Too much copper... or maybe too much ambition

[OverEducatedIdiot]

It has been a while since I've first joined and posted for my first time. Since then I have been doing a lot of reading and researching and trying to decide which route to go with my first build.

At first I thought about just building Sam's pot head to get into the hobby. After more reading, and discovering the flute build threads, I am very tempted to start building one of them. I know the 4" flutes cost a good deal due to the high price of the 4" fittings as well as the pipe itself. This led to my interest in the 3" flute builds.

As I have started to collect materials in preparation to begin building I have amassed the following:
(1) - 15.5 gallon keg (adopted after being neglected for many months on a porch and the beer store wouldn't take it back)
65" - 2" Copper (donated by Mechanical Contractor)

Today's take from the scrap yard for a total of $83:
30" - 3" Copper Pipe
15" - 3" Copper Pipe
23" - 2" Copper Pipe
22" - 1.5" Copper Tubing
42" - 1" Copper Tubing
21" - 3/4" Copper Tubing

I also have adopted a small 210gph pond pump for circulating my cooling water.

So for my questions:
1) Did I pay a decent price for my copper from the scrap yard?
2) Is building a 3" flute as my first build too ambitions?

For the next month I have access to a lathe and mill so I was thinking about building Sam's pot head for starters and slowly get things like the flute plates and site glasses fabricated.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. What would you do in my situation?

P.S. - If you can't tell I am more interested in flavorful spirits (i.e. rum, whiskey, etc.).

[rockchucker22]

Sounds like a good price, build a still to last. A 3" plated still is very nice and will serve you well!

[NcHooch]

Dang OEI, you scored the mother-load there.
I'd prolly recommend you start off with the pot still, and get comfortable with the whole affair, While you work with the post still, build the flute .
Have fun.

[Kidnapper2]

I know how ya feel. I work construction and I was talking with the plumbers today and next to us was about 25 pieces of 10' 4". I asked if they would miss any of it, a laugh was the only reply..

[OverEducatedIdiot]

I'm actually still building my keg boiler. I bought two 1" half couplers on eBay and spent the last two days drilling out the holes. An uneducated person (ME!) would think two holes in a keg for two heating elements is no large task. I have a 12V DeWalt Cordless with two batteries.... two days and 4 charges each later I got the holes finished.

I have read every thread on soft soldering stainless together, yet I still thought it would be a good idea to try to solder my couplers onto my keg. WRONG IDEA. I'll get two 1" plugs tomorrow and see how they hold up.

Does everyone's solders who has tried to solder a coupling onto a keg look like pigeon crap? It isn't so much an issue of porosity but one of penetration... then again, I'm more familiar with structural welds than soldering so I'm really clueless.

Still, any advice/help/guidance is greatly appreciated. Hopefully my questions don't make someone compelled to re-post something they have already posted. I've read posts from before I graduated high school, much less old enough to drink. I've tried to do my research so sorry if I am asking an obvious question.