FLUTE TALK

[Austin Nichols]

did you dilute it to get to 30%, or is that just what it ended up being? if you did dilute,,, what did you use???
thanks
spooky

I diluted it with wash to try and retain as much flavor as possible.

[Mr.Spooky]

so its not a true tails run? i think your run will turn out GREAT!!!!!! cant wait to hear your results!
spooky

[Austin Nichols]

so its not a true tails run? i think your run will turn out GREAT!!!!!! cant wait to hear your results!
spooky

Well if we're going to get extra technical I guess your right, 30L of real tails with 10L of wash (fake tails), just to really precise and exact

EDIT: Just checked output temp @ 29.5 degrees C, not sure what the true corrected reading is but will check later.

[bgrizzle]

Austin Nichols... sounds like your learning how to play the flute!!! I can hear you playing from here! Keep it down my kids just went to bed!

Like with any still, I've found that the higher the ABV of your wash, the higher the output of the distillate. I ran my flute twice today.... first was a "stripping" run pulling 91-92% ABV. The second run was dilluted back down to about 30%, and I did a spirit run that went much faster getting 93-95%. I love my flute. I can now do in one day what used to take me 3 weekends with my 2" Bok/VM column.

[prdbrissy]

Just checked output temp @ 29.5 degrees C, not sure what the true corrected reading is but will check later.

You have got to be happy with that Austin

Prdbrissy

[bgrizzle]

OK... So I if you have been following this thread, I previously made my best neutral on a 6 plate flute... I wanted to make sure this was no fluke... a flute fluke.... ... So I ran 12 gallons of All Bran twice. When I ran this it wasnt as clear as I would like. Normally I will a let a wash clear until I can see the bottom of the bucket. This was still a little cloudy. I probably couldnt see through it if it were in a mason jar!

After running twice I was hoping to have martini vodka. NOPE! still had a terrible flavor...

I ran it again this morning.

Tonight I am sippin on a martini!!!

Look folks. I know the flutes intended purpose is to produce a high abv full flavor beverage. BUT, if you like a neutral... it can be done! All you have to do is dilute and run a few more times. And this is not a lot of work. When the likker comes out like a piss stream, the runs dont take long!!

I think on my next batch Im going to run the flute in potstill mode (no water to the dephlag) to quickly strip the wash. Then I willl do 2 nice "SLOW" runs at a rate of 3-4 qts per hour.

Let me stress that purposely ran this wash cloudy to try to impart flavor. Then I easily cleaned it up with a few more runs. So, if you like neutrals and you are sick of drip...drip...drip...drip... THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE NEUTRAL!

Cheers all! Thank you KS for a beuatiful flute. Thank you OD for all the R&D and ingeniousness to design such a fine rig!

[RayDean]

Okay, backing up a few steps... Just getting started with my build and my plates are being machined tomorrow. I know that some have done bubble caps and most have done sieve or perforated plates. I'm not looking for any more pissing matches between the two because I know that they both have their places. What I would like to know is if anyone has done a run with actual valve trays. I think condensificator has posted pics of a proposed valve tray using oversized holes and copper rivets as the valves, but haven't heard any run reports. I do know that in oil and chemical refineries we use valve trays almost exclusively because they are the best of both worlds (in continuous distillation anyway..) they don't have huge pressure drops like bubble caps and they hold liquid unlike perforated trays. Question is... do they work for our type of flute batch operations and does holding some liquid on the tray after reflux is reduced make the flute less apt to alert you to heads, hearts, and tails in the run? I'm just looking for a little guidance before I start punching holes in some beautifully machined 1/8" plates.

Raydean

[condensificator]

wasn't me. i think KS has made a couple/few.

my set up will have easily interchangeable plates, so plan on someday making them to try out, but i am going to prolly start with sieve or bubble caps...most likely sieve plates, since real life continues to get in the way of getting any good amount of fun stuff done...and they are a lot less work.

[olddog]

I have made all three types of plate, seive plates, valve plates using rivits, and bubble caps. My personal preference is for perforated seive plates, which when fitted closely or soldered into the column work well and are the easiest to fabricate. I could not notice any difference in performance with either seive plates or valve, as the are both self draining, but I found that bubble caps do not cut to a dribble when the hearts are all taken, and the only way you can see your getting into tails, is when you notice the temp rising, as bubble caps will still bubble when there is only waterey wash left on the plate as they are not self draining. This is only my personal opinion, each will build to their own liking.


OD

[Austin Nichols]

I have a 4" connection to my keg into the column and less than perfect holes in my plates, the first 2 pates have 3/32?(a size smaller than 1/8) holes and the next three plates have 1/8 holes drilled, and unlike others have experienced I have no trouble with my bottom/1st plate holding liquid/bubbling.

I ran a 5th gen UJSSM today and it was awesome, the rum feints (plus wash spooky) turns out at best a sweet nuetral because it aint no rum that's for sure..... 94% ABV @ 20C after a pot still strip and going through the 5 plate flute............ very dissapointed in my rum, but over excited about the light rummy nuetral I got.... hmmmmmm

All I can say is that I'm really impressed with this thing, and once Ive run it enough to know it I can produce rum, whiskey, whisky or a nuetral without a bother.

