New still, build complete
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- Novice
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:23 am
- Location: Great Lakes
New still, build complete
Hey guys and gals,
Good evening (or morning for our Aussie and NZ friends)!
I built a 2” Boka this week using the wisdom shared here. The build was an interesting process. I previously have struggled with sweating copper. I watched a few YT videos and refined my skills. I will say that this build went smoothly and better than expected.
I started with the coil winding. I bought a roll of 1/4” refrigeration copper and built a winding jig. I filled the tube with water and it rolled up fairly easily.
The rest of the still went together and it was straightforward with all the info here. I’m running a 5’ column packed with copper mesh. I already have an electric HERMS brewing system so I’m using my 20 gal brew kettle with the 5500W element for power.
I ran a vinegar cleaning run today. Thankfully all my joints held and there were no leaks.
Can’t wait to run my sacrificial run and then my first product.
Good evening (or morning for our Aussie and NZ friends)!
I built a 2” Boka this week using the wisdom shared here. The build was an interesting process. I previously have struggled with sweating copper. I watched a few YT videos and refined my skills. I will say that this build went smoothly and better than expected.
I started with the coil winding. I bought a roll of 1/4” refrigeration copper and built a winding jig. I filled the tube with water and it rolled up fairly easily.
The rest of the still went together and it was straightforward with all the info here. I’m running a 5’ column packed with copper mesh. I already have an electric HERMS brewing system so I’m using my 20 gal brew kettle with the 5500W element for power.
I ran a vinegar cleaning run today. Thankfully all my joints held and there were no leaks.
Can’t wait to run my sacrificial run and then my first product.
Re: New still, build complete
Ah the sweet smell of success. Congrats. Enjoy and keep us posted.
J
J
If in doubt leave it out.
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- Novice
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- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:23 am
- Location: Great Lakes
Re: New still, build complete
Thanks JS!
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 188
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- Location: Alberta
Re: New still, build complete
Congrats man, do you have any pics to share?
- Oldvine Zin
- Site Donor
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- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: New still, build complete
Sweet ! there is nothing like doing your first run on a still that you built yourself.
Congrats and stay safe
OVZ
Congrats and stay safe
OVZ
- TimothyChurch
- Novice
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- Location: Texas!
Re: New still, build complete
The first system is the best! I always love the progression of the soldered joint on mine. The first one is thick and dripping and by the last, it was perfect and smooth. I still have that pot still arm hanging on the wall with my first proofing parrot in my pool room!
Have fun and congratulations!
Have fun and congratulations!
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- Novice
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:23 am
- Location: Great Lakes
Re: New still, build complete
I have a couple photos but I’m not able to attach them from my iPad. I need to resize them first. I’ll work on that today.
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- Novice
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- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:23 am
- Location: Great Lakes
Re: New still, build complete
Thanks for all the kind words.
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- Novice
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:23 am
- Location: Great Lakes
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- Novice
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Re: New still, build complete
Wow that's tall
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- Novice
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:23 am
- Location: Great Lakes
Re: New still, build complete
To 48” of packed column with the boka plates and condenser above (adds just over a foot).