Home Distiller

Came as a kit and took a couple hours to build and a couple more to fix leaks in kettle seam. Spaces between rivets buckled and fit was "Not so good"

The yellow flame tip is from residual wax in the tea light dish.

love the copper, what is the wire going to the multimeter?

Where did you buy this kit?

Nice looking pot still. What does OTC stand for?

Prairiepiss wrote:Nice looking pot still. What does OTC stand for?

since he mentioned it was a kit... I'm assuming he means Over The Counter?

Hi,
@ Bellybuster, wire to meter is I believe thermometer.
Is that a plastic collection vessel?
Be safe
Cheers
Stainless

It would be a thermocouple for a meter. And its not needed. So don't get cornfused by it.

I've been a lurker for a while...

That still is a Clawhammer Supply 5 gallon kit. It comes with all the copper and rivets needed to assemble it. All you need is solder, flux torch and a few common tools. I know because I assembled one myself and have made 8 runs with it so far. I've pulled up to 153 proof from it, by going SLOW, but it can do a stripping run in just over an hour if you crank it up. Cooling works surprisingly well, considering how short the condenser is.

Best of luck,
Ahandyman59

I have this same still. I am in the process of building it. I'm not sure doing this in your kitchen with a plastic container for collection is the best idea, but I'm just a person on the cautious side. He's right about the boiler rivets allowing some of the boiler wall to buckle. But Kyle, the guy who makes the Clawhammer still was quick to get back to me to let me know not to hammer the hell out of the rivets too bad, and to heat the outside of the boiler wall and hammer before and after heating and that should tighten that outer seam down for soldering.

I've riveted all my parts. Going to a metal fabrication expert to have him do the soldering for me. From what I hear from those who've built these is they do a damn fine job. I've enjoyed having the experience of "building" my own still...even if the complete copper kit came pre-fab. I'll keep ya posted how my turns out. Looking to fire up in about a month.

What is the white powdery stuff at the top of the boiler?

Hi, I'd say it would be dried up flour paste,
Cheers
Stainless

i'll bet you're right

Greetings.

I am knew to the forum and the hobby. I have done a fair amount of research on the forum and elsewhere.
But I will apologize in advance for asking any questions that may seem elementary.
I have just purchased the same claw hammer 5 gallon model. I will start putting it together next week. Thanks for the tip on the rivets. The claw hammer site mentions that the copper "scrubbers" in the vapor column makes a thumper unnecessary. I am not sure what is meant by scrubbers as the vapor column is a hollow copper pipe. Would adding copper mesh be of benefit when producing a more neutral product ? Also, would duct tape around the cone be a safe option for controlling vapor leaks?

I still haven't decided on my first mash. I guess I should try and keep it simple. Any suggestions? I would appreciate any input from you guys who have had experience with this model.

Thanks for any help.

Tom from Ohio

Tom,

Welcome to the forum. Go to the new distillers section & introduce yourself. It'll answer questions on the duct tape & quite a few other things.

http://www.clawhammersupply.com/blogs/m ... gher-proof" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

There's a new article on Clawhammer about how to pack our column still. It basically collects vapors, let's them condense and roots out sulfites. *fractioning still w/o a reflux.