Originally Posted By: Kira
4) I use an industrial grit paper to flatten my copper and aluminum 'crushers'. It works like a charm and I've never gotten a leak.
Better to re-anneal them and give them a light polish. Copper can be very easily annealed in any hot gas flame. Aluminium is a bit more tricky as it turns to goo at not much past the requisite annealing temperature. Using soap as a thermal indicator works, but you need a very controllable heat source.
I get many uses out of a soft copper crush washer before I call it dead. I can re-anneal ally washers, but it's difficult enough to do right that I don't unless I have no other viable option.
In a drain pan situation (where no real pressure is developed) the softer the washer the less torque required to properly crush it to form a seal. Freshly annealed copper is very nice to work with. Hydrochloric acid (pool acid or Muriatic for the 'mericans) makes light work of the copper oxide leaving a sparkling soft washer begging to be crushed.
4) I use an industrial grit paper to flatten my copper and aluminum 'crushers'. It works like a charm and I've never gotten a leak.
Better to re-anneal them and give them a light polish. Copper can be very easily annealed in any hot gas flame. Aluminium is a bit more tricky as it turns to goo at not much past the requisite annealing temperature. Using soap as a thermal indicator works, but you need a very controllable heat source.
I get many uses out of a soft copper crush washer before I call it dead. I can re-anneal ally washers, but it's difficult enough to do right that I don't unless I have no other viable option.
In a drain pan situation (where no real pressure is developed) the softer the washer the less torque required to properly crush it to form a seal. Freshly annealed copper is very nice to work with. Hydrochloric acid (pool acid or Muriatic for the 'mericans) makes light work of the copper oxide leaving a sparkling soft washer begging to be crushed.