midlife_rebel flute build

[midlife_rebel]

Hi guys, going with a 6 plate build with an optional 2 plate add-in section.

I redid my plate with the hole size of .061
and the shotgun deflag I did 6 .500 holes

For my 4" copper, I found a local place that sells it for 36.00 for a 3' pc, or I can get it at 12' length for a bit cheaper.
I think thats pretty reasonable for that diameter.

Now just waiting on some copper fittings to get here. Probably be slow building over the christmas season, but I will post pics as I go. Please feel free to offer suggestions on this.

[emptyglass]

Looks good mate.

How are you going to attach the reflux condensor to the column?

[midlife_rebel]

So far Emptyglass, my thought has been to use a 4"sanitary clamp fitting. I have access to a lathe and can turn one from copper.

[rad14701]

The build appears to be coming along well, midlife_rebel...

See us posted on your progress...

[Prairiepiss]

Looking good.

Is that the bottom or the top of the dephlagmater pictured?

[midlife_rebel]

Thanks guys,
Prairiepiss, I'm not totally sure as I made both ends identical. So far I have just been going off what I see in pictures of others build logs. hopefully I am doing this right

[banter_king]

i think where PP was heading is that you want the tubes to be flush on the top so that if/when you get some distillate it won't pool on top. progress looks great so far.

[Prairiepiss]

i think where PP was heading is that you want the tubes to be flush on the top so that if/when you get some distillate it won't pool on top. progress looks great so far.

Exactly. Grind the tubes down flush on the top side. So pooling will be less. The bottom will be fine with some overhang. Mite work better even. But you don't want the pooling on top. I could smear your cuts? And its product you won't be able to collect.

Edited stupid auto correct.

[midlife_rebel]

I never even thought of the smearing of the cuts. Thanks for that heads up! I was only thinking of the tiny bit of waste so I was not worried, but smearing cuts is definitely not something I want to deal with. Good call Prairiepiss and Banter_king, thanks

[emptyglass]

I finished both ends of my dephlg flush, and as Prariepiss said, it would have possibly been benificial to leave the tubes proud on the column end.

I find the condensed product clings to the bottom surface untill it gets enough to form a big drop. I reckon you would get finer, smaller drops if the tubes had a little sticking out.

I plan to do a bit of engraving around each tube, hopfully break the surface tension.

And its less work to leave them long.

How are you going to do your product condensor?

[midlife_rebel]

I was looking at your's emptyglass, and I think I will do similar. 2" outer jacket with 3 tube shotgun style product condensor.
1/2" inner pipes though so more water to cool around the outside of the product tube.

Lots of extra 2" tube here so that is a big reason as well.

[bentstick]

Lookin good midlife, so how many new cuss words have ya come with so far? Have ya put water pressure to the the dephlagamator yet? I soldered the flange, tube end and tubes all at once and damn! I put about 40lbs of water to it and found a few pin holes I will be hydroing the product condenser tonite. I found patience was my worst enemy and also best friend, it is fun building even with the not so good moments. Looking good wait untill ya finally get all pieces done and put together, let us know what the first words ya mumble to yourself are.

[mash rookie]

Looking good so far Midlife. I really like the idea of using a tri clamp on your dephlag so you can add the two plate extension when desired.
Funny, I dont own a single tri clamp.
Is that the KS pattern plates? They look like mine with 1/2" drains. I am thinking larger drains may be of benefit like EG's

Add a little fancy stuff on there for us. Okay?


MR

[mash rookie]

I Just read your post in flute talk about your copper traps. Great score. You can use regular window glass. It will handle these temps just fine. I have used single strength and double strength okay. The only time I have broken them is from over tightening them. Use a SAM gasket and they will work great. Cut and grind a handful of them from a small piece of sheet glass from the hardware store for two bucks.
I have a wet diamond grinder but you can grind them to shape with a mini grinder or a bench grinder if you keep them cool.

Keep the pic's coming. Lets see some fancy stuff!!!!!

MR

[midlife_rebel]

Man some great tips here, thanks guys. I think I will give the glass cutting a go myself. Not because of price but what good is making something if you can't tinker and learn on the way.
Never played with glass, so I think it is time I do!

Edit: I just found out that there is a stained glass place near me. Best of all they have a 10 dollar charge for 2hrs of studio time including use of all tools. I think I will go and see if I can use the shop to make some circles and if need be, touch them up to fit

[midlife_rebel]

Mash rookie, I am not sure who's original template I used but it was fairly early in the flute talk thread.
May have been either OD's or KS's template. I would have to go back to double check.

