Search found 46 matches

by BugHunter
Wed Dec 27, 2017 6:54 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: Proofing and aging
Replies: 15
Views: 1438

Re: Proofing and aging

There is a dilution calculator on the parent site: http://homedistiller.org/calcs/dilute" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
by BugHunter
Wed Dec 27, 2017 9:15 am
Forum: Pot Distillation/Thumper and Design
Topic: ss boiler ideas
Replies: 17
Views: 4181

Re: ss boiler ideas

You can boil water in a paper cup. The water will keep the container from getting much above 100C. So a soldered boiler should be safe (assuming the solder is lead-free, of course).
by BugHunter
Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:49 am
Forum: Distilling News
Topic: Fire destroys house with moonshine still in basement
Replies: 5
Views: 1786

Re: Fire destroys house with moonshine still in basement

Yeah, that burner looks like it would overwhelm that tiny condenser, filling the basement with alcohol vapor until the burner ignited it. FOOM!!

Someone didn't do enough reading.

And that still certainly didn't look very decorative.
by BugHunter
Fri Dec 22, 2017 9:31 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: What to start with?
Replies: 19
Views: 1981

Re: What to start with?

Thanks for all the good advice. I managed to find a feed store nearby (Portola Valley Feed) and swung by tonight and picked up a 50 lb bag of cracked corn. I'm either going to do Booner's or UJSSM, so I'll need it for either one. I'm leaning towards Booner's. No offense to the UJSSM fans (or to Uncl...
by BugHunter
Wed Dec 20, 2017 6:42 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: What to start with?
Replies: 19
Views: 1981

Re: What to start with?

I've brewed beer in the past, mostly from malt extracts with grain added. So I'm comfortable with fermenting. Sorry, should have mentioned that before.
by BugHunter
Wed Dec 20, 2017 5:42 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: What to start with?
Replies: 19
Views: 1981

What to start with?

Well, I've got my still built, done the vinegar cleaning run, and plan to do the sacrificial alcohol run this weekend. So it's time to figure out what my first ferment/distill will be. I'd like it to be something that can be drank with no (or minimal) aging, since I'd like to have something out of t...
by BugHunter
Fri Dec 15, 2017 5:16 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Making a compound column for perfect separation of fractions
Replies: 31
Views: 3874

Re: Making a compound column for perfect separation of fract

I think you need something to stir your mixing chamber, or the hot return water will float on top.
by BugHunter
Sat Dec 09, 2017 5:26 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

I've done some jewelry making before, so I've got polishing supplies and experience. I've got brown tripoli that gets from 400 grit sanded finish to almost polished, then red rouge to get from tripoli to a mirror finish.
by BugHunter
Sat Dec 09, 2017 4:40 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

I've just done a bit of web research, and one product I've seen recommended is ProtectaClear. They have a series of questions to determine which of their products is best for your application, and when they ask what you're using it on, one of the options is actually for stills. One example project t...
by BugHunter
Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:18 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

Yeah, I did another cleaning/test run last weekend, and had no leaks. So the solder joint seems to have sealed well enough. Right now I'm out of town, helping my parents get ready to move, so I won't be able to do the sacrifice ethanol run until the 16th or 17th. I'll probably just grab a jug or box...
by BugHunter
Sun Dec 03, 2017 12:45 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: how much w/cm²
Replies: 24
Views: 2087

Re: how much w/cm²

Let's see, the circumference is 8.5mm * 3.14 = 26.69mm or 2.669 cm

2.669cm * 90cm = 240.21 cm^2

So it looks like you multiplied mm times cm to get cm^2, which got you off by a factor of 10.

2100W / 240.21cm^2 = 8.74 w/cm^2 which sounds pretty reasonable.
by BugHunter
Sat Dec 02, 2017 7:28 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: T500 Part... Can someone show me it?
Replies: 21
Views: 2466

Re: T500 Part... Can someone show me it?

There is FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene) tubing, which is a fluoropolymer, similar to PTFE. I've been doing a bit of research on the differences between PTFE, FEP and PFA (perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin), and as far as I can find, they are all about equally inert. The only difference I'm seeing ...
by BugHunter
Sat Dec 02, 2017 10:31 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

Picture a 4" long, 2" diameter triclamp spool (pipe with langes on both ends), standing on a plate, which has a 2" hole in it centered under the spool. I'm soldering the spool to the plate.
by BugHunter
Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:11 pm
Forum: Related Electric Accessories
Topic: Heating element - controller dilemmas
Replies: 11
Views: 2614

Re: Heating element - controller dilemmas

I don't have direct experience, but I've read of a number of people who use two 110v heating elements. That controller says it requires a 110v 20A circuit, so it will handle up to 2 kilowatts (actually, 2200 watts -or maybe 2400w if you calculate at 120v instead of 110v). One thing many people do is...
by BugHunter
Mon Nov 27, 2017 10:09 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Gaskets... for triclamps
Replies: 16
Views: 4394

Re: Gaskets... for triclamps

On further thought, it occurs to me that a number of people have used stainless tri-clamp ferrules on copper pipe, and I haven't heard any reports of issues with that. That's big chunks of stainless in very solid contact with big chunks of copper. If the two are going to have a galvanic reaction, we...
by BugHunter
Mon Nov 27, 2017 7:07 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Gaskets... for triclamps
Replies: 16
Views: 4394

