New CM column build

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

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squigglefunk
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New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

I have a 70L stainless steel still boiler, 48" x 2.5" column with copper packing, 8" x 2.5" shotgun condenser for reflux with 6 x 1/2" tubes, a 2.5" sight glass

I have tried to read a bunch but of course still have questions lol.. I figure I want the needle valve for the reflux condenser, do I need a valve for the output condenser? Also what would be the best place for the sight glass? I see some before the reflux condenser and some after? Thanks!
OtisT
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Re: New CM column build

Post by OtisT »

Hi Squig. You should also have a valve on your product condenser, to minimize water use.

For sight glass placement, you should put in where there is something to see. There is nothing to see above the Dephlegmator. Just below the dephlegmator you will be able to see the amount of reflux returned and you can see the top of your packing to know if you are flooding or not.

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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

thanks man, I thought the same thing but I swear in one of the CM threads I saw a few setups with it after the dephlegmator... I will stick it before. Also will get a valve to control product condenser flow
OtisT wrote: Tue Sep 14, 2021 6:19 am Hi Squig. You should also have a valve on your product condenser, to minimize water use.

For sight glass placement, you should put in where there is something to see. There is nothing to see above the Dephlegmator. Just below the dephlegmator you will be able to see the amount of reflux returned and you can see the top of your packing to know if you are flooding or not.

Otis
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

http://milehidistilling.com/product/3-i ... -pro-tower

this "mile high" guy even shows the sight glass above
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

ah I see in that mile high still set up the sight glass can be used as a "gin basket" hence the placement after the dephlegmator
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

well the 2.5" dephlegmator arrived from oakstills on ebay. Very disappointing build quality, dirty, scrached, rusty, vapor holes look hacked through the end, and there is crust on the inside of the condenser tubes that really looks like solder (possibly a patch for a bad weld) - I will be returning this and getting a different one.
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subbrew
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Re: New CM column build

Post by subbrew »

sorry to hear that Oakstills did not deliver. I received an order that looked good but it was off the shelf stuff. They are presently fabricating a Tee for me, 3 inch with a 2 in off take for a CCVM. I will let the group know if it looks good or not.
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

got this one on order now, lol ten bucks cheaper, will it be any better tho...

Image
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Re: New CM column build

Post by vaporcatcher »

Where did you order it?
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Yummyrum
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Re: New CM column build

Post by Yummyrum »

squigglefunk wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:42 am well the 2.5" dephlegmator arrived
Squiggle , It can be a bit confusing but that is a 2” component you have there .
The flange on a 2” tri clamp ferrule is 2.5” across .

Anyway , hope your replacement is better quality .
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

I know for sure it is confusing, but if you look at the measurements, it is 77.5mm OD which is 3" :) I sure hope so anyway! It needs to be to fit the rest of my crap.

I have a goofy still with 2.5" size stuff.

the new dephlegmator was ordered from aliexpress

"Homebrew / Fluid Equipment Store" is the name of the "company" :) it has shipped so I will report back when received
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Re: New CM column build

Post by Yummyrum »

squigglefunk wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 4:07 am but if you look at the measurements, it is 77.5mm OD which is 3"
Well now I’m confused :?

The pic you posted up a bit had flange diameter of 2.5” …. Now you are talking about a 3” .
Thing seems to be getting bigger and bigger .

That really is a miss-leading picture . It is badly labelled.
I hope you end up with the right size piece .
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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

Yummyrum wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 4:36 am
I hope you end up with the right size piece .
lol me too dammit, you're scaring me!

- what that pic is stating (I hope) is 63MM (2.5") 77.5MMOD (3" outside diameter)

this is how I've seen most of the 2.5" stuff listed so I hope it's right , sorry for the confusion...
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Re: New CM column build

Post by OtisT »

squigglefunk wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 5:01 am
Yummyrum wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 4:36 am
I hope you end up with the right size piece .
lol me too dammit, you're scaring me!

- what that pic is stating (I hope) is 63MM (2.5") 77.5MMOD (3" outside diameter)

this is how I've seen most of the 2.5" stuff listed so I hope it's right , sorry for the confusion...
That is what is commonly referred to as a 2” part. The 2” is in reference to the pipe size it is designed to connect with. My 2” equipment have a ferrel with an OD of 2.5 inches. 3” equipment have a ferrule OD of 3 9/16”. Never seen equipment sized inbetween the two. I’m guessing that mm measurement shown is wrong.

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Last edited by OtisT on Fri Oct 08, 2021 7:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: New CM column build

Post by tiramisu »

The wonderful world of Sanitary fittings.
I've had a generally good experience with Oakstills. (about 5 separate orders).
I wonder if they have gotten too popular.

I've had 3 or 4 oopses learning about sanitary fittings.
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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

OtisT wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 7:37 am Never seen equipment sized inbetween the two.
oh it's real, trust me, now you've seen it

it's absolutely 2.5" pipe with a 3" outside dimension on the ferrule. It's def a weird size. But I have several pieces and the still to go with it.

I should post pics of the Oak Stills one, it is pretty bad looking in my opinion.
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Ben
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Re: New CM column build

Post by Ben »

Yeah you should, lets see it!
:)
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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

oh man it gets better, the "sight glass" arrived today, a paper thin envelope... hmmm that doesnt seem right... opened it up and there was a beautiful poem in there telling me to look on the bright side of life... oh thank you mr 桦 柏
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Ben
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Re: New CM column build

Post by Ben »

This thread would be much better with pictures :)
:)
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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

I do have pics, dunno how to attach them lol
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subbrew
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Re: New CM column build

Post by subbrew »

Squiggle, when you get to the reply box, hit the full editor & Preview button below that. That will take you to a screen which allows you to attach files
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

neat.jpg
thanks, you'd think I'd be able to figure that out eh... i supposedly work on computers all day wow...


as one guy put it here I guess I like to be spoon fed hahah

but you have to admit that this is a funny scam in some way, and I should get my money back thru ebay ... or I might not be laughing anymore :(
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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

and here's a shot of the deflegamator
neat2.jpg
actually lookin pretty good right now compared to this stupid poem or whatever you call it
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

it's hard to see but the grey stuff in the bottom of the lowest tube is what I thought was solder but it did kinda scrape off in big pasty chunks so prob some sort of other construction residue ? lots of it whatever it was, even a cursory cleaning before shipment might not hurt eh?
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

so got some more fine chinese parts ordered, I went straight to aliexpress again ebay failed me twice so we well see what happens with alibaba's magic powers ah hah!
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

you can see again the goofy size requirments I have

"fits tri clamp 2.5"
neat3.jpg
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

well ebay or the seller refunded my money for the snazzy poem, thank goodness!

the new dephlegmator is at the local post office already, not bad from china.
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Re: New CM column build

Post by quadra »

That was quick!.... Probably a Haiku this time 😜

Don't forget to post pics!
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squigglefunk
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Re: New CM column build

Post by squigglefunk »

well yeah it looks just like this... much cleaner holes cut on the ends, the tubes themselves are far more clean and mirror-like on the inside. Seems built pretty well IMO. For 46 bucks I could not have built one better I am sure lol.

I have been doing hot water and dawn scrubs and soaks and scrubbed each tube out. Also used some heads to clean the tubes after, soaked paper towels in it and jammed them through with a bamboo skewer.

Image

not 100% sure how to handle the inlet/outlet. they are 1/4" MIP? it seems like the brass plumbing fittings at the local lowes fit but couldn't find a needle valve to fit that size. i'll be shopping on line I guess
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