Hello fellow craftsman

[Enigma]

Thought l better introduce myself as l have been reading and researching as much as l can about this art. Have just finished my first still, a 2” Boka that l hand built plus a 35 l boiler and also a power regulator. This site is a wealth of information but that being said, l still have so much more to learn. I believe the goal is quality not quantity. Have only done 2 double runs so far( turbo yeast, need to know how bad this stuff is to compere) will do a TPW tomorrow to see the difference . Decided on a Reflux Still to start with because it seems the easiest to get decent results but hope to progress to a Pot Still for Rum once l can become better at doing cuts. So again, l say hello. P.s. not to sure we’re to post pics of my Still.

[Sam.]

Welcome mate, post your pics here if you like, we love pics :D

[Enigma]

http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/Quant ... html?o=112

[Enigma]

http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/Quant ... g.html?o=2

[Enigma]

http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/Quant ... .html?o=11

[Enigma]

I have to admit, the only cheat l did do was buy the top condenser coil but l did wind the coil for my secondry Graham condenser to cool the spirits after the takeoff valve.

[bluc]

Love the condenser in the sight glass and your power controller looks very neat also. Good work :clap:

[Sam.]

Might be a first for here a still being run in a caravan annex :))

Very, very neat though :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bluc]

May raise an eye brow when you go pay your power bill :o

[Enigma]

If you notice, had to build support base to clamp column as it was to unstable but was able to incorpate adjusting screws in base to keep vertical alignment good. Only done 2 runs as l said before, but very happy with its performance, collecting 500ml per half hour at 96%. Have a combination of copper mesh and SPP in each upright. Temperture rock solid at 78 C but as soon as it went up .1 degree it smelled horrible.

[Enigma]

Ummm, yes the annex is abit of a give away. Such is life when you wife(ex) gets the better.

[Sam.]

Ummm, yes the annex is abit of a give away. Such is life when you wife(ex) gets the better.

That sucks mate, but at least it looks like a decent van, better nick than my 1978 model :laughing-rolling:

I'm sure you will pump out some good gear with the setup you have :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[RC Al]

Leaves more time for stillin :-)

Your still looks great, I have to ask, is that parrot gold plated?

[Lowie]

G'day mate and welcome. Nice rig too :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[woodduck]

G'day mate and welcome aboard :greetings-waveyellow:

She looks like she'll do the job just fine :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[RC Al]

May raise an eye brow when you go pay your power bill :o

Blame the air conditioning, I hope that you have A/C.... brissy sucks without it

[Enigma]

Ha Ha Ha :wave: Thanks for the welcome. One benefit of the my abode is power is cheap(even with aircon cranked up), about $45 per month and the water is free.

[Enigma]

Ok, this is were l pick your brains. When l did my run, tossed out the first 150ml and collected 2.45l at 95+(23l wash@14abv) did 2nd run, tossed out first 150ml and collected only 1.85l at 95+. Then let sit in jars for 48hours,levels dropped by about 50ml per 500ml jar( more in first) Question, ?? Is this the norm. Have to admit, it tasted and smelt better than my prior run without the airing. Please share your experiences. Am l on the right track?

[scythe]

What type of brass did you use on the parrot and other end caps?

And just to keep you safe i would put cable glands on your power controller so that you dont damage the wiring moving the cables around.

[woodduck]

Was your first run a strip run? If so I'm not sure why you didn't get as much out for the second run. I would expect a little less but that seems like quite a bit to loose? Not 100% sure there mate, I never did strip runs with my boka and don't do them with my bubbler either :teasing-neener:

As for loss from the cuts jars, I wouldn't panic it will mainly be the higher alcahols that you don't want in your drink anyway :handgestures-thumbupleft: I would avoid leaving them for long periods in hot weather though :handgestures-thumbupleft: