OVZ's mini build

In our view 30 gallons and under is considered hobby size. Do not bring anything larger than this to our site.

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Oldvine Zin
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OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Starting my mini still, why? Once the building bug infects you well it's hard to stop. Also after starting biggish it will be nice to do small test batches. The plan is a 1 gallon pot still, maybe a thumper and gin head later on. Mini flute maybe not.
Received my first part today - a mini sight glass, 1 inch
IMG_5575.JPG
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OtisT
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by OtisT »

Cool. I can’t wait for the next episode. Where is the sight glass going in your pot still?

Otis
Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
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Chauncey
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Chauncey »

both of you guys are making me want to start a mini boiler build! :thumbup: :idea:

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Oldvine Zin
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

The original plan was to place it on the 3" copper ball that I'm using as an onion, now after seeing the size of the sight glass holder it might be too large for it. Might just place it on the domed lid.
BTW your build is looking good!!

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Oldvine Zin
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

More shinny parts came in the mail today
parts.JPG
Getting closer to the build :D

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Swedish Pride
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Swedish Pride »

Looking great lad.
Must be something in the air, I just started tinkering with a wee still as well. Mine is going to be even smaller and made from scrap though, yous look like it will be very fancy
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Oldvine Zin
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

I'm using some scraps but also some bling :D These showed up today
copper.JPG
4 inch half sphere for the lid and a 3 inch ball for the onion

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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by OtisT »

That’s gonna look really nice. Can’t wait to see it all come together. :wave: Otis
Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

I wish that it was coming together more smoothly, one issue after another with this build :evil:
First issue was the copper ferules that I ordered are designed to fit inside the pipe, fine for type M but not so much for the thicker type K that I have on hand. I've dealt with that before by turning down the inside diameter of the pipe on the lathe. Well started to setup the lathe (it's used by many different people) and noticed that the chuck key was broken, called it the night and went home discouraged. Ordered a new key from amazon next day shipping got it Sunday night. Went back to the shop Monday morning and noticed that I had ordered the wrong size key. It's 1/4" instead of the 5/16th that I had ordered so a little machining and I had a 1/4" key then I realized that I could of just used a 1/4" socket wrench all along. Chucked up the pipe and tried to true it and noticed the bent shaft on the lathe, put two and two together - the last person to use the lathe probably left the key in the chuck and turned it on :crazy: Spent another day fixing that fuck-up.
Oh and my element arrived and even though the specs for it state 1/2" NPT it doesn't fit my 1/2" NPT triclamp adapter.

Needless to say this build is taking longer than I thought it would.
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Oldvine Zin
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Better progress today :D
A little cutting and soldering and produced this little 4" to 1 1/2" reducer that will be used as the lid.
Mini1.JPG
Needs a bit of clean up

Sitting on top of my 4" x 18" boiler its a bit less than a gallon
Mini2.JPG
After being discouraged yesterday just a bit of assembling cured that.

More later
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by OtisT »

She’s shaping up nicely. :thumbup: With all those curves, you flute is gonna be jealous. :ewink:

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Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Getting closer, just some clean up and some cleaning runs to go
pothead.JPG
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

I definitely need to design a stand to stabilize the tall skinny boiler, she's a bit top heavy
mini.JPG
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by OtisT »

She’s looking nice. :D

I just noticed you said “tall skinny boiler.” All along I thought that straight copper pipe section below the onion was a riser to go between boiler and onion. What you have is very interesting. If it’s ready, I would love to see more details and pictures of the boiler, element placement, etc.

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Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Slightly inspired by Goingbroke's comment in another thread about function rather than form, I added a few more curves to my mini.Hey it's the Italian in me :lol:
I had mentioned earlier about needing to build some kind of stand for her, or at least widen the 4" footprint to something a little more stable. Tall vertical got me thinking about a rocket and with all those curves maybe a Deco one.
rocket1.JPG
I still have another ring to attach and clean her up.

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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by OtisT »

That looks really nice OVZ.

After seeing all the gear going on top of that mini boiler and how high it will all be fully assembled, you are right to be concerned that the still will be top heavy when complete. Even with that nice base, you may need to add a sky hook for safety.

Is that boiler 3” in diameter? That should make for a really small min volume. :thumbup:

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Otis’ Pot and Thumper, Dimroth Condenser: Pot-n-Thumper/Dimroth
Learning to Toast: Toasting Wood
Polishing Spirits with Fruitwood: Fruitwood
Badmotivator’s Barrels: Badmo Barrels
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Oldvine Zin
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

OtisT wrote: Is that boiler 3” in diameter? That should make for a really small min volume. :thumbup:

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16" tall by 4" diameter, a bit less than a gallon.

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Oldvine Zin
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by Oldvine Zin »

Boiler is finished, well almost it needs a little more stability so going to mount it to an old barrel head.
briget5.JPG
3.3 liter to the rim so saying 3 liter capacity, and minimum to cover the element is 500 ML. Should be a fun little boiler for experiments

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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by NZChris »

You have done some very nice work on this build, OVZ. I'm looking forward to hearing how you like running it.
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Re: OVZ's mini build

Post by pope »

Would love to know how it runs!
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