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Old 06-24-16, 07:39 AM   #19
jeff5may
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AirConditioner View Post
I'm waiting on a long list of random parts to arrive from ebay and other places. You don't just go down to home depot and ask for an expansion valve, copper swaging tool, refrigerant filters, propane>SAE fittings, vacuum pump, etc.
Has your plan gone anywhere? Did you find parts/tools? Haven't heard anything.

If you don't have a local plumbing/HVAC supply house locally, the stuff you seek can be had between home despot and your Favorite Local Auto Parts Store. Advance and autozone loan out flare tools and vacuum pumps (deposit required - keep it forever if you want to) and have brake lines, nuts, unions, hoses, benders, etc, that will work well for small capacity systems.

Don't tell the man, but I have used prefab brake lines for these experiments with good results. No fabrication required, just grab the length needed and assemble. FLAPS flare nuts and unions are cheaper than the other places. Actually, the "double flare" bends will handle higher peak pressure than common flare ends (so they say). There is a whole plan-o-gram section (usually behind the parts counter) of generic hoses, tubes, fittings, adapters, o-rings, etc. in all kinds of sizes and lengths just waiting to be picked.

I guess I am lucky to live in the county seat city. There are 3 tier 1 automotive manufacturers located within 15 minutes driving distance of me, so there are lots of supply shops in town. Big dogs are Johnstone supply, Fastenal, air/hydro/power, the parker store, airgas, and half a dozen little guys. Even so, I still source lots of tidbits from eBay and surplus city due to the dirt cheap pricing. If I get in a pinch during an experiment, I will try the FLAPS (advance bought out carquest and has rewards) before Johnstone. They don't hassle me like the other AC shops do.

Last edited by jeff5may; 06-24-16 at 12:01 PM..
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