6 Week Bubbler Challenge

[Brendan]

So i've decided to jump in head first, join everyone else and build myself a bubbler.

I have been making do with my 3" Pot and 3" VM and have perfected a nice vodka (in my opinion ;-) ), but as some of you may have seen I have put everything over the last 12 months into researching the production of a decent whisky, and in particular a Scotch-like single malt whisky.

I am in the middle of also setting up a bit of a brewery at home to deal with the All-Grain side of things, including my new mash tun with rotating sparge arm (wank factor :happy-partydance: ), but I will leave that for another thread when everything comes together.

Here i'll stick with the bubbler build, and seeing as I have a bit of downtime over the next 5 to 6 weeks, I have decided to set myself a challenge/timeline to motivate me to push through and get it finished. The timeline i've set is 6 weeks, which ends on Sunday 3rd March

I am planning to build the usual 4", 4 perforated plate bubbler, with each plate it's own modular section. The modularity I want for future proofing, so that I can both add or subtract plates, as well as make new plates and slot them in for experimental purposes.

This is obviously very common at the moment amongst a lot of us, and i'm not doing anything new, just collaborating people's ideas. But i'm a bloke with average tool skills, and if people can follow that over a timeline and relate it to themselves, I thought it might be interesting.

I figured i'll document it all like a diary and see how we go...i'll put up lots of pictures as they keep everyone interested.

Here goes nothing...

[kelbygreen]

haha nice brendan.

Race for the newcastle folk :teasing-neener: . I aint setting no time frame as if I had the money I prob be done in few weeks :)) Prob wouldnt have any ware to sleep as id be homeless :laughing-rolling:

good luck and if you need a hand with anything let me know (except condensers :angry-banghead: ) :roll:

[Kimbo]

We'll hold you to that mate ;-)
Make sure you post lotsa pics :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[emptyglass]

I wish you all the best on your quest Brendan. You have given yourself heaps of time, you should be kicking goals.

Make a good plan, and order your bits, and just hope everyones got it all in stock.

You will be on your way to bubbler bliss in no time.

Don't forget to ferment something to run through it. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Brendan]

Day 1

This morning I headed down to the metal scrapyard. Thanks to Linny for the tip on where to go :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I went down and said I was chasing some copper pipe, and said a guy came on Friday and picked some up and told me that there was more 4" left over. The bloke goes "Oh you're a buildin a still too are ya" :laughing-rolling:

So at the right price, I raided what I thought I could use there. After buying from plumbing stores, and some from Reece on my last build, I learnt my lesson.

I picked up a nice big piece of 4" about 1800mm,
a 1600mm piece of 3" (don't even know if i'll use it, but after paying $200 for a piece on my first build, I was grabbing this at $30!),
also some long cuts of 1 1/2", 1", 3/4", 1/2".
Only thing I couldn't get was 2"...fairly important, but i'll keep looking.

Pipe1.JPG

Pipe2.JPG

And picked up a bottle of Mac's special juice ;-)

Pipe3.JPG

I also grabbed some goodies like the $39 Bunnings Dremel copy and cutting dics (thanks bt1 :handgestures-thumbupleft: ), as well as a cobalt 1.5mm drill bit for the plate holes.

Stuff.JPG

Will probably get myself some Map gas tomorrow with the ts8000 torch, as I think it's going to come in handy in certain areas (reflux condenser tubes :oops: )

I'll be into the shed this week, cutting these sections up and having a go at my first ezy flange :pray:

[bt1]

It's all happening,

I'd add one comment from mac...when you've had a gut full walk away for a while... funny like life, attitude determines the end result.

good luck you're off to a flyer


bt1

[blond.chap]

Nice one mate,
Originality be damned, we're here to make awesome booze not reinvent the wheel.

Few tips:
- Keep the receipt for the ozito tool, mine fell to pieces after a week (then bought a dremmel and it's awesome)
- I used about 10 cutting discs, and 5 1.5 drill bits
- If you end up getting a dremmel, this thing is very handy, really sped up the hole drilling for the plates:

http://www.dremel.com/en-au/attachments/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=220-01

What's your penalty clause for not making the deadline?

[kelbygreen]

very nice brendan :handgestures-thumbupleft: You wont need cobalt drill for copper as they are made for hard metals, Although it prob last longer if you dont brake it

[Sam.]

You obviously know what you want.

Good luck making it in time.

+1 do you have a penalty for being late?

[Brendan]

What's your penalty clause for not making the deadline?

Dammit, why did you have to mention that?!

Well apart from not having a bubbler :snooty: , I guess we'll have to come up with something... :think:

[blond.chap]

A few suggestions:

- Confined to only making turbo wash with essences for a year
- 50 lashes
- Embarrassing signature and/or avatar
- Made to watch the entire Twilight series back to back
- General public ridicule
- Sacrifice your first born son

[punchy21]

All the best mate, you're off to an awesome start :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Only thing I couldn't get was 2"...fairly important, but i'll keep looking.

Is the 2" for the shotgun? That 3" would make meaty shottie, bit of overkill but you could compensate by shortening it a little... and it is spare??

[BackyardBrewer]

All your other suggestions are fine but this:

confined to only making turbo wash with essences for a year

This is just cruel!!

[Linny]

I spose you could take that 3" to a exhaust shop. bend it 180 degrees. ghetto style if your stuck

[Yummyrum]

Good luck with you build Brendan.You're off to a flying start.

Wish we had a scrap dealer in Coffs that was so obliging.Thats and awesome deal :handgestures-thumbupleft: .Tried and get the "no mate we only buy not sell".

Three Bubble builds in Newcastle.Recon the words out and its supply and demand pricing at Midways :teasing-neener:

[googe]

. Good luck mate, looks like your very keen :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Brendan]

A few suggestions:

- Confined to only making turbo wash with essences for a year
Oh come on mate! Rather sacrifice first born
- 50 lashes
Harsh, but fair
- Embarrassing signature and/or avatar
Good idea
- Made to watch the entire Twilight series back to back
I've got a missus...have already endured this punishment :music-deathmetal:
- General public ridicule
Yeah?
- Sacrifice your first born son
If I have one anytime soon, it'll be up for grabs :violence-stickwhack:

[Linny]

Any progress ?

[Brendan]

So...I'm a fuckhead!

Trying to do Mac's easy flange, after being ready to throw it through the wall I realise its meant to be 1/4 inch tube, and I'm using 1/2 inch :angry-banghead: No wonder it looked massive.

Made up a little pipe flaring tool which saves on a lot of the hammering :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Got the modules and plates cut, and did a trip to Midway Metals to get stuff.

Just working on the easy flanges now...

Will put up a few pictures on the weekend.

[Sam.]

So...I'm a fuckhead!

Trying to do Mac's easy flange, after being ready to throw it through the wall I realise its meant to be 1/4 inch tube, and I'm using 1/2 inch :angry-banghead: No wonder it looked massive.

Made up a little pipe flaring tool which saves on a lot of the hammering :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Got the modules and plates cut, and did a trip to Midway Metals to get stuff.

Just working on the easy flanges now...

Will put up a few pictures on the weekend.

Yeah that has to suck :handgestures-thumbdown:

How about a pic of your flaring tool? :-B