Docs FSD Carter Head.

High performance modular SS304 plated columns and accessories.

Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby the Doctor » Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:23 pm

Canadoz wrote:
the Doctor wrote:DBV the idea is that one does not have to disturb the run to change botanical baskets. The column will be perhaps 3.8 metres tall so control of vapour flow can be bought down to a safe working height by the use of the valve system. I also want to use the carter head not just for gin but also for my pure vodka ( brand name ) using the Reyka method of passing the vodka through a carter head of fine crushed volcanic rock. I have tasted the Reyka vodka and believe it to be the best I have ever tasted. With the valve system I can decide when I am in the heart of hearts and redirect through the volcanic strata. I am constantly experimenting and the valve system will enable me to test many variables for short run lengths. Also I can make specialist gins where I can run a number of botanicals separately in the same run without shutting down and the costs to the run that that entails. All in all it gives me two re -configurable stills running of one boiler.Cheers.
Doc


I think the only way I'm ever going to understand any of that is to visit you someday and watch you run it.

While it would be a pleasure to have you visit someday mate... I started the long road to making a video of the building design set up and running of this still today. So in time all will be simply revealed. The design is really a matter of practicality. Once we get past a certain size it is simply more practical to create as much inbuilt versatility as possible. The video will show how this can be put to work for any distiller. Cheers.
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby CHEROKEE » Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:30 pm

Much appreciated Doc but I think we've just lost the family audience. Bugger :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby dogbreath vodka » Fri Nov 15, 2013 5:49 am

the Doctor wrote: I started the long road to making a video of the building design set up and running of this still today. So in time all will be simply revealed. The design is really a matter of practicality. Once we get past a certain size it is simply more practical to create as much inbuilt versatility as possible. The video will show how this can be put to work for any distiller. Cheers.
Doc


I'll be looking forward to seeing that one.
Also thank you for the explanation regarding the running of the Carter head.
:handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

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"Jimmy" the 4" Carter head

Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby MacStill » Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:46 pm

Well it's on it's way across the country now heading for Eastview Estate, and I'm anxious to hear your feedback on quality of the components Doc.

Only problem I have now is the new ideas that keep popping in my head :think:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby CHEROKEE » Fri Nov 15, 2013 9:58 pm

I'll have what he's having, this just keeps evolving into bigger and better things. The sky isn't the limit, Keep it up Mac.
What's next? Cheers :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby MacStill » Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:09 pm

CHEROKEE wrote:What's next?


I have a few ideas mate, but open forums arent the place to be giving too much info out.... you'll just have to call around for drinks and a visual :teasing-neener:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby CHEROKEE » Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:23 pm

I agree, at the earliest opportunity in the very near future. I'll need a Pilots license soon. Cheers :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby the Doctor » Sat Nov 16, 2013 12:05 am

MacStill wrote:Well it's on it's way across the country now heading for Eastview Estate, and I'm anxious to hear your feedback on quality of the components Doc.

Only problem I have now is the new ideas that keep popping in my head :think:

Keep those ideas coming mate... working on the new still has been such a great journey. I can't wait till the head and boiler arrive to be able to put the whole jigsaw together... I am trying to do a bit more on the video every day I can so that we can share the journey. I have tentatively called the video "Building Methusulah", And have been trying my hand at doing some rough animation to explain the thinking and operation of the rig. Cheers.
SOON
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby CHEROKEE » Sun Nov 17, 2013 3:38 am

I got a glimpse of this precision piece of engineering perfection, very impressive. The Doc is waiting in anticipation and I know why, I wont one.
The weight of this little (three foot high) beauty is remarkable considering what it does. The thought of Spiced Rums and flavoured vodkas and of course
gin is something I want to experiment with. I love this hobby and the journey continues. Cheers. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby MacStill » Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:29 am

For those interested here's a pic of the FSD Carter Head set up as a pot still just to show yet another example how versatile this unit is.

DSC_0524.JPG
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby dogbreath vodka » Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:48 am

:handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Just the bees knees there Mac.

Or should I say "Just what the Doctor ordered"
:laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby greenguy » Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:51 pm

Too cool
so the vapour flows threw into the glass part packed with etc and flows back up the column
am i right?? sorry I'm a simple bugger :laughing-rolling:
and the valve at the bottom is for drain left overs liquid that doesn't make it up the column
o man im confused lol but i love the idea of spiced infused rums and vodka's if been thinking about how to get flavour into neutral rather than soaking fruits etc
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby MacStill » Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:54 pm

greenguy wrote:Too cool
so the vapour flows threw into the glass part packed with etc and flows back up the column
am i right?? sorry I'm a simple bugger :laughing-rolling:
and the valve at the bottom is for drain left overs liquid that doesn't make it up the column
o man im confused lol but i love the idea of spiced infused rums and vodka's if been thinking about how to get flavour into neutral rather than soaking fruits etc


The way this works is the vapour is directed into the sight glass as a thumper, so any vapour that enters the fluid trap is redistilled through the passive reflux and oils provided through the botanical basket.

What this does is drag flavours through the oils & botanicals without having heavy oils being condensed through the PC into the final product, so you'll end up with a very heavy infusion that can be blended back to your desire.

I'm also getting PM's & emails from members asking if the big valve set up is part of it, well no it's not, what it is, is part of Docs still to divert the vapours being taken off the still left or right to be either making Gin or Vodka from the same boiler charge.

The valved Tee is to direct vapour to either product condenser at any stage during the run, by the pull on the chain you can either be making Gin or another product depending on how you have your rig set up.

