Thanks gooserider & bb2k.
I'll have to do more digging into a how-to on the #rotor style. I'm just concenred with how to get 1/2" OD barbs onto the thing

.
I do have a surplus city about 45 minutes away from me, I'll have to check it out sometime when I'm in that area. Hadn't thought of them for stuff like that.
Would a 'sheet metal shop' have copper blocks to play with?
Is there a good site to teach me how to solder copper together, or should I just have my friend, whose dad is a plumber, do it instead?