My first build

[hillzabilly]

I would replace the brass union on the condencer-still connection with a stainless one ,I allways give a drawing or well mark parts to be joined with a couple of center punch marks to avoid F#*kups like that.Have a look thru viewforum.php?f=41.cheers hillzabilly ;-)

[Sam.]

Copper can definitely be brazed (hard solder) to SS, well my plumber can at least :D

[ultrasuede]

Sent it off to get braised.. They gave it back with the elbows on the wrong way :angry-banghead: I also went against all advice and am getting the condenser braised to the keg screw, he said "It's impossible to braise copper to ss" :angry-banghead:

May I ask why you didn't do it yourself, and why you are wanting to join the condensed to the keg coupling? You realise you are going to have to turn the whole thing to attach it to the keg and how are you going to make the coupling leak proof?

I only have a butane torch, and no supply of lead free solder. The cooling pipe is detachable so I only have to turn the 2" parts. No hassle. 5 Star is out of 2" tri clamps, and I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible.

[Plumby]

My propane torch with lead free solder and flux from bunnings cost me $55, cheaper than paying someone and I got to keep the torch for future builds. You could have soft soldered with a butaine torch.

[Zak Griffin]

How do you go about sealing the original screw-in connection?

[Plumby]

That's what I'm wondering too :think:
And how long until he gets sick of turning the whole still into the boiler.

[ultrasuede]

All the parts are finally put together. Just waiting for the JB weld on the cooling jacket to cure. The evil coupler weld worked out fine. I put water in it, and run it tits out with a stopper in the condenser. No leaks! Can't wait to put a wash through!

[bluc]

You soldered the rest why not the condenser?

[ultrasuede]

You soldered the rest why not the condenser?

The whole unit needs to screw in, that would be a pain with the condenser attached. Also makes for easy transport and storage

[ultrasuede]

How do you go about sealing the original screw-in connection?

It has a rubber O ring, which is designed to hold beer under pressure, so isn't a problem

[Plumby]

How do you go about sealing the original screw-in connection?

It has a rubber O ring, which is designed to hold beer under pressure, so isn't a problem

Is that alcohol safe rubber, high % alc will dissolve rubber and then you get rubber infused alcohol. :puke-huge: :puke-huge: :puke-huge:

[bluc]

You soldered the rest why not the condenser?

The whole unit needs to screw in, that would be a pain with the condenser attached. Also makes for easy transport and storage

No i mean why not solder copper jacket over copper inner rather than pvc pipe and jbweld..

[EziTasting]

Hah, I like the "Swan" still! :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Stemmy]

:text-+1:

How do you go about sealing the original screw-in connection?

It has a rubber O ring, which is designed to hold beer under pressure, so isn't a problem

Is that alcohol safe rubber, high % alc will dissolve rubber and then you get rubber infused alcohol. :puke-huge: :puke-huge: :puke-huge:

[ultrasuede]

How do you go about sealing the original screw-in connection?

It has a rubber O ring, which is designed to hold beer under pressure, so isn't a problem

Is that alcohol safe rubber, high % alc will dissolve rubber and then you get rubber infused alcohol. :puke-huge: :puke-huge: :puke-huge:

I guess I will find out, but considering that it was made for a mass market keg that contains alcohol, I'm not worried

[ultrasuede]

You soldered the rest why not the condenser?

The whole unit needs to screw in, that would be a pain with the condenser attached. Also makes for easy transport and storage

No i mean why not solder copper jacket over copper inner rather than pvc pipe and jbweld..

Because I am poor

[Plumby]

That's your choice man but remembered alcohol is a solvent. 5% abv beer is around 12-14 times weaker than the 60-70% abv spirit you will be making. Good chance that bit of mass produced rubber won't stand up to 60-70% abv too long, and it is up to your liver to process that rubber infused alcohol. Will you happily give the rubber infused alcohol to your family and friends?

[bluc]

:text-+1: ditch the rubber look for a silicon alternative..pvc aint a biggy since it aint in contact with product.

[ultrasuede]

That's your choice man but remembered alcohol is a solvent. 5% abv beer is around 12-14 times weaker than the 60-70% abv spirit you will be making. Good chance that bit of mass produced rubber won't stand up to 60-70% abv too long, and it is up to your liver to process that rubber infused alcohol. Will you happily give the rubber infused alcohol to your family and friends?

You all got me worried, turns out it's silicone. I held it to the blow torch, and it didn't lose any structural integrity, it just got hot. I might soak it in the foreshots of my sac run just to be sure. Thanks people!

[EziTasting]

You all got me worried, turns out it's silicone. I held it to the blow torch, and it didn't lose any structural integrity, it just got hot. I might soak it in the foreshots of my sac run just to be sure. Thanks people!

Good move. Remember these comments aren't made to condemn you but to keep you safe... Apparently guys here like you :scared-eek:

:D :teasing-neener: