2" Pot Still

[Goldie]

Finished my 2" Pot Still today!!!! Liebig is 1" over 3/4"

uploadfromtaptalk1338735270477.jpg

Thanks to everyone who said I should build my own, after seeing Mac's builds in the flesh it gave me the kick start to build my own. This is my first ever go at soldering so go easy.
Break down of costs;
Propane bottle and torch - $30
Flux and Solder - $30
Copper pipe - FREE from mate
Copper fittings - $50 from the above mate
Stainless Steel union - $6.50
SS tri clamp,ferrule and seal - $20(next time will be buying www.5stardistilling.com.au items)
Small spirit level - $8(still managed to stuff some of the connections)
1 3/4" to 4" pipe cutter - $35(second hand)
1/4" to 1 1/2" pipe cutter- $28
TOTAL - 207.50
+ Time spent getting it done......

So the vendors on here selling similar items are giving everyone a great deal IMHO....
Tips picked up, don't use solder like a paint brush, wait until the connection is at the right temp. Test it by putting the solder on it and listening/seeing it sizzle .
Get a level and use it.....
Crimp the inner tube on your liebig.

Thinking I should order a www.5stardistilling.com.au bubble torpedo to fit up to the boiler before the pot head??

[punchy21]

Nice work Goldie :clap:

[R-sole]

I think you should order two.
That's how i have my potstill setup and it runs just great. Mini has the same i think.

[MacStill]

Good work Goldie, that's a very nice rig you've got there :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bt1]

Nice to see this...Another decent leibig

Leibig will handle those 42-5c days in summer when you have no choice well.

Try a 240lt wheelie garbage bin for recirc water they're cheap and usefull and handle a real hot stinker of a day for a spirit run no probs.

bt1

[SBB]

Nice job Goldie.....good to see your first build finished, be carefull the bug can bite hard.

[Goldie]

Thanks guys. I actually bought a Mapp bottle too but tried using it a few times on the SS and I found the Propane to be alot easier and more forgiving, think I need some practice..

Mcstill, thanks for the tip about Stirlings Stainless, there where really good to deal with.

5Star, how much extra height will 2 add? I have a very low roof in my garage. Also what sort of abv does your pot pull with 2?

bt1, when I was researching about crimping on AD most things I read said that 3/4 over 1/2 was sufficient, I went 1' because I could. Yeah I have to rig up some cooling water, was thinking about a wheelie bin, does it need frozen milk bottles dropped in to keep it cool over a run? If I had the space I would be doing Mac's trick and getting a cheap second hand plastic 1000lt tank :text-lol:

SBB, yes the bug has bitten. Hadn't even finished this and I already bought some 4' pipe....Might be picking up a load of dirt cheap copper today, if I do will be offering it up to WA members for cheap and will donate profit to the forum.

[Goldie]

Just doing cleaning run now, coming out at 30c sound about right or do I need more water?

[Brendan]

Good work Goldie. That looks a lot like mine with the monster liebig on there. Go the 1" over 3/4" :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Nice job on the shine up too :D

[Goldie]

Just doing cleaning run now, coming out at 30c sound about right or do I need more water?

dropped to 24c soon after

[stubbydrainer]

Good work Goldie :clap: :clap:

[bt1]

Bloke,

I've never needed to use 2lt ice packs in a wheelie bin. one day at the end of a week plus of 45c+ I recall adding about 30lt more tap water to bin...mainly cos it was low but that's about it.
The top .5 m gets warm as you'd expect, but at pump level near the bottom its ok.
The hot water return can be run over 2 x molded plastic tub square bin lids before returning to wheelie bin as it drops temp well....primative radiator effect....I've only ever used this once in about 100+ runs.

bt1

[MacStill]

You won't regret going for the 1000l cube mate, with the right pump you can nearly get mains pressure :D

[Brendan]

$80 submersible from bunnings...can be submersed 8 metres...better than mains pressure! :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Kimbo]

Hi Brendan,
just bear in mind the actual motor size. these units will give you a good flow rate -with no restrictions.
as soon as you start reducing the diameter of the output, length and generally restricting the flow, they can struggle a bit.
In short, get one way bigger than you need. Better to have too much cooling water than not enough ;-)

[Brendan]

Yeah I hear what you're sayin Kimbo...I run mine in a 240L wheelie bin, and made up a junction with large diameter return line/pressure relief back into the bin and smaller diameter line to condenser..both have taps to adjust flow rate if neccessary...runs like a dream :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[punchy21]

I think you should order two.
That's how i have my potstill setup and it runs just great. Mini has the same i think.

Any links to some pics 5Star??? :think:

[Brendan]

:text-yeahthat:

[R-sole]

Mine are the collectors item, bubble ball, but do the same thing as a torpedo...

gonzomk3.1.jpg

gonzomk3.2.jpg

[Goldie]

[quote="5Star"]Mine are the collectors item, bubble ball, but do the same thing as a torpedo

I remember seeing these on the www.5stardistilling.com.au site when I first joined AD and thinking, I want them...... Now its too late and they are gone, only to be seen in mysterious back of the shed pictures for us to drool over.... :x:x:evil::evil:

5Star, how high do the torpedos measure?