Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Boiler, burner and boiler modification talk.

Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Sun Feb 09, 2020 5:07 pm

Hellooo there
Saving towards getting the following shopping list for my boiler and a mac 4 ssg :cool:
shopping list.PNG


Ive removed the valve from the keg i have and im just wondering how everyone else has cut the holes? A holesaw on a drillbit?
What sort of collar i would need for triclamps?
keg 1.jpg

keg 2.jpg


Pretty new to distilling (started around august last year) but im sick of my crappy little t500 pot still and its pretty awful efficency ~x( (the head is in my profile pic)
It does the job but i know if i had some better gear i could be producing better booze!
But also bubblers are sexy af
Thanks for any and all input
Cheers peeps :whistle:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby RuddyCrazy » Sun Feb 09, 2020 5:31 pm

All I did when I made mine was arc weld in a 4" ferrule making sure it was centered then welded the OD. Now with having the metal still on the inside it did make it easier to weld and the penetration was close to 100%. Now to sure of a good seal I cleaned up the ID with a die grinder then arc welded the ID. Then I just stitch drilled the inner until it came out then used the die grinder to smooth off the inner.

I used 316 SS welding rods too although one could use 309 rods aswell.

Ideally if one has tig the weld would be a heap neater but when I did mine I didn't have my tig.

Cheers Bryan
Last edited by RuddyCrazy on Sun Feb 09, 2020 5:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
RuddyCrazy
Mentor
 
Posts: 2439
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:36 pm
Location: Not far from Kanmantoo SA
equipment: 4" copper bubbler with a setup for Neutral and a thumper for Whisky and my old 5 litre pot for doing maceration runs and MiniMe the baby pot still

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Feb 09, 2020 5:49 pm

There’s lots of tips in most of the bubbler build threads but the most common way to cut out your holes is to mark out the cut then drill a heap of small holes around the mark, then connect the dots with a dremmel or similar.
Drilling stainless is hard though, you’ll need a few drill bits, some cutting fluid or WD40, low speed and high pressure.
Take your time and take breaks, if the drill bit heats up once is wrecked.

I managed to find a mate with a plasma cutter that made easy work of cutting out my holes.

Plus I’d suggest flipping the keg and using the existing hole as a drain and put 2 x 4” ferrules on the top (old bottom)
One for a fill port and one for the still. Just make sure they’re spaced far enough apart so the clamps don’t hit.
Doubleuj
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 3630
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:15 pm
Location: rockhampton qld
equipment: 4" stainless glasser

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Sun Feb 09, 2020 5:51 pm

OD = Outside diameter?
ID = Inside diameter?

If so thanks a bunch
Sounds like a great idea bryan :text-thankyoublue:
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Sun Feb 09, 2020 6:38 pm

There’s lots of tips in most of the bubbler build threads but the most common way to cut out your holes is to mark out the cut then drill a heap of small holes around the mark, then connect the dots with a dremmel or similar.
Drilling stainless is hard though, you’ll need a few drill bits, some cutting fluid or WD40, low speed and high pressure.
Take your time and take breaks, if the drill bit heats up once is wrecked.

I managed to find a mate with a plasma cutter that made easy work of cutting out my holes.

Plus I’d suggest flipping the keg and using the existing hole as a drain and put 2 x 4” ferrules on the top (old bottom)
One for a fill port and one for the still. Just make sure they’re spaced far enough apart so the clamps don’t hit.


Hmmm
That sounds like a good idea too DoubleUJ, flipping the keg..... :text-+1:
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:21 pm

Would having a 2" neck affect performance at all?
Would it be slower to build temps or no problem?
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby mattyb » Tue Feb 11, 2020 7:06 am

Won’t make any difference in 2” just harder to clean. Take it to a stainless fab place. You would be surprised at how much headache it will save you and look awesome in the end. And not that expensive as you might think
mattyb
 
Posts: 159
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 8:10 pm
Location: WA
equipment: 4" Glasser

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Zak Griffin » Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:26 am

It's amazing what a cold carton of beer at about knock off time on a Friday will get you at your local steel fab joint. If you've got holes cut and all the bits you need ready to go, that is :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Zak Griffin
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 6832
Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:34 pm
Location: Radelaide
equipment: "The Heart of Gold" - 4" Bubbler - finally bubbling!
"Zaphod" - 3" Pot - retired
"Agrajag" - 6" Bubbler - midlife crisis build?

