Buying a still from Ebay

SloppyJoe · Post by **SloppyJoe** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:06 am

Just wondering, I was looking around on ebay and I saw some stills on there.. labeled Moonshine, whiskey, Alcohol etc..etc...

should one be wary of purchasing things like that from ebay? I mean... a still can be used for essential oils and what not.. and it's not illegal in and of itself to own a still... There was a 19" reflux column on there that went for $57 last night... had half a mind to buy it... but was unsure..

I'm pretty paranoid...

yeah.

Butch50 · Post by **Butch50** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:52 am

SloppyJoe · Post by **SloppyJoe** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:22 am

Well.. I'm certainly not in this to sell. I've been making beer for about a year and usually give most of it away. I just like the hobby, I like to cook and I feel that this is just another culinary art. I don't hang around with a bunch of criminals either... so as far as all that goes.. I think I'm ok. I'm just paranoid.

Butch50 · Post by **Butch50** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:23 pm

Post by **Uncle Jesse** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:39 pm

I believe that the authorities are probably not looking all that hard for people who make such small amounts and don't sell it. Sure if they stumble on it or if you do something stupid chances are they're gonna charge you for it.

If you start a fire, or someone gets tanked and DUI and causes a wreck or if you give it to some high school kids who brag around town then you're going to get into some trouble, and you might just deserve it.

If you're doing it for profit and selling your product then you're taking a huge, unwise risk.

SloppyJoe · Post by **SloppyJoe** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:44 pm

"If you start a fire"

Which reminds me..I need to check on our fire extinguishers and have them handy... heh..

Butch50 · Post by **Butch50** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:51 pm

Post by **Husker** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:52 pm

SloppyJoe wrote:"If you start a fire"

Which reminds me..I need to check on our fire extinguishers and have them handy... heh..

Bingo! This is one main ways to get "busted" if you are nothing more than a hobby distiller (just making it for yourself). If your house burns down, and there is a 1/2 charged still with a big "hot spot" around it, then you will get busted, because the insurance company is liable to pay you many dollars UNLESS some clause in their policy allows them an exemption of paying (such as your criminal activities leading to the loss). This is one of the easiest ways to get busted for this hobby, but also one which you have control over (safe procedures, and like you said, fire extinguishers, and possibly a "charged" garden hose ready to go).

Other common ways to get busted are:

1. Shooting off your mouth about what you are doing, and then piss off your neighbor/ex GF/ex wife/ex Friend, and they turn you in. Pretty much any time you shoot off your mouth, you can be informing someone that will turn you in when the whim hits them.

2. Do something stupid (like UJ mentioned), like supply some highschool or young college kids with your booze.

3. Try to sell your product. This one thing will get you busted pretty much without exception, sooner or later (usually sooner).

H.

Hillbilly Rebel · Post by **Hillbilly Rebel** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:03 am

Interesting side note, Near where I live, the police raided and caught an individual with drugs, stolen property, guns with serial numbers removed and 35 quarts of moonshine. They charged him on the drugs, stolen property and guns. They then called ATF, (not a slip of the tounge, this was 4 or 5 years ago), on the moonshine. The ATF declined to take the case. I know of other instances of similar amounts and a working moonshine still that they also declined to make a case. Does that mean that if you get caught with an operating 1 gallon still or a quart of your best product that the ATT will not charge you, No. It just means that the office covering eastern Kentucky has not done so on several instances when they could have.

As to hazards from fire, check out the thread on Popcorn Sutton where the last time he was charged, it was due to the fire department responding to a fire and finding three operating stills. Interesting side note, this was handled in state court. The Feds did not get involved that I am aware of.

Post by **Husker** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 2:34 am

Good side not HR. Yes, you can be charged in both fed and state court systems (in most places) for moonshining.

In truth, I believe the feds will "usually" only go after someone trying to sell the stuff (i.e. "depriving" the poor fed government of their windfall) I doubt they would do much to someone with a 15 gallon keg still in their garage, running a 9 gallon mash, and with a 5 gallon gibbs barrel aging some booze, and a few bottle in the liquor cabinet and down in the wine celar. Now, I am sure they "could" do something to that person, IF they wanted to. If there were other reasons, such as failure to pay taxes, the person was making threats against the government, the person was counterfeiting, etc, then I am SURE the feds would fully prosecute for the shine also (they will try to put together the nastiest case possible IF they do go after someone). But I think the info HR has listed is closer to reality. That being, the feds will not normally bother a "true" home distiller who simply makes his own hooch.

