StillSmart

No I meant to actually solder it in first. There are other ways but if you put the plate inside the tube, you need to find some way to KEEP it there when soldering.

You can solder plates and tubes all in one go but I only really got it to work properly with 2 stage soldering.

I do like the practical advice that Myles shares here.
And he has built many more bits, pieces and stills than I ever expect to.

Where he and I seem to differ is that he seems to want to "Fill his eye" with a finished metal product, I just want it to work.
Still porn?
Not for me.

I would not wish to claim that he is wrong, and would hope that if he reads this, he will not take offence.

The reasons for a group of people following a hobby can be very diverse

No problem at all. The good thing about this hobby is that there are so many ways of acheiving the same result.

Just look at the head of a packed column as an example.

ALL the management methods work. There are minor differences in how they work but in the end it is just personal choice what you build.

Thank goodness for individuality.

Myles wrote: The good thing about this hobby is that there are so many ways of acheiving the same result.
Just look at the head of a packed column as an example.
ALL the management methods work. There are minor differences in how they work but in the end it is just personal choice what you build.
Thank goodness for individuality.

I've come to the same conclusion....after hours of surfing the net, and reading all sorts of write-ups.
It's a "means to an end" as long as you acheive your goal that's all that counts.

To true. Some of us, myself included, got the builders bug. We just HAD to build it to try it ourselves, just to see if what was writen was correct.

Then strip it down and build something else.

You usually end up with what you need, its just often you don't actually know what you need when you start.

I don't think I know anyone that still uses the first still that they built or bought.

Order is now in...delivery date the 16th. Must check I have enough gas, I'm ok for lead free solder, I do need another tub of flux.

I am still using the first still that I built the second time around, a few years ago, after a 20+ year gap.
I have the materials and intentions to try another, but it is not pressing, I am more than content with my current products, but do wish to find the time to try something else.

Robert.

Myles hi.

In the photo of the inside tubes...you have 19?? what size did you use 8mm??

also what length???

Cheers
BJ

It was 19 x 8 mm x 300 mm.
However I calculated it was good for nearly 6 kW.

Better if you calculate what you need for your own boiler and scale it down to suit. 19 x 8 mm is really pushing it for a 54 mm shell.

If the boiler has a max of 3KW does that mean then...that the shotgun need only be half the size of the one you made??? I know it's down to surface area.

We are talking about a reflux condenser so it could potentially be less as you probably would not ever run at full power in 100% reflux.

However 3 kW is easy so I would just build it for that.

16 x 250 x 6mm. (4m of 6mm tube is plenty,) Or 3m of 8mm if you prefer. Just do any combination of tube pattern that you like.

Work out the hole patern first and then calculate length to suit.

Thank you sir...stand by for the build..all the bits arrived yesterday...got a spirit run up for tomorrow so may start cutting and cleaning getting ready for the weekend maybe...

I am trying to wrap my head around this
You are so busy that you are giving up the allotment, and you are building a new still?

Actually mate, thanks for a reality check, I am feeling out of time, and it is time to ask myself what I am doing and where I am going.

Robert

It's very easy for us to justify giving up the allotment..it does take a hell of a chunk of what free time we have.
Working as a trucker you are looking at 12/14 hour days...Mrs Ice does the same hours, combining her job and then looking after the home.

That leaves us with just the weekends...if it rains both days that's when you start playing catch up....that's the reason it had to go.

Building this new column shouldn't take too long and if it takes 6 months that's ok.

I do see your point.
I am currently trying to decide what takes up time in my life, that I can give up, and feel better for it. And not miss said activity too much, if at all.

Robert.