The knockers can go...........get.......... ahhh knock yaselelves out till ya try it!!

OD, Hurry up n send me my prize

[Kentucky shinner]

I have made all three types of plate, seive plates, valve plates using rivits, and bubble caps. My personal preference is for perforated seive plates, which when fitted closely or soldered into the column work well and are the easiest to fabricate. I could not notice any difference in performance with either seive plates or valve, as the are both self draining, but I found that bubble caps do not cut to a dribble when the hearts are all taken, and the only way you can see your getting into tails, is when you notice the temp rising, as bubble caps will still bubble when there is only waterey wash left on the plate as they are not self draining. This is only my personal opinion, each will build to their own liking.


OD

I agree od.. I tried a bubble cap, and I prefer the perforated also..
KS

[kenfyoozed]

I agree od.. I tried a bubble cap, and I prefer the perforated also.. KS

Why is that? Can you explain?

[olddog]

I currently have two plated columns, the original Magic Flute, and a new column I have just completed with bubble caps. The Magic Flute with perforated plates seems to give a cleaner crisper spirit than the new column with bubble plates, which will always retain half an inch of liquid on the plate regardless of whether its alcohol or water. Towards the end of a run I found that there is no distinct cut off between hearts and tails like you get with a perforated plate, making a smeared transition between hearts and tails. I put this down to perforated plates shutting down when the alcohol is taken reducing the output to just drips, returning the watery tails back to the boiler. The tests were made using exactly the same wash and exactly the same amount of feints on each run.
This is my opinion, others may differ.


OD

[bgrizzle]

Just my opinion here... perforated plates work...and they work well! I'm not saying to be closed minded, but why do anything else when it comes to a HOBBY LEVEL still?! Perforated plates are cheap, anybody can make them, and they work! When it comes to these flutes, I can tell you that a flute with perf. plates is awesome!

[WalkingWolf]

Good take on that bgrizzle -- been a lot said on both sides of the isle but you summed it up well (and you seem to have no inherent/vested interest in the debate) from a neutral (pun intended ) standpoint. It is what it is -- if'n folks want to give it a go -- it'll get-r-dun. OD, with all due respect, I fully understand why you continue on your quest -- 'cause it's what you do .

[olddog]

I made the idiot mistake the other day, and I ended up with a surging parrot on my new column, yes I had forgot to vent the input tube. I had been thinking about making a surge proof parrot, so having a few fittings in the box this is what I came up with.

Its just another reducer cup attached to the top of the receiving cup, sleeved together with vent holes drilled into the new reducer, the stop has been filed out so that the input tube extends down inside the fitting and terminates just above the receiving cup. This is now a fully vented parrot which should NEVER surge.


OD

[WalkingWolf]

I can't help it -- I get these visions of turkish belly dancers gyrating in time to exotic music as I lay back on overstuffed pillows eating dates while sipping on an UJSSM (I think)

good work OD -- ya know we'ez all gonna go dis route don't cha??

[kenfyoozed]

OD great parrot. Love the design!

I currently have two plated columns, the original Magic Flute, and a new column I have just completed with bubble caps. The Magic Flute with perforated plates seems to give a cleaner crisper spirit than the new column with bubble plates, which will always retain half an inch of liquid on the plate regardless of whether its alcohol or water. Towards the end of a run I found that there is no distinct cut off between hearts and tails like you get with a perforated plate, making a smeared transition between hearts and tails. I put this down to perforated plates shutting down when the alcohol is taken reducing the output to just drips, returning the watery tails back to the boiler. The tests were made using exactly the same wash and exactly the same amount of feints on each run.
This is my opinion, others may differ.
OD

This is exactly the reason I had KS build mine with Bubble plates, I havent run either, but I am after a great rum. Its my hope that the bubble caps work as thumpers giving flavor. But no matter what we all have, we will enjoy it. Its all in how you run it. Im sure some guys could get the same resluts no matter what they run.

Ill post more when it get it up and running, Non the less i am excited!

[DOLIKEADRINK]

I made the idiot mistake the other day, and I ended up with a surging parrot on my new column, yes I had forgot to vent the input tube. I had been thinking about making a surge proof parrot, so having a few fittings in the box this is what I came up with.

002.JPG

Its just another reducer cup attached to the top of the receiving cup, sleeved together with vent holes drilled into the new reducer, the stop has been filed out so that the input tube extends down inside the fitting and terminates just above the receiving cup. This is now a fully vented parrot which should NEVER surge.


OD

Well Well Mike it just shows us that your mind never bloody stops Keep up the good work Mate can't wait to see what you come up with next

Cheers: Dolikeadrink

[Kentucky shinner]

OD great parrot. Love the design!

