Soldering/welding stock pot lid

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sergiolis
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Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by sergiolis »

Hola amigos!
I'm planning to build a new pot still, a big one. The boiler should be 200L capacity made with a stock pot still like this one:
300-litros-hervidor-acero-inox-paredes-2-mm-fondo-3-mm.jpg
My idea is instead of sealing the lid with gasket and clips I would like to solder the lid. Probably tin/siver solder and a good flux like Stay-Clean would be enough.
It is for a 4" pot still so the soldering should be strong.
I've soldered small SS pieces like couplers succesfully in this way.
What do you think? Am I planning something absurd or it could work?
I'm asking because i tried to look for someone soldering a lid and i didn't find it.
Thanks a lot in advance
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pfshine
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by pfshine »

I soldered two kegs together once, worked fine.
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Swedish Pride
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by Swedish Pride »

downgrade your stock pot to 100l as thats the upper limit that's allowed to be discussed here.
If you're just to use it as a pot still 4" is way overkill, 2" is more than ample for your needs, Also I'm not sure id trust the lid with the weight of a 4" pipe.
Soldering the lid is easy, get a good flux like harris stay clean and get a 150w soldering iron off ebay and you're golden, normal lead free solder is sufficient.
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sergiolis
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by sergiolis »

Thank you very much for your answers.
I'm assuming that the whole diameter soldered will be strong enough or I hope so.
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pfshine
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by pfshine »

Actually the small joint like these are surprisingly strong. I made a couple with my inline thumper that holds all the weight of the column and cooling lines easily.
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ben stiller
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by ben stiller »

I would also question why you would want to solder the lid and use 4 inch for a pot still? How will you connect the column to the lid?
By being able to remove the lid you can easily access the inside for cleaning. I use an inverted bowl with a large reducer soldered
on to it and it supports a tall marble packed column which is quite heavy. I secure it with the typical binder clips. I would just solder
on a 4 inch ferrule if you are determined to use 4 inch.
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sergiolis
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by sergiolis »

Hi ben stiller! My idea is to use a pot with a big diameter so I won't be able to find a bowl with such diameter, although I like very much the idea.
Anyway many of us use kegs. My soldered stock pot could work like a keg but with a 4" hole so with a pressure hose or even with my hand and a scrubber I will be able to clean it. At the bottom of the pot there will be a draining ball valve...
I want to solder the lid because it will hold the 4" column, a separate gin basket and a dimroth condenser attached at the side. The weight will be focused on one side...not on the center.
My plan to support the column is tu use a SS ferrule soldered on the center of the lid with the flange facing up.
s-l500.jpg
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ben stiller
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by ben stiller »

If the lid is flat maybe consider putting the ferrule off center to help balance the off center weight of the gin basket and condenser.
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sergiolis
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by sergiolis »

That's a great idea ben... thanks a lot for your advice
This is the plan
4 inch still with dimroth web.jpg
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by acfixer69 »

sergiolis wrote:That's a great idea ben... thanks a lot for your advice
This is the plan
4 inch still with dimroth web.jpg
Why not just extend the product condenser to the other side of the column. That should off set the wieght.

AC
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sergiolis
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Re: Soldering/welding stock pot lid

Post by sergiolis »

ohhh yes!!! It will also help! Thanks acfixer69
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