in the begining......

[bm744]

Gathered up all the pieces this morning. Had to share. Sitting down now putting pen to paper working out details. Almost ready to put solder to copper.

[Odin]

That looks just lovely! Please tell us your plan!

Odin.

[Bogey]

You have enough there for 2 or 3!

[bm744]

New 3" boka, 3" 4 plate flute, new stripping head. That's 16' of 3", 13' of 2", and 15' of 1.5" laying there in the picture. Have a bunch of sheet for plates, wire for ezflanges. 3 half kegs. Only thing holding me up is my work schedule.

[Truckinbutch]

With that much beautiful copper sprawled on your floor just waiting to be fondled you must really love the work that takes you away from it .

[bm744]

Hey guys,do you see those 3x3x1 tees in the pic? Anyone have a suggestion how to incorporate them in a build? I have them, figure I should try to use them. Not at the price of complicating things, just hate to see them go to waste. Some where I seen someone using one, maybe in flute talk, anyways would like to hear any ideas.

[bellybuster]

They would be perfect for a 3" boka/VM

[bm744]

I've read discussions, if I was understanding I'm not sure, that if using a tee its wise or better to be equal at the branch. Going from 3 to a 1 at the split is fine? Continue please, I'm gonna go browse vm threads/ builds some more in the mean time.

[bm744]

As far as lm/vm, think that's gonna happen instead of just lm. How's this sound,since I have a few reducers, 3" column 48". 3x2 reducer to 2" tee back to 3x2 reducer to 3" boka head. Off the tee at the branch to a 2x1 reducer to 1" gate valve...........or save the parts and use the 3x3x1 tee? Also, what do ya'll think about horizontal head instead of vertical. In Samohons plans and diagrams thread he mentions that design might benefit with a crossflow condessor. Any body have opinions on this idea?

[bm744]

Have been looking more into the lm/vm set ups. Came across this info/pics from a couple yrs back on harrys crossflow in a sticky thread. Can anyone offer opinions on this versus slant plates over vm. Would like to hear from someone with better understanding than me on this. I did some reading but would appreciate some back and forth on this.

[Butterman]

I really like the design/concept of the cross flow condenser and have made a version of one but havent used it yet. The only problem I see with the design is possible build up of distillate in the flat part of the cross flow, although TheRevdr did a version of the Jackson Cross-Flow that is pretty with 45* down slope angles on each side to deal with this
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 50&t=33998
I made one with 15* down angles and believe it will knock down anything I through at it, but as of yet its untested and if I was to make another one I would use 10* down angles and probably less cross flow pipes but like I said I have no empirical data as of yet.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=36740
But it is a very compact pretty condenser.
As to the LM/VM pros/cons, I really only have pot still experience until my LM is finished but from what Ive read and seen I think the VM has more flexibility.
But with all that copper you may as well have fun building several different designs and see what works best for you. But please keep the photos coming when you start building!

Butterman

[bm744]

That's a nice rig, hope it runs well for you. I guess a question I have is performance with the takeoff being on the bottom of the condensor in lieu of having a take off above a set of slant plates. I am kinda diggin the crossflow condensor, I have worked on many heat exchangers over the years at different refineries and power plants. If anyone reading this has any experience with this please share. I will continue researching, not looking for an easy answer, just an opinion.

[Pyewacket]

I see a major problem with your plan. You should build me one; you have PLENTY of copper. Send it to me, so that I can tell you what's wrong .

Seriously though, keep them pics coming...that is a mighty fine copper horde you have there. Looking forward to see how this comes together!

[bm744]

I am working at a job right now and in their maintenance shop they have a waterjet. Was gonna see if the operator can find some time to run off some perf plates for me. As far as the copper goes I have found a guy who bought piles of fittings at auction and allowed me freedom to do some digging. Probably allowed access as long as he owns them.

[bm744]

Had a few plates made at work today. The seven hole for dephlamater, five hole for product condensor, the one with two holes is a bummer though. Operator on the waterjet couldn't pierce .062 holes, said nozzle won't go that small. Guess ill be drilling 100 holes. Gonna copy the three inch flute NChooch has done.The 21 hole plate is for Jackson crossflow for lm/vm. Gonna put a takeoff on bottom. I travel for work and today was last day on site and he just happened to getem done today. He has more to do and will send them with a buddy whose still on the job. Luckily.