I currently have two plated columns, the original Magic Flute, and a new column I have just completed with bubble caps. The Magic Flute with perforated plates seems to give a cleaner crisper spirit than the new column with bubble plates, which will always retain half an inch of liquid on the plate regardless of whether its alcohol or water. Towards the end of a run I found that there is no distinct cut off between hearts and tails like you get with a perforated plate, making a smeared transition between hearts and tails. I put this down to perforated plates shutting down when the alcohol is taken reducing the output to just drips, returning the watery tails back to the boiler. The tests were made using exactly the same wash and exactly the same amount of feints on each run.
This is my opinion, others may differ.
OD

This is exactly the reason I had KS build mine with Bubble plates, I havent run either, but I am after a great rum. Its my hope that the bubble caps work as thumpers giving flavor. But no matter what we all have, we will enjoy it. Its all in how you run it. Im sure some guys could get the same resluts no matter what they run.

Ill post more when it get it up and running, Non the less i am excited!

I think your gonna love your Hillbilly Flute man. I hope you have a wash ready to give her a run.

[olddog]

It's critical to get the vent in the correct place, otherwise it will still surge.


OD

[Kentucky shinner]

I place my vents just bellow the condenser, I haven't had one surge yet. but I think your new parrot looks cool as hell.

[kenfyoozed]

OD great parrot. Love the design!

I currently have two plated columns, the original Magic Flute, and a new column I have just completed with bubble caps. The Magic Flute with perforated plates seems to give a cleaner crisper spirit than the new column with bubble plates, which will always retain half an inch of liquid on the plate regardless of whether its alcohol or water. Towards the end of a run I found that there is no distinct cut off between hearts and tails like you get with a perforated plate, making a smeared transition between hearts and tails. I put this down to perforated plates shutting down when the alcohol is taken reducing the output to just drips, returning the watery tails back to the boiler. The tests were made using exactly the same wash and exactly the same amount of feints on each run.
This is my opinion, others may differ.
OD

This is exactly the reason I had KS build mine with Bubble plates, I havent run either, but I am after a great rum. Its my hope that the bubble caps work as thumpers giving flavor. But no matter what we all have, we will enjoy it. Its all in how you run it. Im sure some guys could get the same resluts no matter what they run.

Ill post more when it get it up and running, Non the less i am excited!

I think your gonna love your Hillbilly Flute man. I hope you have a wash ready to give her a run.

If we all ran the same setup, what fun would that be? Different strokes for different folks. Lots of opinions make a great forum!

[RayDean]

Finally have all the pieces! All that's left now is... Everything.

[prdbrissy]

G'day guys
I have finally made some progress. I have really struggled with silver soldering, I just can't get enough heat. Soft soldering really does require gentle hand with the torch.
This is where I am up to. There is nothing pretty yet, but it is progress.

the dephlegamater read to assemble


The product condenser ready to assemble


The bits together


Regards

[Kiwi-lembic]

G'day guys
I have finally made some progress. I have really struggled with silver soldering, I just can't get enough heat. Soft soldering really does require gentle hand with the torch.

Well done you are doing a great job ...
this might help you ...a couple of wee soldering tips
keep the job clean where you are soldering clean is everything when it comes to soldering
run a file line were possible of bright shiny metal on the bits you wish to solder .were you want the solder to be .
use a good flux and dont splash it everywhere if any thing get a nice fine brush and paint where you want the solder to be i have found solder will often follow this line ..kinda keeps it flooding all over parts you dont want ..and time consuming filing and emerying to get it nice
you can pull solder with heat... so first heat up the job with a nice big fluffy flame ,... not too much oxygen or the solder will pit ..
concentrate the heat on the larger bits to get them heated up as any small bits will heat up quicker when you think both bits are about the same temp and colour
take the heat away and poke the solder stick in the join if ya got it right with low temp solders it will melt ...now with the heat pull the solder were you want it will run towards it ....my 5C's worth hope this helps you a bit ...Kiw-L

[valkyrie99]

Am I looking in the wrong place for tri clamps. I was at James sanitary online and the price for 4 ferries and 2 clamps was over 100 dollars. This seems like a lot.

Thanks. Valk

[Prairiepiss]

G'day guys
I have finally made some progress. I have really struggled with silver soldering, I just can't get enough heat. Soft soldering really does require gentle hand with the torch.
This is where I am up to. There is nothing pretty yet, but it is progress.
The bits together


Regards

prdbrissy Looks very good and its along the same lines as I am working towards. That is the 4" to 2" to 3".
But I think I'm missing something here? In this pic with it assembled are those two cooling lines coming out of the deldhlegmater going straight into the product condenser? If so what is the tri clamp at the top of the condenser for? Or are they just braces that are not connected to both?
Can we get a look at that cool looking condenser output reducer thingy? That looks really sharp. Nice copper smithing!!!

[exon]

Good soldering advice, K-L, and a nice presentation.
These hillbilly flute designs are intricate to construct for any craftsman.
exon

[olddog]

These hillbilly flute designs are intricate to construct for any craftsman.

It really only amounts to soldering joints together one at a time, look at it that way and it aint hard.


OD