Make money selling copper pot stills?

[kentuckyboy]

As I told everyone when I joined this site I told everyone I had been laid off from my job. This may be temporary or permanent. I have no desire to sell moonshine and spend 10 years in jail and not see my son grow up. However, I see stills for sale all over the internet and we have huge local indoor flea markets.

I was wondering if making something simple and similar to what they make kits for on hammerclawsupply.com would be something I could legally sell. With the show Moonshiners being so popular everyone is a wannabe distiller. Most will never make it as far as a reflux or even a successful run but I was wondering if I made 5 gallon copper stills and sold them locally if there would be any ramifications. It looks like something like this kit would be easy to make yourself from homedepot.

Just a thought and wondered what others thought.

Thanks in advance

Matthew Sparks aka Kentuckyboy

[jholmz]

you would have to check the laws but a question to you is do you plan on distilling because if you do and start trying to sell stills its only a matter of time before you get "the knock" i know theres people that sell them and i dont know what kind of licensing you have to have for itbut i have heard that you have to keep extensive records of who bought them and you have to supply the name and address anytime the law asks . so if your selling stills and they come by to see your customer list (which they can do without notice) and you happen to be cooking at the time its bye-bye anyway. just my thoughts you'll have to decide what you wish to do

[swshiner]

You could sell "still kits" that contain copper parts and easy instructions. I believe that way you wouldn't have to deal with the law so much. I'm not positive on that though

[kentuckyboy]

Thanks guys. I only ferment in my home, not distill. But I clearly see your point. Keep the points of view coming. I have been checking into laws and I see things such as, you can own a still for oil essences, fuel(with permit), water etc. Then some people say your not even allowed to own one. Just wondering if this is something that might benefit my family in a crappy economy

[rad14701]

1.) Do you know enough to be building, running, and selling stills to customers...??? A post count of 28 makes me wonder - a lot...!!! Don't come here just thinking you've found a new income stream...

2.) If you're selling stills, sooner or later someone is going to wonder whether you are distilling, so you would definitely be on the radar for Johnny Law... You can't just run around trying to sell still simply because you're laid off from work like you have a get out of jail free card...

3.) Building and selling stills is only a temporary fix and you time would be better spent trying to find a real job with real benefits...

All that said, I think it's time to step back and rethink your logic on this venture you're pondering because it costs money to make money and if you aren't working . . . .

[Prairiepiss]

There are many manufactures and builders selling stills. You would need to compete with those companies. So you would need a good product at a good price. It will ne hard to jump into the game at this point. 2 years ago would have been a different story. But now there is a lot of competition. Good and bad. Along with a few yahoos on eBay selling crap too.

You have to offer support. Or your name will just get a bad reputation.

We already have people throwing a couple pieces of copper pipe together on a cheap stock pot. And selling them as the best thing available. Only for the customers to come here and ask a bunch of questions to find out they bought a pile of crap. And couldn't get any support from who they bought it from. Don't be that person.

I've tried to figure out how I could do this. And make money. And not be that guy. I found out. I can't. Well and still live with myself. I mite build one or two here and there. But I'm not making enough to do anything with. If you gona do it. You gota go big or stay home. Or be that guy that sells crap stills on eBay and don't care what the customers end up with.

[ManimalCrackers]

This site may be a good one to investigate:

http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/faq.shtml#s4

Particularly Section 4:

"S4: What requirements are there for people who sell stills?

Under regulations in part 29 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, TTB has the right to require manufacturers of stills to give us the name and address of each customer. If we choose to impose this requirement, we inform the manufacturer of the stills by letter."

[kentuckyboy]

Thanks everyone for the info. All thoughts is much appreciated. If I were selling reflux stills I would just be another guy on ebay and am afraid I would not be able to have the quality control required for a great product. I had just thought about pot stills because I am very good at copper work. I used to be a machinist and have a tig at home if needed on stainless. It was just a thought I had to ask before I became one of those guys on ebay.


Thanks Again.

Best Regards,
kentuckyboy

[Prairiepiss]

If you think you can do it. By all means have at it. Many of the sellers on eBay just prey on the stupid. Sell crap. And don't know a damn thing about a good still design. I love the guy selling 2" columns that have plates soldered in them that just have a bunch of 1/8" holes drilled in them. No downcomers no dephlegmater. And claims its just like a flute.

Remember there are states where it is illegal to sell and or own a still. And that could be a problem.

[kentuckyboy]

i am still trying to learn the best way to build a reflux for myself. Thankfully there are templates that will help me on this site. I doubt I would ever make one for anyone because then I would never get to take a chance of making me a little something for myself. Was just a thought. I think some apple pie caused me to post this post in the first place.

[emptyglass]

Nothing wrong with thinking out loud mate, but I think Rad had it, if you got metal working skills, get paid by industry.
But, if you wanna have a go, a bit of due dillagance is in order.
Nothing wrong with your motivation, and you seem to have some scruples, but get a few runs under your belt before you march off where angels fear to tread. Get your mates to "peer reveiw" your product, they will be your toughest cynics.
When you win their praise, move onwards and upwards.
But it wont happen anytime quick.