First build progress: Keg pot still

[jbyrd]

Here is the progress I am making on my first still. Used a pony keg and figured that a pot still would be the best introduction to the art/science of distillation.

I wanted to utilize an immersed heating element, so I located a stainless steel 1" bung and welded it into place for my 4500w heating element.




After the bung I started working on the head. I am mostly going to be distilling whiskey so I kept the lyne arm at a downward angle. Total height of the head is about 20".

A buddy in the plumbing industry supplied me with the 2" tubing and I bought the fittings (pricey!)

Been a while since I have soldered, so I need to brush up on that if I ever want to make a decorative one of these things!



So once I had my head built I decided to start work on the worm condenser. I purchased 20 ft of copper tubing and used a length of 6" OD pipe to wrap it around, I cheated and utilized a pipe rotation machine called a positioner, at work. I then used some copper strap I had laying around to create the spacers between the coild for rigidity. The coil is 7.5" in diameter and about 22" tall.



My next project is to create the resevoir the coil will sit in. I have not decided if I am going to roll my own stainless to create it or buy two off the shelf stainless pots to split and weld together to create a resevoir tall enought to accomodate the coil.

I am working on creating my own copper bulkhead fittings for the outlet of the still, and the inlet and outlet of the cooling water. I would rather not use silicon or some other sealing agent if at all possible.



I soldered washers over a threaded coupler. Copper washers in the size I wanted were almst 3.50 a piece at my local hardware store. So I took more of the copper strap I had laying around, to work. I utlized our punch setup to make my own washers.



Having a lot of fun with the build. I still need to buy the materials for my phase angle controller for the heating element and then I will be pretty close to testing the still.

Any input and constructive criticisms are appreciated. Thanks for taking a peek.

Jbyrd

[rad14701]

If the images were attached it would make things easier...

[jbyrd]

Interesting, because I can see them from my end and properly used the 'IMG' tag. Will switch hosts and see if that helps.

[Braz]

I don't see them either.

[rad14701]

Actually, I think the problem was that the images were linked using https instead of http...

[jbyrd]

Should be fixed. Thanks guys.

Jay

[Prairiepiss]

Very nice looking build. That should make a nice drop.

[Braz]

Yep, that fixed it. Great looking bead on that bung weld.

[whiskeytripping]

That's looks damn good, i wish I could even find a little 1/4 keg like that one. That would be great for running small little batches. Your doing a nice job on that little keg

[vinper]

You obvioviosly have done your homework & have some skills . You were able to cut the keg with a hole saw? Ohh now I see the drill press

[Nimrod]

You obvioviosly have done your homework & have some skills . You were able to cut the keg with a hole saw? Ohh now I see the drill press

I used a plasma cutter on mine, made short work of it

I like that bung alot better than the Janky 1/2 coupler I used. Your still is looking Great!

[jbyrd]

Thanks guys! Haveing a lot of fun with it.

Cutting it with a hole saw was a challenge. An extra hand would have helped. Had to slow the spindle speed down as low as it would go and very little pressure.

Found the bungs at a local metal supply, 3 bucks. Happy so far. Now I just need some more money before I can go further.

[bentstick]

Nice work,ya got skills, it is lookin sweet!
Rock on!
I used a hole saw on mine it is at welder now.

[jbyrd]

Made some more progress on the still.

I have been searching for an appropriate housing for my condenser when I came across this older keg for 40 dollars. Cut the top out of it, and welded in 2 ports for incoming cooling and drainage, and 1 for the condenser spout.

I used 3 aluminum turnbuckles at the top to support the condensor coil.

I have ordered PSR-25 for the phase angle controller build.

One question: Considering I have an immersion heating element how much space would you recommend I keep between my boiler and condenser housing?











I will build a frame to set the boiler at the right height in relation to the condenser houseing as well as hold the heating control unit.

Thanks for checking it out.

Jay

[Oxbo Rene]

Lookin real nice ! ! !

Nice shop ! !

[bentstick]

Lookin real nice ! ! !

Nice shop ! !

+1

You have a winner there! Nice work!

[Durace11]

It's a thing of beauty

[Prairiepiss]

Lookin damn good.

As far distance between them. What ever fits your space. If your worried about it. You can always insulate the boiler.

[jbyrd]

Thanks PP!

I want them about 6 - 10" apart but wanted to make sure there wasn't some problem with that distance that I was overlooking. Appreciate it!

Jbyrd

[skydivemd]

Looking like a really nice set-up! Helps that you got the skills -- nice TIG work, btw.

[HookLine]

Excellent job. Especially that stainless welding.

[jbyrd]

Well it has been some time since I have post updates. I wanted to create a frame to hold the pot and the condensor, yet still allow some different configurations. Here is how my project is shaping up:

[heartcut]

That's one outstanding system. Happy stilling and thanks for sharing your build.

[yardy]

that setup looks great - good idea on using the keg for the still mate