StillSmart

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-25T13:27:24+00:00

ok iv'e learn a very big leson today
i finaly got round to fixing my column

http://imageshack.us/a/img849/8308/newcolumn.jpg

i mounted it on a stockpot with a bowl on top i put two gallon's of wash into it's so it wasnt very big (this was after running a vingar and plain water through it )
now for the leson i had it running up to temp and watching for the quick rise to i could ajust the water well feck me if it didnt jump and before a knew it i had vapor as well as liquid coiming out of the take off .

that wouldnt of been as bad but i ajusted thr water the wrong way so instead of it condensing it got worse and as it was on the stove top you guessed it it set alight not very bad just enough to shock me .as when i turned the water up and i bllew out the flames it was over just as quick as it started.thank f**k

now on to the good bit after making sure that didn't happen again i crancked up the water witch i found u didnt need it to be very hi for it to cool the column to quick i had a nice steady temp of between &78.9 and 80c i belive the temp gauge i was using for the big fluctuations .cheap ebay thing

at the end i gave up after gaining 1 ltr after the four shot for the cupbaord it came out at 83% and i stoped it at 80%

it was seem a waste to u all but i only did this as a test run to see how thing worked next time it will be with a 27 or 30 ltr wash depends on what i can get my hands on.

i tested the boka column in the same way and that from the same wash put out 80% the wash i used was the off the boka pic with tomato paste and it was without molasses i was to impressed with it but i got some decent liquid from it in the end .m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:27 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-23T13:33:45+00:00

ok the line attached to the vapor is copper

the pvc never comes into contact with any of the wash or vapor so i should be ok

and the out take pipe im going to attach a cooper line and have it coil a few time then out into the parrot it goes .once the parts turn up im gunna get straight on with it so hopfuly i will be able to show you it set up tomorrow ..m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:33 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-23T10:31:48+00:00

You may have some issue with the PVC hose on the cooling lines too. If the PVC is the thin walled stuff, it can collapse on itself on the output when it gets really hot. I switched to using reinforced air line for this reason.

I use a section of ptfe tube to join the SS output of my LM, I can recommend it, but I'd used the thicker walled stuff if I was to do it again. Silicone would be more forgiving.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:31 am

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-23T09:46:31+00:00

Obviously the water feed and return are OK but I would have a look at the top hose that transfers the vapour to the condenser, it will be carrying high abv vapour and PVC is not recomended for that application.

Possibilities include;

1) Get a hose from still spirits, I have seen them for sale in Australian, New Zealand Web sites. I do not know if the spares are readily available in the UK.

2) Get some silicon tubing.

3) Make it out of copper - probably my number one choice and it will look a lot better.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:46 am

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-23T09:09:25+00:00

the oneon thwe top and the outlet for the water is standerd clear pvc unless u think i need to change it ?

yeah lets hope so as i couldnt do with the hart brack again.lol

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:09 am

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-23T03:48:09+00:00

But the good news is that the second time you do it, it will be even better.

What type of hose are you using at the top of the column?

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:48 am

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-23T00:21:19+00:00

ok im proper gutted as i managed to finish my other
column then end up dropping it ten minutes later and braking it in too

http://imageshack.us/a/img213/1050/t500v.jpg

on the other hand atleast i know it wasnt strong enough

iv ordered some bits that should be here tomorrow to fix it so i should have it done buy tomorrow night if the wife doesn't find me some thing to do.lol

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:21 am

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-07T18:01:59+00:00

i do feel as if i need to build more as it was satisfying after i gave it a quick polish just to see it may look once it was cleaned up.

and yes copper is amazing very easy to work with and a very forgiving metal .

plus if i make another it will save me £4.00 on a stop end

.m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:01 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-07T17:09:39+00:00

You are right it looks good. Isn't copper a great metal to work with?

Getting you started was hard enough - getting you to stop will be even harder. You are now officially and addict.

Toodlepip

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Mon Jan 07, 2013 5:09 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-07T16:19:46+00:00

i must be getting sad as i impressed my self today.

i got home early and had a couple of hours till the wife got home so i thought id use the peice of pipe i had left from the boka build .
this is based on the t500 it has a small coil with 6 turns and it's made out of 6mm tube

i didnt have an end cap so this is ware i impressed myself
i cut a bit big enough to flatten and solder to the end and once ground down and buffed up it looks good (well i think so )

i know the cut wasn't cut stright but there is a reason for it .m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Mon Jan 07, 2013 4:19 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-02T13:55:19+00:00

cheers for that and happy new yr to everyone .m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Wed Jan 02, 2013 1:55 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-02T12:12:07+00:00

That is starting to look like a serious bit of kit. A great start to the new year, and long may it continue.

Toodlepip

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:12 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2013-01-02T08:38:02+00:00

i managed to get in the garage for a couple of hours over christmas
and made me a boka style head .

a few things i would do diffrently next time if there is one .
make a proper clamp to hold copper tube while cutting angles
maybe see if i can bend 8mm pipe instead of 6mm as u can not buy fittings for the 6mm well not over christmas.

if u look close at the top of the coil i have sliped 8mm over 6mm and solidered it up so i could get some fittings .

im quite chuffed i didnt mess the cuts up either i may have to buy a decent miter saw.

i have enough copper left to make something else and im itching to build somthing else

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Wed Jan 02, 2013 8:38 am

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2012-12-24T20:38:14+00:00

result i am proper chuffed

i recived the 1/4 pipe and spring today
and i made the coil after i figured out i was using a pipe that was way too small and could'nt possibly bend another pipe round itwithout kinking it .

pic shows u three coils two was the first and second goes at using the 8mm copper pipe and the 1 is with the 1/4 copper pipe roud a slightly bigger pipe and using the spring .

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

i did try to solider it all up today but the blow torch decided to play up.

so once iv got a new one il start again.m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:38 pm

Re: build a boka or a t-500 column ?

2012-12-22T09:30:38+00:00

im just using a propane butane mix so i dowt i would of got it that hot.
if any lives near a boy's shop they have the refills for £3.49 for the large can.

i suspected the pipe was to large to be bent round such a small pipe .im itching to get started again .

im still undersided witch way to go if anyone as the dimensions of the t-500 and may be a few pic of the innerd of the colum id much apperciate having a look .

yhb id never seal the top off for this and i forgot to mention i was looking at placing a safty valve or an extra peace of pipe .m

Statistics: Posted by chubby_78 — Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:30 am