My next and last still build

[Bonjimmi]

This is what I came up with for my next build. Its a 4 " CM / LM combo flute. Please let me know what you think... Pros and Cons

[kenfyoozed]

My question is why? The "flutes" work well. And can easily pull 95+ on most of the run if ran properly and slow enough. I see no reason for your design. On the other hand it wouldnt hurt anything. So ultimately its up to you. Which for me was always the hardest part to decide, what to do next.

Whatever you decide im sure you will be pleased!


....Oh and just my 2 cents.... if you run bubble caps instead of per plates, and i suggested you do, make sure the plates are sealed to the walls of the column. Makes a world of difference. External plate drains as well. To be able disable some of the plates if need be? As in 4 plates could = 95+ and 2 plates = 65+. You can dial in your %.

[Bonjimmi]

My first build was a cm. ran it for about a year got it to about 90%. Then built a lm Boka ran it for a while now and got to 95%. From running both types I can tell that the lm gives be much better heads compression and the cm gave me better tails compression . Plus the fact that I would love to have a flute and I always liked the look of the off set. On this still I think I could run the heads into the hearts with the valved reflux and the latter hearts into the tails with the shotgun reflux condenser.

[Prairiepiss]

Prochargedharleys build could help. Pretty much the same thing without the dephlegmater. Mite give you some ideas.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 32&t=26435

[Bonjimmi]

Bubble caps look like a cool build but I don't know much about them. Or if there better then perf plates. I will have to do more research on them. Everything else on this flute should be straight forward. The shotgun might be a little tricky. I may need some advice when building it.

PP... I really liked procharge's off set build that turned into a flute... He has got some talent

[Prairiepiss]

Ok what are you wanting to make with it? Are you wanting to be able to make both flavored and neutral? Or mainly one of them?

If I were doing it? I would be tempted to make the first two plates with bubble caps. And make them so they will hold a little more volume of liquid. The lowest one holding the most. And progressively getting smaller as you go up. The top one being the lowest amount recommended for the size of column and or plate. Then perforated plates above that. Or smaller Bubble caps? Thinking along the lines of what LWTCS has been working on. Being able to keep as much of the alcohol in the column as possible.

Now I would also look into ways of being able to incorporate packing into the column. When a neutral is wanting to be made. Either a removable packed section? Or replacing the top plates with packing? Or you could try stuffing it in through the sightglasses. On perforated plates at the top?

I would differently think about putting flanges on the dephlagmater. So it could be removed. Or other things added at a later date.

Sory just suggestions. There's so many things that could be tried. Choosing is the problem.

[Bonjimmi]

I hear that... I want this still just for neutral. I have a 2" pot still head I use for my first runs and my rum. I wanted a 4 plate column. I understand the perf plates and the down comers and I see what size holes and how many the guys on here are putting on the plates. Then I see what Kenfyoozed said about bubble caps and I started to think that maybe I should research them to see if they will give me a better neutral. That is my goal to get the best neutral I can with out running my Boka for 8 to 10 hours. Plus it would be Way Cool running a flute

So what I'm trying to figure out is if bubble caps would produce a better neutral then perf plates. If they are better maybe you could give me a better understanding on how they work and how to build them. I saw that you used bubble caps on one of your builds.

[HungoverHog]

I really don't see you being able to make a neutral on 4 plates unless you run multiple times. I would stick with the Boka.

[Bonjimmi]

How many plates would I need to make a good neutral. Would 6 plates work. I have almost 4 feet of 4" pipe. I could go 6 plates that are 4" apart.

[Sungy]

I run a 3 inch 6 plate flute and can produce a very nice neutral at 190 proof. For whiskey I run 4 plates and for rum I run 2 plates. My plates have a ring around the edge to help with making a good seal in the column.

[Bonjimmi]

Sungy.... I read your build and saw your video.... Very nice flute.....

Ok... Now I'm looking at a 6 plate column. So what do you guys think.... Perf Plates or Bubble caps?

[Prairiepiss]

I would still say bubble cap on the bottom plate. With more liquid depth. Still maybe 2? And perforated plates above. 6 plates would be nice for neutral.

[kenfyoozed]

4 plates. 1 pass. 3-4 drips per second. Final % see pic above.

[Prairiepiss]

Ok ken what's the benefits over a boka or other packed column still? I can get that same output with my packed CM. I thought the reasoning for a plated still was to speed the runs up. Or at least that's my goal with mine? But it is nice to know 96 can be achieved.

[rad14701]

4 plates. 1 pass. 3-4 drips per second. Final % see pic above.

I can get purity and take off rates like that with my 1.25" small scale LM rig... With a plated column I'd want the product to piss like a racehorse out of the still...

[Bonjimmi]

Piss like a racehorse ..... That's funny with the Preahness Stakes on today...

I will have to see how many sight glasses I can lay out on the 4" ...if I can fit 6 I will go with that, if not then 4 or 5 ...

I really like the idea of running it in LM mode the first half of the run and CM in the second half of the run.

[kenfyoozed]

Ok ken what's the benefits over a boka or other packed column still? I can get that same output with my packed CM. I thought the reasoning for a plated still was to speed the runs up. Or at least that's my goal with mine? But it is nice to know 96 can be achieved.

For a neutral these designs probably end in a tie. not one being better than the other.. But when it comes to anything other than neutral the plated column is sure to win. As you said to speed things up.

I was just showing a neutral could be done on a plated column in as little as 4 plates. But add more plates and your take off rate will increase as well. If i ever run 8 or 12 plates ill be sure to post on the out put compared to only 4 plates

[Bonjimmi]

Starting to get my copper together.

[Bonjimmi]

Well I decided to go with more of a standard flute build then the off set LM column. I got the shotgun tubes soldered up and I drilled out one of my perf plates with 1/16 holes. Holy crap that's a lot of drilling !!!! I will post some pic's tomorrow .

[Bonjimmi]

Here are some pic's

[Bonjimmi]

Making my Perf Plates.....

[Bushman]

Nice pics, it looks great, how many 1/16" drill bits did you go through?

[Bonjimmi]

I am on my 4th..... and thats my 3rd plate i'm drilling......

[Bonjimmi]

Banged out my first Easy Flange

[Bonjimmi]

Finished up the shotgun last night.... Soft soldered the whole thing.

This is the shotgun with the upper 4" x 2" reducer attached with the easy flanges I made. I leak tested the flanges.... no leaks...

[Oxbo Rene]

4 plates. 1 pass. 3-4 drips per second. Final % see pic above.

96% = Awesome ! ! ! ! !

[Bushman]

Again thanks for sharing your pictures, I've enjoyed following your build. Your heading "My next and last still build" got me thinking. It must be the love of what we do as many of us are on our second, third, .... build, the money saved in producing a superior product takes a long time to pay pack monitarily.

[Bonjimmi]

Thanks Bushman, you might be the only one following my build... Don't seem to be much interest ...lol
I'm not really looking to save money on the pay back. This is my hobby and hobbies cost money... But that said... I am having a great time building this 4" still... And then I will have a great time tring to run it to get the best tasting product I can produce... Which I know will keep me busy for a long time..lol

[mash rookie]

I'm keeping an eye on you. Dont screw up!

[Bonjimmi]

I soldered on my 3/8 water in and water out fittings to my shotgun..

It good to know someones watching..... about screwing up... I can't make any promises......lol