Thumper build plans.

Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper.

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TxBrewing
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Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

When I was here back a few years ago, I thought there were plans for building a thumper downcomer and vent.

Look specifically for a set that the whole assembly sits on a 2-inch Tri-Clamp for a keg, both top and side feed because I am not sure how I want to rebuild yet.

Much like this, thank you in advance


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Yummyrum
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Yummyrum »

Hi Tx
The two ways are quite different .

The simplest way is to go in the top and out the side .

viewtopic.php?p=7447280&sid=25f3f02b5ee ... 3#p7447280

The more difficult to construct is in the side and out the top
. https://homedistiller viewtopic.php?p=7475122&sid=98d5a63c5ee ... 1#p7475122

Both ways will make identical hooch .

Only difference is condenser on the top or off the side .
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TxBrewing
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

In the side will support a cleaner build, but I have not decided on what I want to do yet

Thank you
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

Hi Tex. This is how I put mine together, in the side out the top. You just have to plan it a bit, so you don't unsolder something.
Thumper top.jpg
On the thump keg.
Thumper top 2.jpg
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TxBrewing
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

Rusty Ole Bucket wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 7:49 am Hi Tex. This is how I put mine together, in the side out the top. You just have to plan it a bit, so you don't unsolder something.

Thumper top.jpg

On the thump keg.

Thumper top 2.jpg

Rusty
I can wrap my head around all the outside parts, for the side inlet, it is the downcomer that I just cant see how to fabricate
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

This is how mine works, dashed parts are inside the 2" copper. The threaded connection you see at the bottom of the tee in the pictures is to be able to break down the thump tube or swap it out for something different.



Rusty
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

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the 90 inside the Tee, is that threaded or soldered, that is my main hang up I think.
If soldered, how????

I guess, the easy way would be to just do 2 top inlets.

Sidebar on downsizing pipe diameter; I have a 4-inch opening in the keg, that has a 4x2 reducer into the head, the rest of the piping would be 3/4.
So 3/4 out of the head into the thumper, the goal is to set up 2 thumpers, they would all be piped with 3/4, to include the 1 over 3/4 jacketed condenser arm.
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Bolverk »

Like this
20250117_114320.jpg
You just need to remove the stop in the tee (file or sanding drum) so you can put the spear all the way through

I just got one of these

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255471495236?m ... media=COPY
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:46 am image.png

the 90 inside the Tee, is that threaded or soldered, that is my main hang up I think.
If soldered, how????
It's soldered, 3/4" M. I did it first, put it inside the 2" tee, slipped the 2" connector and reducer on the 3/4" arm and soldered all those connections to the 2" tee. Last I added the 2" spacers and ferrules to the top & bottom of the tee. Check out my build thread, it's all lined out in there how I did it.


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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

Rusty Ole Bucket wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:54 am
TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:46 am image.png

the 90 inside the Tee, is that threaded or soldered, that is my main hang up I think.
If soldered, how????
It's soldered, 3/4" M. I did it first, put it inside the 2" tee, slipped the 2" connector and reducer on the 3/4" arm and soldered all those connections to the 2" tee. Last I added the 2" spacers and ferrules to the top & bottom of the tee. Check out my build thread, it's all lined out in there how I did it.


Rusty
Ok, I see, was not sure all that would fit through a tee, but I see how you used the PVC to test fit!!!!
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:41 am Ok, I see, was not sure all that would fit through a tee, but I see how you used the PVC to test fit!!!!
Yep, it was easy enough with a little test fitting.

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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

Guess it is time to see if sourcing local or just ordering a DIY kit from Olympic Distillers is better - and I hope it is....
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

Lion Brewing Solutions on Ebay has them to, I've gotten several things from them. Good seller.

Check out Alcohol Distiller Moonshine Thumper For Sankey Keg Stainless Tri Clamp DIY Kit on eBay! https://www.ebay.com/itm/272214361281?m ... edia=EMAIL

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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:46 am
Sidebar on downsizing pipe diameter; I have a 4-inch opening in the keg, that has a 4x2 reducer into the head, the rest of the piping would be 3/4.
So 3/4 out of the head into the thumper, the goal is to set up 2 thumpers, they would all be piped with 3/4, to include the 1 over 3/4 jacketed condenser arm.
Wondering if I can get a follow up to this

and

I am going tomorrow to pick up the thumper kegs, they guy has several 5 gallon (1/6) and a 7.75 gallon.
Understanding that I am going to run 2 thumpers at some point, Is there any upside to having the 7.75 gallon keg in the set up?
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

I have a 1" over 3/4" Liebig condenser that's 54" long. Works great.