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:04 am

received_1090333451338352.jpeg
Cheers guys ill look around my area to see what i can get done

Sitting in front of the 2nd keg (i angle grinded the other one and its rooted) and im really struggling to get the bloody spear out
Ive lined up with the tabs and it just won't come out the bastard
:angry-banghead:
received_216578219501297.jpeg

Any tips?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby bluc » Tue Feb 11, 2020 3:25 pm

From memory you had to grab centre lift and turn 1/8th turn I think I lifted with screwdriver and turned with multigrips..
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Tue Feb 11, 2020 4:11 pm

Thanks bluc
ill give it a go tonight
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby db1979 » Tue Feb 11, 2020 4:13 pm

Have you seen this thread?
db1979
 
Posts: 1760
Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:47 pm
Location: South of the big smoke in banana bender land.
equipment: Eve - 4" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (sieve plates), 330 mm packed section on a keg boiler with 2 x 2000 W elements.
Currently having a makeover: 2" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (1" bubble caps, no sight glasses...maybe not for much longer!) on a bain-marie boiler.

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby The Stig » Tue Feb 11, 2020 4:34 pm

Do not be standing with you head directly over the spear when releasing !
It could end badly :teasing-neener:
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18192
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Wed Feb 12, 2020 10:18 pm

Update:
I spent 2 hours on the valve trying to get the bastard open to no avail again.....
Got my brother to give it a go and WHAM
Opened it first go
:))
There must be something wrong with my hands, head or both

Ordered some 4" ferrules from 5 star
Gettin keeeeen
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Andrew » Thu Feb 13, 2020 6:07 am

Everything will be posted today :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Hope you like Chilli
Cheers
Andrew
 
Posts: 393
Images: 0
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:58 pm
Location: S.E.Brisbane
equipment: Anything I choose From The 5 Star Range

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Thu Feb 13, 2020 7:44 pm

Sweeet
I dont mind a bit of spice
Ill give em a go!
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Andrew » Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:22 pm

Should be there in a couple of days .
Don’t get too excited , just a little surprise that’s different to the normal Chupa Chup
Let us know what you think :music-deathmetal:
Andrew
 
Posts: 393
Images: 0
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:58 pm
Location: S.E.Brisbane
equipment: Anything I choose From The 5 Star Range

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby Br00ksy » Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:31 pm

Just got a quick question about the mac 4 SSG
I am on tank water and the pump at home is activated when water pressure in the plumbing is low...
I know RC can be very touchy to water pressure changes
Would it be wise to invest in a flow regulator?

For my pot atm i just running the tap full blast and dumping the outflow into my downpipe to be drained back into the tanks :D
Cheers
Br00ksy
 
Posts: 104
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2019 10:36 am
Location: Airlie Beach
equipment: "Foresight" Mac 4 SSG 50lt Keg boiler 2x 2400W elements
T500 with a basic pot still head

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby tipsy » Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:10 pm

I've got the same set up as yours, I've by passed the pressure pump with a transfer pump (pump minus the pressure switch).

I needed another line back to the tank to relieve some of the pressure.
Last edited by tipsy on Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
tipsy
 
Posts: 863
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 1:34 pm
Location: South Gippsland, VIC.
equipment: 4" Mac 4 with packed section and gin basket on a 50lt boiler with 2 2400w FSD elements.

Re: Yet another 50L keg boiler build for the Mac 4 SSG

Postby The Stig » Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:41 pm

Br00ksy wrote:
For my pot atm i just running the tap full blast and dumping the outflow into my downpipe to be drained back into the tanks :D
Cheers

If that’s working for the pot without having the pump kick in and off it should be fine.
But, your probably better off getting an Ozito and some sort of water storage and doing a recirc system
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18192
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Next

Return to Boilers & burners.



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests

x