First modular system build

Just starting out and need some advise? then post it in here.

First modular system build

Postby Scubadriver » Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:18 pm

Hi All,

Been lurking around here for a while and reading heaps but finally decided to take the plunge and build my first still. I was going to just buy one..... but that removes half the fun and the learning of new skills. I work in the science field, I love Gin, I love tinkering with things, and love building new projects so this seems like the perfect hobby!

My farther in law is a sheet metal welder by trade so he will help with any welding needs and i work next to a scrap yard which has been selling me copper pipe for $5/Kg :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I want to build something modular so that it can be upgraded in the future when more funds are available, I also like the idea of adding an offset carter head at a later date too if i get hooked. This still will be for running neutrals and making Gin.
I have done a quick sketch (attached hopefully) of whats in my head at the moment and also incorporated some copper pipe sizes that i already have.
MyStill.jpg


I have a few questions on my setup:
Should i use a 4" Ferrule on the keg and use the 4" to 3" reducer that i have or just go straight 3" from the keg?

If i do use a 4" ferrule plus my reducer and want to pack the bottom section of the column, can you buy a 4" strainer so my packing wont fall out into the boiler?

Is the 3" 500mm column and 3" 300mm dephlegmator long enough, or should I wait until my scrap man has some longer pieces?

I would like to hear some cheaper ways of getting from the 3" column to the PC, should i even bother including the lyne arm extension piece and how long should it be? That 3" x 3" x 2" Tee is $95.

Looking forward to hearing your expert thoughts!

Thanks
Mat
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Scubadriver
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 1:53 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: Pot still

Deflag and carter head built but not used yet.

Re: First modular system build

Postby Milky » Sun Jun 30, 2019 7:02 am

Hi there and welcome to the community!

The only advice I can offer on your setup is the following;

1. Go with a 4" on the keg. Leaves it good for future builds. Especially if you already have the reducer.
2. I personally don't think the extension out the side towards the PC is needed. But it depends on the heights of your work area so if it works for where you distil to make it easier, go with it.
3. Have you thought of just going with a 4" column and future 4" carter head? If you specifically like and want gin, I'd future proof your system and go with 4" from the start as you'll probably be making a buttload of neutral off that 50L keg.

In here there is so much info and a wealth of experience. Don't shy away from asking what seems as dumb questions. The search function and newbies corner are also a good way to start

I started by reading nearly every bubbler build twice when I decided to build Bender The Bubbler. It was worth the effort.

Good luck and welcome!
Milky
 
Posts: 349
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:15 pm
Location: Brisbane
equipment: Bender The 4" Copper Bubbler
Bender The 50L Electric Keg Boiler (2 xoxo 2000w 5 Star Elements)
Pure Distilling 2 Inch Reflux Still with 30 Litre Electric Boiler (2000w)
Homemade Copper 2 Inch Pot Still Condenser to fit the 30 Litre Electric Boiler.

Re: First modular system build

Postby scythe » Sun Jun 30, 2019 7:23 am

You will want to go taller, 500mm won't get you much in the way of neutral.
Might get you to high 80's %ABV wise.
If you want gin you will either need 2 stills (pot still and a reflux still like a boka or something) or 1 bubbler, as well as maybe a carter head.

Put an extra element in the boiler as well.
scythe
 
Posts: 1860
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:34 am
Location: Central West NSW
equipment: Dreaming of a 4" bubbler

Re: First modular system build

Postby EziTasting » Sun Jun 30, 2019 10:41 am

Good advice so far, only thing I'd suggest, and this is from my personal point of view is do a 6" on the keg!

Don't know what your physique is like, but I can't get my forearms past a 4" and that makes it very much harder to scrub/clean the inside! I'm no Arnold but I wish I'd done that!
EziTasting
 
Posts: 2084
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 5:15 pm
Location: FNWA
equipment: Newbie - Keg Boiler & 4" 4 plate glasser

Re: First modular system build

Postby Scubadriver » Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:44 am

Thanks for the comments so far, I like the idea of a 6” hole but that would add quite a bit of cost, with reducers and extra for the ferrules/ clamps, however, I could always add a 6” fill hole at a later date and just put a cap or sight glass with a tri clamp. Looks like I might need to get some longer pieces of 3 or 4” pipe from the scrappy then.
Last edited by Scubadriver on Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Scubadriver
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 1:53 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: Pot still

Deflag and carter head built but not used yet.

