Random Thought: Has Anyone Tried Making a Home Still with Fiberglass?

[Fiona727]

Fellow distilling enthusiasts, while tinkering with my home still today, a thought struck me: Could fiberglass be used to make a home distiller? Most stills we see are stainless steel, copper, or glass, but fiberglass has some standout features that might make it a good fit for home distilling. Let’s discuss.
Why fiberglass? It’s glass fiber-reinforced plastic, combining the strength of glass fibers with plastic’s flexibility and corrosion resistance. Plus, it’s budget-friendly—key for home distillers. It’s also lightweight, easier to handle than heavy copper gear.
Corrosion resistance is crucial in distilling. Alcohol, acids, and vapors in the process can eat away at metal over time, while glass is fragile. Fiberglass, though, holds up well against corrosion, potentially extending a still’s lifespan. For DIY builds, that means less worry about early equipment failure.
Feasibility-wise, main parts like the boiler or condenser housing seem doable. Fiberglass sheets/pipes are widely available online, and cutting/shaping tools are easy to find. With basic DIY skills and some tutorials, you could roll sheets into a boiler cylinder, piece together a condenser frame, and seal joints with food-grade resin to make a functional still.
But there are concerns. The big one is heat: fiberglass is heat-resistant, but how does it hold up under sustained high temperatures? Could it release harmful substances into the spirits? Then there’s sealing—joints need to be tight to prevent steam leaks, while accounting for thermal expansion/contraction. Also, while fiberglass is cheap, custom shapes might drive up costs, so we’d need to compare value with off-the-shelf stills.
I know this community has tons of experience, so I’d love your take. Has anyone tried this? Any professional insights on whether it’s viable? If it works, let’s brainstorm designs and tips—maybe we can unlock a new, fun, efficient way to distill at home. Looking forward to your thoughts!