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Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:28 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
Well, stubby will be ready,"The name i gave my still after i cut it in half", but will be finishing up on the plate tree section next week!! My trap fittings will be here on thursday!! I need to order the glass, at mcmaster-carr!!!
I will do 2 or 3 Gens of UJSSM!! With Studdy, then with all the saved up heads and tails, Add the plate tree section to studdy, with the tri-clamps, and see what i can get!!! :esurprised:
I think im going to name my still "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde....One still,Two way different personalities!!!! :thumbup:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:20 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
So, this is what i am up too!!!! need my ball valves, but they are on the way!!! :clap:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:04 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
I got some work done today :clap:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:23 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
I'm so close i cant stop!!!! :esurprised:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:07 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
few more pix's :thumbup:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:11 am
by seaguy
Real nice work PCH . You're like a bulldog with a rag doll on this project :) You better make sure the mrs ain't looking for a hitman :lol:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:01 am
by ProChargedHarley03
Thanks Seaguy!!!! No wife here!!! But if I did, I would have to wear
A bullet proof vest!!!!! This project has been great, it's amazing what
You can build with all the info., On this site!!! :clap:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:19 am
by rad14701
Considering how there ain't no Still Builders Anonymous program you're just gonna have to suffer through and get that rig done... :twisted:

Looking good... :thumbup:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:22 am
by Prairiepiss
Yes that monster is looking good. Nice work. :thumbup: Now hurry up and get it done. So we can hear the results already. :lol:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:39 am
by ProChargedHarley03
Oh yes just waiting on my glass from mcmaster-Carr
Thanks guy for the good words :D

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:05 pm
by Infinitebrainspace
I have a 20gal ss still but I only fill it to 15gal... electric using the biggest 110v element Home Depot had (2000w I think) need a 20Amp circuit to run it, and not less than 10 guage wire. BE SURE NOT TO HAVE ANY SOLIDS in your pot!!!!
if you do, the element will burn out fast. (this from experience btw) . Strain your beer thouroughly before putting it into the pot. It will take about 2 - 2.5 hours to heat if not insulated, and about half that time if you inslulate the crap
out of it. Mine is insulated sides and top with r12 water heater insulation. I'm using a boiler thermostat to control the temp, but unless you can find a used one, they are very expensive. I mounted thermometers at the element level,
10 gallon level, and one at the base of the column (since I am new at this, I want to see what the temps are at the different points for future reference).

You can use 2 of these elements if you run 220v (one on each leg of the 220) and still use 10 gua wire with 20A,
or you could use a 4000w 220 element, but I dont know what the wire size / amp rating would have to be.

I think the 4000w element would get too hot, and may burn your beer.

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:33 pm
by Prairiepiss
Infinitebrainspace wrote:I have a 20gal ss still but I only fill it to 15gal... electric using the biggest 110v element Home Depot had (2000w I think) need a 20Amp circuit to run it, and not less than 10 guage wire. BE SURE NOT TO HAVE ANY SOLIDS in your pot!!!!
if you do, the element will burn out fast. (this from experience btw) . Strain your beer thouroughly before putting it into the pot. It will take about 2 - 2.5 hours to heat if not insulated, and about half that time if you inslulate the crap
out of it. Mine is insulated sides and top with r12 water heater insulation. I'm using a boiler thermostat to control the temp, but unless you can find a used one, they are very expensive. I mounted thermometers at the element level,
10 gallon level, and one at the base of the column (since I am new at this, I want to see what the temps are at the different points for future reference).

You can use 2 of these elements if you run 220v (one on each leg of the 220) and still use 10 gua wire with 20A,
or you could use a 4000w 220 element, but I dont know what the wire size / amp rating would have to be.

I think the 4000w element would get too hot, and may burn your beer.
Did you intend to post this here? And why? Not real sure how it applys to this thread?
And you can't control a still with a thermostat. You may want to do some research on that.

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:23 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
I thinks that was a oooppps post by Infinitebrainspace :!:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:11 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
I love it when things go smooth!!!!!! :shock:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:22 am
by seaguy
Is there going to be a bottom section of column to house the packing/plates? Oops... i see that section of pics on page 7 now.

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:07 pm
by Richard7
I like the SS valves. What kind of ferrules do they have? I can't wait to hear about how the plates perform under a Nixon Stone. I want to go up to three inch as well, but if this works out good for you, I will be adding the flute build as you have done! I am in no hurry 'cause I have plenty from my 2" Lm at the moment. I have also had some Ideas that I will through out there to see if they have any ground to stand on. It really looks like your build is coming along nicely and looking forward to more post! :clap:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:50 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
Well i am excited to say Jeckyll & Hyde was finished today!!!! So a good cleaning run was in order!!! I saved up 6 gallons of 30% of UJSSM Tails and let her rip!!! :thumbup:
The reflux thing is new to me, so i farted around with it for about an hour before i shut it down!! after about 15 min of full reflux, i got a reading of about 85% :thumbup: so numbers should go up after and hour of reflux!!!!

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:54 am
by ProChargedHarley03
Hi Richard7, no ferrules on the valves! 3/8 NPT SS close fittings. I drilled and tapped and solder :thumbup:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:39 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
Well It's just that time to show a quick peek at my still bubbling away!!!!!! :D so here you go!!!! :shock:

http://youtu.be/coo6MsBknSg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:52 pm
by devotus
excellent! great job. :clap:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:06 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
Thanks, Devotus!!

This being my first build, has been an amazing
Experience!!! It is a great feeling to build something
With you're own hands and then watch it make something
You will never have to buy again!!!! :thumbup:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:09 pm
by devotus
Well it seems you bolted out of the gates with style mate.

How does it run?

Nice and stable? How is the product? Or are you still cleaning it?

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:24 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
It runs great!!! I have only ran UJSSM, but It is a awesome set up!!!

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:06 am
by bentstick
Kudos to procharged, you are now an official addict!!

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:10 pm
by MICKoWAR
ProChargedHarley03 wrote:Just wanted to hear some feed back on this build. If anyone has built a still like this and have some good tips?????? That would help
that would be great!!!! :thumbup:
Let me just say, that is fucking epic!

My second still will be a converted keg, with a similar column =)

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:37 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
Well it has changed a bit from the beginning!!!!
Lol!!! Thanks MICKoWar;) Im very happy with it!!!!!
And god speed on you're next build :thumbup:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:46 pm
by JollyMon
I have to agree with everyone else. Watching this come together over the months has been a great privileged. That thing looks bad A :clap: and I hope it performs as good as it looks. Im sure that "Jekyll & Hyde" will provide you years and years of quality spirit (that is if you stop modifying it every other run :D ). Keep up the good work and will continue to look forward to hear about your results.

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:58 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
Thanks JollyMon!! this is going to be the way it stays!!!!If i have any other mods, I will build something new!!!! :D I ran it as a pot still today!!! worked like a top!!!!

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:15 pm
by ProChargedHarley03
I just wanted to put the link on this page of "Jekyll and Hyde" so you all can see it run!!!!! :wave:

http://youtu.be/coo6MsBknSg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

thanks to all of you on Home Distiller Forum for all the great help on this build!!!! :clap:

Re: My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:25 pm
by Prairiepiss
That's awesome PCH. Love the table top.