Home Distiller

Well all the supplies are ordered and should be here by the end of the year. I've got a 1/4 barrel keg to use as the boiler and it will be a 2" column.
Connections will be S.S. ferrules to keg and product condenser. I got a SS ferrule cap to go on top of the "T" to run in pot still mode. Gonna recycle my current 24" liebig for the PC. I have some 1/4 soft copper to use as a RC. I'm thinking 1/4 copper coil over 1/2 cold finger.. just because it's what I already have.
I don't really post much but have been a regular reader for about 2 years. There is a wealth of info on this site and I would just like to thank everyone for all of their knowledge. I'm not much of a contributor but I have damn sure learned allot over the years.
Pics and progress to follow...

Got a RC coil wound up I didn't do the cold finger, seemed easier to just do it this way.
The outer coil is more to hold it in place when I move it than for actual cooling.
I just did a flow test with my little pond pump and it flows pretty good. It wasn't flowing through my liebig but I had it flowing through a mile of hose.Seems the only problem I may have is my little pump was only good for about a 3 foot vertical rise.
Will post more soon...

Suggestion....raise your cooling water reservoir up...to where your reflux condenser is. It will reduce the discharge head, making the water flow better. Gravity, for water flow out of your reflux condenser, aid in the return to the reservoir. Just an idea to help.
ss

Sounds like a good build plan. I hope to do a CCVM when I get some parts together. Let us know how it runs and some more pics would be nice too. Good job on the coil btw.

S.S. That's the plan for the pump. I just was curious where the cutoff was for the vertical rise.
BTW has anyone else noticed that the corrugated gas line is all coated. Where is everyone getting the uncoated? I saw a few but not many?

The gas line coating can be easily peeled off. It's kind of like the outer insulation on an electrical cable.

I see said the blind man...

CR33G3R wrote:I see said the blind man...

As he picks up a hammer and saw.

CR33G3R wrote:I see said the blind man...

To his deaf dog, who nodded in silent agreement...

as he pissed into the wind.... It's all coming back to me now.

Good news I have most of the stuff here I need to do my build
Bad news I screwed up my coil trying to make it fit through the ID of the ferrule DAMN!!!!
The only corrugated line around here local is all painted yellow. The stuff that can be peeled off comes in like 75 foot lengths. I don't need that much. Maybe I can just strip it off or wire wheel it.

I used a propane torch to burn some off, then acetone and wash.

Propane and fores takes that stuff right off.

That's a fine idea. I think i'm gonna go light a fire

Well this little coil thing is kicking my butt
The flex line I bought does not fit in the column, no big deal I will take it back and make up a simple jig and wind another 1/4 coil.
I guess this is just a lesson along the way to a new still...

Smaller diameter line? 1/4" single coil should fit fine. That's what I've git in mine with a copper scrubbie stuffed in it. No problem knocking down 100% of the vapors.

You can buy smaller diameter SS line at https://www.plumbingsupply.com/gasconnectors.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow . These are gas appliance connectors. You can also think a little outside the box. It does not have to be a coil at all. Just loop the line in half and twist it. A tighter twist will give a little more diameter, longer less. You will be surprised that all the cooling takes place in the first few inches of the coil. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how a little reflux coil knocks down all the vapor that my big worm barrel does.

By the way, the non painted type of gas line is Gastite brand. This brand has the loose rubber sleeve that just splits and comes off with no adhesive. I think the GE universal gas connectors in the appliance section are bare also. This is the brand sold at Home Depot in my parts but that varies.

Dormont makes both bare and coated...or http://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?qu ... ping&i=SST" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

But the cheapest is ebay

Had another go at winding a coil. I think I have one that will work I did space the bottom few coils out a little further since it is a little difficult to make a tail the way that Dad suggest when using a moving RC. The thought is that this will make it a little easier to control the reflux rate. As is running from the lowest setting on my little pond pump through 20 feet of 1/4 ID hose and 20 feet of 3/8 ID hose it flows about 1 liter every 2 min.
Hopefully tomorrow I will get some time to cut some copper and get everything dry fit.

WTF did you do to that poor piece of copper...???

A flow rate of 1/2 liter per minute due to the flattening may not be enough to maintain proper reflux and knock down power... We generally suggest 1 - 2 liters per minute flow rate... You might get lucky but don't be surprised if that attempt falls short...

You have to become one with the copper...

rad14701 wrote:WTF did you do to that poor piece of copper...???

Subtle as always I see there Rad

That was the best post of the day! OP, I think he is trying to say you need to avoid flattening it so much as you are restricting the water flow too much. Either fill a new piece solid with salt and struggle to get it back out or go back to the stainless. Believe me the stainless works. Plus a 50' section is probably about as much as you are going to spend in copper anyway. So you will have extra for your next build.

Just checked what I got for mine. 3/8" od corrugated gas line. Single coil. Fits in nice and snug.

Well upon further review you guys are right that is not very good flow at all.Thanks for the link to the plumbing supply they have something that will work much better. For what it is worth I only payed $4 for that piece of copper. At least I can continue on from here although I am still waiting on the rest of my ferrules. I would have never thought this would be this big of a PITA

I finally got my ss coil in. That thing was the ticket
I haven't had time to do much work on it lately...but hopefully i'll post some pics with everything dry fit by the end of the week.
Hey Rad this one flows.. thanks for the advice

Your milage may vary but I found I get better results with a longer "tail" on my condenser. I also made it so that it angles towards the wall opposite the takeoff. Made controlling reflux a little easier. Only 4 coils on mine. Don't have any problem achieving 100% reflux.

Got a little time to do some work today. The take off is soldered from the from the sanitary fitting out, still need to solder the union for the liebig on the end(maybe later)
Everything else is just sitting there waiting to be soldered.
I know you guys like pics so here are a couple The triclamp on top is for pot mode

Looks good!

Couldn't find any mention of this, but what will you be using for packing?

What you have going so far looks like it will be a nice still. Hope you'll be posting pics of the finished version. Looks like you're getting real close to running.

Well I got everything soldered up today and cleaned up a little
Not sure when I will get to do my cleaning runs...
SC as far as packing I am either going to do SS scrubbies or lava rock. I figure I will need at least a couple of scrubbies to hold the lava rock so I think I am gonna start there. I will say after reading the entire lets talk packing thread I will try the lava rock at some point

I've got a few more
Any comments or feedback is welcome although it is a little late for feedback since it is finished