Building a practice still, few questions

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MilwaukeesWorst
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Building a practice still, few questions

Post by MilwaukeesWorst »

Building a 5 gallon stainless steel "pot still" so I can start getting some mash and run/stripping experience. Ive been a little worried about connecting 3/8" OD copper tubing to the lid as I'm not sure what exact fittings would be needed along with special tools.

I ran across this EBAY still using a rubber stopper and thought it was just to easy to be a option. ( EBAY LINK )
Image

Any thoughts?

I plan on building a 1/4 keg pot still w/thumper and a full keg reflux still down the line, but money it tight (My car was just stolen on thanksgiving to top it off :cry: ) So I'm trying to build this first one at the lowest cost possible so I can start on learning the basics.

One last question, I've read it here a few times that 20 feet of 3/8 tubing should be enough, but rather be sure and if I buy more then I'll likely ad a thumper.

Any and all feedback is welcome!
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Truckinbutch
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by Truckinbutch »

Read the rules we live by . Rubber is a no no .
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Prairiepiss
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by Prairiepiss »

Rubber no good. A cork will work as long as its not a synthetic bonded cork.
But a bulkhead compression fitting would be the best thing to use. Using PTFE tape to seal it.
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rad14701
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by rad14701 »

If you can swing it, 1/2" would be better than 3/8 for you worm...
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Rollie83
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by Rollie83 »

I've seen these on eBay also....could find a plug (cork) to seal or go to a bigger copper hose an solder on to eliminate the rubber? I'm new also as you probably know...
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bellybuster
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by bellybuster »

Why not save the bucks you'll spend on this one and start rounding up the parts for a proper still?
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OBX Phantom
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by OBX Phantom »

Agree with belly buster. Why waste money on a trial still use that money towards what you really want. Besides that every still runs different, so when you do make the one you want you will have to relearn how to run that one also.

Also like Rad said try to get 1/2 inch. I believe 3/8 ID is considered minimum. 3/8 OD is only going to have an inner ID of about 1/4 inch.
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rad14701
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by rad14701 »

Build it right from the start and it'll last a lifetime - or three... :idea:
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Truckinbutch
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by Truckinbutch »

rad14701 wrote:Build it right from the start and it'll last a lifetime - or three... :idea:
I've got to agree with that approach . Research I did here prebuild led me to settle into an overall plan that has worked well for me .
If you ain't the lead dog in the team , the scenery never changes . Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
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MilwaukeesWorst
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by MilwaukeesWorst »

Thanks for the response everyone, If I had a ounce of willpower to resist the want to start playing with mash recipes and the overall experience of enjoying something I made. That and my yearly income has been dropped by over 50% and the time needed to save for what I want on both the stills would be to much of a wait for me, no to mention my car was stolen few days before thanksgiving. This way I can hunt down some good deals and get it piece by piece while I use this simple and cheap one (Bout 100-120bucks for full setup)

Picked up 20' of 1/2" copper tubing and bought brass compression fitting set up(shark bite). Guess I was getting a bit to frugal when trying to justify the (Gum) stoppers/bung.

ordering what I don't have tomorrow and thinking I'm going to get 10 gal of the Deathwhish mash going so it will be ready togo 8).

Thanks again.
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cotton mouth Samson
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by cotton mouth Samson »

Shark bite fittings are a no no there's plastic in the vapor path and if you use brass be sure to pickle it
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pfshine
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by pfshine »

Hold on to that sharkbite you will use it for a water hookup sooner or later. Just dont use it in the vapor path
Life is a journey you take alone. Make sure you do what you what makes you happy
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MilwaukeesWorst
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by MilwaukeesWorst »

thanks for the heads up on the shark bite!
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MilwaukeesWorst
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by MilwaukeesWorst »

I'm guessing This is more what I'm looking for, I made the mistake of trusting the sales person about it being safe and for some reason assumed the plastic was to add pressure and would not be open to vapor.

and of course if I goggled I would have found they have been banned in a few states all together....

I'm taking it I need to pickle the brass for possible zinc? The brass only has a quarter of a percent of lead in it.
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rad14701
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by rad14701 »

A bulkhead connector might be a better option than the adapter fitting you referenced...
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MilwaukeesWorst
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Re: Building a practice still, few questions

Post by MilwaukeesWorst »

Only bulkheads they carry by me are the PVC ones w/epdm gaskets, well according to their site. Going to make a run to the store tomorrow with the back up plan of getting these.

ImageTOImage
with washers on each side of the lid.

Bulkhead would be much better, because the Adapter has very little lip for the washer to catch on to.

but this is what I want
Image
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