My 1st modular still and thumper

[BlueJ]

Just finished soldering up all the pipes to add on a 7.75 keg thumper to my 18g pot. I went with all ferrule connections. I have to give a HUGE THANKS to many members here for the designs, diagrams, suggestions on solder/flux brands and everything else that made this a fairly easy build. I can’t name folks by name because there are so many, but some of you will recognize your designs.

I had one issue, I got too excited and added zero flux to the first joint. Cleaned it up and started again. From there I probably added too much flux so now I have a cleaning job ahead of me. Can’t wait to get it all together and get a couple of cleaning/sac runs through it.

So now, tell me what I did wrong!! Ha.

[Dancing4dan]

Looking good. Mock up your still and thumper and post another pic.

[BlueJ]

Thanks. Going to try to get it all up and running a 50/50 cleaning run and sac run this weekend.

[sadie33]

congrats!

[OtisT]

Looks good bluejay. That should bring you lots of joy.

[Yummyrum]

Nice job Bluey

You done well fella .Having started on a Pot still , progressing to a Plated still and coming back to a Thumper , I think you will be very happy with what that can produce .
Thumpers are very flexible stills .

You have been thoughtful and made it all triclamp and modular .So much fun awaits

If I was to suggest anything . Put another triclamp in the connection between pot and thumper ( where one of your 90° bends are ) .
You’ll be surprised how it will help alignment on uneven ground .

[BlueJ]

Thanks Yummy. I know this should all look familiar to you because your comments came up in a lot of my liebig research. So big thanks!! I suppose you mean to add a ferrule in the connection run prior to the 90 degree turn so it makes at least one the two fixed ends able to rotate... makes sense.

[BlueJ]

First cleaning run. All but one of my solders held tight. Big leak on the SS ferrule on the riser off the pot. Definitely pleased all the other joints are holding. Don’t think my aquarium pump is going to withstand the temps so suggestions on a small pump to recirculate my condenser water would be appreciated.

I realized in doing all the research for this that I have been cooling my condenser water way too much. I saw some huffing here and there but it had to be doing more than I realized because I was keeping my water cool and had to be shocking the vapors as they hit my old condenser. Live and learn.

[squigglefunk]

Don’t think my aquarium pump is going to withstand the temps so suggestions on a small pump to recirculate my condenser water would be appreciated.

what are you using as a seal for the lid on your boiler? It looks like there is none and I see you have cardboard stuffed under the clamps? Does it actually seal well as I was wondering how these pot seals hold up to the added pressure of running a thumper in line with them.

I think your pump will be OK, I have been using a small pond pump for years now with no issue. The pump should be pumping the cool water into the still not the hot water coming off the still.

[BlueJ]

Good eye. So normally I use an everlasting gasket with ptfe tape. Last run it split - not so everlasting but definitely due to my rough treatment of it. For cleaning I just clamped it down with no gasket and it tightened up nicely enough to run the thumper, but it was not leakproof. For the sac run I am going to try flour paste for the first time.

On the pump, I have been recycling my hot water through a cooler and keeping it too cool by adding ice as it heated up. I guess I can continue this procedure and just not cool it down as much as I have in the past or I need to play with not recycling the hot since this condenser should use far less water to run.

[Wildcats]

Hot alcohol vapor is highly flammable. Any leeks need to be addressed asap. Worst case. Boom! Or you could be loosing product. I know it's exciting to get going with the run. But all the time you put into the build and then skemp on the boiler seal.... Anyway that just my two cents. Looks great should serve you well. Have fun and stay SAFE!!

[BlueJ]

100% agree Wildcat. This run was a 50/50 water vinegar run to clean up the new solder joints. I will absolutely be getting a gasket in there for the sac run and future runs.

[squigglefunk]

Good eye.

i asked because i have a similar boiler and was curious if you had found a better way

nice rig, I plan to do a similar setup soon w a 15 gallon keg thumper

[BlueJ]

With the everlasting gasket, it seals up nice. Need to put some extra cardboard under a couple clips to clamp it down. You will notice in the picture a 15g keg which is my next project. I’m going to add a heating element and a 2” column for another option on my runs or mashing.

[BlueJ]

Second round of solder sealed everything up nice. Ran cleaning and then sac run today with foreshots watered down in both boiler and thumper. Pulled around 150 off. Used flour paste gasket for first time and it worked perfect. It will be my go-to from now on. Stunk up the garage though something awful. I guess charging with foreshots and water only I should have expected that. Can’t wait to get a real batch of wash in this thing and see what it does. thanks again to all you that have posted tips, tricks and plans for this set up!