I'm moving up to a double thumper of sorts, I'll be running a 15.5 keg into a 15.5 keg into a 7.5 keg to a 2" shotgun. At least that's the offseason upgrade plans. I've used a 7.5 gallon thumper from the go, it works great. It gives you the extra capacity to run enough wash in your thumper to make it count. I made my down tube so that I could run with as little as 2 gallons or as much as 4.

Rusty
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

Not sure mine is that long, but I can run slow as I am electric,
I will insulate the thumpers with reflective foil.

Just checked my condenser is only 32"
I am looking into a 2 inch shotgun

TxB
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Rusty Ole Bucket »

You might be just fine with a 32" condenser, give 'er a run and see. You'll be able to tell with just water.

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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

Indeed, she worked last time like a champ, and in Colorado, our ground water is pretty cold
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Yummyrum »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 10:45 am I am going tomorrow to pick up the thumper kegs, they guy has several 5 gallon (1/6) and a 7.75 gallon.
Understanding that I am going to run 2 thumpers at some point, Is there any upside to having the 7.75 gallon keg in the set up?
I used an 80l Boiler into two 50litres although one is a squat 50 and the other is a tall 50 .

After a run the one closest to the Boiler has filled the most .

So you might want to use a slightly bigger Keg for that one .
IMG_1676.jpeg
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

Thanks, the kegs are in great shape and a GREAT price, $25 USD....
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Twisted Brick »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:46 am
the 90 inside the Tee, is that threaded or soldered, that is my main hang up I think.
If soldered, how????
Here's how I did the incoming 1" steam pipe. The ss unions were for ease of breakdown/storage and to add future steam wands.
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by Yummyrum »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 2:28 pm Thanks, the kegs are in great shape and a GREAT price, $25 USD....
At that price buy them all . You can’t have enough kegs for aging and low wine storage
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

The new dishwasher is trumping that plan...guy told us today would cost more than 1/2 a brand new, better, quieter one
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

So I picked up the 2 kegs today a 7.75g tall and 5 gallon....both in great shape for $50 total.

While i was in the middle of the 3 hour round trip I got to thinking.
Eventually I want to run both kegs as thumpers, for rum...

Until I get there the bulk will be grain or UJ runs using the thumper as a flavor pot and for the extra distilling power.

What follows needs to be prefaced with " I know very little about bubble plates" I know that act like a thumper in the fact that they allow for a higher proof output.
What I do not know is if they strip flavor to achieve that.
Now I know there is nothing new under the sun really, but my question is; is there any usefulness in stacking a plate column on top of the thumper, and combining the processes?

The end goal is clean flavor, efficiency of time and resources, not overly hot neutral spirits.

Very well may be a silly question, and I am sure I would need to manage over-pressure, and need to look into that anyway because even if I cant use it on the thumper, I still want a plate rig

TxB
Last edited by TxBrewing on Sat Jan 18, 2025 3:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

20250118_163916.jpg
What my $50 got me today
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

TxBrewing wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 8:46 am image.png

the 90 inside the Tee, is that threaded or soldered, that is my main hang up I think.
If soldered, how????

I guess, the easy way would be to just do 2 top inlets.

Sidebar on downsizing pipe diameter; I have a 4-inch opening in the keg, that has a 4x2 reducer into the head, the rest of the piping would be 3/4.
So 3/4 out of the head into the thumper, the goal is to set up 2 thumpers, they would all be piped with 3/4, to include the 1 over 3/4 jacketed condenser arm.
Do you think you could have got a 1" line in the Tee?
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Re: Thumper build plans.

Post by TxBrewing »

So, once again the last part of this discussion has been lost, LOL
I think I have my way forward
4.jpg
This is the inspiration, bit on the outlet I will add a union.
The idea is next year to run a double thumper Rum rig, the union will allow me to stay 1 inch into the next thumper or reduce to 3/4 for the Liebig.

I will build a 2-inch vapor path for running the thumper, and when I am just stripping, I will just put on the elbow still head that I already have.
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