Dig's Big Four Incher
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 9:10 pm
So, as I have mentioned recently in a couple of other threads, I'm not happy with the still that I got from a mate. I've used it once as a reflux still, and then removed the internals and have been using as a pot to strip CFW & MacRum. It is only a one & three quarter inch column with a three quarter over three eighths Liebig. Not really suited as a stripping column. :laughing-rolling: So I have decided to upgrade. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Got in touch with a mate who can get me some copper 'off cuts' from industrial type jobs. Couple of days later I have several 2 metre lengths of 1/2, 3/4,1 & 4 inch copper pipe and a couple of 90 degree elbows sitting under the carport :D Bought some 2 inch and some 1/4 inch and got to cutting.
Mate came around a few days later & I was feeling proud having everything cut nice & square so started talking about making the sections into tees. He says 'I can probably get you some 4 inch pre formed copper tees' so of course that results in a 'fuck YES!' from me and they arrive in the next couple days. Very nice, just need to slice some 4 inch to make inserts for them to bring back to 100mm to fit the clamps. Got that done on the bandsaw at work last night so have to clean these up & solder in.
Now until I started this project I'd never even picked up a blowtorch before, so I read up all I could, watched a couple of vids on YouTube and gave it a crack. Pretty happy with the results!
Feeling good about my newly acquired skills I thought I'd have a crack at some hard soldering so got a couple rings ready for the easy flanges. Had a harder time with these, I think I made a solid silver ring with the first one I tried :sad: got easier after I re read a couple of threads & stopped using flux :angry-banghead: lol. Anyway, I got the top 4"-2" reducer and 180 bend soldered up and flange rings on each end.
Next up I though I'd tackle the PC, two inch with 4 half inch tubes. Thought this might test me but went together well, solder just flowed where it had to.
Got some more 1/4 inch before work tonight to make a dozen four inch rings for the modules & sight glasses then I will get those soldered up as soon as I can. Then I will tackle the RC. I was originally thinking 7 X 3/4 inch tubes inside but might have a look at how many half inch I can stuff in there. Slightly torn on length of the RC too. Have seen some suggest 4 inches while some have said 6. 8-}
I'll be buying my sight glasses & plates from Mac as soon as funds allow.
Happy stillin'
Got in touch with a mate who can get me some copper 'off cuts' from industrial type jobs. Couple of days later I have several 2 metre lengths of 1/2, 3/4,1 & 4 inch copper pipe and a couple of 90 degree elbows sitting under the carport :D Bought some 2 inch and some 1/4 inch and got to cutting.
Mate came around a few days later & I was feeling proud having everything cut nice & square so started talking about making the sections into tees. He says 'I can probably get you some 4 inch pre formed copper tees' so of course that results in a 'fuck YES!' from me and they arrive in the next couple days. Very nice, just need to slice some 4 inch to make inserts for them to bring back to 100mm to fit the clamps. Got that done on the bandsaw at work last night so have to clean these up & solder in.
Now until I started this project I'd never even picked up a blowtorch before, so I read up all I could, watched a couple of vids on YouTube and gave it a crack. Pretty happy with the results!
Feeling good about my newly acquired skills I thought I'd have a crack at some hard soldering so got a couple rings ready for the easy flanges. Had a harder time with these, I think I made a solid silver ring with the first one I tried :sad: got easier after I re read a couple of threads & stopped using flux :angry-banghead: lol. Anyway, I got the top 4"-2" reducer and 180 bend soldered up and flange rings on each end.
Next up I though I'd tackle the PC, two inch with 4 half inch tubes. Thought this might test me but went together well, solder just flowed where it had to.
Got some more 1/4 inch before work tonight to make a dozen four inch rings for the modules & sight glasses then I will get those soldered up as soon as I can. Then I will tackle the RC. I was originally thinking 7 X 3/4 inch tubes inside but might have a look at how many half inch I can stuff in there. Slightly torn on length of the RC too. Have seen some suggest 4 inches while some have said 6. 8-}
I'll be buying my sight glasses & plates from Mac as soon as funds allow.
Happy stillin'