Howdy y'all! (better?)

[cold fuel]

I am interisted in more and better, heh heh. By that I mean distilled water!(what else?!) Is there a reflux head design for under 80U.S. clams for parts around AT THIS YEARS PRICES! I followed several links and searches for weeks, then went to Home Depot and Menards and ACE hardware...Guess what, the cheapest 1 1/2" copper pipe comes in only 10ft legths, and the MINIMUM fittings add up way to fast. Todays cost for 10ft copper 1 1/2" is about 80 bucks, figure 14clams per fitting(minimum), It seems cheaper to buy GREAT booze for a high price!? I have 5 gallons of wash almost ready, but then find out the "LESS than 100$ reflux still" doesen't exist! Can someone point out where the low cost comes in? Like many interested, I think I may have wasted time trying to find a low cost/efficient method of distilling nuetral water/spirits? Please let me know if you have a decent design that cost less than 80-90dollars for parts, and where to get them(modern/available though) in the great lakes area.

[blanikdog]

You seem to be looking at this craft from the wrong angle, cold fuel. I reckon that if we did a poll on the reason we do this, cheap piss would be the least voted for. You won't get any advice on making cheap piss in this forum.

We aim to produce fine spirits, spirits that are far superior to expensive commercial store bought stuff, that leaves one feeling crook and carrying huge headaches.

It may surprise you, but we all know the price of copper and if you're silly enough to make up a wash before checking prices.....what can we say??


The choice is yours, spend some money and a LOT of time or drink cheap piss.

BTW, it's not much better, but a slight improvement, and I'm watching like a bloody hawk.

blanik

[olddog]

Try asking a plumber, or look in a plumbers merchant rather than just hardware stores, you should be able to buy it by the yard or metre.


OD

[LWTCS]

80 bucks was possible not too long ago.

inflation/supply and demand sucks.

Can't put a price on the measure of pleasure this hobby brings. And its still cheaper than a new bass boat.

[WalkingWolf]

Several here have come across deals on copper at salvage/recycling centers. Fittings and supplies can add up fast but 80-100 bucks seems to be a pretty tight budget. It may be possible but you will definately need to get a good deal or three along the way.

good luck

[Dnderhead]

I relate this "hobby" to cooking, you can use the latest and greatest, 200$ fry pans , 300$ pots 2000S stoves etc. or or you can salvage your equipment at yard sales,salvage yards. you can produce the same withe either, a bit more work if you DIY but cheaper.
same goes for ingredients, witch if you go to natural food store/home brewing, you mite pay 2$ a lb for grain,if you go to farm supplies then you and pay .20$ for the same lb of grain just not as "clean" . yard sales,recyclers,farmers markets, farm supplies,farmers and others will become your best friends.

[rubber duck]

My last build was a 2in vm running a 1in stainless gate. That project couldn't have cost more than 70 bucks. Go to the scrap yard brand new pipes and fittings show up there all the time.

[cold fuel]

Thanks for some ideas here. The pot/boiler is no problem, old turkey fryer, lid mod for sink drain no problem either. The problem is getting the larger tubing along with fittings, nuts. I have plenty of smaller tubing 1/2-3/4in. Also, what is the difference in type "L" or "M" tubing? Just wall thickness? Will have to check scrapyard tomarrow. Not that I want to go cheap, but my budget is what it is, ya know? Might have to just go with a pot still instead, maybe a thumper setup if I can find more info on making one. Oh, whoever says they're watching me, I too want to make my own the best I can, for the same reasons most on here do it. It's not about price of still vs. cost of spirits equalling out as maybe it seemed. I'm just on a tight budget for now, so relax a bit. Thanks again for suggestions and ideas everyone.

[rubber duck]

L and M are thickness, either one will work. When you go to the scrap yard be cautious, When in doubt skip it.

In this economy I think we all can appreciate tight budgets.

There is nothing wrong with a pot still on a thumper. That's what I learned on and it's as good as anything else.

RD

[Fourway]

The original bokakob slant plate has:
A length of two inch pipe in the 3 to 6 foot range
A coil of skinny soft tube
A needle valve that fits the soft tube
copper mesh or stainless curly packing

solder


A whole lot of very fiddly hand work including:
banging flat plates out of sawn pipe
Fitting a little overflow wishbone pipe out of tubing without fittings
Sawing very clean angled slots in two inch pipe
Winding a double coil that will fit inside a two inch pipe
And a handful of other tricky stuff

And no fittings at all.
If you can find someone to split the 2 inch with you or find a plumber who will sell you a few feet, you ought to be able to get this one done for $50-$60 bux tops.

[blanikdog]

Blanik is relaxed.