Search found 98 matches

by oakback
Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:53 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Question about running a 3" CCVM still, and condenser issue
Replies: 7
Views: 1930

Re: Question about running a 3" CCVM still, and condenser is

To clarify, yes water goes to RC then PC. I added insulation around the bottom 2/3 of the column (rolled/tied a blanket around it). There is a thermostat, but I leave it on the highest setting so it stays on.
by oakback
Sun Mar 12, 2017 11:20 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Question about running a 3" CCVM still, and condenser issue
Replies: 7
Views: 1930

Re: Question about running a 3" CCVM still, and condenser is

It's currently running, and I haven't seen any vapor leaking out. But it looks like I'm getting about a quart every half hour, with the first condenser fully up. This sounds stupid, but I forgot that heater elements come in different wattages. I don't know which this one is, it came with the keg (al...
by oakback
Sun Mar 12, 2017 6:32 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Question about running a 3" CCVM still, and condenser issue
Replies: 7
Views: 1930

Question about running a 3" CCVM still, and condenser issue

I finished (I think) my new CCVM build. It's all 3", column is 5' (152cm), 4' (122cm) of which is packed with lava rock. The boiler is a standard half-barrel keg, powered by a 220v water heater element, insulated on top and bottom. Cooling is tap water through a pair of 72" (183cm) of 3/8&...
by oakback
Fri Feb 24, 2017 1:18 pm
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Where do you get your corrugated stainless tubing?
Replies: 2
Views: 1233

Where do you get your corrugated stainless tubing?

I'm trying to finish my 3" build, a CCVM similar to dad300's setup I saw somewhere on this site. I thought the CCST condenser would be the easy part of the build, but I can't get it anywhere. Lowe's and Home Depot only have 18" or shorter, or it's long but coated with yellow stuff that's p...
by oakback
Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:06 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: How can I salvage this pipe to build a new column?
Replies: 9
Views: 1905

Re: How can I salvage this pipe to build a new column?

Would different steel be safe to use for distilling water?
by oakback
Thu Dec 08, 2016 1:11 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: How can I salvage this pipe to build a new column?
Replies: 9
Views: 1905

Re: How can I salvage this pipe to build a new column?

I found out these were definitely used for distilling (different stills for alcohol/water/not sure what else). I found his kegs too, already outfitted with electric elements, treaded neck, and insulation. 4 kegs altogether.
by oakback
Sat Dec 03, 2016 7:25 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: How can I salvage this pipe to build a new column?
Replies: 9
Views: 1905

How can I salvage this pipe to build a new column?

pic album I got this pipe from a neighbor, they're 3" copper and stainless. I thought worst case, for the copper, I could de-solder the joints and soak in acid and/or wire wheel all the oxidation off. If the welds are sketchy on the ss pipe, would there be anything wrong with cutting off the s...
by oakback
Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:49 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Achieving 95%
Replies: 43
Views: 5455

Re: Achieving 95%

I have a 5' tall, 2" copper column, boka still, insulated, packed with copper mesh, that I've ran with both propane and electric. I've tried ridiculously slow drips with high heat for ~12 hours for lots of reflux (went through 3 propane tanks), and quicker runs (low reflux rate) with both gas a...
by oakback
Tue Sep 03, 2013 8:20 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Condenser Controlled Columns
Replies: 378
Views: 155761

Re: Condenser Controlled Columns

I can do a 3" triclamp SS for less than $180usd and assembly in less than an hour! Where can you get all these pieces for that cheap? I was already looking into buying 304ss exhaust pipe and having a guy weld on triclamp ferrules, because it seemed to be the cheapest route. But that still got ...
by oakback
Wed Jun 12, 2013 8:32 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: What size coil condenser for a 3.5" bok?
Replies: 6
Views: 1690

Re: What size coil condenser for a 3.5" bok?

Please give an update after you run it! I want to upgrade my 2" boka, I'd like 3" or bigger. It's so hard to find info about the condenser from folks who have actually done it.
by oakback
Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:57 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: 3" Boka plate gap question
Replies: 4
Views: 900

Re: 3" Boka plate gap question

What was the answer?
by oakback
Fri May 24, 2013 6:25 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Do I need a Tri-Clamp
Replies: 8
Views: 1699

Re: Do I need a Tri-Clamp

see this thread it might give you some ideas http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=31681" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow but..... a tri-clamp is like $10 those old stills you used were likley made with lead solder... and i would no...
by oakback
Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:05 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: I'm stuck on 3" design
Replies: 25
Views: 3494

Re: I'm stuck on 3" design

Feed your vapor to a thumper on the floor? Then a column off of that? I'm not sure if that would work (I have no thumper experience), hopefully someone could chime in and verify.
by oakback
Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:46 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Watts??
Replies: 12
Views: 1876

Re: Watts??

When I ran gas, I always had 2 tanks. When one runs out, you switch to the spare. Always got the spare filled the next day.

I knew it was time to switch to electric when I ran out of both tanks in the same day.
by oakback
Wed Apr 17, 2013 4:38 am
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Concentrating ethanol without distillation?
Replies: 7
Views: 3088

Re: Concentrating ethanol without distillation?

