Looking to build a thumper and looking for some advice

[Blackgrub79]

I'm looking to build a thumper and read to go with 1/2 pipe not the 1/4 I was looking at. What I would like to know is with the downspout how long does the copper pipe need to be not on th inside of the thumper as I need to make sure that's 1 to half inch from the bottom of the pot.

I'm talking more about the downspout part that hooks up to the still every thumper I have seen has had a long downspout that connects to the still is there a reason for the long downspout and up spout?

Thanks for the information.

[SW_Shiner]

Definitely don't use 1/4". 1/2" is the min recommended size. Small pieces of grain or other solids can clog the pipe if its too small.

How far away is your boiler? That will determine how long your lyne arm needs to be. I dont think theres a golden rule for length. Most just build to how long it needs to be to fit in their work area.

[Yonder]

Really, use 1\2 inch. It really is a bit of a risk with less. As SW said, position your gear how you want it when it’s running and that’s how long the ‘arm’ needs to be.

[MooseMan]

Make sure you insulate the pipework from the boiler to the thumper and it won't really matter how long it is then.

I built one last year and went with 28mm copper and 1" SS Tri clamp parts for the thump arm.
The thumper sits right next to the boiler so the arm is as short as I could make it and heavily insulated with neoprene sleeving.

[Yummyrum]

What they said

If you are using flame for heat , always better to keep lengths as long as you can . Keeps flames from collection area .

But , if you are running too slow and your shed is cold , long pipes should be insulated to prevent vapour condensing in pipes .
(What is running too slow ? If you’re run is taking more than 8 hours , that probably getting too slow. ……..If its only taking you 3-4 hours , you running too fast )

[Tammuz]

I won't run grains with a 1/2" lyne arm. One reason is puking, the other is that's not giving the vapor much contact with the copper.

[Username]

Is expense the reason I see so many small diameter pipes in and around thumper builds or is there some practical reason as well?

Remember there are no stupid questions, just stupid people with questions

[BigSwede]

Is expense the reason I see so many small diameter pipes in and around thumper builds or is there some practical reason as well?

Remember there are no stupid questions, just stupid people with questions

I think that's a big part of it. Copper gets exponentially more expensive it seems as diameter increases. Harder to source. It's also a bit harder to solder, although still easy compared to stainless steel.

This not aimed at you Blackgrub - But I think another part might also be the common mental image of what a still is, with a jumbo 35 gallon boiler that transitions to a long loop of 1/4" dia lyne and condenser coil.

[Tater]

I won't run grains with a 1/2" lyne arm. One reason is puking, the other is that's not giving the vapor much contact with the copper.

If its puking your running to hard for whatever size your using .i/2 is as small as i would go .I use 7/8 myself. From still to thumper to worm .Long as vaper is running through copper. vapor contact shouldnt be a problem.As to question on length what yummy said .Mine around 4 ft ,

[Tammuz]

I won't run grains with a 1/2" lyne arm. One reason is puking, the other is that's not giving the vapor much contact with the copper.

If its puking your running to hard for whatever size your using .i/2 is as small as i would go .I use 7/8 myself. From still to thumper to worm .Long as vaper is running through copper. vapor contact shouldnt be a problem.As to question on length what yummy said .Mine around 4 ft ,

The price of 4' 1/2" vs 1" isn't worth the preocupación. If you're running grains...
I guess you can throw some copper in the boiler,if you're running rum or whiskey I would do that.