Recommendations for buying still

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Recommendations for buying still

Postby Dopeassmonkey » Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:25 pm

Hi, iv been making turbo wash runs in my mates turbo 500 for about a year now that he has leant me and just about to start trying the tomato paste wash method out but now he wants his still back. I was looking for recommendations for what still would be the best to get for not heaps of money or just get another turbo 500 tho from what I read they're not the best. I'm mostly focused on neutral spirits at the moment maybe looking at something in the way of bourbon in the future but for now mostly just focused on the tpw method. Appreciate any help thanks
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby BigRig » Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:28 pm

I gather you are not interested in building ?
I wouldnt bother getting the t500. As you have read it does not get the best reviews.

Based on what you are wanting i would suggest the 2" 5star boka / pot still combo. This will cover all bases from neutral to brown spirits. Give Andrew a call.

Another option would be to keep an eye on the classifieds for 2nd hand, they do pop up every now and then.

Good luck.
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Wellsy » Fri Apr 30, 2021 6:11 am

I can’t recommend highly enough the five star equip, or just as importantly the advice you get from Andrew. Give him a call as the call will cost you nothing :)
The five star gear is a little more expensive but it is also a better build.
Having said all that if the t500 is all you can afford or want to spend and you are happy with that then grab it as you know the results. There is nothing wrong with the t500 it is simply a case of getting no more than you pay for.
This hobby is all about the distiller being happy and safe, not about who has the most expensive gear .
Give Andrew a call as he will give you honest and straight forward answers with no pushy salesman approach. There is after all a reason we all recommend him :).
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby The Stig » Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:56 am

The 5 Star Store is down at the moment
Call 0423164303
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Carol » Fri Apr 30, 2021 9:05 am

Hi
I have a FSD 2"boka and pot. You can see the thread about it in reflux stills. I use the TPW and it makes an excellent neutral. Still is modular so cost effective. Easy to use and does not take up a lot of space. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Definitely talk to Andrew.

Cheers
Carol
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Dopeassmonkey » Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:00 pm

Hey guys thanks for your replys
The 5 star site is down at the moment but what's a roughish price for say a 2" boka delivered to wa.. if they even do that.

Also I found this one on ebay wondering if it's any better than the turbo 500 or basically just the same

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pure-Distil ... 890.l49286
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Andrew » Fri Apr 30, 2021 4:23 pm

Sorry about our site being down, we are working on it as fast as we can.
That ebay rig is pretty much the same as a T500
The FSD Boka is $679 plus 1kg of copper mesh packing @ $85/kg and shipping will be about $60 or so, we only charged what we are charged.
Depending on the boiler your going to use you may also need a Turbo lid adapter at $41
And yes we send all over the country.
Feel free to give me a call on 0423 164 303 and Ill organise a deal for you :handgestures-thumbupleft:
But just remember we are 2 hours ahead of you :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby The Stig » Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:37 pm

Check this out Dop viewtopic.php?f=14&t=13964
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Dopeassmonkey » Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:57 pm

Ok thanks.. so am I right in thinking the fsd boka is just reflux colum part and the boiler will be needed to be purchased separately?
Also is this one much difference in quality over the turbo 500 or just a different cooling method
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/35L-240V-35 ... 890.l49286


Thank you
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby The Stig » Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:16 pm

That’s probably actually a worse still than a T500
And yep the boiler would need to be purchased separately to the FSD Boka
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Dopeassmonkey » Sat May 01, 2021 12:39 am

Hey sorry to keep bothering you with a bunch of questions but I was just curious about a few things.
Do you have to run the hose at full pressure the whole time or can you have if set to a few litres per minute for example
Or if you were using a tank and a pump how big would it need to be for recycling the water without it getting too hot
And just one last thing what are the main advantages with this kind of still over a t500
Thanks again
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Wellsy » Sat May 01, 2021 6:42 am

There is a great second hand option for 700 that might be worth a look in the for sale section

Sorry to potentially do you out of a sale Andrew
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby scythe » Sat May 01, 2021 7:57 am

Dopeassmonkey:
a few L/min is fine as long as the condensers knock down all the vapour required.
If you are going to run a closed system you need a method of removing heat from your cooling water (20-200L) or so much cooling water it will take ages to heat up (2000L).
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby Dopeassmonkey » Sat May 01, 2021 6:55 pm

Ah well thsts not so bad then.. I wasjust worried I'd have to have it on full bore for like 5 hours
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Re: Recommendations for buying still

Postby M8Harry » Mon May 03, 2021 3:18 pm

I cant rate 5 star highly enough. After sales support is AMAZING and the quality is top notch.

I also own a Pure Distilling spirit maker (reflux still) and they are SUPER easy to use and VERY beginner friendly. 5 star sell some upgrades that can be easily fitted to pump up the quality.
T500's seem to be very fiddly to drive so thats my take on them.

Either way mate lots of info on here to get you sorted but if you can stump up the $$$ go 5 star. OTherwise look at options with a PD reflux still if you want to start small.
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