Boka build from the top down

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:42 am

I am starting at the top with my build. 2"x 12" copper tube. 19 small tubes (1/4") On the inside. Easy flang. I pressure tested it for leaks and found nothing. This weekend i Will clamp directly to my keg and test with boiling water and see what it can do. Working on a fountain pump with a small radiator and fan set up for water recirculation.

Post by **Danespirit** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:29 am

Looks pretty good..

Keep on posting pictures...

bellybuster · Post by **bellybuster** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 5:09 am

Looks great, I've always though a boka with a shotgun will just look right

Post by **humbledore** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:17 am

Is there any concern at all about the small diameter of the tubing loading up with liquid and clogging vapor access? Nice job getting all that soldered by the way.

DAD300 · Post by **DAD300** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 2:57 pm

I agree with humbledore...the small tubes will load and be inefficient. But it is a beautiful solder job.

The commercial shotguns start at seven 3/8's tubes in a 2" jacket.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:36 pm

I will know for sure when I test it this weekend. I hope it works. I plan on clamping it up to the keg directly and getting the water boiling. Steam it up real good than Turn on the pump. See if it will knock it down. If it loads up I guess it will start spitting up like a sick baby

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:24 am

Hard to see but it was at full boil with water and vinegar . Steaming and spitting. Turned on the water and knocked it right down. Ran it for about 3 minutes. I could just hear a gurgle every now and than. Now that was at full water boil. I turned it down and it went away.

I was heating it with propane. Cooling it with new coil/fan/fountain pump. Cool tap water around 50 * F. Fountain pump box reads 264 gallons per hour

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:26 am

Coil and fan from an old water fountain. Fountain pump from harbor freight.

Post by **humbledore** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:27 am

Glad to hear it works, copperlover1.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:34 am

This is my first with a reflux build. I got to say even with an open top system when that water was boiling and I turned on the pump it made me nervous. I guess when I can't see steam coming out and I know it's still boiling my mind says something is wrong.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:20 am

Ok so I built my slant plate section. Pretty straight forward. Printed out template. Taped to pipe and cut with bandsaw. Cut plates out and cleaned them up and soldered them in.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:22 am

I put easy flanges top and bottom to connect to condenser and column .

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:25 am

I milld two holes. One 1/4" for output. And one 5/8" for temp gauge. Now I need to solder them in.

Post by **pfshine** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:15 am

If i were you i would use 3/8 instead of 1/4 for a take off just to speed things up.

Litebread · Post by **Litebread** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:23 am

+1 on the 3/8" over 1/4" output. I used 3/8" rigid (harder to find than tubing) on my recent Boka rebuild and love it, would never go back to the smaller tubing on the output and liebig.

-Litebread

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:54 am

Thanks. I haven't soldered it yet so I can up it to 3/8 easy enough. I still have to locate a needle valve.

Post by **humbledore** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:01 am

Honestly I thought about going 1/2". The needle valve seems to be the choke point when I'm running detuned aka pot still mode. It's not the tube diameter.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:33 am

Can I use a ball valve? Or do they have bad stuff in them?

Post by **humbledore** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:34 am

The control is not fine enough.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:39 am

That's what I thought thanks. I posted in the classified for a trade. I have a bunch of 2" copper tubing. I am sure someone has an extra valve.

Post by **humbledore** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:53 am

Search on ebay. I bought a SS 3/8" and 1/2" for $22 each.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:00 am

My paypal is empty. Going to have to hope for a trade for awhile.

Erichimedes · Post by **Erichimedes** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:40 am

Great build so far! I love the 1/4" shotgun! It really looks great. In regards to takeoff flow control, has anyone tried a 1/4" brass gate valve? With a 3/8 to 1/4 NPT connector? Just curious, since I was considering going this way.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:05 am

I am not keen on brass. But I guess if you pickle it its ok.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sat Mar 01, 2014 6:45 pm

Got my valve in the mail today. Went with the 3/8. Getting so close.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:35 pm

Finished my Boka this weekend. Cleaning run and sacrificial run went very will. Need to up grade my fountain pump. Not enough head lift. Had to raise my water drum. Went with a 24" column packed with stainless steel scrubbers. Ran it today. 6 gallons corn and barley and 4 gallons low wines. All I can say is WOW. Pulling 90%abv. I will have to build a cooler for the takeoff and a parrot. I just want to say thanks to everyone here on the HD for all the great info.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:22 pm

Starting my parrot.

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 2:35 am

3/8" in and out. 1/2" in the middle. Ran it under the faucet and it works fine. I already want to build another one.

bellybuster · Post by **bellybuster** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 3:40 am

You have a hydrometer that fits in 1/2" ??

copperlover1 · Post by **copperlover1** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:40 am

Yes it's a baby one.

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Boka build from the top down

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