Intro and newbe question

[Freedave]

Hello all,

I am new to this hobby but have been reading and learning from this forum. Would like to get started.

A friend of mine has gotten an old pot still from a coworker. It is soldered together from copper sheet metal. Has a 22 gal boiler and a 35 inch water jacket condenser. Seems straight forward and simple.

I am wondering if we should try to get this antique going or just let it rest and get something new.

Tried to post some pics but ran into that server prob.

Thanks, Dave

[big worm]

hi dave, good find! one of the only things i would worry about is not knowing about the type of solder used in its seam work. if is really and old still it prob. was leaded solder. ....lead or not i love looking at old stills

[Old_Blue]

First and foremost check the solder for lead. Don't consider it until thats done unless you can verify with the builder what was used.

If it contains lead cut it apart and resolder using lead free. If not then good find. We'll start from there

Edit:
Sorry I stepped on ya Big Worm, I type slow.

[smokerscully1]

A 22 gallon Copper pot still? If you want to just throw it away--call me first--i'll tell you right where to put it. LOL
Nice find! and Welcome
smoker

[big worm]

First and foremost check the solder for lead. Don't consider it until thats done unless you can verify with the builder what was used.

If it contains lead cut it apart and resolder using lead free. If not then good find. We'll start from there

Edit:
Sorry I stepped on ya Big Worm, I type slow.

hey lead is the biggest no-no so if like nine steped up and posted mo-better
i am a hunt and peck two finger typer but i'm a perfect speeler

[Freedave]

This still must be at least 50 years old. Probably home made, there are no markings on it. The only manufactured part is the threaded flange for attaching the boiler to the head, and the water hose connectors.

What are some options for lead testing?

Thanks, Dave

[Dnderhead]

they have ones at hardware store four pant I also thought of running
water threw it a couple of times then take and have water tested four lead

[big worm]

they have ones at hardware store four pant I also thought of running
water threw it a couple of times then take and have water tested four lead

i would think etho would strip lead more than water i would use a lead test kit
50 years old i would assume lead and plenty of it..lead was still abundant in paint back then and solder was pure lead im sure...but i'm usualy wrong about stuff.....jmho

[Dnderhead]

i jest thought would look better you can take water to some place that
drills wells and sells filters etc alcohol ?

[Freedave]

Here are the pics of the still we are talking about.
Maybe I can scrape a bit of the solder off and soak it in water or vodka to test it for lead with a hardware store kit.

[CoopsOz]

It looks very well built.......there were some fine craftsmen back in the day, they could build almost anything out of almost nothing with limited tools.

[BW Redneck]

It looks excellently made, but, just from my judgment, I'd say that those solder joints are lead. Lead tends to oxidize to a dark gray over time, and those joints sort of resemble the ones I've seen in really old houses.

A solder that is 95-5 tin-copper will remain fairly shiny over time.

[big worm]

wow could you sorta set it up and take a shot of the whole thing, that is so cool even if it is lead solderd it is an old work of art...cripes why can't i find a play purdy like that...i gotta ask what did ya have to spend on it?

[Old Goat]

Yes indeed, fine looking piece, especially the condensing tube. Whatever,very fine find even if you do have to clean it up

Cheers

[Freedave]

Big worm,

I have been casualy talking to a good friend of mine, for the past couple years, about distilling and he was able to borrow this from a coworker. It was up in the coworkers' attic and was his grandfathers. Was built in 'who knows' and looks like it was lightly used.

My main worry now is the likely presents of lead in those seams. And just the size of it. I dont have much room and it will need to be set up taken down and stored in between runs. This is made more difficult by the fact that i am disabled in a wheel chair.

We'll see what happens, My friend Paul and I will come up with something.
Keep you posted.

[big worm]

ohhhhh i would be very very very careful with that thing it's a family airloom and borrowed to boot as well as being old.

[Freedave]

Took a few days but here they are.
Looks like we'll be thinking of making a new one after consideration of lead in the solder.
But this got us started on the path.

[Dnderhead]

l would say who ever made it had excess to beaks and roles as maybe
hard ware store because it has lock seams and rolled edges
(hardware stores used to make stove pipe, buckets etc maybe gramps
worked in one

[goose eye]

these boys aint never seen a condencer made like that til here.
think it been upgraded or aint that old. yall have city water in the 50s.
say ketle from the 40s maybe made durein war efort.
get you a bore lite an mirer an look for solder on inside

so im tole

[Freedave]

Now that i'm thinking about making a new one i was wondering about materials. Does any one use those empty 5ltr poney barrels for a boiler?

[TryMe]

Beer Kegs,Pressure Cookers,Stock Pots you name it and ppl use it as a boiler.The big thing is to use either Stainless or Copper.