Thumper?

[Twinrivers]

There's a guy selling on eBay that uses a jar. Looks like he uses a copper lid and an inner and outer gasket. I would stray away from glass. I have had canning jars break in a boiling water bath. If that thing came uncunted.....kaboom

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Uncunted?? Lmao

[NattyBoh]

A few thumper questions (couldn't find answers or missed them)...
1 any additional pressure to consider or address
2 should I use 2" from boiler to thumper or reduce down
3 any cons to the single inlet/outlet design (instead of 2 holes in top of thumper)
4 will my 2" column from thumper be identical to my pot still (30" long) or could it be shorter.

Thanks.

[Dan P.]

A few thumper questions (couldn't find answers or missed them)...
1 any additional pressure to consider or address
2 should I use 2" from boiler to thumper or reduce down
3 any cons to the single inlet/outlet design (instead of 2 holes in top of thumper)
4 will my 2" column from thumper be identical to my pot still (30" long) or could it be shorter.

Thanks.

To answer quesation 1 only; There will be pressure according to how deep your thumper charge is; deeper charge- higher pressure in the boiler.

[S-Cackalacky]

A few thumper questions (couldn't find answers or missed them)...
1 any additional pressure to consider or address
2 should I use 2" from boiler to thumper or reduce down
3 any cons to the single inlet/outlet design (instead of 2 holes in top of thumper)
4 will my 2" column from thumper be identical to my pot still (30" long) or could it be shorter.

Thanks.

#2 - If you use the single inlet design as in #3, you will probably want to reduce the input into the thumper to pass through the larger Tee fitting used in that design. If you use the 2 hole design, 2" from the boiler to the thumper is fine.

#3 - single hole design is probably better for a keg thumper build because it allows you to use the flange hole that's already there. If using something like a stock pot lid, the two hole design might be a bit simpler to do - or, six of one, half dozen of the other.

#4 - doesn't really matter. I use the same pot still head on both. I attach it to the boiler to run without the thumper. I have a special arm for attaching the boiler to the thumper and then put my pot still head on the thumper. I use the two hole design on my thumper specifically for this reason.

[W Pappy]

I used the single pipe in my thumper and run 2 inch from boiler to thumper then necked down to 1 inch soldered my 1 inch pipe in.Then slid a 2 inch T over that and soldered that to the reducer then soldered a 1 inch reducer to the vapor exit that runs to my liebig and run 1 inch pipe there.

[BoomTown]

I used the single pipe in my thumper and run 2 inch from boiler to thumper then necked down to 1 inch soldered my 1 inch pipe in.Then slid a 2 inch T over that and soldered that to the reducer then soldered a 1 inch reducer to the vapor exit that runs to my liebig and run 1 inch pipe there.

Love to see that Pic Pappy.

[NattyBoh]

If I am following, I could reduce from 2" to 1" off boiler, then pass 1" through 1x2 reducer and 2" tee to thumper...then I could reduce to 1" off the 2" tee for my column. Maybe 24" column, return bend down to a 2x1 reducer to attach my 2" shotgun (14" long). How's that sound? (Just want to confirm that the 1" column is ok or should I stick w 2"). Thanks.

[borntofli]

Heres a pic of the same setup.....

[NattyBoh]

Last question (until the next one)... Any advantages (run time, smearing, proof) to using all 2" (Except for the 1" going to bottom of thumper) rather than reducing to 1" as I've descibed above ? For cost reasons, I'd prefer to use 1" where possible but will use 2" if it's recommened. Thx.

[W Pappy]

I used the single pipe in my thumper and run 2 inch from boiler to thumper then necked down to 1 inch soldered my 1 inch pipe in.Then slid a 2 inch T over that and soldered that to the reducer then soldered a 1 inch reducer to the vapor exit that runs to my liebig and run 1 inch pipe there.

Love to see that Pic Pappy.

Ain't worth spit for moving pics around just good at runnin off at the mouth on here lol.I 'll have one of the boys post some new pics of my rig to nite.

[W Pappy]

Last question (until the next one)... Any advantages (run time, smearing, proof) to using all 2" (Except for the 1" going to bottom of thumper) rather than reducing to 1" as I've descibed above ? For cost reasons, I'd prefer to use 1" where possible but will use 2" if it's recommened. Thx.

Heat up will depend on how much btu you is puttin out and how far your vapor has to travel keep things short and tight.Of course there is other factors also how many gal. charge is in boiler and thump what the abv of that there charge is.Do you plan to wrap your pipe with insulation? it all factors in.I just keep it short and tight I run a 32 tip jet NAT gas burner about 160,0000 BTU it dont take long for her to start loading up.and then turn her down to a match before she starts givin up the good stuff.As far as smearing that is what thumpers do to a extent the big thing is you want the same size vapor going in as you have coming out that helps a lot.

[S-Cackalacky]

Don't know if this means anything, but I do pretty much what Pappy describes. I have a short 1" lyne off the boiler over to the thumper - 1" all the way down the input. Then 1" coming out the output and up my riser to a 1" ninety and start reducing down from there to 1/2" into my liebig. The riser (pot head) is interchangeable between the boiler and the thumper. I haven't noticed any difference in smearing between running with or without the thumper.

[W Pappy]

Don't know if this means anything, but I do pretty much what Pappy describes. I have a short 1" lyne off the boiler over to the thumper - 1" all the way down the input. Then 1" coming out the output and up my riser to a 1" ninety and start reducing down from there to 1/2" into my liebig. The riser (pot head) is interchangeable between the boiler and the thumper. I haven't noticed any difference in smearing between running with or without the thumper.

Hell you may have a good point Cackalacky about smearin, I ain't never run nuthin but a thumper and every O'L boy I ever knew run thumpers.
As GOOSE would say that's what I was tol.All I know I guess I ain't died yit and it taste damnd fine.

[W Pappy]

Well here you go boys, the whole rig, the new set up. 2-15.5s, 2 inch to thump, 1 in going in to thump, 1 inch coming out of thump, the liebig is 3/4 wrapped with ground wire with a 1 in water jacket with a 3/8 flattened copper tubing with a 1/4 twist inside the 3/4 and 2 water gate valves and those come in real handy for tuning it in only takes a trickle of water to knock this beast down. The burner is a 32 tip jet natural gas wok burner attached to the underside of a bunkbed ladder.

[S-Cackalacky]

Pappy, man you geared up for some serious stillin'. I'm likein' it.

[W Pappy]

Pappy, man you geared up for some serious stillin'. I'm likein' it.

I'm proud of her her she kicks out a decent drop or 2 lol.I have to say the first run was a little hairy gettin things dialed in
but she purrs like a kitten when she gets up to heat.

[Truckinbutch]

Man after my own heart . Very similar to my setup .

[borntofli]

How much do you put in the thump and how long to first drop???

Nice setup!!!!!!

[W Pappy]

I will take that with a sip of white dog thank ya butch.You know I have not seen any complaints from guys that run this type of rig so must be a good un.

[StillLearning1]

Hey pappy, how long is your arm over to the thump keg? And do you insulate it while running? I've made mine 3' and I'm afraid it may be to long. Just curious.

Oh and good looking still!!!

[W Pappy]

How much do you put in the thump and how long to first drop???

Nice setup!!!!!!

Well 12 in boiler if I run wash in thump 7 if I run water and feints 5. Set up and heat up takes about give or take 45 min.
No I don't insulate any pipes and I should just ain't got around to it. HA only think about it when I set her up.

[W Pappy]

Hey pappy, how long is your arm over to the thump keg? And do you insulate it while running? I've made mine 3' and I'm afraid it may be to long. Just curious.

Oh and good looking still!!!

The columns are 12 inches tall lien arm is 28 inches long and thanks.

[Tap]

Very nice mate. Love this design, been running one for just like it for just over a year now.

Tell us how you plumbed the 1" to the thumper without using a reducer.

Maybe it's the quality of the pic, but it looks like the whole rig is 2" until it reduces to the condenser.

I know you said 1" into thumper and 1" out. Just can't see it.

Tap. Out.

[W Pappy]

2'' to a 2x1 reducer then the 1'' that goes to the bottom of keg then a 2'' T or Y then a 3 or 4'' piece of 2'' with SS fitting.
The T or Y is soldered to the reducer it was a bit of a pain and there are easier ways to do this design like the one you
have posted Tap for sure.

[Tap]

I still can't see the reducer in the pic. (Not that I don't believe there is one)

From what my eyes were seeing I thought that maybe you had found a different method to plumb it.

No matter. Nice rig! Make her purr.

Tap. Out.

[W Pappy]

I'll post a close up of it tonite.

[W Pappy]

Here I am pointing at the 2x1 reducer soldered to the Y hope this helps.

[StillLearning1]

Ahh. So you just soldered the Y on top of the reducer. Makes since now. Been waiting all night for that pic I thought maybe you forgot! Thanks for sharing.

[W Pappy]

Yep it's a bit deceiving I have a friend that I trust with my life known him for 30 some years.And he still ain't figured it out and I wont let him see it off the rig hahaha
drives him nuts.