[emptyglass]

I sense conflict here.
I was going to say something about MR's build that MR said about it.
MR had a good point, but I think MR had already got it.
But then MR said to MR....

Sorry, too much flute likker.

Edit; my spellun sucks tonite. I'm loggun out now.

[midlife_rebel]

For all the potential flute builders out there...
the parts here are 2" Copper DWV sweat trap adaptor

I got this from Pex supply (online) part number WDSJ-32 16.03 per piece, or 10 in a box for 14.93 each

The glass is double tough glass from a stained glass store 4mm thick. They charged me 4.00/each, cut and ground to fit

So each sight glass ran aprox 20.00 before shipping and taxes

[emptyglass]

Very nice mate.
You would have to go pretty hard to beat that.

[midlife_rebel]

Thanks Emptyglass,,,hopefully it will help others to do their projects within a tight budget.

Bentstick, sorry man I missed your post, but definitely a couple cuss words have been used so far, with plenty more to come!
I did put 10lbs of air pressure through the deflag and checked for leaks by dunking it in a bucket. So far so good but I have a couple close pcs to solder so I won't be too smug just yet. Wish me luck man

[midlife_rebel]

Some port holes drilled. I went with 4.250 between plates. Also radiused the one sight glass that I have on hand...can't wait for the others to come in!

I am still debating how many plates on the main still and how many for an add-on section.

Currently thinking 6 plates for the main still, with an add on section of 2 plates.

Or maybe the main still 6 plates and a second still of 3 plates for whiskey runs

What are peoples experiences with plate count on flutes with regard to flavor?

[midlife_rebel]

Did a little bit on the condenser tonight. 2" outer tube with 4 inner 1/2" tubes....

[mash rookie]

I hard soldered mine on before drilling with a hole saw. Let me know how the solder job goes. I had some deforming from the site glass install and had to buy a cylinder hone to get things straightened out enough for the plate tree to fit in. I still have to heat up my pipe to remove or replace my tree. Maybe soft solder wont require enough heat to deform the column. ???

Merry Christmas.

MR

[WalkingWolf]

I just found out that there is a stained glass place near me. Best of all they have a 10 dollar charge for 2hrs of studio time including use of all tools. I think I will go and see if I can use the shop to make some circles and if need be, touch them up to fit

Geez -- what's with you guys. First the one that throws out the, "I can get copper sheet cheap" and now you get to play in a shop full of glass working equipment and all it'll cost you is $10.00. What exactly have I done to have this life of deprivation??

[mash rookie]

Sorry that I did not put this in the previous post. SIX PLATES!! The funny thing about flutes is that at four or five plates they will make 90% + ABV but not a neutral tasting product. I cant stand the whiskey my four plate flute makes. It carries heavy flavor through.

After designing a recycle drain system so my flute operates more like a six to seven plate still, I now love the product. It still will not make vodka that is worth drinking without filtering.

If you want to know more about the modifacation I will send you the thread link.

MR

[emptyglass]

I went for 5 plates, and I'm pretty happy with what I've made from it so far, but I'm shooting for whiskey.
A 5 plate still with a 6 plate add on (11 plate total), in theory, would be the best, but a bit of an undertaking.

I did the same as MR, and soldered the glasses on before drilling the holes.
Make sure you notch the glass holders before you attach them, it sort of looks like you're on to that one anyway.

[midlife_rebel]

I gave it a bit of thought and with the input you guys are giving, I went with a 6 plate flute.

made up my condenser. Its 2" outer tube with 4 1/2" inside tubes. I also ran a vent tube at the bottom to hopefully minimize surging in the parrot.

Making up my Sweetfeed whiskey mash tomorrow

Main column has the plates in and the progress continues.....

[bentstick]

Lookin good Mid life!

[Sungy]

Great job. Very impressive. Keep at it ...

[midlife_rebel]

Thanks guys. Still pluggin away here. Got some more done today but am still waiting on a couple fittings. Hopefully by the end of next week I should have it done enough to give it a whirl. I will have to look at the various water/plumbing routes.

So far though I have gleaned that it is best to have a separate control valve on both the deflag and the condenser. Also a separate drain on each. Not that it is the only way to do it, but rather better for me to watch so I can understand the control of it better with varying amounts of cooling to the deflag.

Column is clean (otherwise my wife would kill me for having it on the bed....even still I would only do this when she is at work!)
Just needs a good polishing then the internal cleaning run later.