New plant in the making - building work nearly done

[julianf]

narp.

if i had application for it, i could CNC it, but, without application, its not worth the bother.

This is the same as my lathe -



My one is shinier though (but not too shiny mind - it does actually get used!)

[Tony]

Ah OK, I ask because BSP threads on the end of tubing needs to be tapered to fit into the parallel sockets Jules will have on his valves and fittings.  My die set does taper threads but it won't be as clean as a machined thread - my dies don't have a cam to release at the end of threading, so consequently there are a few sharp edges where the thread cutting stops.  Not a big deal really though.

[julianf]

Right!

TBH i know very little about cutting threads, and it sounds like you're more set up for it : ) 

(im pretty sure it goes without saying, but i wasnt trying to 'sell' jules a service - indeed, the lathe is 250 miles away at the moment anyhow)

Do you use your threading kit much?  Im wondering if its one of those tools that you think will not get used much, but then youre on it all the time, or if it really just gets used once or twice and then forgotten about?

[Tony]

Mostly gets left in its box to be honest!  But when when you need it for building something it is very useful, once in a while.

It's not just the cost of the dies it's the pipe clamp that's needed as well, I think I spent more on the clamp than the dies... and then there's the tenner for the cutting compound, it all adds up, just for a bit of pipe threading.

[Head Womble]

Tony overall does it work out cheaper than using copper pipe (if they're both 1" that is).

[Tony]

Last time I ordered 3mm wall steel tubing, 42.4mm OD (equiv 1 1/4" BSP) was £3.51 per meter and 33.7mm OD (equiv 1" BSP) was £2.65 per meter.  VAT inclusive.  Steel, despite being a pain to fit, it definitely cheaper than copper.  But it's also nice and strong

[julianf]

I might just be rubbish with copper (well, i probably am) so one thing i do like about steel is the strength - once its done up with some ptfe, it does not seem to budge, no matter how abusive you are to it.

My plant has copper all over it - but one day i want to do it all in steel.

[julesandtash]

I made a batch of bio today with the machine rebuilt in the new bund. It is all acid/water washed and is happily bubbling away now.

The insulation around the oil tank is all done (25mm celotex) and it has a lid with two hinged sections.
Back wall of the building is getting tanked and tiled tomorrow then I can move the chemicals into their correct position and will be well on the way to getting the place sorted out.

I just about got the bio done in time. Both vehicles are down to 1/4 tank and I only had about 40 litres in the storage tank.

[Head Womble]

Well done mate, the pressures off now.

[julianf]

The insulation around the oil tank is all done (25mm celotex) and it has a lid with two hinged sections.

Jules,

I need to insulate a large metal cupboard that im going to use for my pre-heat unit - i wanted to do it that way, so i could just stack metal tins of palm etc. in it and leave it over night.

Anyhow, i too need to insulate it, and sheet insulation will be so much easier than rockwool etc.  I was going to use polystyrene, so im interested as to if you managed to get the celotex at a good price?

Thanks, Julian

[Tony]

As I said above I've got a load of sheets of 50mm polystyrene 1200mmx800mm which I paid a quid each for, if you want some and can get them to you, I've got plenty spare

The disadvantage of hot cupboards in sheds is you'll get the police kicking your door in after they've been over the place with a helicopter and IR camera, because they think you'll be growing something you shouldn't

[julianf]

My cupboard will be so well insulated, itll appear stone cold in the IR camera : )

Im currently eyeing up this at wicks -

http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/210823

(i can get 20% off at wicks, hence looking there)

I forgot that you have some, and appreciate the offer.  If you were next door, id be real keen, but, with the distance...


Jules hasnt replied, but im wondering if the idea for using cellotex was bio melting polystyrene?  Im not sure if it does though.

 

[Tony]

That's a good point, as I'm pretty sure it does (melt it, that is).

In fact I saw an article that suggested melting polystyrene into biodiesel was a great way to up the energy available in the biodiesel, but I'm not convinced it's a good idea myself!

I shall be careful not to splash biodiesel around our extension, which currently has many of the aforementioned polystyrene sheets installed for insulation

[Glycer-rides]

That's a good point, as I'm pretty sure it does (melt it, that is).

In fact I saw an article that suggested melting polystyrene into biodiesel was a great way to up the energy available in the biodiesel, but I'm not convinced it's a good idea myself!

I shall be careful not to splash biodiesel around our extension, which currently has many of the aforementioned polystyrene sheets installed for insulation

When I read that article, I tried a test with a expanded poly coffee cup...vanishes quickly!
I recall the mass doseage they talked of seemed huge by volume, given it's low density.
Didn't put any in a vehicle...new edge on ring gumming?

[julesandtash]

Sorry I didn't reply - too busy tanking walls and tiling -  The back wall of the building is done now - just needs grouting then I can move all the chemicals into their correct position and then reach the next wall.

The 25mm celotex cost me about £18 per sheet - not cheap but it was exactly what I wanted to use. Nice shiny metallic surface that is easy to wipe off and very efficient for it's thickness.
As it happens, I bought mine in Wickes

I never even thought of bio eating Polystyrene but it makes perfect sense. Glad I didn't go for that idea now.