Bokakob 2" mini-still column

[Blind Eye]

Thanks for the measurements I was guessing 11-12" wasnt to far off. I am starting tonight Ive got 5' of 2" copper @ $8.25 ft. not bad at all most places wanted $9.75-11.50 ft.. I also thought it through and I bought an extra set of 2" male & female I was thinking of splitting it @ 2' and make another simple pot still head so I would have all the fixings to shorten it up for some strippers or mount the power tower for the clean stuff.

Did you have any last ideas or changes you wished you done differently?

This site and its members are great thanks for all the help this is something I have wanted to do for over 30 years and its getting real close I can almost smell it !! pictures soon when I figure out how to do it? read read read I know haha!!

[Pikluk]

i didnt try the small 8" column i made, but i think 2' might be a bit long.
ideally i would have made it about 16" but 8" was all that had left.

the only thing i could have done better if for the bottom plate i didn't cut deep enough for the notch, looked alright but because of the thickness of the metal once bended its barely under the level of the plate, so with heavy reflux im not sure everything drip in the middle.

[Blind Eye]

I was hoping without packing that the 2' might make it, I also have access to another 5' of 2" copper so I'm still(get it) contemplating that one!

I'm ready to cut my plates in today would you recommend I cut the slot back another 1/8-1/16" further than instructed to adjust for the thickness?

Is that template the best or what, thats the cats arse on that 1!!!!!

[Pikluk]

1/16" should be enough.
or if you have thiner metal from smaller pipe could be easier for that and to fit them in the slots.

[Blind Eye]

Used 3/4" copper slit & flattened,I think Im in the ballpark I still went a touch further. Using the 3/4" flat fit perfect in the single dremal tool cut I made hardly any sanding yet seemed snug.

[Pikluk]

nice of you to had a few picture Blind Eye.
i originally made that post to give back a little, to help people who want to built a really good reflux column, and your helping too .

and on another note i found out why i only got about 94% at 300ml/h with a 1100w hotplate set at 2/3 up.my hotplate was damaged awhile ago removed the pot and forgot it on for a few min(till a smelled burning plastic) no smoke or flame tho tried to turn the knob to off and it felt weird, so i unplugged it.
after cool down everything looked fine knob felt alright too.
then i found this http://homedistiller.org/calcs/reflux_calc
it take me about 90min to get to boil 11l so about 600w...
i was assuming that 2/3 up was about 700-800w and trying to adjust the rest to it.

today after looking at that reflux calculator i putted it on high (no cycling)
about 600w collecting at 350ml/h(can't go higher without more wattage) i finally got ... temp was 21c

one of the mistake i made, why i didn't figured this on quicker is it takes a long time for the equilibrium to settle in the column when you make a adjustment will take about 30min or more to settle.

edit fixed typo

[Blind Eye]

What a beautiful sight, that is outstanding !!! you should be proud looks like all the research is paying off.. That sucks about the plate what are you considering as a heat source external (propane) or internal elements? I know a lot of people dont like the idea of open flame but I found a Dual fuel 533 by coleman, it will run on unleaded or stove fuel. says it will run up to 6 hrs on medium,@ 10,500 btu im wondering how that would work, plus its only like 7" tall also, just thinking???? got the old turkey fryer base now a little tall with the 15gal keg vs. the 7 3/4gal.

[jdpete]

Pikluk

I noticed in your first post pictures you cut the bottom drip plate to a point, why?

Jeff

[Pikluk]

its a pin that you bend down to guide the reflux in the middle of the packing.
why a point looks pretty

[dacountryguy]

Just want to thank ya for putting up those pics there Pikluk, Was looking into getting into distilling and stumbled upon this thread. Gave me a good idea on what the still should look like and how easy it is to make. Got to test it out this weekend and worked like a charm for me. (Even if my condensor is not near as perrty as yours ) Once again thanks and keep on stilling

[Blind Eye]

Pikluk, good Idea with the point probably gave a little more to grab when you bend it compared to a straight cut like mine.

[Hawke]

Actually, with the pointed tab, it will concentrate the reflux better. (The liquid will try to hold on 'til it gets to the point)