All 4 of the prototypes are now spoken for, so any further sales of this unit for now will be by pre ordering with a delivery time of around 3 to 5 weeks, we are pricing the base unit up now and will advertise it on the FSD site, however depending on still design you will have to allow for extra fittings & clamps to connect this to your current rig.

Any dramas or questions can be asked here rather than via PM, this way everyone gets to read the same answers without the need to reply multiple time to the same questons.

Cheers & thanks again for the overwhelming support..... simply awesome!!

Mac.
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby the Doctor » Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:01 pm

So glad that these have been a success for you Mac, it is an amazing design.

For those who want to know why the valve system is specified for my new still... there are a couple of reasons for this. As Mac said it enables the still to be run in vodka or gin mode on the same run, without rebuilding any part of the still...As the still will once built be the best part of 4 meters high and you are working over a boiler...the OH&S aspect comes into play,

also anyone who knows me and the style of spirits we are trying to make would know that we always cut hard on Vodka & Gin..The valve system allow me to run off all the heads and only expose the gin botanicals to hearts..thus preventing the botanicals from filtering and taking up any off flavours and aroma from the heads. The first flush of vapour through the botanicals is the cleanest and strongest part of the run... the last thing you want to do is expose the botanicals to heads, it is easy to taint delicate flavours like rose petals.

Having the valve also means I can change out the botanicals basket at any stage without shutting down the boiler or losing balance on the plates. The ability to refresh the botanicals or do small run extractions to add to heavily layered liqueurs such as our Beauregards Mouse a triple sec / orange brandy which requires three separate botanical extractions one of different forms of orange ( bitter sicilian, sweet dried and fresh navel skin in one basket), one of clove and one of cardamon, which then have to be blended with a riesling based brandy... without being able to extract and then blend...it is all but impossible to get the balance right.

So having the ability to divert vapour without shutting down has distinct advantages...I think this a design feature that is unique and seen as different now...but over time will be a feature of future stills, it just makes sense once a still gets as big as this. Especially when you consider that this is a vodka and gin specialist still, so will never be used for whiskey or other spirits.

It is Macs ability to see engineering answers to the practical problems we face in day to day running of my stills which is helping me grow my business. Up to now the biggest challenge I have faced has been the inability to keep up with orders. I think that is about to change, in the best possible way.

One last thing you can look forward to a video of the set up and running of " methusulah " as we have named the still also I have put on hold the whiskey issue of the modern distiller magazine and bought forward the Gin issue to feature this beastie... so anyone with good gin yarns please PM or email me to contribute.

Cheers
Doc
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby crow » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:30 pm

Doc wrote
The valve system allow me to run off all the heads and only expose the gin botanicals to hearts..thus preventing the botanicals from filtering and taking up any off flavours and aroma from the heads. The first flush of vapour through the botanicals is the cleanest and strongest part of the run... the last thing you want to do is expose the botanicals to heads, it is easy to taint delicate flavours like rose petals.

good thinking 99 :clap: :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby Mrs Mac » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:41 pm

For all of those who have been waiting to see the top Butterfly Valve system for the Docs still wait no more


DSC_0623.jpg


This has been designed so that at no time will both valves be closed, they will open and close as one unit, while one is opening the other is closing.
We could have gone with the automation set up either Air or Electric, but this is the most simplest way in regards to maintenance or adjustments.....The KISS :romance-kisscheek: factor.


Cheers
Mrs Mac @};-
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby grehund » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:09 pm

Oh man, this looks amazing. :clap: I'm really looking forward to seeing yet another informative & high quality video from the Doc on this unit & it's operation. Then, one day, getting my own McCarter Head. :D

This hobby always has something new to excite me. :dance:
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby the Doctor » Sat Nov 30, 2013 3:01 am

Grehund I have already started the video of this remarkable still. The final parts to the puzzle are falling into place...and just in time. Our sales have taken off big time we will be making some big announcements in the next month with our new distribution agents getting our spirits into some of the best venues in Australia and more than a few overseas.

My assistant and I laid the whole still out on the floor today to check the configuration and I must say that Mac & Mrs Mac have done a mighty job. This still is a commercials distillers dream. It is beautifully engineered and takes the modular system to heights that need to be seen to be believed.

The Carter head is going to change not just the way we make our Gin but also how we make our vodka, as we can now run our pure vodka ( which is our flagship martini vodka ) through a bed of amorphous volcanic glass as does my favourite vodka Reyka. With the ability to switch sides during the run so no congeners ever come into contact with the glass bed. To finally challenge a product of the quality of reyka in Australia has been my dream.

We have been approached to design a line of new and exciting vodka's and Gin's for a fashion house that want their own label ...this will ramp up our contract distilling arm and there fore our output.

None of this would be possible without the input, hard work and damned perseverence of the amazing team 5Star...Mr & Mrs Mac. Thanks guys...amazing, truly amazing.

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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby MacStill » Sun Dec 01, 2013 10:26 am

Thanks Doc,

Wont be long now until Methuselah is up and running now, you must be getting pretty antsy by now.... I know I would be if it were mine :-B

Cant wait for the video :dance:

Cheers.
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Re: Docs FSD Carter Head.

Postby the Doctor » Sun Dec 01, 2013 10:47 am

I am so looking forward to it, we have lofted the whole thing out on the distillery floor doing last minute checks. It sure is an imposing sight when you start to see it coming together. We have been taking people out to see the progress of the build and the comments are priceless, but the most common is "that is a work of art" and I agree.
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