Now, states (counties, cities) also usually have laws against shine, both making and possession. Most likely, if anything comes down, it WILL be at the state/local level. The state/county would be much more likely to forge ahead, if a pissed off neighbor drops dime on you. Keep in mind, that if the neighbor (xgf, xwife, xfriend, angry child) does call the police, they might not tell the "truth". The police might be told that "something" illegal is going on, possibly the person is cooking meth or something. When people get vengeful, they can do some pretty nasty things. Around here, nothing seems to draw out the police like a claim of a meth lab.

H.

mtnwalker2 · Post by **mtnwalker2** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:38 pm

HR, Popcorn Sutton is a neighbor of mine. According to local posts, it was 5 500gal. stills. Tlhe fire was in the storage shed. This was in TN, he lives in NC. Totally commercial. But have not had any word other than his first arrest. Thence a marriage which didn't last. I have had some of his produce that is popular in an adjacent county, flavored with rasberry essence, and it was horrible. Single run, no reasonable cuts. A small flask, of his "specialty" was offered and it was fair vodka. Maybe the movie, his poor health, and such gave him some immunity. I have not heard anything about proceeding prosocution.

There's lots of worse things for the police to be focusing on these days.

Post by **HookLine** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 6:07 pm

mtnwalker2 wrote:There's lots of worse things for the police to be focusing on these days.

And very limited resources to do it with. Small scale home distillers are right down the bottom of the list. Jaywalking is a higher priority than us.

But it still pays to be discreet.

Bastardo · Post by **Bastardo** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:54 pm

Aside from the legal issue, i just bought one, and had it shipped to canada.

it works great.... here is a pic

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii15 ... 0_3217.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Hillbilly Rebel · Post by **Hillbilly Rebel** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:20 am

MW2, I didn't realize that he had five stills going. I was just going on the article posted on this forum at History and Folklore, Popcorn Sutton Again. The link is: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=44543" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow. In that article, I overlooked that it was in Cocke County, TN where the fire occurred. When it said it was on property Popcorn owned, I thought of his cabin in Maggie Valley. My bad.
Never tried Popcorn's product. But I have sampled product from Newport and its some of the best, (also some of the not so good). Some applejack that I got from Newport is the best drink that I have everhad from anywhere of anykind.
I have a Silver Cloud that I brought back from Cosby, (saved it from the bulldozers). It last produced in about 1952 when it was discovered and chopped up by the revenuers. The axe marks are still visible. Its in rough condition with a lot of rust, but I think will make an interesting non-working display when I am finished.
Do they still have the Vernor Valentine's still set up at the Shiner's Bar-B-Que restaurant at the Best Western on Cosby Road in Newport? That thing is a work of art.

new_moonshiner · Post by **new_moonshiner** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:58 am

I figure if one is standing tall enough to be seen in their sights then Low and behold Big Brother Just might take a crack at ya ..its one of those things that just needs to be kept on the down low..in the real world..

mtnwalker2 · Post by **mtnwalker2** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:35 am

HBR, I am going to have to stop there for a meal next time I go through there.

And you are right, some of the local stuff there is very good. My wife brought me a sample of apple pie shine in a pint jar, that she liked much better than mine, much more mild, and had gotten the recipe from the maker. Mine was with real fruits and seasonings though and still at 100 proof for the maceration. She hadn't cut it before trying it!!!

I have a farm not far from Cocke co. There was a massive 4 day raid all around that are for pot fields. They were useing a helicopter to guide the officers in, when a bullet went through the window. They busted a still. How to get caught big time!

A neighbor of mine got several years in a tough pen, when he shot the sheriff with a .22 at his still when he was young. Been a long time ago.

A fire extinquisher, and leave the guns alone are good ideas.

Hillbilly Rebel · Post by **Hillbilly Rebel** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:44 pm

A close member of my family found himself with a choice of prison or a stint in the military when he was caught transporting a load of 'shine from his daddy's still. He served his time in the navy thanks to a reasonable judge. His granddaddy came to Kentucky from Southwestern VA at the suggestion of the local officials. Seems that a couple of revenuers turned up missing and they thought, but couldn't prove, that he had something to do with it. I honestly don't know if he did or didn't. It wasn't something that was talked about.

Home Distiller

Buying a still from Ebay

Buying a still from Ebay

paranoia