parrot replacement for original smartstill plastic collector

[Phantom]

Well, I've got the smart still running ATM (still too lazy and drag arse to get the T500 set back up) and I notice that the collector drum not only has a crack around the handle area, but now is starting to show cracks in the side - just getting brittle with age.

So it looks like I'm gonna have to get my finger out and build or buy a parrot and then I reckon I can find a glass container of some sort (I'm wondering if there's such a thing as a laboratory beaker that has a lid that might be drilled to take a parrot outlet tube).

I've looked at some of the parrot building threads and at the moment, suffering from info overload.

The copper isn't an issue per se, I'll just have to have a think on the design. I'll have to finally put my hand in my pocket for a decent blow torch etc, and while I know that it's likely to need the JM easyflo flux and silver rods, it's a case of which rods. Yes I know that the 55% silver ones will do the job, but 1mm ? 1.5mm ? or even 2mm rods ? Obviously I want to keep the numbers down (especially since the prices etc have gone up.

I'm presuming that with a standard spirit hydrometer I can get away with 22mm and 8mm tube, plus the various fittings. It'll be a basic design so that I can (hopefully) get away with just a bit of sawing, sanding and soldering (don't have the various hammers and dollies to build something as pretty as the one that YHB posted pics of - though it would be nice, especially fabricating the glass jar cover).

So anyone with instructions, guidance, plans (or links for them), etc perhaps any anecdotal detail when you've build one

[Mash]

First thoughts. Rods? No solder (lead free) comes on a roll. Plumbers grade buy flux to match. Blowtorch £10.

I bought a cheapo on ebay. Brilliant uses disposable gas carts.

There is some plans around here somewhere.... I remember seeing them.

[Phantom]

First thoughts. Rods? No solder (lead free) comes on a roll. Plumbers grade buy flux to match. Blowtorch £10.

I bought a cheapo on ebay. Brilliant uses disposable gas carts.

There is some plans around here somewhere.... I remember seeing them.

TVM for the response Mash.........

I've got lead free and solder, but I'm suspecting that it could be a pain as there'll likely be joints too close to get away with that, hence I was thinking that I'll likely need both i.e. inlet and outlet pipes/spout in silver, then the main joints with lead free.

Plus I wanna get the silver kit as I'm gonna need it when I get my finger out and build a home brew column (for ferrule to riser) and possibly for some of the jointing round the condenser (all previous hot work has either been straight plumbing type, or oxy/DA mild steel type. Not tried any silver work).

I was looking at the links about torches etc, but I still would prefer oxy/propane or even if I can get the "bottle contract free" small bottles, oxy/DA as that solves any possible heat issues........

I'll have to start looking and asking again......

[Mash]

Got it.

Bernzomatic used to do a good little torch.

[Easydrinker]

I recall Anavrin going into some detail of torches in his column build....


Robert.

[Anavrin]

I looked at lots of torches recently, I bought a Sievert torch like this one

http://gasproducts.co.uk/sievert-genera ... AtRg8P8HAQ

It's standard burner is 7kw which is far too powerful, so I bought the 22mm (3KW) burner tip but even that would be too powerful for a parrot, think they do a 1kw 19mm tip that might be better

For a parrot you could probably get away with a small hand held, even a cheap one but if your looking for one you could also use to build a 2" column with, then a Rothernberger or Bernzomatic that runs on propane or Map gas is probably best.