Pictures

[no drink firewater]

Here is the boiler, it can run about 10 gallons on a spirit run without puking.

This is the inside of the thumper. It sits about 1/2 inch off the bottom and can be run with as little as one quart.

The condenser is a double helix (parallel) Graham, (3/8 o.d. copper). It has not failed to knock down anything I've thrown at it.

This heats the pot, 4500 watts

And this controls the speed. It is very sensitive, and almost instantly changes the rate. Smearing is minimal.

I have run out of my allotted attachments, so that is it for now.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Wow. That is a nice set up you got there

[superdaveva]

Nice job , was that boiler a baking pan?

[no drink firewater]

The boiler is a copper washtub, circa approximately 1920's-1930's. Ebay find, although they are/were quite common in the south U.S.; some were galvanized steel,
some had steel lids. Mine came with a steel lid, but some searching turned up a proper copper lid. Be careful trying to mix and match parts if you use one of these,
as there were several manufacturers and look quite similar in some cases.

[Bushman]

Pretty creative but my main concern is with your boiler. I have several of those old copper containers and I would check it as I am sure the soldering was not lead free.

[no drink firewater]

I am sure that lead free solder did not exist when these pots were made. All new work was done with lead free silver bearing soft solder, including leak repairs
(an ongoing project).

[no drink firewater]

Here is a new work example, I find it kind of cool looking.

Also, the tin lining in the pot is not compromised along the original joints.

[rad14701]

So, you're ok with drinking and perhaps sharing lead tainted spirits...??? Just because people did years ago because they didn't know any better doesn't mean you should now... We take safety very seriously here... That boiler should be set aside and admired as an heirloom and not used again, plain and simple... That one appears to be entirely tinned with lead based solder on the inside... I can guarantee that a lead test will scream positive...

[LWTCS]

All new work was done with lead free silver bearing soft solder, including leak repairs
(an ongoing project).

[Brendan]

That boiler is quite concerning mate. I'm worried for you...

You should listen to what the guys above have pointed out...it can be a life threatening issue. Imagine giving one of your friends or family lead tainted spirit...

[Jimbo]

Thats a beautiful old still. Please put it on a shelf in your brew room and admire it, and build a safe one. We're not just blowing smoke up your ass here.

[Halfbaked]

I personally know a guy that got lead poisoning. It was some bad stuff. His meds were real expensive an he was on them for a long time. It is a really pretty piece.

[no drink firewater]

Hey fellas, I do appreciate your concern, I am following your advice. I bought a lead test kit and there is a "hot spot" around the handle rivets on one side.

[rad14701]

Oh Boy...!!!

[Brendan]

I think what Rad's saying is that you don't even need a lead test kit for that...it's not just the handle rivets, that's just the bit exposed enough to give you a reading I'd say...

We can see from the pics, and as you said: you don't think lead free solder was even used when that was made.

Everyone's only looking out for your best interest (and anyone you would give a drink to).

[bearriver]

That gun is a wall hanger. If you shoot it, it WILL blow up in your face, maiming you, and anyone else there with you.

That's not to say it's not valuable. I'm sure someone (including myself) would look at it really hard if you posted it in the classifieds section as a display piece >>only<<. Then you can spend a little extra scratch towards a real shooter....

[W Pappy]

A buddy of mine owned a radiator repair shop for a few years and he got lead poisoning.Damned near killed him he is lucky to be alive and he was not even drinking hooch laced with it.Really think about what these fellas are tellin ya she is unique as hell.We just want you your family and friends safe!!