Looking to build a 3 inch 5 Plate Still

[Toolman]

how snug do they have to be? I think it is just the picture, there is no real play

[humbledore]

You could put the plate(s) in the column and just pour some water on top. See how long it takes to leak out. A slow leak might be ok. It may shave off a few points in terms of ABV. If it just streams out that's not good.

[Toolman]

I tapped them around the edge a bit with a hammer, now they holds pretty good, not to much leaking

[Toolman]

hard soldered my easy flanges on and touched up the ends, next solder the tubes and plates in

[Toolman]

Easy flange working nicely

[Toolman]

got my plates drilled, easy flange working nice and tight

[Toolman]

easier drilling than I thought
Pics not uoloading

[Toolman]

Here is my down comer, do I need to cut down my reducer? I read that is supposed sit 3/8 inch above the plate

[bellybuster]

looking really good there Toolman

[humbledore]

In a perfect world you could adjust the height of the down comer above the plate. But I went with about 1/2".

[Toolman]

I guess I prob cut it off at 1/2 inch and see how it performs, can always shorten it if need be

[Toolman]

Started to gather parts for my controller\. I had this Pot in my garage .
It is a 100k 2 watt potentiometer, Is this suitable? I have read of people using 500k or 250k, what is the difference?
Can I use it ?

[still_stirrin]

Probably not Toolman.

Are you powering with 220/240 VAC? A 100k ohm won't give you a full range of adjustment. I guess how much adjustment depends on which SSVR you're using. Which one are you?
ss

p.s.-If you've got 4 or 5 of them you could series connect them to improve the adjustment range however.

[Toolman]

its for 220, would it work in a 110 controller ?
Could I mix a 500k with it and have a "fine and course " adjustment??

[still_stirrin]

its for 220, would it work in a 110 controller ?
Could I mix a 500k with it and have a "fine and course " adjustment??

You could use 2 pots in series. You'll probably make most of your adjustments with the 500k, so it kinda' begs the question, "why use the 100k too?"

Remember, the higher the impedance, the lower the power throughput. Maximum power is at zero ohms.
ss

[Toolman]

is a 5000k better? Which one would work the best or do I have to match it up to the ssr ?

[Toolman]

What is the best way to cut the pipe to make some plates, I used a dermal last time an wore out one wheel with 2 pieces

[Danespirit]

A hole saw, and some lubrication.

[rad14701]

is a 5000k better? Which one would work the best or do I have to match it up to the ssr ?

No...!!! You're not getting what the potentiometer does... The circuit takes X number of Ohms resistance to stop current flow... You want to right-size the pot to just meet that spec... It could be 100K, 250K, or 500K Ohms... Very rarely would a 1M Ohm pot be required... Most around here use 250K or 500K...

[Kegg_jam]

I use (2) 250k's, only because I didn't have a linear 500k. It actually works pretty good because sometimes I run mine on 220v and Occasionally on 110v. The 2 pot setup kinda gives me an endpoint adjustment. Sort of...

Anyway, it makes sense to me.

[Toolman]

A buddy gave me a 500K, now I need to find a ssr for it

[Toolman]

Starting my site glasses

[Toolman]

just about done sanding
I have them spaced out about 5 inches, if I went to 4 inches I could add another 1 and go with 6 plates.
Would the 6 plate be worth it? Do I just go with 5 at 5 inch spacing or go with 4 inch spacing and cut the column down a few inches??

[humbledore]

Toolman, when I first saw this thread I did not know you, you were new, and honestly I thought you were over reaching for your knowledge level from what I could see. But I have to hand it to you, you have build skills for sure. You should look at where you want the end of your condenser to line up with what ever table or surface you are collecting on and use that for your decision.

[Toolman]

I have lots of soldering experience, I have fabricated a gravel crusher. I have had to learn to make things from parts. Here are pics of the 2 sanding rigs I built. I have had a pot still for years, the guy I bought it from wasn't a very good teacher on how to run it. Turn stove on full blast, turn water to the worm on when temperature was good, throw away the first cup, adjust water to worm to keep the bottom inch or so cool and shut everything off when thermometer hit a certain temperature. I don't have the knowledge to design a still, but I could probably build it. I am the kind of person that needs to understand why its built a certain way and how things work, and I ask a lot of questions from a lot of people, doesn't mean I don't believe or trust the first person. I just like learning new things, I my be an old dog but I can still learn a new trick or 2......LOL

[googe]

Love the drum sander . I don't think there's much difference in 5~6 plates, ABV probably won't be much better but might get a touch faster speed. They say try keep things square, 4" column, 4" plate space etc, I like them a touch bigger just for piece of mind with entrainment. I do mine around 120mm. If you don't care about the extra work and have the bits to do 6, you might as we'll, can't hurt anything!, only going to be an improvement!. Are you planning on making neutral?, 5 or 6 plates still won't make a decent neutral IMO, need multiple runs or a packed section on top. Another issue with having a packed section on 5~6 plates is its tall!,might not have space. Good luck, looking good.

[Toolman]

Thanks. I think I will do 6 then, 1 extra clamp and a piece of glass. I am hoping for a good Vodka and be able to run some rum or whiskey.
I am almost thinking building and running it is going to be more fun than drinking the product

[googe]

Yep building one is very satisfying, running one is fun and exciting, and you'll be very happy with the output rate!. The product you get will be a different world to what you've done before, if you think you make good product now, the flavors from one will open your eyes up .

[Toolman]

From all the reading I have done, it looks like I should be able to make better stuff than I have been making and quicker!!
full reflux and load up the plates and then start filling the jugs.....LOL

[Toolman]

Soldered the column to the reducer and short 2 inch to keg flange. Since it was supported, I figured I might as well clean it up a bit