Is it worth the time

[canadaguy22]

Would I be wasting my time with this. Any thoughts? Its 24 inches long. It was mentioned that the I could use it as a pot still. Any tweak ideas or just toss it and move on?

[jb-texshine]

Yes it could be ran as a pot still if you cap the top.

[firewater69]

it appears to be a poorly designed cm with a very small pc, you might be able to use it as a pot head but it definitely needs a bigger pc. the rc tubes won't give you much in the way of reflux.

[pulsetech]

How about extending the column to include 2 slant plates and a reflux coil. What is meant to be a product condenser could be used as an after cooler.
Pack the lower section with copper scrubbies
Turn it into a BOK basically. The lower tubes for reflux are useless

[pfshine]

Leave it in the corner for spare pipe on new builds. I say do some research and find out what you want to build. First thing to get things started, what do you want to drink, this will point you in the direction of what to build. Second how much time do you want to sit in front of the still.

[S-Cackalacky]

Turn it into a pot still and add a second PC. If the cooling pipes are soldered in, you might be able to heat them up and remove them and then patch the holes. Otherwise, just run it as is.

[Condensifier]

That would make a fine pot still if the product condenser were bigger. I would make a second product condenser on the tube below the product condenser and run them in series from bottom to top or just cut it off and make a bigger one. I would also add a union just past the 90 at the top to make the take off position adjustable and remove the tubes sticking out at the bottom of the column and cap the holes with some copper or just cut them off or just ignore them.

[canadaguy22]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[still_stirrin]

Canadaguy,

You put the reflux condenser cross tubes at the bottom of the column....they should be at the top...right before the product takeoff. Also, they would be more effective if they were oriented 90* to each other. Old school CM still (MileHi, eg.) were like that. Not the best at control, but usable.

Other comments posted here are excellent advice...product condenser appears small.

Finally, the still head is all stainless...attractive material and very durable. But, you would really benefit from some copper in the ascending vapor path to reduce or eliminate any sulfides in the vapor. Something to consider.
ss

[Boda Getta]

Would work great with a pot still, it is similar to mine. I have a Mile High 2" x 30" "Combo" Head, the cross pipes in mine are at the top and Mile High claims, with water flow through the cross tubes, it can be ran in the reflux mode. I've never done that and would build a boka if I wanted to get into reflux stilling. The cross tubes at the bottom of yours makes no sense to me. Mine also has a Liebig condenser that works fine (although mine is a little larger). I have done over 100 runs through mine and it works fine for me in pot still mode, used with propane power and a keg boiler (I would recommend adding a flange to the bottom and using with a beer keg boiler). I put a plug in the top of mine with a thermometer in it. In a moment of inattention early on I let the still run away from me and blew the plug out so it serves as sorta a safely valve.
I say if you already have it, give it a try, you may be surprised. IMHO, most newbies would be well served by starting out with a pot still; learn all the basics, get some runs under your belt, then move on to more sophisticated designs if desired.
Good luck.

BG

[canadaguy22]

Thanks again for the input