Building a still

[wadenewk]

Hi everyone.

I'm new and am looking at building my own still. I was thinking of basing it on a T500.

I have a limmited budget but can get copper tube from work and i already have a 2inch ferrlue and triclamp. Can anyone give me the height of the column and the length and diameter of the condenser so i have a base to work from.

Regards
Wade

[Doubleuj]

Gday wade, what you should build should be based on what you want to drink.
If you want a neutral/ vodka then forget about the t500 design and go for a boka style still.
But if you’re more interested in brown spirits like rum/ whiskey then a pot still is your better friend

[wadenewk]

Hi.

I was looking to make neutral spirits from tpw but also thinking of making ujssm and rum.

My understanding is that while not the best at either i csn use a t500 style still as a potstill if i remove the packing and just run water through the condenser only, as well as using it for neutral with packing and water through the column for reflux. I may be wtong about this though.

Trying to keep the build under $150 for the still head.

All advice is appreciated

Cheers
Wade

[scythe]

A couple more questions then wade.

Why under $150?
What diameter can you get from your work?
Can you also get other fittings?
Will your work be donating the copper or is that in the $150?
What tooling do you already have?

If it were me I would make a modular 4" double reducer or slant plate style boka with a shotgun condenser instead of a coil reflux condenser.
Because once you are tired of long runs you will look at making a 4" bubbler and this will mean you have all the 4" copper tube required.

But if the budget won't stretch to 4" go for 2" and make the RC 500mm long.

[Lesgold]

Have a look at a CCVM. If made as a modular unit, you can have both a reflux and pot still. If you can get the copper from your work, the only costs will be a few more tri clamps, seals and consumables.

[wadenewk]

Hi,

Got a lenght of 2" thats 950mm long, got 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" which are all easy to get. Got oxy acetylene gear and a basic workshop.

Looking to make something to fit on a 35L boiler to run in the kitchen. Only looking at $150 budget as ive seen modular stills on www.5stardistilling.com.au for not much more posted. Was just trying to make my own as a bit of a diy project.

Wade