Tested vm still plans

[modsolution]

Hello everyone I am wanting to build a vm still but i am haveing trouble finding good tested plans if someone could send me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated!!

[rad14701]

If you need detailed blueprint plans then you probably aren't ready to build yet... There is enough information here in these forums to get you to where you need to be without a full specification sheet... Rummage around and you'll find what you need to know...

[Samohon]

+1 Rad

and welcome to HD modsolution.... Stay SAFE man...

[modsolution]

I would like to thank both of you for your replies. I have been doing a lot of reading as sugested although I had already been doing so. Here is what I have come up with so far. Any suggestions or criticisms will be greatly appreciated.

[rad14701]

You don't need to reduce the column size at the T... In fact, you will get a greater take off rate if you keep the T the same size as the column itself...

Your packing should go up to within approximately 1 column diameter of the take off branch...

Don't attempt to reinvent the wheel if this is your first build... There are diagrams of perfectly good VM columns here in these forums that are known to perform well...

[Samohon]

I would also change the position of the thermometer out from the distillate path.
On the Tee next to the gate valve is where mine is positioned....

This will work, addressing all the issues in these posts, but as Rad say's some good drawings already exist for the VM...

I take it that its vodka your leaning towards...?

Good luck and have fun man...

[LearJet]

get rid of the one inch T and use a 2 inch as mentioned, you can reduce to 1" before the valve. I suggest a stainless full port ball valve, easier to look at and see what it's set too than a gate valve plus it has a larger bore to allow you to go really low on your reflux ratio if you want to. Also 30" of packing will limit your speed, my VM column is 36" packed height and I am going to add another foot or so when I get around to it. Do yourself a favor and order the structured copper mesh from mile-hi or some other place, its cheap and better than scrubbers. For the leibeg condensor just use 1/2 inside 3/4, no need for 1 inch outer shell. Also might want to make it a bit longer. I suggest using 3/4 threaded male/female on the leibeg, that way you can remove it and use the same liebeg for a stripper head. Also use threaded adaptors for the ball valve, just makes it a little easier to clean and store if you can take it apart a little. I don't know about the 3/16 double wound condensor, 3/16 will restrict your water flow, I am using a 1/4 single coil with a cold finger and it knocks down everything just fine. Like the other guys said put your temp port in the takeoff branch before the valve otherwise reflux dripping on it will throw your temp readings all over the place.

[Schwartzer]

I have been digging around the site and found for the T area to use dual reducers to increase speed and get better returns on a LM/VM. Has anyone tested which T for the VM is better on a 2" column?
2" reduced to a 1" to a 1" T then back to a 1" X 2" reducer. OR
2" reduced to a 1.25" to a 1.25" T then back to a 1.25" X 2" reducer. OR
2" reduced to a 1.5" to a 1.5" T then back to a 1.5" X 2" reducer. OR
Just a 2" X 2" X 2" T?
It sounds like the VM take off can be reduced on all of them to 1/2" after the T.