Lil Ugly

[Wildcats]

Started a smaller boiler today. Had some flat stock laying around.
I didn't really have a plan. Just started cutting the sheet.
Traced around a bucket lid and cut it out so there was about a 1/2" extra. Then took pliers and bent over the outside edge.
Then cut my wall section. And made some homemade rivets out of some wire I had laying around.
Then solder it all up. I still need to cut and fit the top. I'll have a 2" T/C ferrule in the lid. And maybe a 3/4" drain, since I have one laying around.
Here is a few pictures of my messy soldering. But it holds water. Haven't cleaned it up yet.

It ended up being 11 1/2" x 11 1/2" .. I haven't figured up the volume yet.. but should be around 4 gallons+/-.

[Wildcats]

Just figured up the volume. It is 5.1 gallons. (According to "Alexa") lazy mans way to do math

[Tōtōchtin]

I can't remember yesterday but I think lxhx.004329 will get you there.
Tōto
Edit: that's for a rectangle. My bad

[Buffalo]

Wildcat, Looks like a great start to me. Since you riveted then soldered you ought to be able to use the torch and a wire brush and clean up the extra solder. I hand calculated and got 4.95 gallons. With an all copper still you should get rid of a lot of off tastes. Keep up the pictures of the build.

[Wildcats]

Wildcat, Looks like a great start to me. Since you riveted then soldered you ought to be able to use the torch and a wire brush and clean up the extra solder. I hand calculated and got 4.95 gallons. With an all copper still you should get rid of a lot of off tastes. Keep up the pictures of the build.

You're probably rite in the volume. I have two other stills. But both of them have a stainless steel boiler. I will clean up the solder after I get it finished.
I wanted to make the top have a "cone" shape. But I don't think I have enough copper left for that. Maybe have to get a bigger piece.
I had a few leaks at first. But just cleaned up the seams and added more solder. That's all the cost I have in it so far, solder/flux and map gas.
What do y'all think about a flat top?? I could finish it up with the copper I have that way. I'd probably only ever run no more than 4 gallons of low wines on a spirit run.
Cheer's

[Buffalo]

Flat top should work, if the copper is fairly limber you could always put a fitting for the riser on the top near the side, which should make it a little stiffer. Are you going to make the top removable and use paste to seal it up? You could make the top kind of like you made the bottom and use flour paste to seal it.

[Bryan1]

One idea would be cut the top larger then peen it into a shallow dome shape with a soft hammer, not only will it give the top more rigidity it will also work harden the copper to make that much stronger. Also say a 2" riser tri-clamped could serve as fill port which will let you solder the lid on and make the boiler a heap stronger.

Cheers Bryan

[Wildcats]

Flat top should work, if the copper is fairly limber you could always put a fitting for the riser on the top near the side, which should make it a little stiffer. Are you going to make the top removable and use paste to seal it up? You could make the top kind of like you made the bottom and use flour paste to seal it.

I was just going to have the top soldered on. Maybe I shouldn't go 4" and reduce down. Leaving access to clean/fill. Cheer's

[Wildcats]

One idea would be cut the top larger then peen it into a shallow dome shape with a soft hammer, not only will it give the top more rigidity it will also work harden the copper to make that much stronger. Also say a 2" riser tri-clamped could serve as fill port which will let you solder the lid on and make the boiler a heap stronger.

Cheers Bryan

Great feedback man! I have been playing around with some hammering. I was surprised how hard a soft flat piece of copper is after a few passes with a hammer. I could add on a strip of copper to the bigger piece I have left for the top. Then I'd have enough to make the top have a cone shape.

[Wildcats]

Here is a few more close up of the Lil Ugly. Holding water.

no leaks! Cheer's

[Yummyrum]

I like it Wildcats .

Agree with Bryan about beating out a dome lid. … iff’n you can’t make a cone .
A flat lid will work but have no strength to support the lyne arm/riser .
You’re right that beating out a dome will work harden the copper and you will have to re-anneal it several times during .

[Saltbush Bill]

If you choose to go down the domed lid path you might find this link helpful
viewtopic.php?t=78431

[googe]

Cool project mate, good luck. Nice sbb, haven't seen that thread in a long time, your good at finding random threads!

[Wildcats]

Thanks for all the suggestions and feedback guys. I am going to have to get a bigger piece for the top. I don't think the one I have left is enough to made a cone. I don't want the top to be the week point. Thanks again.

[MooseMan]

What an awesome little still this is going to be, should be great for experiments and small batch stuff or even a way to do all feints runs when you don't want to save up gallons of it.
You might call her ugly, but one to be proud of I say!

Oh, and I think maybe I can see some Gin in your future...

[Wildcats]

What an awesome little still this is going to be, should be great for experiments and small batch stuff or even a way to do all feints runs when you don't want to save up gallons of it.
You might call her ugly, but one to be proud of I say!

Oh, and I think maybe I can see some Gin in your future...

