This is SOOOO Stupid

[FatManDancing]

I think(thought) I was super careful with it and moved and stored it correctly. It is always the case though, whenever I move the column, it needs to be broken down and reassembled as something had moved or come out of alignment. A four plate column becomes rather redundant when two of those plates leak down the side because of whatever alchemy it takes to assemble these thing is something I do not possess

This is not universal though. We may have bought from different manufacturers and what you have will in all likely hood be very different from what I bought

[RC Al]

Do you have access to an inch pound torque wrench? (small 1/4" drive jobby, not a 3/8 or 1/2" foot pound one) Will make the job easier getting the pressure on each rod the same.

Mine got modded by PO and he put 4x extra rods in. Two nuts at each end on the inside of the rods. My plates do leak a little internally, I will be stripping it to put some ptfe tape around the edges of the plates to stop that eventually, might be why I can only average 89% with it, dunno.

[FatManDancing]

Thanks RC, that is really good advice

Torque wrenches are not cheap though and the best I found in the size suggested was $105. Still kinda cheap cheap though if it helps make this thing work and it makes sense

PTFE tape though is cheap and another great idea. I have a rye and an FFV ready to run so will make sure I get both(ran out of tape on the weekend) and let you know how I go

:handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Amberale]

Do you have access to an inch pound torque wrench? (small 1/4" drive jobby, not a 3/8 or 1/2" foot pound one) Will make the job easier getting the pressure on each rod the same.

Mine got modded by PO and he put 4x extra rods in. Two nuts at each end on the inside of the rods. My plates do leak a little internally, I will be stripping it to put some ptfe tape around the edges of the plates to stop that eventually, might be why I can only average 89% with it, dunno.

The Orthodontist who did my molar implant had a tiny little torque wrench about 50mm long.
It was beautiful and probably cost more than all the tools in my shed.

[RC Al]

If you not building race engines a $40 one off amazon is just fine, your just after repeatable tightness

[Amberale]

Hmmmm. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

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[Amberale]

This one I could probably use a sledge on but I like playing with em.

[Wellsy]

You could try your local mechanic for a loan for a bottle if you know him well enough.

Barter always works well :). You may get a few runs done before it needs to be stripped down and gone as out of whack. It will also be a good way to ensure it is what is needed before committing to a purchase

[Dude]

Gunsmiths use torque screwdrivers for scopes etc that can be set low and are not expensive (ebay).

[Amberale]

Gunsmiths use torque screwdrivers for scopes etc that can be set low and are not expensive (ebay).

I’ve got the most common one of those and I don’t rate it at all unfortunately.
It doesn’t have a scale telling you what torque it is set at and I don’t trust its plastic repeatability.
Mine is a fat yellow thing.
If you know of a better one I’m keen. :)

[Dude]

Gunsmiths use torque screwdrivers for scopes etc that can be set low and are not expensive (ebay).

I’ve got the most common one of those and I don’t rate it at all unfortunately.
It doesn’t have a scale telling you what torque it is set at and I don’t trust its plastic repeatability.
Mine is a fat yellow thing.
If you know of a better one I’m keen. :)

Mine is a Wheeler engineering (the fat wrench) has a scale that goes from 0 to 65 inch lb. Has been reliable for me however I do not know how accurate it is.

[FatManDancing]

I never did end up buying a torque wrench but did get some tape

With all the care and concentration I could muster, I wrapped the edge of each plate twice and assembled

As soon as the plates started to load, I noticed a leak on one plate. Shut down and reassemble

I have since done three runs and broken down the still twice and have not had a problem

Thanks RC. I really wanted this to work. I have limited space and need to pack everything away after each run and stash it when needed. A simple idea that worked but a torque wrench is still a good idea as these rods that hold everything together do need to be tightened properly and I will eventually get one

:happy-partydance: :happy-partydance:

[RC Al]

Next time its together well, make yourself a measuring stick template thingy that goes between the end bits, but just longer than you need by a couple of mm. You will be able to apply even pressure by counting the turns if each nut starts from the same distance.

[FatManDancing]

You know

I am truly grateful, and I do not mean it in a sarcastic way, that there are people for whom this hobby comes easily. They learn and teach from practical experience while gaining theoretical knowledge thus becomming fully rounded and knowledgable stillers


That aint me and I am hoping one of those types can tell me where the FUCK I went wrong this time

I did a spirit run on a FFV and all was going well until I noticed a puddle at the back of the boiler. Keep in mind I need to still inside. The leak was coming from my element port on my milk can boiler. Now this does not make sense to me. I have not loosened or tightened the clamps since installing the element and have had about a dozen flawless runs, so why tonight

I could do what I normally do and let the backset cool overnight before draining but I would have a massive puddle to clean in the morning. I choose to drain the boiling liquid and hook up my hose that runs outside

But it doesn't drain. I used to think a milk can boiler would benefit from so called boil enhancers and the few remaining inside, the ones that just seemed too hard to get out have finally made their way into the drain and blocked the hose

This boiler is getting drained tonight, dammit so I dis attach the hose and pick it up to take it outside. At this point it still has 30l of boiling hot backset. Of course I burn myself, not seriously but enough to be pissed off and as I start dragging my drain hose outside it gets caught on the fridge. In sheer frustration I give it a big heave and it comes loose but sprays my kitchen in hot backset creating the mess I so wanted to avoid

Sigh... I want a drink

[The Stig]

Element seal , element come loose . The only 2 things that can really go wrong . Call me tomorrow

[RC Al]

Its all part of the fun of having a hobby right FMD?

So after playing with a torque wrench on mine - its really not the tool for the job.

The multiple layers of silicon has too much give and can move sideways a bit instead of compressing, making a pressure reading useless.

Measuring stick and alternating counted turns for the win atm.. :teasing-tease:

[RuddyCrazy]

Here is a thought once you have the 4 plate column all sealed up with no leakage just leave it together and make a wooden box/coffin for it so it has a hidden home and out of prying eyes. with my 4 plate tree it took ages to get it to fully seal and it aint been apart since, I did get a puke which stained the lower site glass and leaving the still in full reflux soon cleaned that glass after 3 runs :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers Bryan

[RC Al]

100% Bryan

The disassembly is chasing leaks on the plates for me, currently only my middle plate of 3 is sealing decently, so im due for another go soon as I can be bothered

Rye seems to leave a sticky brown stain on my gear that a dozen runs wont move :roll:

Mines been modded with extra uprights, its pretty durable once assembled, had a look a 6" that had 6 uprights the other day, still need more imho.

The way 5 star are doing the new ones is much better, way more user friendly

[FatManDancing]

Thanks Stig for offering to help. I thought it best to at least dis assemble the element, clean it up and I just did a 30l rum low wines spirit run without a leak that we are all good

I will now assume that the element needs periodical cleaning and maintenance too

RC is right, hobbies are fun....

I never did buy a torque wrench, your tip of wrapping each plate with PTFE tape worked well for me but like you I have done some rye runs and had the same issue of sticky residue. At first I thought it was smoke from a scorched run. The first time it happened I took all the bubblecaps of and scrubed them with a toothbrush, the second time I just stuffed them in the dishwasher and added citric acid to the wash cycle

[punjabiz]

I havn't even used my first still yet, but after reading this thread got few extra seals and clamps... Thanks in advance :obscene-drinkingdrunk: