Stainless / Copper Thickness for Submarine 'Type' Build

[Shine_Dad]

Afternoon from Cold, Rainy East Tennessee!

I am Actively building something 'different' in regard to a submarine design. It is my personal dream build. It will either swell and seal or it won't.

If it fails, it will have been still worth the fun of the build and the time i'm spending with my father and brother to build it together. There would be very limited loss as the thumper and condenser being built for this setup would just transfer over directly to a different boiler and we would keep on trucking. Any lines and components will all be ferrule/tri-clamp connected to make it modular. This is our second still build. The first utilizing a design that incorporates wood.

( Of course, pictures and a thread will happen. The sides have already been built so now we're on to other portions of the build. )

To politely get ahead of any concerns... this entire build is meant for a still that would only 'theoretically' last one season. Something you could just abandon if you were out in the woods doing this like the outlaws. Something you could build with basic materials anyone can source. So if it doesn't work in the end, or if you have concerns about 'wood will eventually rot; wood flavors might get picked up and taste funny, etc' I understand that, but this is mostly about proof of concept and having fun.

So my question, for those of you that have used Stainless as a metal in sheet form as well as copper, what are you feelings on gauge thickness? I know copper is usually measured in ounce weight not gauge, but I can figure out the conversion on that to compare it to gauge thickness such as how stainless is weighted for thickness.

All it has to do is hold liquid, and the majority of that liquid weight will be dispersed across the wooden frame of the build. No part of the design hinges on the thickness of the material to be structural past maybe 30-45lbs.

What do you recommend, for Stainless, in gauge thickness if all it needs to do is slightly conform to a shape and be screwed down?

I was initially going to go with 20 gauge, but I feel like that is even still over-kill. I don't think it would be problematic in forming to the shape I have and being screwed down, so 20 gauge may be what I ultimately go with either way, but I wanted some feedback.

Anyone here have recommendations or experience in building copper pots or stainless pots and what they use for gauge?

There is a LOT of information about 'mythical submarine stills' on the internet ( And most of us know they do in fact work and are real LOL ) but as far as details... good luck. I haven't come across a specific thread or website or article that stated 'specifics' in a still design like this.

Thanks, I'm excited to see what feedback everyone has!

-ShineDad