New from Central Florida

[drichards18]

Hey Everybody,

Obviously I'm new to the forum, and to Distilling in general. One of really good friends and I decided to try take up this hobby. We had no idea how it involved. Anyways, I've browsing the forum so much my eyes are crossed, so I finally figured I should officially become part of it.

I don't have a still yet and I'm planning on making one. I really like rad14701's Apartment Design.

I guess that's it for now. I'm sure I'll have more questions when I get started.

Thanks for all of the insight and information.

[Tater]

Welcome hope ya enjoy your stay.

[LWTCS]

Welcome DR18
Is you a cracker?

[Bushman]

Welcome to the forum, you are not the only one that had eye problems after reading through the many threads here at HD. Seems like Florida is having a surge on new members. Keep us informed if you take it slow and break down the individual sections it starts to come together for you!

[drichards18]

Thanks for all of the greetings.

Tater- I'm already enjoying it!
LWTCS - I'm originally a yank from MI, but been here for 25 years, so yeah, I'm pretty much a Cracker.
Bushman - After burying my head in this for a few days, I think I'm finally starting to understand how all of this works. The terms through me off for a bit, but I now getting how much an art form this really is. I had to exactly what you said - break it down in to bite-sized chunks.

I was pricing out the parts for Rad's apartment still and I had no idea how crazy expensive copper tubing was?!?! Does anybody know of a good source to get my copper from? The 1/4" was priced fine, but the 2" for the stack is just stupid expensive.

[LWTCS]

Yeah copper has really jumped these past few years. But this hobby is more affordable than hot rods,,motor bikes, boats, guns,,,,,, and just maybe far more rewarding on a number of levels.

[Abide787]

He ain't born a Cracker but he's good peoples.. I'm a Cracker and can vouch fer d man.

[rad14701]

I was pricing out the parts for Rad's apartment still and I had no idea how crazy expensive copper tubing was?!?! Does anybody know of a good source to get my copper from? The 1/4" was priced fine, but the 2" for the stack is just stupid expensive.

If I was going to head out and purchase copper to build a small stove top rig I'd definitely entertain the idea of going with 1.25" or 1.5" instead of 2" due to the difference in price... For any boiler larger than a stove top size, bigger is better... I would be quite content with a 1.5" stove top rig, but my 1.25" has suited me well and I have no complaints about it whatsoever...

[drichards18]

Rad,

So if I were to make your rig with a 20L boiler, would 1.5" be enough? I was in multiple threads that you actually recommended 2" as a minimum.

I sent you a PM with some more specific questions, but how tall is your completed Reflux stack? And did you ever come with a new, upgraded design?

[rad14701]

Rad,

So if I were to make your rig with a 20L boiler, would 1.5" be enough? I was in multiple threads that you actually recommended 2" as a minimum.

I sent you a PM with some more specific questions, but how tall is your completed Reflux stack? And did you ever come with a new, upgraded design?

For a 20 liter boiler you would be fine with 1.5" copper... For anything above 25 liters I would recommend 2" copper... For a 50 liter (15.5 gallon) keg you could even go with 3" copper...

[drichards18]

For a 20 liter boiler you would be fine with 1.5" copper... For anything above 25 liters I would recommend 2" copper... For a 50 liter (15.5 gallon) keg you could even go with 3" copper...

Excellent! Thanks Rad.

[drichards18]

Rad - If I can get my hands on a keg for $25 - $30 do I have to go with a 3" stack or can I go smaller and use less mash in the run?

Also, is that a good price from what you've seen?

[rad14701]

Rad - If I can get my hands on a keg for $25 - $30 do I have to go with a 3" stack or can I go smaller and use less mash in the run?

Also, is that a good price from what you've seen?

Most folks are running a 2" column on their beer kegs... As I recall, a "legally sourced" keg generally runs $30 - $50 or more... I don't consider forfeiting the security deposit on one as being "legally sourced", although some folks do...

[drichards18]

Most folks are running a 2" column on their beer kegs... As I recall, a "legally sourced" keg generally runs $30 - $50 or more... I don't consider forfeiting the security deposit on one as being "legally sourced", although some folks do...

So the kegs that I was talking about were from a private seller, so I guess the price is right. But since you made the comment on "legally sourced" and the fact that I don't really care one way or the other... I'm just gonna have to see what a security deposit is around here.

[drichards18]

Most folks are running a 2" column on their beer kegs... As I recall, a "legally sourced" keg generally runs $30 - $50 or more... I don't consider forfeiting the security deposit on one as being "legally sourced", although some folks do...

I was able to pick up a keg for $25 (From a college student, of course.) Now I have a question of how I connect it to my stack. I've read about Tri-Clover Clamps, but I'm a little confused about them. First of all, after reading about them there seems to be a consensus that they are the best way to connect to a keg, right? Since everybody seems to agree on that what parts to I need? Do I need 2 ferrules, 1 gasket, and 1 clamp? If so, do they come in packs or do I need to buy them separately? And do you know of a good place to pick them up?

Any help is appreciated.

[drichards18]

Looks like I answered my own question. I need 1 clamp, 1 gasket, and 1 ferrule for the stack. The keg fitting will work the same as a ferrule.

I apologize to anyone that saw this and said "Goddam newbies! Why can't they research before they post?"

[banter_king]

Look at OD easy flange. Also Samohon's cardboard gasket. Both are really easy and will save you some cash.

[FloridaShiner]

Howdy there! This site really is a great help. Hope you enjoy the hobby!

[drichards18]

Thanks Banter. I just found those today. The Easy Flange looks like it'll save some money, but I don't know about bending out the copper tube. Never done it before, but there's a first time for everything.

Does anybody know of a good place to get 2" copper in Central Florida?!?! I've called several, so-called Scrap yards, but they are really just processing plants. None of them allow people to go and pick through.

[rad14701]

Most Lowe's stores carry 1.5" and 2" copper in 10' lengths... Be prepared because 2" ain't cheap - at about $15 a foot...

[drichards18]

2" is hard to find without going through Grainger. I did some asking around and found a Surplus shop nearby that carries both, SS and Copper. SS is quite a bit cheaper... if I use copper scrubbers in a SS stack will it work as well as a full copper build?

Copper is $4.95 /lb and SS is $3 /lb. If my calculations are correct then this will shave something like 60% off of the price. Does that sound right?