Freeze it. The water freezes, remove the ice, you're left with alcohol. Not the best method, but it works, and doesn't require a still.
by oakback
Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:58 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Bolt-in keg to electric boiler (inspired by Butterman)
Replies: 28
Views: 13307

Re: Bolt-in keg to electric boiler (inspired by Butterman)

Looks like the base will also serve as good insulation, if you ever need to run it while it's set on a floor that's sensitive to heat (if running indoors on something other than concrete).
by oakback
Mon Apr 08, 2013 6:38 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Bolt-in keg to electric boiler (inspired by Butterman)
Replies: 28
Views: 13307

Re: Bolt-in keg to electric boiler (inspired by Butterman)

Will you be adding feet to your keg, or will the drain hardware fit in the space there?
by oakback
Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:40 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: BOK condensor and copper mesh?
Replies: 2
Views: 790

Re: BOK condensor and copper mesh?

Yes.

[6 character minimum]
by oakback
Tue Apr 02, 2013 5:39 am
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Bolt-in keg to electric boiler (inspired by Butterman)
Replies: 28
Views: 13307

Re: Bolt-in keg to electric boiler (inspired by Butterman)

Very nice! I'm going to use your ground screw idea. Currently mine is an alligator clip that clips onto one of the 4 bolt studs, nowhere near as secure as yours.
by oakback
Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:23 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: how well will this work?
Replies: 11
Views: 1761

Re: how well will this work?

What's the big deal? He said it's stainless steel and glass. The only silicone part is the take-off tube, which can be replaced with a funnel made with safe materials (copper). It obviously works, it just makes small batches. Good for refining a recipe, then move on up and build a bigger still that ...
by oakback
Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:25 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: yet another boka...
Replies: 12
Views: 3216

Re: yet another boka...

I ran mine without insulation several times, then insulated it. There was a noticeable difference. The temps stayed steady, whereas uninsulated they wavered some occasionally. Even more so on windy or cold days (I distill outside). Copper is an amazing heat conductor, and it was conducting that heat...
by oakback
Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:17 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Boka Build questions
Replies: 33
Views: 4000

Re: Boka Build questions

So Oakback, you say your 2" has a single wound coil with a cold-finger? Have you found that's enough to knock down what you throw at it? What kind of heating element do you use? I also don't have a parrot, I probably will eventually get around to making one, and I'll probably also start out tr...
by oakback
Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:58 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Would these work?
Replies: 12
Views: 1568

Re: Would these work?

why is there never containers like that in my neighbourhood?? I'd be buyin a few of those at $19 its crazy cheap I bought 4 55 gal hdpe barrels from a Super Suds car wash place for $20 (total for all 4!). They had soap in them. You might want to check out your local car wash places. you may want to...
by oakback
Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:43 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Idea For Boka
Replies: 28
Views: 2832

Re: Idea For Boka

Should it matter at all? Isn't this the top of the column, which should be vented anyways? For a boka, the condenser should knock down all the vapor, to the shape of the top shouldn't matter at all.
by oakback
Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:38 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Boka Build questions
Replies: 33
Views: 4000

Re: Boka Build questions

Rastus, what are the details on your condenser coil? Coldfinger and double wound you say? I'm looking to upgrade my 2" column to 3" column and was hoping to keep the 2" head with my current condenser. I have a 3/4" coldfinger with single 1/4" coil, and I'm wondering if it'll...
by oakback
Fri Mar 29, 2013 5:08 am
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Would these work?
Replies: 12
Views: 1568

Re: Would these work?

bellybuster wrote:why is there never containers like that in my neighbourhood?? I'd be buyin a few of those at $19 its crazy cheap
I bought 4 55 gal hdpe barrels from a Super Suds car wash place for $20 (total for all 4!). They had soap in them. You might want to check out your local car wash places.
by oakback
Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:59 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: how well will this work?
Replies: 11
Views: 1761

Re: how well will this work?

Will it work? Yes. Will it be safe to consume the product? Possibly not. That looks super cool, but those tubes look like vinyl, or some other flexible tubing. You can use your chemistry knowledge, I'm sure, to figure out if the interaction between hot alcohol vapor will break down the materials in ...
by oakback
Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:50 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: BOK column keg connection, 2in vs 3in
Replies: 5
Views: 1217

Re: BOK column keg connection, 2in vs 3in

As a triclamp/sanitary fitting adapter, rather than a reducer. 3" clamp where the adapter meets the column, and 2" clamp where the adapter meets the keg. You can still do your cage idea, just make it fit the 3" column, and remove the adapter when you want to remove your packing. use o...
by oakback
Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:03 am
Forum: Related Gas Accessories
Topic: Jet propane burners
Replies: 12
Views: 2942

Re: Jet propane burners

Before I switched to electric, I used a Bayou Classic 2-jet burner (just like the one pictured above, but with 2 jets and no deflector plate). Someone mentioned to get a higher ABV from a reflux, I should run it hot and slow to increase reflux. That burner could suck through so much propane, it was ...