Part 9- Large roll up stove pipe forming
This post describes an efficient crinkle-free method of forming a large virgin roll up stove or flue pipe. It also can be used for routine deployments and pack up while camping.
Note: This is just part of a 12 part series on improved stove pipe rolling. You may wish to start at Part 1 to taste from the banquet.
Introduction
Up until now, I have used my innovative flue pipe forming methods with small diameter pipes in the range 30-50 mm and with a length that was limited to 2,000-2,200 mm. From the hand feel of the process, I anticipated that pipes with larger diameters would be considerably easier to form.
This post is about observations that I made while forming my first 3,000 mm long pipe with a diameter of 61.5 mm and a seam overlap of about 50mm.
Add photo of the rolled up pipe
Method
The flue pipe was pulled out of its rolled up coil shape by the helical pulling/screwing method that is detailed in a post in the link below.
Solo pulling. I did not expect to be able to complete this task by myself. However, as is my usual won’t, I gave it a try to see what I could do.
I dusted the foil with talcum baby powder as a lubricant to make the layers of foil slip easily over one another. This refractory lubricant is no bother during the next step of ‘burning in’ or heat treating the pipe to preserve a memory of its new shape. “It just gives off the lovely scent of roses as it laughs at the flames.”
The pulling was quite easy until a length of about 2,000mm was reached. At this point, performing a solo pull, the forming pipe became quite springy and gains made by pulling were easily lost as the spring pulled back. The spring action is similar to that of the ‘paper yo-yo‘ from my childhood.
Note: This issue of strong spring back is unique to pulling a virgin pipe. It is not an issue for a pre-curved pipe that has been shaped with heat treatment or ‘burning in’. In this case, spring action assists the pulling process. So the spring back is no issue when you go camping with a seasoned pipe.
I was unable to span the length of the pipe with my two hands to complete the pull, so I sought the assistance of a second person and the formation of the pipe was finished quickly with ease.
Assisted Pulling
Starting the process all over again the pulling of a 3,000*61.5mm pipe was done in about 4 minutes with the assistance of a second person.
This was done without the need to remove the holding rings. It is a little slower than the later-described roll up by screwing and this is simply because the bunched-up holding rings need to be spread out along the pipe as it is formed.
There is no such issue when rolling up as the rings just fall into place on the outside of the roll.
The video below shows the smooth crinkle free pulling and screwing of the flue pipe out from its coil with two people.
Flue pipe roll up
Similarly, the following video shows how quickly and easily the large flue pipe can be rolled up by screwing when assisted by a second person.
After burning in the pipe with a charcoal lance it looks a bit more ugly. However, having a new memory of a ‘pipe-shape’ makes it much easier to handle while camping.
Conclusion
The forming of a large diameter virgin flue pipe with the helical pulling/screwing method was easy and resulted in a perfectly shaped pipe that was free of any crinkle damage.
It was in perfect shape in readiness for heat treatment or burning in so that it will ‘remember’ its new flue pipe shape when next used while camping. ‘It better to preserve a perfect shape than a crappy one.”
The deployment and rolling up of the flue pipe foil by helical pulling/pushing/screwing method was wonderfully easy before heat treatment. After heat treatment was even easier to do these operations ‘single-handed’. It resulted in a perfect roll that was also free of any crinkle damage. The holding rings could be left in place for the whole process. As I anticipated, it was easier than with small diameter pipes. It was very quick and easy when two people performed the deployment and the roll up.
If this slick deployment method is too complex for you then the open sloppy spiral method might be more suitable for you and it is still quick and crinkle-free.
Lastly, you could resort to the traditional crinkle method as demonstrated in the latter portion of this Video at about 8:50 into it.
Tim
