How to Cut Slots in Copper Tubing
Copper tubing can be adapted for a wide variety of uses. One use is in the application of the beer making process for a mash drain or aerator. Small slots are cut into the tube, and the mash is either drawn from the container or gases are injected into the fermenting liquid. The slots allow for a larger surface area of draw from the tube. Other applications can also be used as various sieves or seines. Before any cutting can be performed, a wooden jig is highly recommended to be made for your particular diameter of copper tubing. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 4-inch square wooden block
- Pencil
- Vise
- Drill bit (1/8-inch larger diameter than the copper tube)
- Drill
- Hacksaw
- Tape measure
- Copper tube
Instructions
-
-
1
Build a wooden holding jig for the copper tube from the block of wood. Lay the block on a firm surface. Expose one side of the square block, upwards, toward you. Use a pencil and draw a line from each opposite corner of the block. You should have a large "X" on the end of the wood block.
-
2
Place the block into a vise. Face the "X" up toward you. Secure the correct size drill bit into the drill. If the copper diameter is 3/8 of an inch, the drill bit must be a ½ inch diameter. Place the center of the drill bit over the exact center point of where the two lines meet---in other words, "X" marks the spot. Start the drill, and drill out the hole all the way through the block.
-
-
3
Remove the block from the vise and reposition it lengthwise back into the vise. Set the block so the hole is now parallel with the jaws of the vise. Set the center of the hole in line with the top of the jaws in the vise.
-
4
Cut a groove with the hacksaw from the top of the block down into the center hole. This groove will act as a guide for the slotting of the copper tube. You can make a mark 1 inch from either edge for the position of the slotting groove(s). Leave the wood jig in the vise in this position.
-
5
Mark lines on the copper tube using the tape measure and the pencil. Set the distance between the lines, slots, as you deem necessary for your particular application.
-
6
Slide the copper tube through the center hole of the jig. Use the marks as reference points from either end of the jig to the slot lines you made on the tube with the pencil mark.
-
7
Hold onto the tube. Cut the slots into the copper tube with the hacksaw.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The depth of the slot will depend fully on the application of the tube. The deeper the slots, the more open area from that slot.
Blow compressed air through the finished slotted tube. The high-pressure air will remove any small particles of copper left behind by the cutting/slotting process.