Thank you Sir! I am kinda excited about it. I had planned on getting the top done today. But after some thought and some feedback here .. I want to be able to make the top a cone shape. I only have enough copper to make a flat top. So I figure I need at least a 24"x 24" piece of copper make the top. So I'll have to get that to continue with this project. I will also have to order some TC Ferrule as well.
I'm sure I'll be doing some Gin at some point. So many rabbit holes in this hobby. There is something that is therapeutic working with copper. I really enjoy building and using my own equipment. Cheer's

[MooseMan]

I'm the same Wildcats I love making things and seeing others creations just as much.

I'm already looking forward to seeing the next stage of your build process!

I think it will be an ideal gin still once it's finished.

[Wildcats]

I found a copper cone cap used for caps on post on a dock. Has anyone heard of these? I can get one that will be the perfect size and fit. Here is a picture.

it's $111.00 + shipping. Cheeper than a 24"x24" sheet and all the hard work is done already. All id have to do is drill a hole to accept the ferrel and solder/rivet it on.

[MooseMan]

Wow!

We don't get magic like this over on our side of the pond!

[Wildcats]

Wow!

We don't get magic like this over on our side of the pond!

Well I decided not to order the cone. It was gonna be $188.33 w/shipping. I can get flat stock and make it cheaper. So that's the plan. Now to make a pattern for the top....

[Salt Must Flow]

Lil Ugly ... top it off with one of those copper cones and maker her a purdy bitch.

I looked for less than a minute and found one for $75. Didn't check shipping. I didn't even read the description, but they have one that's 11.5". If you can get a cap for $75, I would call this boiler build a SUCCESS.

If the flat portion on top is of appropriate size, you could just cut a hole and install a Tri-Clamp bulkhead fitting. There's a 2" fitting for $16. That would be MUCH stronger than any solder joint with limited surface contact (like a ferrule soldered to the top).

If you want to replace the silicone gaskets with PTFE gaskets, you can buy PTFE Tri-clamp gaskets, sand both sides down smooth & flat. Easy peasy.

[Wildcats]

Lil Ugly ... top it off with one of those copper cones and maker her a purdy bitch.

I looked for less than a minute and found one for $75. Didn't check shipping. I didn't even read the description, but they have one that's 11.5". If you can get a cap for $75, I would call this boiler build a SUCCESS.

If the flat portion on top is of appropriate size, you could just cut a hole and install a Tri-Clamp bulkhead fitting. There's a 2" fitting for $16. That would be MUCH stronger than any solder joint with limited surface contact (like a ferrule soldered to the top).

If you want to replace the silicone gaskets with PTFE gaskets, you can buy PTFE Tri-clamp gaskets, sand both sides down smooth & flat. Easy peasy.

Now that's exactly what I need!!!! Thank you Sir!! I just ordered it and it's free shipping!!! Excellent find SMF. I have been looking everywhere for something like this. Now just waiting on the mail. Thanks you.

Edit for spelling

[Salt Must Flow]

Lil Ugly ... top it off with one of those copper cones and maker her a purdy bitch.

I looked for less than a minute and found one for $75. Didn't check shipping. I didn't even read the description, but they have one that's 11.5". If you can get a cap for $75, I would call this boiler build a SUCCESS.

If the flat portion on top is of appropriate size, you could just cut a hole and install a Tri-Clamp bulkhead fitting. There's a 2" fitting for $16. That would be MUCH stronger than any solder joint with limited surface contact (like a ferrule soldered to the top).

If you want to replace the silicone gaskets with PTFE gaskets, you can buy PTFE Tri-clamp gaskets, sand both sides down smooth & flat. Easy peasy.

Now that's exactly what I need!!!! Thank you Sir!! I just ordered it and it's free shipping!!! Excellent find SMF. I have been looking everywhere for something like this. Now just waiting on the mail. Thanks you.

Edit for spelling

Holy shit, I scored? Cool ! ! ! No problem bro Well I hope it fits perfectly and works out great

[MooseMan]

SMF the HD bargain hunter, love it!

Keep us all supplied with updates please Wildcats, with pics of course!

[Wildcats]

SMF the HD bargain hunter, love it!

Keep us all supplied with updates please Wildcats, with pics of course!

As soon as I get the lid I'll slap this thing together and get the cleaning run and sacrificial run done. And plenty of pictures.

[Wildcats]

Here is the cap I have ordered.

can't wait for it to get here. I will make a Ferrule out of flat stock.

[Wildcats]

Tried to make the ferrel. I'm not real happy with the results. I mean it would work. But I think I'll just buy one. Maybe ture this one into a TC funnel. Here a picture of the mess I made trying the homemade ferrel.

Like I said it's a mess.

[Yummyrum]

Not bad Wildcats . If it seals use it .

[Wildcats]

Not bad Wildcats . If it seals use it .

It was my first ever attempt at make a Ferrule. I think I could do better with a bit more preparation. I have a tendency to just start cutting and soldering....
I might use it... Will have to wait till my cap gets here and see how big the flat spot on top the cone is.
It does seal. I clamped it to a valve (with gasket)and filled it with water. It held. Thanks for stopping in Sir.

[MooseMan]

I mean, if it's not leaking, then you succeeded right!

If you do have another go though, try hammering one out, it's easier than you'd think.