a sub compact design submarine

Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper.

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ozone39
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a sub compact design submarine

Post by ozone39 »

Gonna start over and built an old school 25 gallon boiler sub still. been wanting to experiment with thumpers for quite some time now..So here we go..
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White_Lightning_Rod
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by White_Lightning_Rod »

Thats a beaut.. are the sides only wood or is the wood covering metal sides, just for asethics? What kinda wood did you use?
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by cob »

ozone39; damn I'm glad you finally built something I can understand. :wink:
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Sungy
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by Sungy »

Wow that sure is nice.
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LWTCS
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by LWTCS »

cob wrote:ozone39; damn I'm glad you finally built something I can understand. :wink:

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Danespirit
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by Danespirit »

I was waiting for one of your rather unusual builds, Ozone.
That looks awesome..! :thumbup:
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bitter
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by bitter »

Nice job! Look really nice planned and built!

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ozone39
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by ozone39 »

The sides are made of Douglass Fir (it was that or either white pine around these parts). I did a tongue and groove type joint where the 2 x 4's in both pieces where grooved 1/2" and then pounded in a 1/2" x 1" filler piece between the boards. I then wrapped them Jute twine (bees wax helped keep it in place) before I screwed the metal onto the side boards. There is no metal backer on them. Stainless all thread (double nut and washer) was used to keep the sides parallel and squared up to each other before I attached the sheet. That proved to be the most difficult part of the build. All in all it's been a lot of fun and it's good to get back to doing some woodworking. I'm very near being completed, a firebox and burner is next on the list. I appreciate all the great feedback...
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sub 3.jpg
side boards.jpg
sub still 1.jpg
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DSM Loki
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by DSM Loki »

I like the hell out of this.
ozone39
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by ozone39 »

Built a basic BBQ pipe burner...things are coming together..
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by pfshine »

I saw on another post about the new burners that you are still using this beauty. Did you ever have a problem with it? Did the Douglas fir put any off tastes into your drink?
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ozone39
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by ozone39 »

The new burners really helped with scorching (way more even heat). The drilled out tubes I had in there before created a hot spot and would cause problems. The new burners and fire box (better venting and larger head space) solved that problem. I ran a 80% Rye/20% barley run last week flawlessly with no scorching of any kind. the pine boards did take some time and care to "break in". I soaked them for two weeks changing the water every two days (this also helped seal up the tank itself). I performed about 3 boil outs with just water and a tad of white vinegar and two sacrificial fermented sugar runs. The first run with wash had a hint of pine (was kina simular to a gin). By the end of the second run the off flavor had dissipated. Makes great some pretty smooth whiskey for sure. I put the tails from the previous run in the thumber barrel and it put's out between 160 and 140 proof (160 heads down to 155 ish) 150 to 140 proof is the g spot for the hearts, which I will run down to 60-50 proof for the tails for the next run in the thumper........

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 86&t=57213
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by shadylane »

Nice build, I'm impressed. :thumbup:
Where you distilling on the grain ?
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bearriver
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by bearriver »

I've seen fir used throughout more than one commercial process. I wouldn't shy away from it, and think this example was beautifully done.

Wonder what sort of life expectancy the wood will have?
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by pfshine »

Image upon closer inspection I'm glad that's a new wax ring with the box. I don't even wanna think about a used one.
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ozone39
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by ozone39 »

from start to finish I do everything from mashing to fermentation and distilling with out transferring....I installed air jets for mixing the mash and for initial heat up (to around 155 F) to aid in not scorching to the bottom.
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Danespirit
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by Danespirit »

That's amazing, no scorching..i assume even with a lot of grain in it..?
When you empty the still, do you fill it with water to keep the wood moist and tight sealing or do you just put antother ferment in?
ozone39
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by ozone39 »

I keep it 3/4's full of water. Changing the water out once a week if it sits that long with out being run....My grain bill is generally 1 to 2 LBS of grain for every gallon of water..
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Butch27
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by Butch27 »

It doesn't look like the OP has been active for awhile but this is an interesting build and was just wondering if anyone else has tried it.
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by SmokyMtn »

Butch27 wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:21 am It doesn't look like the OP has been active for awhile but this is an interesting build and was just wondering if anyone else has tried it.
A sub design has been used for really long time. I don't know the date of inception, but many decades. The first issue I see is it has to be filled with water, when not in use. You want the wood to stay sealed by absorbing the water and swelling. If you spring a leak, it could be laborious to seal. These are not multi generational stills. I don't see passing this down to a grandchild. The wood will not last forever.

Personally I would build this design before a keg. I prefer a more historical design over convenience of a keg. The build cost would be a fraction of a all copper build.

Most on here view a sub as a quantity over quality type still. Ultimately it's up to you to weigh the pros and cons.
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Re: a sub compact design submarine

Post by goose eye »

Get that sub an a pot. Put same beer in em and same cook an a blind taste test an get back to me.

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