New Flute Build In The Works
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New Flute Build In The Works
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.
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.
Re: New Flute Build In The Works
'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.
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.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Flattened out the 2" & cleaned it up a bit before cutting.
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- dirtymax731
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Thanks dirty.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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?
Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Nice work so far. Cant wait to see what ya got for us next.
........WHY?.....Because I can......
My 4 inch Hybrid 2 Stage Build. . .
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- dirtymax731
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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?
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
I got my condenser mocked up 14" long with a slight angle and a center piece to slow the water down.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Been getting a lot more work done on my flute, did some person touches.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
SO NICE!!!!! I like the artistic copper and copper and artwork.
Re: New Flute Build In The Works
I would like to hear about your down combers and see pics if you have any.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Doesn't the bottom plate still need a cup? Otherwise won't the vapour just take the path of least resistance?
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Tokoroa he has one it is the one to the far right.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
He says an elbow for the bottom plate. And the picture shows it, with no cup, bottom leftstill livin wrote: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.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
looking good still livin
You design it, I make it. Copper and Stainless. Down under. PM me.
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
Looks very good. I hope to build something as nice one day. Just confused about the bottom down comer
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Re: New Flute Build In The Works
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!