Re: First modular system build

Postby Scubadriver » Sun Jun 30, 2019 11:48 am

A lot of my costing seems to come from SS ferrules and bends / tee’s, so if I can work out an easy flange method with the copper then that will save heaps. I’m also hoping some cooper bends show up at the scrappy too.
Scubadriver
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 1:53 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: Pot still

Deflag and carter head built but not used yet.

Re: First modular system build

Postby EziTasting » Sun Jun 30, 2019 2:55 pm

Scubadriver wrote:Thanks for the comments so far, I like the idea of a 6” hole but that would add quite a bit of cost, with reducers and extra for the ferrules/ clamps, however, I could always add a 6” fill hole at a later date and just put a cap or sight glass with a tri clamp. Looks like I might need to get some longer pieces of 3 or 4” pipe from the scrappy then.


Just going over this again (like a Terrier with a bone :D ) the 6" ferrule and Tri-clamp isn't that much more expensi so if you then make or buy a 6-4" reducer you could add in a fill port onto that...

promise, no more bringing this point up :silent:
EziTasting
 
Posts: 2084
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 5:15 pm
Location: FNWA
equipment: Newbie - Keg Boiler & 4" 4 plate glasser

Re: First modular system build

Postby db1979 » Sun Jun 30, 2019 7:58 pm

I'm concerned about the 300 mm RC. Your location says Victoria so in winter you'll have really cold cooling water. Unless you have a very slow pump and running a needle valve you'll struggle to get vapour past it, especially with 2200 W. Nothing wrong with a 100 mm RC.

Like others have said, 4" is better if you can get it and 500 mm packed section won't cut it. Unless you make some plates too. 4 plates gets the abv up to 92-93 % before it even gets to the packed section. The packed section will get it further beyond that.

Good luck, posts lotsa photos. :text-worthless:
Sorry couldn't help it. :teasing-tease:
db1979
 
Posts: 1760
Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:47 pm
Location: South of the big smoke in banana bender land.
equipment: Eve - 4" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (sieve plates), 330 mm packed section on a keg boiler with 2 x 2000 W elements.
Currently having a makeover: 2" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (1" bubble caps, no sight glasses...maybe not for much longer!) on a bain-marie boiler.

Re: First modular system build

Postby Scubadriver » Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:44 pm

db1979 wrote:I'm concerned about the 300 mm RC. Your location says Victoria so in winter you'll have really cold cooling water. Unless you have a very slow pump and running a needle valve you'll struggle to get vapour past it, especially with 2200 W. Nothing wrong with a 100 mm RC.

Like others have said, 4" is better if you can get it and 500 mm packed section won't cut it. Unless you make some plates too. 4 plates gets the abv up to 92-93 % before it even gets to the packed section. The packed section will get it further beyond that.

Good luck, posts lotsa photos. :text-worthless:
Sorry couldn't help it. :teasing-tease:


Thanks for your comments, oh ok didn't realise 100 mm would be good enough, i was just trying to use the 3" tubing i have, 1 piece is 300 mm and the other is 500 mm.

I managed to get a nice 2" Tee piece and also a 90 degree bend today from the scrappy so i only need to get a 3" to 2" reducer now, or wait and see if he gets some decent 3 or 4" pipe in soon.

What about if i leave the dephlag for now and just use the 800mm (plus tee) as a packed column and i could put a coil in the top of the tee with a small extension (CCVM) if needed?
Scubadriver
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Jun 27, 2019 1:53 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: Pot still

Deflag and carter head built but not used yet.


Return to Beginners Questions



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Buggins and 15 guests

cron

x