Patience and the first build

[TipsyPig]

Ok so I started this a week ago and have also been working on some other projects around the house. I had everything I needed for the boka, but I needed an ss keg so I put out the word. I also was looking for a 13 to 15 gal fermenter that word went out also. Well I was out in the garage polishing the boka and I got the call. A friend of a friend of a friend had what I was looking for. 2 kegs and 7 13.5 gal barrels and 3 55 gal barrels, being dropped off in the morning, all for $35 US. I was so excited you would have thought I was told that my wife was going to have a baby. Ok well not now but like it was back in the day. If that would happen now, I’m going to ask whose it is. OK But back to the story. So I ran inside the house to tell my other half the great news. At this point you probably picked up on that I didn’t call her my better half... wait for it… Her response was “OH SHIT, NOW WHERE AZRE YOU GOING TO PUT THAT CRAP”. OK I am a pretty reserved guy and don’t show a lot of emotion but damn that wasn’t the response I was looking for. lol. I'll post all the pic in just a while I have to try to resize them

[WalkingWolf]

TipsyPig -- do I have your answer. Leave it out back and I'll swing by and pick it up. You tell me when you need one of those pieces and make sure to have it available (and clean).

Seriously, my wife feels the same way (to a point) and, like you, I meander off wondering, 'why doesn't she see/share my good fortune'. Good haul for you. You're the envy of many of us here on the board.

[NGICA]

Wow what a great deal

[TipsyPig]

OK as promised here are the pics I said I would Post. The column is 2” X 5’ into a 3x2 reducer that I used Austin Nichols’s design with a twist. There is a 2’ collar that runs inside the 3’ bell and then I fitted a ½ t cut in half to center the reflux. Then inside the 3’ head I made a cold finger with a double helix coil. This might be a little over kill but it was fun making and Well if it doesn’t work I can make it into a ray gun for Halloween. On my take off all I could find was the brass needle valve, I was a little concerned with it but I pickled it. I think this should be fine. I want to thank everyone that has posted there builds and allowed all of us to see what you have done. This made my life easier. There are other people that need thanks as well but it would be a list of all the members. If I can find an ss gate valve I want to add that later so this will be a vm/lm, but until then this is what I got. So give it to me... What do you all think? Oh and thanks ks I found the tri clamp but an still looking for the alcometer.

[Austin Nichols]

Looking good cobber

Mine isnt as shiny as yours tho, but it is running right now as I type..... mmmmmmm beautiful rummy smell

Cheers.

[TipsyPig]

THE NEW FERMENTORS ARE HERE!!!! THE NEW FERMENTORS ARE HERE!!!! They just dropped off 2 ss kegs and 2 55gal and 7 15 gal containers. Now I understand my wife’s dismay last night. Where do I put them. Ill have to stack them in the basement for now till I get a spot in the shed.

[TipsyPig]

Today is the day. Im getting ready to fire it up for the first time. let the cleaning run begin......

[Gr8brewer]

Today is the day. Im getting ready to fire it up for the first time. let the cleaning run begin......

Good luck Tipsy let her rip...

[Kentucky shinner]

you lucky sombitch aint it great when the shinner gods look down

[TipsyPig]

Ok KS and GR8 cleaning run is done and cooling off then it's time for the sacrificial run of Birdwatchers.

[TipsyPig]

Well I ran my sacrificial run yesterday and it went well. I brought the temp up to 172 and she settled in and only fluxgates barley. My only regret is that my alometer still is not here I would lie to know what I was producing, and watch the changes through the run.
I let it cool and gave it a once over and fired her up again for a good run... I wish I had something else different to say but she acted the same from start to finish. Last night was some of the most fun I think I have had in a long time.