First runs with a redneck still

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:43 am

Well this is my first still. It was a SS pot, 1/2" column with a 1/4" compression fittin to adapt down to 1/4" worm. Yea it was a lil small at first. But ive now upgraded to a 3/8" worm on the same column. Soon to be 3/4" on 1/2". Heres a few pics. I have vid if i can upload it. Do notice the rvt silicone and the pliers with hose clamps as a lid clamping system.

Well, my pics wont upload from my phone.... Ill try later on my computer

Post by **Prairiepiss** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:53 am

RTV silicon? This is not good.

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:21 am

Prairiepiss wrote:RTV silicon? This is not good.

Yeah. We kinda figured thst out after a while... But what is the best method to seal a completely seperate lid to the pot? I havent found anything yet

Post by **Prairiepiss** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:24 am

Flour paste or PTFE tape either wrapping the two pieces with it. Or making an everlasting gasket.

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:25 am

Prairiepiss wrote:Flour paste or PTFE tape either wrapping the two pieces with it. Or making an everlasting gasket.

Ok well thanks. Ill look into it

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:14 pm

Prairiepiss wrote:Flour paste or PTFE tape either wrapping the two pieces with it. Or making an everlasting gasket.

Hey i just remembered what the ptfe tape is. Its not a threaded lid. Its a stainless stick pit with a cover style lid. We have the column threaded/soldered into the lid, but the lid doesnt screw to the pot, it just sets on it... I need something to seal it. I have used clamps to hold it down but need a gasket btween them to seal it off. And i dont want to use flour the entire time....

Post by **White_Lightning_Rod** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:20 pm

Cut a ring of cardboard the size you want your gasket to be then wrap the hell out of that cardboard with PTFE (plumbers) tape thus making a gasket to fit between the lid and pot. Use your clamps just like you have been. You should get 5 or 6 runs at least before you have to make a new one. That is what the "everlasting gasket" is. simple easy and pretty redneck too

SoMo · Post by **SoMo** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:20 pm

Make an everlasting gasket, cardboard and ptfe however big you need it just use lots of ptfe.

Post by **White_Lightning_Rod** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:22 pm

Or just wrap around the rim of the pot where the lid sits with PTFE tape and wrap the lid the same way then clamp the lid on. I would imagine this would be harder to clean and maintain tho.

Post by **rad14701** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:27 pm

Stop what you're doing and take the time to do what we consider mandatory research here in these forums as well as reading the parent site for theories and fundamentals... We're left wondering what else you don't know yet that could be equally or even more hazardous... We want your journey to be a safe one... At the moment I, for one, am skeptical... We take safety very seriously...

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 4:54 pm

rad14701 wrote:Stop what you're doing and take the time to do what we consider mandatory research here in these forums as well as reading the parent site for theories and fundamentals... We're left wondering what else you don't know yet that could be equally or even more hazardous... We want your journey to be a safe one... At the moment I, for one, am skeptical... We take safety very seriously...

Im not new to distilling, but ive only used rvt in the beginning. Iv tried several methods but none have held up more than 2 runs. Ive read several forums an the home site, but i havent found a seal that works for a plain ole stock pot lid, without threads. But ill tr y the cardboard ine and see how it plays out saturday

Sniper911 · Post by **Sniper911** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:06 pm

Make an everlasting gasket..... I've had the same one on my smaller rigs thumper for over two years with many, many runs over it without any issues. Stay away from the RTV and other plastics and silicones.

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:37 pm

Sniper911 wrote:Make an everlasting gasket..... I've had the same one on my smaller rigs thumper for over two years with many, many runs over it without any issues. Stay away from the RTV and other plastics and silicones.

Yeah thats about what ive come to reason with. Ive got the tape and cardboard but my setup is a couple miles from here. I like to keep my operation seperated. Ill attempt one saturday if possible. Ive got a 5gal mash fermenting right now anyways

Old Anarchist · Post by **Old Anarchist** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:37 pm

i cheated with my gasket. used strips of cotton cloth and soaked them in a flour/water mix. probably gonna be the only decent way to cheat.

Tokoroa_Shiner · Post by **Tokoroa_Shiner** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:32 am

A faster and easier way would be to just wrap the tape around the rim of the lid a couple of times untill it's thick enough to seal. If it still doesn't seal well. Put a few more wraps on. Replace it when it starts falling off the lid

mtndewman · Post by **mtndewman** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 2:22 pm

i started with a 16 quart stock pot and i use flour and water and make a thick paste and put a small layer on the inside of the lid... set the lid on the pot and put a few big rocks or bricks.. if there is any leaks put some paste on the leak,,,,it will stop the leak

Post by **Aaron_the_distiller** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 3:39 pm

Im not even worried about it any more. Im makin a new all copper still this weekend

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