Brew System Build

[usmcruz]

Weld, Grind, Weld, Grind.... Ugh, I underestimated the amount of time to get this stand together...

Thinking ahead, what's the best process for priming/painting? Do I need to sand down the whole frame before priming, or just wash with solvent?

Powder-coat won't hold up under the heat, correct?

What type of primer and paint will stand the test of time?

Thanks!

Bryan

, Get a book on welding, your build will go much faster!, Just kidding. Why are you having to grind your welds, tell me your machine, settings on your machine, and what the welds look like, and I can help you out. Second I would get all the oil off the frame with a spray degreaser, prime then paint. Powder coat will not hold up at all. Third, get any run of the mill primer, and some 1200 degree engine paint. Read the can on the engine paint though, because some dont require a primer, as well as not reccomended.

[bkloos]

Nah, the welds are working out fine... I just want to grind them all flush on the topside and front... I'm type A+ and like things at 90 degree angles and smooth. I'll look into the paint/prime options and report back.

Hopefully I'll get the rest of the welding and grinding finished by the weekend.

Of course, once I get the burners in I'll need to add more metal for heat shields, but this should be easy all thinkg considdered....

Thanks!

Bryan

[bkloos]

Hey Guys,

Went to HD today to check on the mild steel couplers. All I could find are the iregular shaped black steel couplers near all the gas plumbing... They are not round...
Are these the ones?

Are you fellas welding on couplers or T's directly to the gas beam?

Thanks,

Bryan

[usmcruz]

Are you fellas welding on couplers or T's directly to the gas beam.

Yes, but if you use those black galvanized couplers or T's, make sure you take a grinder and grind off all, and I mean all of the black galvanized, or gray galvanized, because not only is it really toxic when welded on, Im willing to bet my paycheck, it will impossible to get a solid weld without any leaks, because that galvanized will cause pinholes everywhere in your weld causing gas leaks.

[lehr]

My gas beam has couplers

[Billy Klubb]

Are you fellas welding on couplers or T's directly to the gas beam.

Yes, but if you use those black galvanized couplers or T's, make sure you take a grinder and grind off all, and I mean all of the black galvanized, or gray galvanized, because not only is it really toxic when welded on, Im willing to bet my paycheck, it will impossible to get a solid weld without any leaks, because that galvanized will cause pinholes everywhere in your weld causing gas leaks.

you gotta burn & buff the galvanizing off if you don't want pinholes. but I still don't recommend it.

[bkloos]

Maybe I missed them at HD?

Are there any plain round steel full/half couplers available at lowes or HD?

If not, I guess I'll use the stainless and take my chances with galvanic corrosion...

OK, back to work. Pics to come tomorrow night.

[bkloos]

Hey Guys,

While I wait for the ss couplers to arrive, I figured I would ask a couple quick questions.

In my orginal design, I was going to use two burners (HLT and BK). I was going to heat my strike water in the HLT and then pump into the MT and recirculate to maintain temp with HERMS.

Now I'm thinking about adding a third burner to raise the temp of the strike water and avoid having to transfer strike from the HLT to the MT. I have two 23-tip propane jet burners that I was planning on using. That said, no matter which way I go I will need to purchase another burner. So....., with all the talk about control/flame height/sooting on the jet burners, I'm starting to think about getting something different. Let me add that the HLT will be temp controlled with a honeywell intermittent pilot kit.

Would it make sense to use the jet burners under the MT (only used to heat strike water) and the BK, and if so, which burner do you guys find work best with the intermittent pilot systems?

Let me also add that I was hoping to run all the burners from the same pressure, with regulator before the beam, in an ideal world...

Thoughts?

Bryan

[usmcruz]

Let me also add that I was hoping to run all the burners from the same pressure, with regulator before the beam, in an ideal world...

Thoughts?

Bryan

Goto bayouclassicdepot's.com website, and get the 0-30psi propane regulator, and you wont have a problem, if you wanted to run all three burners at the same time.

[lehr]

Let me also add that I was hoping to run all the burners from the same pressure, with regulator before the beam, in an ideal world...

Thoughts?

Bryan

Goto bayouclassicdepot's.com website, and get the 0-30psi propane regulator, and you wont have a problem, if you wanted to run all three burners at the same time.

That's what mine is you see the braided to the left of the picture.

[bkloos]

Yeah, that was the plan. I've ordered the 0-30psi reg, but was more concerned that if I use two different burners they may function differently at equal pressures... I guess I can always dial them in with the gas valve off the Ts. Additionally, the honeywell valve is adjustable, so I should be okay...?

No the question is which third burner to purchase for under the HLT...?

BK

[MuddyMikes]

No the question is which third burner to purchase for under the HLT...?

BK

The multi tipped jet burner.

[bkloos]

Rome wasn't built in a day... Nor was my brew system.

That said, I've made some decent progress on the frame and wanted to share.

http://s587.photobucket.com/albums/ss314/bryankloos/

I'm waiting on the steel couplers to arrive before I plumb in the burners. Hope to have that finished before the end of next week. After that I'll start on the control panel and then hopefully get a coat of paint on her.

This is my first go at welding of any sort. It's been fun learning, and I'm glad I've taken the time to learn a new skill.

The welds came out pretty good, not that you can tell after grinding them smooth... I've stood on it, jumped on it, hit it with a sledge, and she is SOLID! We will see what happens when I pressure test the gas beam next week

More to come...

[bkloos]

Hey Fellas,

The couplers arrived today and I plan on finishing up the gas side tomorrow.
One quick question regarding welding the couplers...

1. Should I drill a hole in the square tube the same size of the OD of the coupler, then fit the coupler into this hole and weld?
or
2. Should I drill the hole the size of the ID of the coupler, place the coupler on top of the square and weld into place.

I'm thinking option 1 would be best???

Thanks,

Bryan

[RonRock]

Please don't take this wrong, not meant to be rude at all.

You say that this is your first welding project. I would suggest that you have an experienced welder do the gas beam. I did not notice how you are welding, I'll guess MIG. The fittings could be welded by MIG, but it would take a pretty good or lucky welder to get it done without a leak. A good welder would have better luck with a TIG weld.

Also keep in mind you probably won't want to do any welding on the stand after having gas in the beam.

This of course is just my opinion. Something to think about.

Ron