Re: Gaskets... for triclamps

Would you mind actually explaining what it is you think would be a problem? You have friction, heat and liquid and two very different metals in contact with each other. Between two SS ferrules its fine, but I wouldn't want to test it with my one-of-a-kind copper still head. I have deformation issue...
by BugHunter
Mon Nov 27, 2017 6:08 pm
Forum: Still Related Hardware
Topic: Gaskets... for triclamps
Replies: 16
Views: 4394

Re: Gaskets... for triclamps

I picked up a few of the envelope gaskets from gvc.net . They have 2" envelope gaskets for $2.98 with either EPDM or Viton inside the PTFE envelope. Or 4.91 if you want the flanged gaskets that stay attached to one of the flanges for easier handling. I got 2 each of the unflanged, and 1 each of...
by BugHunter
Mon Nov 27, 2017 3:48 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

That sounds like a really creative way of solving this connection type. I don't think I would trust myself to try just yet though. I orderred a bunch of 2" and 4" copper and stainless steel ferrules from China. Sure can't beat the price that's for sure. I think I wound up paying 5 USD per...
by BugHunter
Sun Nov 26, 2017 10:22 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

The only soldering I've done on 2" is building up my EZ flanges. All of my 2" pipe to pipe connections will be tri-clamp for modularity. I made the EZ flanges by flaring the end with a ball peen hammer then flattening a piece of copper wire, it was either 6 or 8 gauge, I'm not sure. It was...
by BugHunter
Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:44 pm
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

I'm building a modular setup, first a pot still, and then a CCVM reflux with the addition of a 40" packed column and a CSST reflux condensor. I just finished the last solder joint on my leibeg product condensor today, and I just need to file/sand down a little solder, then give it a couple of p...
by BugHunter
Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:20 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)
Replies: 35
Views: 4218

Re: Copper combination CM Build (with cold fingers)

Are you really dead set on a CM? You could easily change that design to a CCVM (Coolant Controlled Vapor Management) design, which has a reputation for being easier to operate. Just take out your coldfinger section, and instead put a section of straight pipe above the tee, with a coiled CSST (Corrug...
by BugHunter
Sat Nov 18, 2017 6:48 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Cooling coil wasn't working well enough, fixed and graphed
Replies: 2
Views: 824

Re: Cooling coil wasn't working well enough, fixed and graph

Very nice data. Thanks for sharing it.
by BugHunter
Sat Nov 18, 2017 8:39 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Will it send me blind ?
Replies: 31
Views: 5873

Re: Will it send me blind ?

Say you brew 5 gallons of beer. It will contain a small amount of methanol, but nobody ever worries about damage from it because it's so small. If you distill that beer into whisky, most of the methanol will get through the still, but a large portion of it will get tossed out in the foreshots or the...
by BugHunter
Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:43 pm
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: Submersible pump size
Replies: 13
Views: 2329

Re: Submersible pump size

It doesn't say what the 264 gph's head height is. And given Harbor Freight's reputation, I'd be hesitant. The rule of "never leave your still unattended" goes double when you're relying on a part from Harbor Freight for something as critical as cooling. Harbor Freight is great for buying t...
by BugHunter
Fri Nov 17, 2017 7:00 pm
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: Welding versus soldering
Replies: 7
Views: 1573

Re: Welding versus soldering

If you need more strength than soldering, you need to quit climbing on your still. ;)
by BugHunter
Thu Nov 16, 2017 6:02 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Something more going on than just ethanol. IMO
Replies: 22
Views: 3030

Re: Something more going on than just ethanol. IMO

Funny, mostly what I've seen from the experienced folk is "don't pay attention to the temperatures, use your nose, tongue, ears and eyes." Also what I've picked up from lots of reading here is that commercial spirits tend to contain a lot more heads and/or tails than well done homemade stu...
by BugHunter
Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:09 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: I-Vac control box as coolant pump safety device
Replies: 10
Views: 1429

Re: I-Vac control box as coolant pump safety device

No electrician required for either the i-Vac in the OP or the i-Socket I suggested. You plug the box into the wall, plug the boiler into the "tool" socket and plug the pump into the "vacuum" socket. Whenever the boiler is turned on, the box detects current flow and automatically ...
by BugHunter
Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:04 am
Forum: Column Builds
Topic: buy a economy tower, or build a boka
Replies: 9
Views: 2353

Re: buy a economy tower, or build a boka

I'm not sure where you're located, but that sounds awfully high for 2" copper. I'm in the SF bay area, which has pretty high prices for most stuff, and my local Lowe's hardware had 10' lengths of 2" copper type L for around $100 when I was looking a couple weeks ago. I ended up picking up ...
by BugHunter
Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:17 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Building an Alembic with Optional Offset Column Hybrid
Replies: 44
Views: 8399

Re: Building an Alembic with Optional Offset Column Hybrid

Beautiful work. I especially like the metal ring on the boiler. It does more than just hide the seam, it adds a nice accent.
by BugHunter
Tue Nov 14, 2017 10:44 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: I-Vac control box as coolant pump safety device
Replies: 10
Views: 1429

Re: I-Vac control box as coolant pump safety device

No amount of automation will replace the need to be close to your still and paying attention during operation. True, but an extra safety factor certainly doesn't hurt. In one former job, I made a mistake which caused a release to be late. I proposed a change to the process to make that particular m...