New shotgun cleaning

[Tal]

....can't find the answer I am looking for so..i have completed my new shotgun for my pot still...the still has had its cleaning and sacrificial runs thru it, so how can I clean my new shotgun?..will I need to do cleaning runs thu the whole setup again?

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Yes you will need to do all cleaning and sac runs like you did the first time round as there will be flux and crap on the new shotgun that will need to be got rid off. Any new addition or modification to your still that requires soldering will need to be cleaned as you did for your still in the first place.

[Bushman]

+1, during the first cleaning stage part way through and for a short time I turn the water off to do a partial steam cleaning as well then finish off with the vinegar before the sacrificial run.

[Tal]

Thanx TS and Bushman for your input...thought that may be the case too...tonite I have put a cork in one end and filled it with vinegar which I will leave to soak for a day or two. I will do the vinegar/water cookup next and let it steam for 20 mins or so. I have 7.5 litres of shine from a sacrificial run which I will dilute down to 12% and use that for this sacrificial run, should give me about 42.5 litres. Plan on giving that a blast for an hour or two. Any input appreciated ..cheers.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Sounds like you've got it worked out. Good thing you kept that sac run eh. Haha

[NZChris]

I've never done a sacrificial run because I can get at everything to do the cleaning manually. If you can't do that, you're stuck with having to do the cleaning runs.

[Tal]

Yeah,, didn't know why I was keeping that sac run, just was a wee bit attached to it I spose, proved to be handy now tho. Been out and checked the "water level" of the vinegar in the gun and it hasn't moved thankfully so no leaks within (whew!)..so its all go in the weekend, early Saturday id'e say!

[BigSwede]

It might be possible to clean it with phosphoric or citric acid, both of them non-toxic.

It also depends on the type of flux used. For a water-based flux, what happens when it's heated during the actual soldering is the water evaporates, leaving behind the salts which then melt to make the flux. Those salts are toxic, may contain a lot of fluorides, but the good news is, they re-dissolve with ease. Lots of hot water will take care of it, then the acid pickle, then more hot water - I'd be comfortable that way, but it's a personal choice.

The greasy fluxes are another matter. In that case, I agree a sac run would be best.

[Tal]

Thanx for all the input guys...the vinegar has cleaned the interior somewhat but am still going to do the vinegar/water steam bomb thingy then my sac run...just to be sure to be sure!...that way at least iv'e got nothing left out to say " I wisht ide done such and such"..cant wait to do the real stuff tho!

[Tal]

Did the vinegar run and the sac run today...came up nice and clean so will carry on and do my first real run tomorrow....thanx for the input guys, makes the decision making easier..cheers.

[InglisHill]

Nice one Tal, I am a little excited for you:)

I see that Blackwoods have mapp torches on sale at the moment, a nice swivel head one for $140 odd......

[Tal]

Yeah thanx...Blackwoods??..not sure if we have them here....trying to transfer a vid from my phone to the computer but aint working??

[Aquafish]

Tal on cleaning your shotgun condendor, which I also have, I used a shotgun, real gun, cleaning kit. There is and assortment of brass wire brushes you can use just dip them in a food safe cleaning solution and clean away. I use a snake clearer type which is available in many calibers. It is much easier to use and you can soak it in the cleaning solution. Either way it will clean those tubes to a mirror finish.

[Tal]

Good idea too!...bit late for this build but will remember that for another time as i'm sure there will be another!...thanx for that Aquafish.