I‘m designing a steam engine, and naturally it needs a steam generator. I want to wrap a three layer coil of 1/4 copper tube and fire it probably with a gasoline torch (it‘s for a motorcycle). I want to know if there is a better way to do this, and, more importantly, what the best way to coil it without crimping it is. I want to use a form, and my best ideas are to use ice made from soapy water to fill the pipe, like they do with instruments like trombones. Or maybe heat it, which would mean that, unless I quench it (if I‘m right) it will be softer (annealed). That is the last part to my question. Is it better for the pipe to be soft or hard in case of failure? Or does it matter because the heat from the torch will anneal it anyway? (I don‘t think this is as likely) Please try to be thorough and respond to updates if there are any. Thanks very much for your time and consideration and the help that is a product of them!
