New still in the making

sub · Post by **sub** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:07 pm

Sorry for lack of details.

Yes it is 1 1/2"
As stated in a prior post, I was unable to get the 2" from my supplier when I placed the order, so I bought 6m of 1 1/2". The funny thing is, my supplier rang me yesterday saying he can now get the 2".

The reflux condenser is a liebig. I found it easier to make than trying to get 1/4" then bending ito a coil(no experience). This one is a prototype. I'm not sure yet if it will be capable of condensing all the vapour, but I will be stuffing ss pot scrubbers around the voids and will also sit a loose cap on the top of the column.

sub · Post by **sub** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:44 am

Making good progress now!

Opted for a standard gate valve for now. Went to Blackwoods and they wanted ~$70 for a nice brass gate valve that would have looked really nice, but it wasn't in stock.

A needle valve wouldn't work on a VM still, would it?

Should be distilling with this unit by Sunday. Already have a wash fully fermented and clear.

Mickarus · Post by **Mickarus** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:22 am

looking awsome sub!

im making a valved reflux. gonna do a heap of work on it tomorrow
ive got everyting i need except packing

its probly too late but i found a suplier of 2" copper pipe and fittings
Reece plumbing suplies
i thought they were a bit steep but
$19 for 2" tees
$21 for 2" caps
$52 per meter 2" pipe
($au)

sub · Post by **sub** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:25 am

Well, she's pretty much done now.

Just need to buy some new water hose, hook her up and do a water/vinegar run.

possum · Post by **possum** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:17 am

Beauty . Let me know how the brass coupelings hold. I guess you are running from a hotplate. 1.5" should give enough area for the non-keg boiler.

I'll be making my collumn as a VM design too.

LeftLaneCruiser · Post by **LeftLaneCruiser** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:28 pm

WOW

All that shiny copper makes my mouth water

And for your question: a gate valve is the good option. (as vapour takes a lot more space than liquid)

Happy Stilling

KJH

possum · Post by **possum** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 3:38 pm

Isn't there a rubber ring in the valve, or is it all brass?

sub · Post by **sub** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 4:52 pm

There doesn't appear to be any rubber ring in the valve. However, I have not dismantled it, so I can not confirm that. I will pull it apart and check it out now that you have asked that.

Also, teflon plumbers tape; is it ok to use?
I believe I have read that it is, but...

sub · Post by **sub** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 5:40 pm

No Rubber!

Just a teflon seal between the two parts.

sub · Post by **sub** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:06 pm

Ureka!!

Well there she is in full reflux. Working perfectly as far as I can tell.

The reflux condenser might be a little too small. The top 2" is all I can hold onto. Bellow this it is very hot. But there is no evidence of vapours escaping. I only put scrubbers at the top and bottom of the condenser though. Next run I will stuff them all throughout the condenser.

I can't believe how easy this still is to control. My first one was a real bitch to keep stable. Oh well, live and learn

edit: the contents in that bottle are the tails of my last run, about 4 years ago.

Thorin · Post by **Thorin** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:53 pm

LOL! those bottles are allmost like the ones i have spotted out for using!

sub · Post by **sub** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:47 pm

On the second run with this still right now.

Now have the water saving reservoir setup. However it warms up much quicker than I thought it would.

I am having to siphon out water and replace it with cooler water every now and then. Bit of a pain, but I'm not wasting anywhere near as much water as the last run.

What I will do before I use this setup again is:

Hook up a float valve which will be connected to the garden hose.
Have a drain tap near the bottom of the reservoir with a line going out into the back yard.

When the reservoir temp starts getting a bit too warm, I will drain water out via the drain tap. Then the float valve will open, topping up what has been drained out.

May even have the return line coiled and passing through a bucket of ice next run.

Big J · Post by **Big J** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:36 am

Great thread. I love seeing the build up in pics!

How about hooking up an old car radiator to the water reservoir, saving even more water? Guess it comes down to which is more expensive, electricity to run a fan on the radiator or water. And time/space of course.

Looks great. Have fun with it.

Cheers,
J

sub · Post by **sub** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:57 am

The cost of the water is really not so much a consideration. I just don't want to waste too much.

Swag · Post by **Swag** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:37 am

Beautiful looking still!
It would be a shame to cover up that nice shiny copper, but have you thought about insulating your column?
My reflux condenser gets hot on the outside too during normal running. If I let too much water flow through the condenser it goes into total reflux. It's a delicate tweek on the reflux coolant valve.

level Joe · Post by **level Joe** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:54 pm

I wrap a towel around mine. Just something to keep the air off of it and is easy to remove. Be VERY carefull to make sure the towel is secure if you do this with gas heat.

doug · Post by **doug** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:31 pm

hi sub, glad to see you not wasting water im at rubyvale cen qld a bit hotter up here. in summer i use two plasic 44's when the water is getting too warm i just switch to the other drum, winter just one drum. iv tried a esky with cold water and coke bottles with ice and a coiled hose but it restricted the flow too much. i also gave the two condenser's their own water supply with a tee peice. to control the flow i have inline taps at the return ends. all done with garden hoses and fittings. (no cost)