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problems sealing my still

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:20 pm
by outdoorsmadness
hi im new to the forum and im excited about being here, i built me a still using the design at StillMaker's from http://www.Moonshine-Still.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow .and im having a problem sealing the ss inverted bowl to the keg. i used the cork gasket and bolted it down after filling it with water and flip it up side down to test for leaks and it leaks pretty darn good. has anyone eles made this design? i am open for sugestions on how to over come this problem.

thanks Bryan

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 6:57 pm
by orpheus16
flour paste (dough actually) will seal just about anything. It sure is a pain to clean up though, and you have to re-apply it every run.

It is possible to solder stainless so that could be an option.

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:31 pm
by maheel
might be easier to get another keg and use a flange and tri-clover

turn that keg into a fermentaion tub ?

just a thought anyway as seals are tricky

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:40 pm
by Vipers
+1 maheel. . tri-clover clamps are so simple

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 4:42 am
by outdoorsmadness
thanks for the help, i been searching site and see alot of people do the flour and paste trick. i think im going to try that for now. i do hope to get another keg and i wont be cutting it, lesson learned. where is a good source for tri clamps?
thanks Bryan

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:59 am
by Kentucky shinner
Brewhaus
Mile high
ebay...
you can find tri- clamps at many places.

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:49 am
by Bushman
I believe it was Rubber Duck that talked me out of cutting my keg and using a bowl. I use a triclamp and love it, so much more sturdy and easy to use!

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:25 am
by Coyote
I use an inverted SS bowl over my keg
Bolted to the bowl is a 4" x 4" piece of 1/4" copper bar
with an inverted 2" female adapter soldered to the copper plate
thus allowing a 2" male adapter to be threaded into the female adapter and
still columns changed

I seal the bowl to the keg with a 1/4" inch cork gasket and pull everything tight
using a black tarp (bungie) strap

Only under the highest temps do I ever have a leak and then only very minor

It was and is my thought that I really do want to be able to open the keg top for
cleaning and regular inspection of the electric heating elements

After accounting for inflation there is my 13 cents worth

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:23 am
by Bushman
Yea, I probably wouldn't change designs at this point. I am guessing you can solve the problem by changing how you tighten it down. A bungee is to flexible you can improve that part of the design with very little expense!

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:39 pm
by blanikdog
orpheus16 wrote:flour paste (dough actually) will seal just about anything. It sure is a pain to clean up though, and you have to re-apply it every run.

It is possible to solder stainless so that could be an option.

I'm always stunned to hear how painful it is to apply/remove flour paste, however If you add a little bit of cooking oil to the mix it might save you a few minutes time. :|


Stay Safe

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:27 pm
by The Baker
blanikdog wrote:
orpheus16 wrote:flour paste (dough actually) will seal just about anything. It sure is a pain to clean up though, and you have to re-apply it every run.

It is possible to solder stainless so that could be an option.

I'm always stunned to hear how painful it is to apply/remove flour paste, however If you add a little bit of cooking oil to the mix it might save you a few minutes time. :|


Stay Safe
Should be easy.
Make a dough, not a sticky mess.
Don't put it on thin.

When you are finished, break it off.
Yes, break. That's why you didn't spread it on as a thin, sticky mess, right?.....

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:55 pm
by Izzy_Britton
depending upon the size of the hole in the top of your keg you could always get yourself a 10 or 12 inch tri-clamp ferrule and weld it on. then get a tri-clamp cap of the appropriate size, drill it and weld it to the cap and VIAGRA! you have an open top keg with tri-clamp fitting to cover your needs.

might not need to buy an extra keg?

this is however NOT a cheap solution. I am doing this to one of my kegs and the parts are well over $200, not including welding, for the modification.

JustACrazyThoughtIzzy

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:17 pm
by ozone39
try and boil water through it and see if it leaks. By flipping it upside down with water you are applying a water head pressure that that joint will never see during vapor production....

Re: problems sealing my still

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 6:13 am
by outdoorsmadness
thanks for all the great advice, now i have many ideas just got to figure out which one to do. for now im gona build my still head and come back to my problem.

thanks Bryan