Page 1 of 1
First copper pot still
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:39 pm
by jbird1992
Started with a 3'X10' sheet of 16oz per square foot copper. Pot is 17 1/2 inch diameter by 25" tall. Lyne arm is 2 3/4" hand formed down to 1 1/2 90 degree.
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:57 pm
by jbird1992
More pictures and the beginning of the thumper build. The 3/8 tubing rings are there to strengthen the structure and are soldered closed. I was really surprised how much this added as its kinda like a frame. The drain for the pot and thumper is 1/2"hard drawn copper that goes through with a cap on one end and drain on the other with holes drilled in the middle. I did this for strength I could just see me knocking off the drain during a run

. When finished the thumper will have 1 1/2" pipe in and out to a leibig condenser. The next project to finish the build is to build a metal stand for pot and thumper for a sturdy base and also to insure it will be in the same place every time. BTW if this seems like ya seen it before you probably did the original post had to be deleted from picture problems so this is my repost
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:01 am
by bellybuster
Didn't we already see this? Impressive!
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:23 am
by greasydog26
Nice build! I like the use of the rings to help strengthen the worm box!
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:00 am
by jbird1992
bellybuster wrote:Didn't we already see this? Impressive!
Yes the original thread had to be deleted so I had to repost it
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:01 am
by bellybuster
not complaining, still just as nice to look at
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:11 am
by Butterman
Very pretty :>
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 12:46 pm
by Braz
That is very nice craftsmanship.
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:30 pm
by Halfbaked
Easy on the eyes!
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:56 pm
by jbird1992
UPDATE
Got the stand welded up today. Its still really rough looking and needs a coat of paint but here it is. Finish the tumper and make the liebig condenser is all left before I can FINALLY start a ferment. I will post again when I get it all shined up
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:00 pm
by Drunk-N-Smurf
Nice work!
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:59 am
by snksknr
Wow. Killer job man. You show pride in your work, kepep it up. Please post the final product when completed.
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:04 pm
by jbird1992
Thanks guys

Hope to have it done in a few weeks and sweet victory soon after
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:51 am
by cornsqueezer
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:05 pm
by jbird1992
Figured I would do a update on the thumper.
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:33 pm
by jbird1992
Well I'm Almost there. Here is another update. I have finished the thumper and built the leibig condenser. The condenser is 1 1/2" over 3/4" with a spiral of #12 bare copper wire soldered to the 3/4. I soldered the first spiral completely to the pipe on the first wrap hoping for better heat transfer and tacked the second for disturbing the water. I forgot to get a pic of the assembled leibig but I have to build a support for it as its to heavy to just hang there I bet it weighs a good 10 pound

Don't laugh at my soft soldering skills as I'm used to brazing as most of the build was soldered that way but I have used almost a pound of 15% silver so far and figured why not soft solder the condenser and take off. I still have to clean and shine it up but here it is
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:41 am
by Dave73
I was just wondering did you solder the lid to the thumper or is it attached another way?
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:23 pm
by jbird1992
Yes its soldered closed. I figured with the bottom drain I would be able to clean it pretty good. If it becomes a problem down the road I will have to modify it. I hope to never have it puke in there its a 24 gallon boiler and I'm never going to run more than 18 gallons so hope to never have a problem.
Re: First copper pot still
Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:13 pm
by jbird1992
Alright here is the finished still. It still needs to be cleaned up but its all there. I have done the cleaning runs and they went great. I was really surprised how fast the thumper comes up to temp and the set up ran as good as I could have hoped. I started my first ferment tonight so while thats working I will shine it up a bit this next week.