4¾” 13swg copper tubing?

[martynt50Participant @martynt50]

I have been searching for 4¾’ copper tubing (C106) for a boiler for my Evening Star build for as long as I can remember (bit of an exaggeration but you know what I mean). Living in The Netherlands I’ve searched over here for 120mm tube but also with nothing available. I once found something on Reeves’ site but only 12″ long which is 1½’ too short. I will be visiting the UK end of the month and could get it shipped to the address of my cousin. So, if anybody knows of a supplier with any stock, or if anybody has a length of about 14″ I would love to hear about it. LBSC plans specify 13swg but 10swg which I have seen would be acceptable at a pinch.

Thanks, Martyn

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

What thickness? Its only 2.5mm, but you could ask?

https://www.grosclaude-robin.fr/tube-industriel-cuivre/

13 SWG 2.37mm

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

M-Machine metals have 4.25 inch x 10 swg listed in their catalogue M-machine metals.

John

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hi Martyn, 120 x 2.5 is a known size,slightly up on 13g, or the next up 120 x 2,65. As for 10g, 3mm though slightly thinner will do for the fire box area and tube plates. Before doing any work on the boiler I would check with your boiler inspector on any changes to the published design. Good luck. Noel.

[Halton TankParticipant @haltontank]

4.75″ 13swg is available from EKP Supplies and will cut to length at £9.60 per inch.

Regards Luigi

[Andy StopfordParticipant @andystopford50521]

Hi Martyn, I have a piece of 115 mm dia. x 510 long 10 swg copper tube which is surplus to requirements, PM me if you’re interested.

Andy

[martynt50Participant @martynt50]

@haltontank. Luigi, thanks for that! I have no idea why that never came up before. Only caveat is that it doesn’t specify C106. I emailed them to ask.

@andystopford50521. Appreciate the offer Andy but the Evening Star plans specify 4¾” (±120mm) 115mm is 4½”, I’d rather stick to that.

@johnhinkley26699. Again, thanks John for the link but 4¼” is too small.

@noelshelley55608. Yes, I was aware of the (almost) equivalent sizes but I only found a couple of places over here but nobody has stock. Thanks anyway Noel

@speedybuilder5. ran Google translate over it but it wasn’t clear if they deal with non-business customers. Site looks like a wholesale supplier and doesn’t seem very English savvy. Thanks anyway

[martynt50Participant @martynt50]

Thought maybe I should update this as resolved. After contacting EKP I found that Kennions, where I had looked earlier, is actually the same company. Kennions had no stock but EKP did!? It was ordered and delivered to my cousin in Weston, I’ll be travelling for a visit and short holiday tomorrow. EKP also informed me that 4¾” in both 13swg and 10swg is not manufactured any more, they have some 10swg stock but when that’s gone it’s over. When I last spoke to my metal supplier in Rotterdam they told me that they couldn’t find metric equivalents (120mm) any more and that they only do rolling and welding for sizes above 150mm. I think some of the old LBSC designs could be problematic in the future.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

I can’t see any problem with rolled and butt welded as long as it’s done by someone with the right kit and experience. Failing that, use silver solder and a butt strap.

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