My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Many like to post about a first successful ferment (or first all grain mash), or first still built/bought or first good run of the still. Tell us about all of these great times here.
Pics are VERY welcome, we drool over pretty copper 8)

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Stillatryin
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My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by Stillatryin »

I'm pleased at how the thing came out. The solder work is marginal. The joint with the take off tube and bottom plate came out very well. The top plate didn't come out as pretty. That doesn't bother me. There's a good seal and I'm not planning on showing it off alot. That template was "saving grace. It fit perfectly and even though there was plenty of ways to screw up, I dodged most of those ways. To you new builders, I offer this advice. After you're sure where on the tube you want your plates, use a dremel tool as suggested. Align the dremel disk with the line and cut the line. My plates were made from flattened 3/4" copper tubing. I used a rolling mill to flatten it perfectly, but steel flatbar and a gentle hammer stroke would work fine. These plates were nearly as thick as the 2" copper pipe. I cleaned and fluxed them prior to soldering. I was sure I needed map gas, but propane worked fine. I could have used a bit more heat, but it worked ok. One last suggestion, after you make the cut with the dremel disk, you'll find that the plate is far from being able to squeeze in. I put 2 disks on the mandrel and opened the slots up to the desired opening. This wasn't rocket surgery, but I learned alot and got it done. I also figured out how to cut that bottom plate so that the booze will flow back down the center of the column... Don't forget to anneal it so it won't break when you bend it into shape!
Stillatryin
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Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:05 pm

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by Stillatryin »

I'll figure out how to post pics, looks like I need photo bucket
or something like that.
https://imageshack.us/scaled/large/19/bokakob003.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
https://imageshack.us/scaled/large/707/bokakob008.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
Last edited by Stillatryin on Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
rad14701
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Location: New York, USA

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by rad14701 »

Stillatryin wrote:I'll figure out how to post pics, looks like I need photo bucket or something like that.
Upload directly here... Please refrain from using an external image hosting source... See THIS...
Stillatryin
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Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:05 pm

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by Stillatryin »

Sorry, Rad,... I posted that before I saw your post, Sir. Edit if need be... I should be more puter literate.... let's hope I fare better at distilling.
mystakilla
Swill Maker
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Location: Paradise

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by mystakilla »

Great work. How big is the condenser? Even though it will probably work it looks slightly small.
Stillatryin
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Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by Stillatryin »

mystakilla wrote:Great work. How big is the condenser? Even though it will probably work it looks slightly small.
The coil is double wound, but it may be too small. It's nearly 7". The inner coil is tightly wound and I've yet to "open" it up. I left plenty of room in the
column head to build another if this one's not getting it done. Flow is fine. I can also chill my cooling water without any trouble at all. I didn't picture the column, it's 46" My first run with a potstill rig was such a flop, I'm really looking forward to making some good stuff with this rig.
snksknr
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Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by snksknr »

My condensor coil is single wound with a 1/2" cold finger and about 9" long. At full power it has no problem taking care of the vapors. I think you will be fine with a 7" double wound coil, they are more efficient than single wound cold fingered condensors. But there is only one way to really find out. If you have problems with it just add some loosely packed copper pot scrubbers or mesh.
6 gallon SS pot, 1.5"x32" offset LM/VM/potstill combo w/gloved cold finger reflux coil & 15" liebig condensor, 1"x12" parrot, 2-5 gallon & 1-8 gallon fermenters, Still Mate app.
Stillatryin
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Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by Stillatryin »

snksknr wrote:My condensor coil is single wound with a 1/2" cold finger and about 9" long. At full power it has no problem taking care of the vapors. I think you will be fine with a 7" double wound coil, they are more efficient than single wound cold fingered condensors. But there is only one way to really find out. If you have problems with it just add some loosely packed copper pot scrubbers or mesh.
Thanks, Sir, I'm presuming you mean packing that around the coil. Can you clarify?
mystakilla
Swill Maker
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Location: Paradise

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by mystakilla »

Yea pack a lil around the condenser if possible
MegaJohn
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Location: Great state of Georgia, USA

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by MegaJohn »

I added a small piece of copper mesh to the middle of my double wound coil at the top. Couldn't get too much in there, but it did the trick for me.

Happy stilling and stay safe!
John.
Boiler: 15G keg, 4500W/240V element
Heat Control: Router speed controller, 120V
Still: 2" copper Boka, 3/8" take-off, 10" concentric dual-coil condenser
Column: 36" w/take-off plate at 48" packed with 36" copper mesh
Stillatryin
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Joined: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:05 pm

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by Stillatryin »

Don't know if this is going to work, but I added a little liebig to the take-off tube.
MegaJohn
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Location: Great state of Georgia, USA

Re: My Bouncing Baby Bokokob

Post by MegaJohn »

Stillatryin wrote:Don't know if this is going to work, but I added a little liebig to the take-off tube.
So long as your flow through the double wound 7" coil mentioned above is good, I expect you'll knock down all the vapor in your column. Keep an eye on the temperature of the water input for the coil. If it begins to rise about 100*F, you may want to consider a larger recycle tub or add some ice or cool water to it.

The liebig on the take off will only cool the product as it comes off... it will not do anything to knock down the vapors in your column. If built correctly (with the top vented), any uncondensed vapor will flow through the top of your column... this could be a very bad thing. Keep an eye on the top of the column for vapor. I don't expect you will have any problems... but you cannot be too careful.

Happy Stilling and Stay Safe!
John.
Boiler: 15G keg, 4500W/240V element
Heat Control: Router speed controller, 120V
Still: 2" copper Boka, 3/8" take-off, 10" concentric dual-coil condenser
Column: 36" w/take-off plate at 48" packed with 36" copper mesh
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