Hello from Vic AU

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Grehund
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Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 11:50 pm
Location: South East Victoria, AU

Hello from Vic AU

Post by Grehund »

HI Guys,

I've been lurking around these forums for the last few weeks learning all I can, in preparation for making my first still. Initially I was going to purchase a T500, but after reading HD I've decided against it in favour of making my own. I've spent the last couple of days purchasing tools & materials & I've almost finished my column. To save me some time & effort, I decided to buy a T500 boiler to attach my custom 2" Bok column to.

Now, I'm again scouring the HD forums to find the best fittings to use for the column-boiler connection. I really want something that is easy to change, because I plan on building some extra length into the column later on, or attaching a better column.

I know this is only the Welcome Centre, so I'll place my specific question about the flange in the appropriate section.
Column: Bokakob, 50mm Diameter, 1035mm High, Copper
Packing: 720mm High, Stainless Steel Scrubbers
Boiler: 25L capacity, 1800W heater (no heating control), Stainless Steel
yankeeclear
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Location: Northeast

Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by yankeeclear »

Welcome to the forum Grehund!

Love the enthusiasm. I am new also and will look for your other posts to share what I have learned so far.

Have fun and stay safe.
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Bushman
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Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Bushman »

Grehund wrote:HI Guys,

I've been lurking around these forums for the last few weeks learning all I can, in preparation for making my first still. Initially I was going to purchase a T500, but after reading HD I've decided against it in favour of making my own. I've spent the last couple of days purchasing tools & materials & I've almost finished my column. To save me some time & effort, I decided to buy a T500 boiler to attach my custom 2" Bok column to.

Now, I'm again scouring the HD forums to find the best fittings to use for the column-boiler connection. I really want something that is easy to change, because I plan on building some extra length into the column later on, or attaching a better column.

I know this is only the Welcome Centre, so I'll place my specific question about the flange in the appropriate section.
Welcome to the forum. To connect the column to the boiler on a keg I use this fitting. You can probably price it out a little cheaper but she works great. http://www.milehidistilling.com/Stainle ... /16608.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Not sure what you need for the T500 I guess I should have a closer look at the set-up, but sometype of tri-clamp seems to be a lot sturdier than other ways to rig the two together.
Mud Mechanik
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Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Mud Mechanik »

Welcome aboard, try this site. http://www.hillbillystills.com/category_s/43.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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Prairiepiss
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Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Prairiepiss »

He's not connecting it to a keg guys. More like a cooking pot lid. And shipping would kill him from here in the states. I don't know what the connection on the lid of a T500 boiler is? Maybe someone around here can help with that? But you could always go with a simple slip fitting and use either flour paste or PTFE tape to seal it. Something like used in this build. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13598

Good luck be safe and remember we like pics.

Edited to fix my link.
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Grehund
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Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 11:50 pm
Location: South East Victoria, AU

Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Grehund »

Hi Guys,

Wow, thanks for the replies! :wave:

Prairiepiss is right, the T500 boiler isn't a keg or keg fitting. It's actually just a hole in the SS lid!
SS_T500_Boiler_Lid.jpg
The hole has a diameter of approx 48mm, the lid has a recessed section about 60mm in diameter. The T500 column has a screw & nut fitting on it that secures it to the boiler.
SS_T500_fitting2.jpg
I was thinking of getting a similar type of connection for my coulmn, but I don't know what they're called or where is best to buy them from here in Vic AU.

I have had mixed results at both Bunnings & Reece Plumbing with this project. :cry:
Column: Bokakob, 50mm Diameter, 1035mm High, Copper
Packing: 720mm High, Stainless Steel Scrubbers
Boiler: 25L capacity, 1800W heater (no heating control), Stainless Steel
rad14701
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Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by rad14701 »

You could always convert it over to use Tri-Clamps...
Grehund
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Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 11:50 pm
Location: South East Victoria, AU

Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Grehund »

I was really hoping NOT to have to solder SS. It's looking like I might be out of options.
Column: Bokakob, 50mm Diameter, 1035mm High, Copper
Packing: 720mm High, Stainless Steel Scrubbers
Boiler: 25L capacity, 1800W heater (no heating control), Stainless Steel
Scotty72
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Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:29 am

Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Scotty72 »

Hi,

I'm new around here (from Sydney, NSW) ... and I had exactly the same idea (and the t500 boiler) as you...

How did it go?

Scotty
Grehund
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Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 11:50 pm
Location: South East Victoria, AU

Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Grehund »

Hi Scotty72,

Welcome to the forums. Sorry for a delay in getting back to you. :oops:

I haven't made the move to a SS Tri-clamp yet, but I think it's the best method.

At the moment I'm using a series of brass fittings to attach the SS T500 Lid to the column. My exact Bill of Materials for this section were:

1x 50-40mm Nipple Reducer
1x 50mm Tube Bush
1x 40mm Lock Nut

Here are some pics, so you can get an idea of what I did.
T500 lid & 2" Bok column, assembled.
T500 lid & 2" Bok column, assembled.
T500_lid_to_column_assembled.jpg (15.99 KiB) Viewed 1265 times
2" Bok column with soldered Nipple Reducer & Tube Bush assembled.
2" Bok column with soldered Nipple Reducer & Tube Bush assembled.
Lock Nut
Lock Nut
lock_nut.jpg (12.01 KiB) Viewed 1265 times
Column: Bokakob, 50mm Diameter, 1035mm High, Copper
Packing: 720mm High, Stainless Steel Scrubbers
Boiler: 25L capacity, 1800W heater (no heating control), Stainless Steel
Bayou-Ruler
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Location: SW Louisiana

Re: Hello from Vic AU

Post by Bayou-Ruler »

welcome
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