StillSmart Home distillation made easy! 2013-08-10T18:24:56+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/feed.php?f=12&t=2617 2013-08-10T18:24:56+00:00 2013-08-10T18:24:56+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15714#p15714 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
If you have not done so have a look through the "build your own" section. There are lots of nice condensers there.

Myles 2 core concentric ones may be nice viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2076

Or his latest Pot Still here viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2071

The choices are limitless all we ask is lots of nice pictures please.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:24 pm


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2013-08-10T17:50:48+00:00 2013-08-10T17:50:48+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15712#p15712 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
YHB wrote:
I like making things for the fun of it and I admit that sometimes I tend to make things a lot more complicated than they need to be. In this instance for your first build perhaps keeping things simple maybe the way to go.

The T500 does not have a particularly large element and the straight condenser shown in the picture will cope with the boiler at full power. If you want to make a larger / more efficient condenser that you think you may need in the future then that choice is yours.

Do not forget that having made your Pot Head the next thing you will be looking for is a power controller, but that's another story.


Well Brian I have to fess up that I to like to make things and derive a lot of self satisfaction from it and will also in all likelihood make it way more complicated than it has to be.

Coil condenser it is then ;D

As for the power controller I am fortunate that I have a very close friend that also happens to be a fully qualified electrician working for a well known electrical wholesaler ;)

Statistics: Posted by Superslim007 — Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:50 pm


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2013-08-10T17:44:44+00:00 2013-08-10T17:44:44+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15711#p15711 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
The T500 does not have a particularly large element and the straight condenser shown in the picture will cope with the boiler at full power. If you want to make a larger / more efficient condenser that you think you may need in the future then that choice is yours.

Do not forget that having made your Pot Head the next thing you will be looking for is a power controller, but that's another story.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:44 pm


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2013-08-10T16:41:02+00:00 2013-08-10T16:41:02+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15708#p15708 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
YHB wrote:
.

NO VALVES!!!! Close them and you have a big bang.

The riser connects to the condenser with a compression fitting, this allows the still to be dismantled for storage and to adjust the angle of the condenser, you can use a union but these are a bit more expensive.

The pipe on the top of the 1.1/2" bend is for a thermometer, this is optional.


Image

Yeah I know all about not having valves just couldn't make out what it was but thermometer fitting makes sense.

Just one more question before I embark on a build - given the choice would you make the condenser a straight tube or would you make it a coil condenser if you could get the coil tight enough to get in the condenser?


Image

Statistics: Posted by Superslim007 — Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:41 pm


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2013-08-10T12:38:44+00:00 2013-08-10T12:38:44+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15704#p15704 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
NO VALVES!!!! Close them and you have a big bang.

The riser connects to the condenser with a compression fitting, this allows the still to be dismantled for storage and to adjust the angle of the condenser, you can use a union but these are a bit more expensive.

The pipe on the top of the 1.1/2" bend is for a thermometer, this is optional.


Image


Image

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:38 pm


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2013-08-10T12:22:11+00:00 2013-08-10T12:22:11+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15703#p15703 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
YHB wrote:
We have the technology.

If you can use a drill, a file, a hacksaw and can solder a plumbing joint you can make one of these, that will screw straight onto your T500 boiler.

Image

They are all basically off the shelf plumbing fittings. There are several ways of connecting to the boiler, this is the one I use.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1228&hilit=t500+cap&start=15#p9869


Seems relatively easy, do you have 15mm copper pipe running through 22mm copper and then you pump the water through the 22mm? and what is at the top of the column some sort of valve, whats it for?

Statistics: Posted by Superslim007 — Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:22 pm


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2013-08-10T11:44:40+00:00 2013-08-10T11:44:40+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15702#p15702 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
Copper is very forgiving to work with, and polishes up so nice, but as you can weld and have fabrication skills you may want to think about a stainless model.

Image

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:44 am


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2013-08-10T11:34:40+00:00 2013-08-10T11:34:40+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15701#p15701 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
Then if you wish to increase to 54 mm use a 42 - 54 mm FITTING REDUCER. This one has a male 42mm end and a female 54mm end. The reducing coupler has both female ends.

They will cost you about £13, then you need to buy 54mm tube (you can get a 1m length) and a couple of bends. Soldering 54mm stuff is not too difficult with B&Q type soldering equipment.

You can do it a lot cheaper but it means a bit of work fabricating items - not particularly difficult but time consuming.

Most compact way to do it is a nut drilled like YHB showed into which you solder a 42-54mm fitting reducer. Put the 42mm end inside the nut, flare it a bit so it won't fall out and solder it in.

Using the threaded adaptors gives you a more robust fitting, because you have full depth socketed joints. Off course if you brazed on the nut that would not be an issue.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:34 am


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2013-08-10T10:37:44+00:00 2013-08-10T10:37:44+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15699#p15699 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
If you can use a drill, a file, a hacksaw and can solder a plumbing joint you can make one of these, that will screw straight onto your T500 boiler.

Image

They are all basically off the shelf plumbing fittings. There are several ways of connecting to the boiler, this is the one I use.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1228&hilit=t500+cap&start=15#p9869

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:37 am


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2013-08-10T09:43:44+00:00 2013-08-10T09:43:44+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15696#p15696 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]>
YHB wrote:
Make one?


Its inspiring that you think I could make one, to be fair I probably could as I have worked in the engineering industry before as a welder, sheet metal worker and fabricator, I had actually thought about making one but am still learning a hell of a lot about this hobby, 3 months ago I new nothing. I don't purpose anyone has a decent design for one, I wouldn't know where to start

Statistics: Posted by Superslim007 — Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:43 am


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2013-08-10T09:36:50+00:00 2013-08-10T09:36:50+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15695#p15695 <![CDATA[Re: T500 pot head]]> Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:36 am


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2013-08-10T08:04:43+00:00 2013-08-10T08:04:43+00:00 http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2617&p=15693#p15693 <![CDATA[T500 pot head]]> Statistics: Posted by Superslim007 — Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:04 am


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