4" flute build

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bigbuck
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4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

getting ready to begin 4" flute build, I started a 3" along the lines of nchooch , got almost done and ran across some 4" copper pipe and have plans on making an 8 plate column in 2 sections of 4, (going to throw 3" in the corner or tear it apart, only needs glass and water plummed)
I am in the process of ordering fittings now and working on tree plates (will post pics soon) I have been poking around on how to plumb water lines kind of like they do on hillbilly stills, so I guess my question is what is the correct way to hard pipe them off the shotgun with the valves in the middle of the pipes and the correct way to slow water to the deflag without building back pressure on the pump and still keep water free flowing on shotgun????
in the meantime I will keep reading, any help will be appreciated!!

EDIT: I also have been kicking around the thought of soldering in 2" ss ferrules with glass and tri clamp for sight glasses, or using 2" copper pipe with easy flange and tri clamp ???????? I used 1 1/2 trap adapters on 3" that worked pretty well but wanting to make them bigger on 4" build, any suggestions??? I found 2" glass pucks pretty cheap online
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HDNB
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by HDNB »

Sounds like a fun build.

i plumbed mine with a valve on before a "T" on the input side, and connected one leg to each the deflag and the PC.
then I valved the output on the top side independant to each so i can adjust the flow and hopefully move any airlocks up and out.

Racketmencsh did a nice flute build story with lots of links to parts, maybe youll find your sight glass ideas there.
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

made a little progress yesterday, just wanted to get some feedback on which route I should go on sight glasses, I think the 1 1/2 trap adapters look a bit small on 4" ????? I think I can get ss ferrules tiged on copper with silicone bronze rod if I can figure out a way to cut saddles on ss ferrules
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HDNB
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by HDNB »

looking good! keep the pictures coming!

Unless you are sporting young eyes, bigger is always better.

you can also silver solder them on, with harris staybright.

good luck diming out an ellipse in the stainless
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by StillerBoy »

Make 2" sight glass on my 3" using 2" copper with #4 gauage wire for ferrule with the glass wrap with teflon tape and they work well..

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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

if I recall silver solder is quite expensive, what percentage of silver does solder have to be?
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Oldvine Zin
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

I used 1 1/2" trap adapters on mine they are ok but wish that I would of used the 2" version.

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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

that's what I'm thinkin, 1 1/2 trap adapters look great on 3" but I think proportion is off on 4" think I'm gonna go with 2" ferrules tig welded and clamps
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Saltbush Bill »

bigbuck wrote:if I can figure out a way to cut saddles on ss ferrules
There are many options for windows.
I did mine this way, seemed easiest at the time and If I was to do it again Id do them the same way.
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

oh yeah I like that, what is the crimp marks around the copper pipe if you don't mind me asking?
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Saltbush Bill wrote:[
There are many options for windows.
I did mine this way, seemed easiest at the time and If I was to do it again Id do them the same way.
Doh, too bad there isn't a smiley for slapping ones head. - That is a simple and elegant solution to sight glasses, from experience stainless is a bitch to cope.

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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Saltbush Bill »

bigbuck wrote:oh yeah I like that, what is the crimp marks around the copper pipe if you don't mind me asking?
Those bits of copper are simply two inch joiners/ sleeves for joining two sections of two inch copper.
Those marks were on them when I bought them, They are the half way mark to stop either piece of pipe sliding to far through the joiner before you solder them together.
If you look at the top photo you can see that they form a ridge around the inside of the joiner/sleeve/fitting.
Making window mounts this way you do need to get the back section of the flanges shortened by machining them.
If you don't do that the window ends up to far from the main column. The closer you can get the window lens to the column the better.
If you do choose this method I would suggest using Stilldragon glass lenses, and seals.....mine are now over 5 years old and are still preforming perfectly. Not trying to give them a free plug, just saying it as it is.
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

I actually coped a ss ferrule out last night just poking around in the shop and it was not to bad to do if you have the right tools, as soon as I can get to welding supply store I'm going to get some rod and toy around with tigging ss ferrules to copper, got to run a test piece first though only found enough 4" copper to do flute, no room to be experimenting on 4"!!!
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

heres how they turned out on 3"
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

made some progress on shotgun last night
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

been on the hunt for glass for 2" ferrules, have not had any luck on google any suggestions?
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by googe »

Stilldragon usually has them mate?.
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Lyonsie »

Stilldragon sell them. Im getting some myself
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by varocketry »

glass for 2" ferrules $2.25 /each at Vision Stills.

http://visionstills.com/product/2-3-8mm-x-63-7mm-lens/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

I found 4x2 ss reducers with ferrules on both ends on ebay for $20 buck and was going to use those instead of buying 4x2 copper reducers for $45 bucks each, had intentions of using one to connect to keg and one on top of deflag to reduce down to 2" for turn to shotgun does anyone see a problem with that, just thought I could save a few bucks
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

made some more progress
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Nice job on coping those ss ferrules :thumbup:

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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

thanks oldvine, its starting to come together, seems like I'm always waiting on parts though!!!!
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

made plate tree today, here's the progress
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

I am planning on building another 4" 4 plate section to add on for running neutral's with ferrule's on both ends to join them, I have plates made and all holes drilled in them and once I put plate tree in and weld ferrules on I will not be able to remove plate tree, but I have been reading on filling top section with marbles for running neutrals and that seems to be an option so I guess my question is which is the better way and what are the pros and cons? meanwhile I will continue to research and read
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by rgreen2002 »

DAMN SON....that's looking mighty nice. Fine work! :mrgreen:
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

thanks rgreen it has been a long road!!! you don't realize at first how much money you can sink into one of these, every time I turn around I am needing something else!
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by yakattack »

Amen to that BB. But that's this whole hobby. Lol. It's funny I can justify a 50 dollar controller for my malt kiln, yet don't want to go spend 40 bucks on a massage/chiropractor to help with the pain in my shoulder.
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by bigbuck »

my new cheap Charlie reducer cap!!!
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Re: 4" flute build

Post by Lyonsie »

+1 on the spending money. Jameson is cheaper but its not as much fun. Looking good bb :clap:
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