A Nixon Stone Still

Vapor, Liquid or Cooling Management. Flutes, plates, etc.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Stillhead

A Nixon Stone Still

Post by Stillhead »

Here is the new Nixon Stone still I designed with 2" copper. It is a modification of my previous still which controlled reflux ratio with a sensitive valve controlling the cooling through the reflux condenser. This one uses the same condenser, but ran to complete reflux, and the sensitive valve can now be replaced with an ordinary needle valve attached to the 'stream splitter'.
This picture shows my sketch and the reflux condenser jacket with a customized tip (hammer and saw):
Image

Then I soldered on a threaded fitting to join it to the stream splitter:
Image

This shows the connection of the reflux condenser with drip tip, to the stream splitter attachment. The overlap is about 1/4" so that all the condensed vapour goes into the stream splitter cup:
Image

These two photos give you a view of the stream splitter before I soldered it into the 2" pipe:

Image
Image

The stems were cut down later to fit it in.

Here are the three peices and the column and boiler:

Image
Image
Image

Cheers.
User avatar
Tater
Admin
Posts: 9678
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:19 am
Location: occupied south

Post by Tater »

nice work.
I use a pot still.Sometimes with a thumper
rezaxis
Swill Maker
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri Aug 18, 2006 7:57 pm

Post by rezaxis »

That's real pretty! How you get that stuff so shiny!? How did you determine how far up into the cup to put the reflux return hole?
Shine on!
Stillhead

Post by Stillhead »

The shine is just from a light rubbing with 0 grade courseness steel wool. The hole fills up to 10mL. This number is arbitrary, however, since the excess will always just pour out back onto the column packing.
birdwatcher
Swill Maker
Posts: 387
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:27 am
Location: Ontario

A Nixon Stone Still

Post by birdwatcher »

Yes! Brilliant inovation. Congratulations.

G
My sugar wash for ethanol is under the Tried and true recipes forum.
Stillhead

Post by Stillhead »

Image
goose eye
Master of Distillation
Posts: 2846
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:19 am

Post by goose eye »

some of yall is artist.
with them coils that tight dont the liker come out hot without a buch of water or do it matter
possum
Distiller
Posts: 1159
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:33 am
Location: small copper potstill with limestone water

Post by possum »

Goose, I think that the hootch condenses on the OUTSIDE of the coils... the coils run with cool water. It is backwards from a standard worm in bucket rig.
Hey guys!!! Watch this.... OUCH!
Rudi
Rumrunner
Posts: 518
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:27 am
Location: 50 miles past kikatinalong up that dirt track

Post by Rudi »

very nice love those copper 2" joiners cant get em here only get brass ones every plumbing supplier I ask looks at me with a blank look shaking their head
Such is life
nanosleep
Bootlegger
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:38 pm
Location: Texas

Post by nanosleep »

Here's what I use
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/n ... sembly.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g58/n ... omSide.jpg
It operates on the same principles as yours but IMHO it has less parts, is easier to build, and takes up less vertical space. This is based on the bokakob single in-line head from the old yahoo forums.
stoker
Distiller
Posts: 1093
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:16 am
Location: not there

Post by stoker »

those stills are starting to become popular
those look very much like my 'modified ministill'
(link below for pictures)
-I have too much blood in my alcohol system-
Fretman124
Novice
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:23 am
Location: North of the border, near the ocean

Post by Fretman124 »

Here's a stoopid question from a noobie

Why is the tube in the bottom of the spliter cup pinched off?

Seems to me that it is a useless piece of hardware soldered into the bottom of the cup

Reference pic #4 from the top to see what I am refering to
Stillhead

Post by Stillhead »

The tube is pinched off, then a hole is drilled into the pipe as an overflow. It is not the clearest view of the hole, but you can see that it is there (also see the sketch).

The same principle as the overflow drain on a bathtub. The condensate reaches the height of the hole, then overflows back onto the packing.

The reason it is pinched off insead of left open is to prevent any condensate from falling straight through without first landing in the cup.

The cup is approx 10mL.
Fretman124
Novice
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:23 am
Location: North of the border, near the ocean

Post by Fretman124 »

Gotcha

old dog learnin new tricks
pigroaster
Novice
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:41 pm
Location: Canada: Where fish say "Eh"

nixon stone still

Post by pigroaster »

I've been loooking at still design and like the look of the nixon stone still but do not understand how the vapour travels up past the assembly to the coils. Are holes drilled in the tapered pipe? thanks Norm
stillvodka
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 432
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2006 10:13 am

Post by stillvodka »

Norm,

I think you should have a real good read of this web site, http://homedistiller.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow , it contains almost everything you want to know to get you started.
professor zedlavski
Novice
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Feb 04, 2007 4:47 pm
Location: New Zealand

Post by professor zedlavski »

Question for the original poster. I plan on making that exact still. In the Making Vodka and Gin book from which it originates it talks about modification to the water heater to cut its power in half. Did you do that? If so, how?

Thanks,

-- professor zedlavski
sibentley
Novice
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:33 am

Post by sibentley »

Hi Professor

I am not sure how to cut the water heater power in half but on my still which has a 240v 3000w element I run it on full power to heat up then for the run plug the element into a 110v site transformer (which runs off a 240v supply ) using a made up lead with the necessary fittings, that drops the power by 1/4 to 750w. Not too sure of the maths but it works.

