Mod's Build Log

[emptyglass]

I like it!
Great job mate. Its all coming together :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Are you sure that your steam heater pipe wont let too much steam through?
I hope I'm way wrong, but I'm just thinking such a big diameter is going to let too much steam vapor through too fast, with not enough time for heat transfer.

How big/many are the main outlets of the boiler meant to run in coffee machine mode?

[Modernity]

The steam inlet and outlet are about 3mm dia. The idea is the steam expands when it enters the heater element and condenses blowing water out leaving the heat behind. I am not sure yet, but I may have to super-heat the steam just before it enters the heater element. This will give me a steam temp of 200-300C and mean I need less time to get the pot up to temp. There properly will be a agitator in there to keep everything moving. Copper is a wet metal so there is a much less chance of scorching on the heater element than if it was stainless (which is a dry metal).

[emptyglass]

Looks like you already thought about what I was thinking.

Well, on with the show!

[Gas on]

hey mod,

this is one sweet project youve got going there!. you still gunna be able to make a nice coffee with that beast?
i suspect you could if you wanted to - best of both worlds :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

cheers

[Modernity]

I spent the morning making a MDF former to start fabricating the conical neck for the still pot. I have changed the design and think I am going to do-away with the ball and go just for a conical neck starting at 7 1/2" and tapering to 2" before turn 45 degrees and then tapering to 1". The neck will sit on a flared piece that will join to the dished lid.
The former is 1700mm. 7 1/2" tapering to 1"

This is the 600mm length of 4" cut and rolled to fit.

fit to former

Over lap trimmed and now needs to be file for a good fit.

Filling need here and there and ...

Sitting on the former.

Not much to show for a days work. :violence-stickwhack:

[emptyglass]

Nice job mod

[Modernity]

An other day of progress today. I started work on the lower section of the neck. I am after a flair from 100mm at the top out to 250mm<> and then a ball coming back to 150mm at the joint to the pot. All will become clear when I get to it (promise). So like a trumpet with and egg on the end of the bell.

Photos attached for those you care to see the work of a mad man. The Dept of Domestic Affairs was happy to listen of a afternoon of taping copper in the garage
I started by splitting some 100mm pipe and stitching the tapered lengths into a cone.




Stitching marked out at 25mm centres.


You can see the second row of stitching.

The cuts are started on both pieces so they are matching.


Stitching snipped up to the 10mm line

Stitch turned up

Stitching being tapped down


Stitching being tapped into place


Stitching lined up.


Stitching flattened and tight


Two rows of stitching come together

Turning the four panels into a cone

Bringing the edges together

All four pieces stitched


Tapered neck on the flared neck

Sitting on the pot without a lid (not made yet)

[emptyglass]

I tip my hat to you.
You got some old school coppersmithing going on there.
Goes to show that a tradesman is not scared of hand tools. Who needs rollers?

Like they say Mod, its not what you got, its how you use it that counts. You use it well.

Please, carry on. Cant wait to see more steam punked copper porn.

[caveman]

this build is definatly involved but progress is looking great top effort mod :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[stilly_bugger]

Inspiring stuff, Mod.

:handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Kimbo]

Mate, you're puttin' some work into that :clap: :clap:
lookin fanbloodytastic :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[MacStill]

Mod,

I was showing off that cone today on my ipad to a couple off pissheads, just cause we aint sayin much dont mean we aint watching :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Those joins in that lyne arm takes some dedication, please carry on.

Mac.

[Gas on]

This is true craftmanship!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
more please :clap: :clap: :clap:

[JayD]

when you are finished your build and you sit there watching her perform there will be silly grin on your face cause you hand made her....good luck and keep up the good work.

[Modernity]

All work has stopped on the copper due to no heat for soldering, so I have started work on the product condenser this week, something to do while I wait for a budget to get my gas setup sorted.

The main body of the condenser is being built out of a 100mm diameter stainless steel thermos flask. Tipped upside down with bottom carefully removed to access the business end of the flask. These things have a 12mm gap between the inner and outer walls. This gives the condenser a 100mm water jacketed over a 75mm inner. The whole condenser is 300mm long top to bottom.

I had to scratch my head for a while to work out how to get the bloody thing apart without wreaking it. Anyway I eased the bottom end cap off and then accessed the weld end cap that keep the thing in a vacuum. That came off with a quick grind along the TIG weld seam.

Photos to follow..

[Modernity]

Photos for the above post:

Thermos Flask


Bottom coming off


Grinding the base off


Inside the base


The wet wall space



Inlet with dip tube

[Kimbo]

Bump!
how's this build going mod? must be getting close if your thinking of a barrel a week :teasing-tease:

[Modernity]

Little bit by little bit.

[MacStill]

I cant wait to see this thing built, please stop keeping us in suspense :pray:

[Modernity]

F**k you think you are in suspense, how the hell do you think I feel? ~x(