Home Distiller

So, I've completed my blank plates & have drilled the required holes for the rivets/valves & down comer. I received my ferrules & started work on the sight glasses. I used a hole saw on both side of the pipe & then ground down the edges where I had to to get the radius right. then used sandpaper wra...

I was guessing I could... Mainly I was concerned that if I went for more than 25% there would not be sufficient pressure to act on the valve & the vapor would just seep by causing it to act as a perf plate. In a perfect case scenario where the valve is a good seal I could make as many as I wanted bu...

Started a Build thread, 3" plated flute. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=21066

Got Home today & found my rivets waiting for me. theyre pretty coarse but the head is 3/8, stem is 1/8" & OAL is about 3/4" on most. I've got a question regarding how much open area I should shoot for. Do I go for the 30% guideline or somwere around 25 like KS's template for the 4"? maximum I can fi...

ginjo wrote:klg stainless is pretty cheap. Get your circles from metalferrous.com. 1/16'' thick max, so less sealing area, but easier to get the heat in to braze....

Very very cool source for blank trays! I wish I'd known before making these. Oh well, nothing ventured...

ive still got about 12' of it left if I get an inch. You will need some one inch tubing to make a parrot, :mrgreen: OD I've got some 1" that's seen better days. I will make a parrot from it closerr to the end of the build. I like to try making it part of the Cooling system if possible. od, what do ...

To make the trays for your 3" column, just buy a length of 1" copper pipe. Cut it into 3" lengths, and then cut these lengthwise, and hammer them flat. A 1" diameter pipe opens up to 3.14"(a hair over 3-1/8") in length. Perfect. And easily available at any hardware store, and cheap. Save that beaut...

IMG_0060.jpg From rough cutout I mounted the soon to be tray in my drill press on a 1/4" bolt & used 40 grit sand paper to knock it down to the rough size & then filed it to a fine fit. IMG_0058.jpg Rinsed & repeated... I would NOT recomend this method to anyone like me with only a grinder, Hacksaw...

Update: While figuring out the details I've started the build, Like I said before this is a build mainly with what I ahve on hand. I dont really have any material to make the trays outof & it seems like a large shame to me to cannibalize 3"pipe so I cut down some 1/4" x 2" that I have. Heres pics of...

Maybe, just maybe this is a really really stupid question :oops: , & I really don't want to start any fires, but here goes. Is there a reason why you specificaly went with a bubblecap on the center area of the plate? other than making it a bit "easier" on the manufacturing side wouldn't a perf. tray...

So somewhere between 2' - 2.5'. is there a reason for the 4-6" or simply rule of thumb?

HA, quick to respond Rock, I appreciate the enthusiasm!

column.jpg Need to know how long to make the column. also plate spacing - since I'd like to have 3" sight glasses they've got to be at least 3" apart anything between 3-4 inches goes? does this effect product? how? plate tree.jpg As far as the plate tree goes, this is where I think Ill need the mos...

Hi guys, I’m planning on making a 3” plated flute style(credit to olddog here) column with my own twist.  All of my inspiration has come from this site, You’re all the tops in my book. I knew nothing before visiting the parent site 7 months ago & then learning how you all are pushing the envelope re...

Might be a stupid question on an old thread, but has anyone ever tried coca cola?

Braz wrote:That's some good horse tradin' by the way.

HAHA,, you wouldnt believe... about an hours worth of time & $30 USD. it was just scrap to him anyway.

Ok... Now I'm to the point where I need some advise... Ive done some trade work & now have quite a bit of copper pipe, also a sanke style keg! I now have some fittings & 1/16" copper plate, about 5' of 3/4" & 1", 10' of 1/2" the biggest chunks are 3" copper thin wall, 2 pieces are around 37-39" one ...

I do roughly the same, save for the heads, I add a bit just because the main folks i make it for like the little bit of harshness.. others I even go to lengths of adding a bit of baking soda & aging a few months before they get to taste it... really mellows it out alot & is still VERY full flavor.. ...

I dont mean to at all! I actually like the stuff when I'm in the mood... I've made my own granache syrah that is smooth sippin at 90abv & really really nice at 40. Had to use some sodium bicarb to get some of the harshness out & still keep the nose on it but its all there & I get no complaints. reas...

the solution either has to be to remove the chlor*x initally or to get rid of your sodium metabisulphite right? Crazy stuff... I use Reverse osmosis water for all my ferments. Even my girlfriend that makes kefir & Kombucha witch are live probiotic cultures do ok in it... If there is ONLY clorine in ...

well? howd it go?

I gotta wonder how your grappa turned out? what abv did you dilute down to? what kind of still are you running? I've made my own grappa from both pinot noir & granacha/syrah & I receive rave reviews about it all. even if leave up at 90% ABV. the wierd part about grappa is that the people that are cr...

Thats pretty sweet... I've mulled over a bunch of designs & started reading about what all I can do. I like the idea of making a modular unit that I can swap out condensers & dephlagmaters. I do also like the idea of a plated still as I've packed my column with heavy copper mesh before & seen what t...

I've already given it some thought & decided I need to go bigger. I need to make a larger higher output pot still. That 10ish hours would just kill me. not that i dont have the patience, but i dont have the time for a run like that... The MAIN thing I make is grappa, with my current rig I've had not...

Is the "upside" of the T at the top of the liebig open to the atmosphere (surely not)? Where it looks like it will be open to atmosphere is where I put a cork stopper with my thermometer in it. Banjo -- you ran that rig -- it'll run the same rate as what you was running before. Multiply your time a...

Fair nuff... I'm sure you're right, I think I would be happier with a Sanke style too. sure would be nicer to look at anyway. Now that thats settled, what about the volume coming off the still? will my current rig be able to handle the volume of distillate? Im also concerned about having to upgrade ...

I like the bottom tap hole drainage idea. I had semi-planned on that already, I know the side bung has to be welded shut. Someone suggested that I try & trade for a sanke & I rather like the idea & how I wouldnt have to balance/off-set the weight of the still since its kinda heavy/awkward. -Any thou...

I've had a hybrid still i've been using for a while now & am ready to upgrade the pot. Ive been given a keg but its not like the ones in everyones photos. How will I want to mount it? its got a bung in the side, & tap in the indention in the top & drain tap on the bottom side. questions: - Should I ...