Always wanted my own still, moving into new home, with decent size shed allowed this dream to come alive, but what a journey it had been. I can't thank, all of the guys here enough, so much inspiration, and knowledge, i would have been lost without you guys.
Here is the progress so far.
Finished flooring shed last week, was a long day, moving everything and cleaning years of filth. Concrete surface was somewhat leveled, but if I spilled wash, it would have been impossible to clean. Now I have hard leveled (somewhat) surface, that is easy to vacuum/mop. Also added full insulation to roof and upgraded MCD's. So far, cost has been handful of tools and time, all materials have been cheap/free.
If time/funds permit, I would like to finish walls off, add insulation to walls, paint inside/outside, add air intake/exhaust, add sink and add 2x 250L drums outside, for water storage. List seems never ending, but baby steps it is.
https://imgur.com/lIe13FX
https://imgur.com/a/lGd0OdA
https://imgur.com/a/Dvqh0sU
Basic copper collection is done, still on the fence about condenser, my Ulnar nerve has been playing again, brazing simple 8mm tube today was a pain. Not sure if I will be able to make a leibeg/shotgun. Plan is to upgrade (eyeing 4" modular still, as long as SWMBO approves) after a while, so might just stick with simple worm tube till then.
https://imgur.com/o7H1d1T
Got a cheap diaphragm pump, and wired it with 15v 2A PSU. Decent pressure and flow, although a bit loud for my liking. Will be using it simply to recirculate/cool water, instead of watering my garden every run.
https://imgur.com/a/LKjDLmo
Picked up a 3.5kw air con head today for $10, spent next 2 hrs modifying it for recirculating/cooling water. 1400mm L/100mm W/400mm H coil, bend into circle, with 36W single phase, single speed blower in the middle.
https://imgur.com/a/6E1Pvpv
https://imgur.com/a/p8YWVu9
Modified the coil, to have 8mm intake, and 12.5mm out.
https://imgur.com/a/o1jqD8G
Primary testing, ambient 32C, Inlet 64C, outlet 36C.
Will update with more info soon.