Help me build the CHEAPEST possible grain setup

[cruiscinlan]

Had another setback - 1/2 inch copper won't fit the 1/2 inch fittings! Looking into this either the copper pipe has expanded from being left out in cold temps or I need to be looking out for internal/external diameter measurements. (I had believed it was all standard sizes)
On the plus - I made a handy double coil immersion chiller! Cheaper than buying one and should chill a fair bit quicker!

I'm planning to do this sort of set-up myself.  Two problems, I don't have drillbits to drill the hole for the tap. Also I need a pipe bender in order to make an immersion chiller, is there a work around for this?  I have two 6ft lengths of copper pipe at home that I could use a brass fitting to join and make a 12ft chiller.  What do ye think? 

[johnrm]

@ motorbikeman, you might speed up your chill a bit by immersing more of your coil in your wort.
Maybe try and compress your coil.

[cruiscinlan]

Have people here used regular copper and brass plumbing fittings at all for their set-ups?  Will brass react with hot wort?

[Shanna]

Have people here used regular copper and brass plumbing fittings at all for their set-ups?  Will brass react with hot wort?

Both copper and brass will react with hot wort. As copper should be pure and normally not present a problem although the green discoloration should be cleaned off as its supposedly toxic. Different people have different opinions about whether you should keep the copper clean & shiny or allow it dull with patina. I don't know for definite which is the best or most hygienic approach but personally I just add mine to the boiler 15 minutes before the end. I gave up trying to keep it clean. I now just soak & clean it after use & let it dry afterwards.

Brass is a mixture of copper & zinc. Plumbing fittings made from brass & can contain lead in small amounts. Again different people have different opinions on whether they are safe to use. Brass fittings will discolour in contact with hot wort over time. I used some brass fittings for a while and they went black. Over time I replaced them all with stainless steel. Lead displaces calcium from bones & is generally best avoided if possible so I am playing it safe. Others will insist it's perfectly safe but personally prefer to be safe than sorry.

Shanna