The transformer is used here in the UK on building sites etc. if they have them where you are it is a simple solution.
Chris2626
Novice
Posts: 69
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:10 pm
Location: Louisiana

Post by Chris2626 »

very nice still
guest

pressure concerns on nixon-stone type condenser

Post by guest »

By placing a valve capable of closing the output of this, or any condenser, could there not be a chance of steam pressure exceeding the design limits of the various components?
warrend
Novice
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:36 pm

Post by warrend »

Stillhead,

Are they Copper (2" or 50mm) BSP fittings, and if so where the heck did you get them ?

All I can find is brass...

Cheers

Warren.
nutmg1
Swill Maker
Posts: 184
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:19 pm

Coil tubing size?

Post by nutmg1 »

Is that 3/8ths aor 1/4 inch tubing for the coil? Is it a special kind to not crush?
birdwatcher
Swill Maker
Posts: 387
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:27 am
Location: Ontario

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by birdwatcher »

Beautiful it is, but I didn't design or build it. Contact Stillhead for specifications. I have no idea where you would find 3" pipe or fittings and I doubt it would be worth the extra cost.

I use converted water heaters, but stainless steel kegs or two restaurant grade stainless pots welded together is another way to go perhaps. Both heated with propane burners.............not in your living room though :lol:


G
My sugar wash for ethanol is under the Tried and true recipes forum.
Hawke
retired
Posts: 2471
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:39 am

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by Hawke »

Looks like Stillhead is no longer a member here. I believe the drawings for this still are on the parent site.
It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.
Valved Reflux, 3"x54" Bok 'mini', 2 liebig based pots and the 'Blockhead' 60K btu propane heat
birdwatcher
Swill Maker
Posts: 387
Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:27 am
Location: Ontario

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by birdwatcher »

Well my friend, if you can build that still out of 3" pipe, Then post detailed plans of a workable still on this site management could/might consider this refinement qualifying as the " Lurch Still ". I think the collection cup in the Stillhead still is simply secured by solder in one place on the side of the tube. Pretty, but too flimsy for practical use. Some refinement is required here,

Other members have commented steam rising to the coils at the same time as fluid is returning to the cup could "maybe" be a hazard. This should also be improved in some way. Otherwise, a beautiful concept that you can tackle.

This 3" still, with its fittings, is not going to be cheap. If I were tackling it, I would have two interchangeable 30 " tubes, one with scrubbers i.e. your reflux still, the other without i.e your pot still. Or, if just one column, a capability to dismantle and simply remove the scrubbers for pot still function and cleaning.

In the meantime, read the book so you totally understand the theory of this hobby. Finish your wash and simply store it until you are ready to convert it to ethanol.

What is your SG today?

BTW thanks for taking this on. We will watch with interest as you progress and comment as required.

Have a good day.

G

PS Where are you buying 3" pipe and fittings and how much?

G
My sugar wash for ethanol is under the Tried and true recipes forum.
HookLine
retired
Posts: 5628
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 8:38 am
Location: OzLand

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by HookLine »

Yup, a 3" column will give you all the vodka you could possible need for personal use.

Sounds like you are well on the way.
Be safe.
Be discreet.
And have fun.
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by rad14701 »

A 3" Bokakob LM column would perform just as well as the more complex offset head Nixon Stone LM column for a lot less money...
Hawke
retired
Posts: 2471
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:39 am

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by Hawke »

I made a tripple for my 3" Bokakob build. it is 3 seperate coils with a central 1/2 inch return.This has very little back pressure. It is pictured in this thread.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =17&t=6849
It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.
Valved Reflux, 3"x54" Bok 'mini', 2 liebig based pots and the 'Blockhead' 60K btu propane heat
plonker
Swill Maker
Posts: 400
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 5:17 am
Location: West Oz

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by plonker »

Hey Lurch, I called a bunch of metal recylers, scrap metal guys and they all had copper and a good selection. I scored 5 ft of 2" for about $30 AUS.. ($20ish US?)
The plumbers sell their leftover copper for a bit of beer money, and the scrap guys bulk sell it on. The scrap guys pay $4 (AUS per kilo) MUCH cheaper.. I tell them that I am collecting copper to make a home brew beer font (with chilled taps.. ) and they sometimes discount the price. :D

Cant help with nixon stone, got some plans and pics for a Vapour Management, (which is great for neutrals).

That triple is lovely.. I made a coldfinger coz Im cr@p at bending.. (and welding...)
IMG_2073.JPG
Hawke
retired
Posts: 2471
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:39 am

Re: A Nixon Stone Still

Post by Hawke »

If you looked at my Boka build, you will notice that I made the head removeable.
It would be very easy for me to convert this to a VM still.
If I had it to do over, I would make the VM first. You should still have a potstill for stripping runs. (It will save many hours of watching paint dry) I had a 14 hour run, even with the 3", starting with a 10% wash. Doing a quick strip first would have cut the time in half.
It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.
Valved Reflux, 3"x54" Bok 'mini', 2 liebig based pots and the 'Blockhead' 60K btu propane heat
Post Reply