Yummy's Thumper build

Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper.

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Yummyrum
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Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

Some of you might have already seen some pics of this around here and elsewhere .

With the common 2" keg thumper connection the feed from the Boiler comes in the top and the take off is out the side . This common arrangement is easy to make but it limits the Thumper as to what it can connect to ...usually just a Product condenser .

By contrast this variation will allow any still head to be connected as the output is out the top .I'm sure I saw it some where else :thumbup:
Thumper idea.jpg
Here's whats inside it .
Interenals.jpg
It was a bitch to make.
I had to chop up a few fittings so that they would fit concentrically...no biggy but had to be done .
Chopped up some bits.jpg
I Brazed the 2"-1" reducer to the 1" 90 bend so at least that wouldn't fall apart when I soft soldered the rest
Brazed up reducer.jpg
Cleaned it all up ready to soft solder the copper bits .
2 to 1 90deg reducer.jpg
Soldered on the Staino Tri-clamp ferrules and the thump pipe

Already for a test :thumbup:
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

Thump tube and side connection.jpg
Fire it up and ...bugger ,,,a bloody leak :thumbdown:
One of the advantages of testing at night is you can see the steam :thumbup: ...especially in winter :think:
Bloody leak.jpg
Anyway , I pin point the bastard.
I find heem....the little bastard.jpg
Reflowed the solder and that fixed that .

Then discover another leak on one of the ferrule joints :oops:

Pull off the ferrule and discover my soldering was not as good as I hoped it would be . You can see the track where the solder did not take to the ferrule .
Ferrule didn't tin.jpg
or the copper
Neither did copper.jpg
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

So now its as solid as . :thumbup:

Here's soldering the ferrule and 90 deg onto the connecting pipe .
Last soldered joint.jpg
I realized that my initial design was ideal in theory but in reality no two kegs will stand up perfectly vertical and the addition of my homemade couplings would throw that further out .....so I added another tri-clamp in the feed pipe to aid alignment .So now it doesn't matter how wonky my kegs sit , I can still join them together with no stress on the joints :D
Extra clamp.jpg
Here was my vinegar run
Vinigar Run.jpg
Here I was using it as a steam stripper . That's an 80 liter keg under the blanket
Steam strip setup.jpg
With a Shotty.....Vinegar into the bucket :think:
Thumper with Shotty.jpg
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Swedish Pride
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Swedish Pride »

looks good yummy
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by der wo »

Good, looks yummy. :D
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

LOL Swedish , showing off now der wo .....and being a wanker :D

Can use the short coupling as a thumper fill port
Or fill port.jpg
Can hold thumper in Full reflux :lolno:
Thumper in full reflux.jpg
Can stick a flute on it too .
First Rum run with the Flute on top.jpg
Change the angle of the dangle if I want .

inclined vapour tube.jpg
And does this make my booze the best in town ?..........not really ....but I have fun :ebiggrin: :ebiggrin: :ebiggrin:
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by still_stirrin »

Prime example of the "power of modular". Great job Yummy. What is your favorite configuration for each spirit?
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Truckinbutch »

:thumbup: Great job . :clap:
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Kareltje »

Medium rare design, but well done!
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by der wo »

Kareltje wrote:Medium rare design, but well done!
Are you missing a spiral riser? :lol:
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by LWTCS »

Looks nice.
A sight glass on the thumper would be useful.
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Pikey »

Very nice Rummy 8)
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Kareltje »

der wo wrote:
Kareltje wrote:Medium rare design, but well done!
Are you missing a spiral riser? :lol:
:lol: Funny: I was reading this thread again and started thinking of connecting my riser to my thumperhead.
After reading your post I tried: it can be done.
The versatility of this construction tickles me. So much possibilities, so little time/ferment. :(
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by googe »

Awesome as always yummy, always look forward to your threads, you do exceptional work. Very neat :-)
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

LWTCS wrote:Looks nice.
A sight glass on the thumper would be useful.
So true LWTCS . And as I discover twice :oops: while doing a steam trip that a sight glass on the steam boiler would be handy too :think: ....note to self , don't skimp on the water .
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

still_stirrin wrote: What is your favorite configuration for each spirit?
ss
I'll be honest and say I don't really know .
I only have 2400 Watts of electric available and I do most of my distilling over a gas flame but it freaks me out . My main motivation for building this was so I could run my Stills but be a safe distance from the flames .

As you can see its very versatile but with that comes multiple combinations and I really haven't had the time to play with it all and find out whats best for what .

I have anecdotally found that steam stripping my rum wash was better than direct heat stripping but I need to try it more .
I did find that the thumper under the Flute was excellent at saving a low ABV wash .

I concur with Kareltje.......
Kareltje wrote: So much possibilities, so little time/ferment. :(
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Beerswimmer »

I'm on my way, thanks to your design Yummy!!
E4CFCDB4-817D-4F75-AB8E-CB7A1C8D2261.jpeg
875A9372-8CBA-43FE-9A0B-BC083A5CFECA.jpeg
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

Thats cool beerswimmer . Be good to see pics of it when yo finish it .

By the way I hope you don’t mind , I copied your pics of the host you were using and stuck them directly here for future prosperity as images tend to get lost over time .
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Beerswimmer »

Thanks Yummy, I couldn't do it myself! Here's some more pics of it soldered(poorly) and test fit together:
20190804_154919.jpg
20190804_155951.jpg
20190804_160010.jpg
I still need to do a leak check and find all the leaks. You were right, it was a royal PITA to put together!!!

And I'm one triclamp short of being complete :x
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Beerswimmer »

I still need to clean it up after I fix the leaks, and drill holes in the bottom of the spear. I also have another copper 90 degree I can fit to get more copper in the system. The modularity of your design is so amazing! Since the vapors go up and not out the side I can put run it as a pot, or put a flute or packed column over the thumper and not really change much. While I'm waiting to get my triclamp in the mail I can start a cheap sugarhead for the sac run and get a real all grain recipe put together!
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

Looks great beerswimmer :thumbup:
Should work a treat
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Beerswimmer »

Leak check was so good I'm going to let it run as a cleaning run. Only 2 minor pinholes on connections, but none at the critical thumper connection!! :thumbup: It took about an hour and a half for anything to come out of the non-cooled condensor, but it's with only water. There was a tinny drumming as the thumper started to work and it came up to temp. One running it was silent. I drilled 12 holes in the bottom of the spear before starting.

After this I'll give it a soapy wash, a quick dip in citric, and then some cheap UJSSM for a sac run. Now I need to get some barrels :D
20190806_210640.jpg
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Beerswimmer »

Doing my first non-cleaning/sac run! A cheap and easy UJSSM strip Truckinbutch style, 12.5 gallons in each boiler. It took 35mins to hear the thumper and another 45 to get a solid stream out of the pipe. Not bad :thumbup:
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Beerswimmer »

20190824_161729.jpg
It's not sideways when you click on it.
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by fruitfreak »

Cool setup for sure., I might have to build one like it. Until then, I just need some copper jars for my silly double ;)
20190901_014007.jpg
20190901_014018.jpg
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Caliche »

Howdy! I am building my own version of Yummy's Thumper build. The modular design is really inspiring.

There is one part that is stumping me, the 'T' where the vapor path goes into the thumper. I know there will be some cutting and some brazing involved. It looks to my eye that you are using a different kind of copper fittings than what is available to me in the US?

I'm wondering if anyone has built this using US copper type M, how they did it? Cheers!
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by LWTCS »

3 x 2 x 2 tees are common. At least they used to be prior to plastic becoming so prolific.

Find a legit supply house. Wall thickness is a non issue.

Just gotta cut the stop out of the top side 2" part of the tee is all.
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Yummyrum »

I used Australian copper fittings
Caliche wrote: Mon Jul 05, 2021 6:44 pm I'm wondering if anyone has built this using US copper type M, how they did it? Cheers!
I think beerswimmer used US fittings in his version .
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Re: Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Tummydoc »

Caliche wrote:Howdy! I am building my own version of Yummy's Thumper build. The modular design is really inspiring.

There is one part that is stumping me, the 'T' where the vapor path goes into the thumper. I know there will be some cutting and some brazing involved. It looks to my eye that you are using a different kind of copper fittings than what is available to me in the US?

I'm wondering if anyone has built this using US copper type M, how they did it? Cheers!
I used a 2 inch copper sanitary tee from a scrap yard, a 2" to 3/4 inch reducer and a 3/4 inch elbow, all soldered inside the Tee.
60765D22-B5AD-4C8D-98BC-D0A6D921D4CB.jpeg
799C50FE-369A-49F8-98F9-1C8BDCB62982.jpeg
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Yummy's Thumper build

Post by Caliche »

Tummydoc- that is beautiful work. How in the heck did you solder it all? Was there brazing involved?
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