New Flute Build In The Works

[still livin]

Ok guys I've built a couple stills so far and the copper bugs biting again, been reading everything on the forum about flutes from Flute Talk to personal builds and there is a LOT of info and great builds. I've gathered lots of info and am planning my build by using different bits I've liked from different builds. I'm planning on a 4", 4 plate modular column using stainless and copper. I have everything pretty much figured out in my head that I want to do but a couple things are a little cloudy and I wanna do this right, so I'd like some input please....

1. The plates, I'm making copper perforated plates but they will be sealed so no gaps around the edges, so I'm wanting to know what the "current" optimum pattern and hole size is...1st I think it was 29 - 1/8" holes then I believe most went to 60 - 3/32" holes and now it seams most are using 1/16" holes on a quarter inch grid. I was originally thinking the 3/32" - 60 hole .... but what does work best?

2. There's so many variations in the down tubes, how does 3/4" tubes sticking up 5/8" above the plate and suspended to 2" above the lower plate with the J bend at the bottom, does this sound good?

I'm going to post some pics as I go, plan on starting with shotgun dephlag and making it 4" with 3/4" reflux tubes.

Thanks for any ideas / input and sharing all the great information.

[Brendan]

'What works best' is hard to measure/determine...in our case, I guess it would be taste of the final product.

Theoretically (for industrial use), 7-8% wet plate area is optimum for your holes. i.e. Work out area of total plate, subtract anything where there is no liquid/vapour contact (downcomer tubes or cups on the plate), and then that's your wet plate area...then your holes should be 7-8% of that area.

I went with 1/16" holes, and it works out to be about 300 of them on a 5mm grid that lands in the 7-8% optimum range.

[still livin]

Thanks Brendan, I'm looking for flavor and a higher ABV , currently running a 3" pot still and it takes me 2-3 runs to get what the flutes are doing in 1, I didn't do the math but I figured the larger hole/smaller count plate patterns were in the optimum 7-8 %. My plates will have no center support or cup sitting on them, so I can get the most surface area. Also was wondering if anyone has had an issue with the smaller holes getting clogged at all, don't remember reading anything about that.

[still livin]

Brendan, just refreshed my memory with your still build, excellent job, your build is the one that made me want to go modular, with the option to make easy changes and easy cleaning.

[still livin]

Got some 2" & 1.5" for end caps on my condensers.

[still livin]

Flattened out the 2" & cleaned it up a bit before cutting.

[still livin]

Used a router with a cutting disk.

[still livin]

Circles

[still livin]

All drilled, using 3/4" reflux tubes.

[still livin]

Got the tubes cut today and a mock up.

[dirtymax731]

Nice!

[still livin]

Thanks dirty.

[still livin]

Need some input on the plates please.... thinking about the 54 - 5/64 holes Emptyglass was recommending, not sure about the pattern, anybody else go this route?

[Sungy]

Nice work so far. Cant wait to see what ya got for us next.

[dirtymax731]

I did the 1/16th with 5 mm grid. Works great, can't speak for other designs as these were my first plates I've built

[still livin]

Did a mock up

[still livin]

Was messing with plate ideas and patterns, if I use a 3/8" grid I can get 80 holes after I subtract for the down tubes, was thinking about going with 3/32 holes. How's this sound to everybody?

[still livin]

I got my condenser mocked up 14" long with a slight angle and a center piece to slow the water down.

[still livin]

Plates are drilled, ended up with 82- 3/32 holes, hopefully this works out good. I think I'll have it done on another couple weeks.

[still livin]

Been getting a lot more work done on my flute, did some person touches.

[still livin]

Ol' copper head's about done.

[Halfbaked]

SO NICE!!!!! I like the artistic copper and copper and artwork.

[Halfbaked]

I would like to hear about your down combers and see pics if you have any.

[still livin]

Thanks Halfbaked, I used 3/4" down comers rising 3/4" above plates with cups made out of 1.5" pipe and an elbow for the bottom plate.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Doesn't the bottom plate still need a cup? Otherwise won't the vapour just take the path of least resistance?

[Halfbaked]

Tokoroa he has one it is the one to the far right.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Thanks Halfbaked, I used 3/4" down comers rising 3/4" above plates with cups made out of 1.5" pipe and an elbow for the bottom plate.

He says an elbow for the bottom plate. And the picture shows it, with no cup, bottom left

[emptyglass]

looking good still livin

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Looks very good. I hope to build something as nice one day. Just confused about the bottom down comer

[moosemilk]

Wow that is sure a functional work of art! Great job! One day I'll have one myself. One thing at a time. Traditional pot still. Boka in works now. Want a thump keg for my pot to play with also. Then I'll get on to a flute. For now, I'll dream and drool over works like yours! Thanks for posting the pics!