowel exposed on each end. One problem is the nature of dowel rods: they're made of wood. They're even softer than the tubing. If I could find a 7/16" OD rod made out of something stronger like brass, aluminum or even acrylic it would work better.

[TLHarrell]

For straightening, try the same method used for straightening wire... stretch it slightly. You'll obviously need to cut it longer than the piece you need, and you'll need to devise a way to hold both ends and pull. Doesn't need to stretch much, just enough to get past being pulled into a straight line.

You may also want to do a rough sanding of both mating surfaces to provide more grip for the epoxy.

[Airbozo]

IF you do go with 2 stage epoxy, remember to scuff up the copper where the epoxy will be. I've had issues in the past where even epoxy didn't attach right.

TT

[blueonblack]

For straightening, try the same method used for straightening wire... stretch it slightly. You'll obviously need to cut it longer than the piece you need, and you'll need to devise a way to hold both ends and pull. Doesn't need to stretch much, just enough to get past being pulled into a straight line.

You may also want to do a rough sanding of both mating surfaces to provide more grip for the epoxy.

IF you do go with 2 stage epoxy, remember to scuff up the copper where the epoxy will be. I've had issues in the past where even epoxy didn't attach right.

TT

Roger that both of you, thanks very much!

[blueonblack]

I got all of the electrical work done tonight! Like it or not, this thing is now bound together, no more taking the smaller cases loose to work with them independently.

I'll have an update hopefully tomorrow but for my fellow TBCS modders, a teaser: