StillSmart

Hi folks, as some of you may know I posted a while back in regard to airstills. Well by accident I stumbled accross a t500 boiler very cheap so I bought it! Probably now looking to make a pot column to start with as buying from the US works out quite expensive after postage and import duty. Does the ferrule need to be welded - I understand that soldering isn't a suitable option? Is there a safe alternative? Can plumb/solder fine but don't have access to a welder.... Get the feeling I may be outsourcing lol. Thanks in advance for any advice!

You don't need to reinvent this one - the guys here of done some excellent work with plans and options.

Here is one such link , and there is a few more form memory.


viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2814&hilit=t500+head


To answer your question IMO...
Copper = lead-free solder (plumbing)
Stainless = tig welding and expensive.

Thanks Mashy. Checked out the link on me mobile but the design plans are a blur. Presuming if I open on a laptop they should be clear. Unfortunately the ferrules I've seen readily available here in the UK are SS. So would be SS to copper, Welding as I thought.. Racking my mind to remember if know someone with a TIG kit or similar I'll try and find the other plans too for ideas!

+1....I used lead free solder to do mine....



I made an adapter it's about 6"/8" lond...ferrule at the top...Vino's screw fitting at the bottom....works for me no problem. I made it like this so that I can use the column on my milkcan boiler.

These 2 pic's shows it screwed to the 500 lid.



and ready to go.




I got hold of my copper ferrules from Here .... You should find the ferrule you want

Lifesaver Icefever!!! Love the column with the viewing window!!! Would much prefer to use copper as can silver solder no problem and helps to keep costs low. Not actually collected the boiler yet as I'm going away for a few days. When I spoke to the gent i'm buying it off I asked about tri-clamps and he said that this is how the column can be fitted it and an alternative way also - I can only presume a screw fitting maybe? He purchased the full unit but cannibalised the column and condenser as wasn't much kop for his needs so not sure what to expect. He's kindly offered to give me some of the other bits so i'm hoping the attachments also. May I ask, and please don't take offence i'm just curious - I think the viewing windows look great but do they help in any way, can you see anything apart from steam?!? Do they have another function i'm not aware of (or are they aesthetically pleasing in which there's absolutely nowt wrong with - we want our kit to look the biz as well as function well lol!)? They are quite pricey, I just wondered if when times are flush they are worth an investment? I'll post some photo's of what I collect on Tuesday (my bonus items per se!!!), give you guys an idea of what I need to do/where to start my project. Can't wait...

Hi Smiler...
The "window" is a torpedo.....Here...it's a bubble plate...with all due respect I wouldn't bother myself about it yet they enrich the end product.

Collect your boiler take photos of what you have and post them and we'll try and set you on the road to distillville.......

Ah, been trying to get a bit more info on these torpedoes but googles not chucking much up on these without having to register to sites and stuff and within this forum the threads regarding torpedoes I guess presume you know what they are... If you don't mind enlightening me you have a keen ear (well eye in this case!) Let's just say I'm a sponge and anything you could tell me about them I.e. the principle about how they work or whatever. You say enrichment Icefever so does this mean they can add or improve flavour? On a pot is this a bad thing? I've read about baffles/plates in columns and I thought this was aiming more toward neutrals but bear in mind too much information is a bad thing when you don't really have a proper grasp on things lol. Presuming your column was a pot with CM? rather than anything aimed towards neutrals. Not gonna way jump the gun an go out and buy one of these I would just like to know what they are all about. It's my scientific an curious mind, it can be a pain for the person on the receiving end of the questions

It gets technical. One place to start:
http://www.artisan-distiller.net/phpBB3 ... 187036187d

For more, Google "StillDragon Torpedo".

@Smiler: You will not weld copper. Use silver solder. It will handle any temp you have going - unless the boiler runs dry and all soldered joints come adrift.

Another alternative, which I wouldn't bother with is brazing the joints.

Do not use regular solder as the lead content is too high.

chill wrote:It gets technical. One place to start:
http://www.artisan-distiller.net/phpBB3 ... 187036187d

For more, Google "StillDragon Torpedo".

This is a very good read Smiler....also the forum now as the start of a video collection..well worth a look..and you can search Youtube for bubble plates...but "patience is a virtue" young padwan if you seek the Dark side

Just an afterthought vids are now Here may help

I don't know what happened it posted twice...

I have to say that in the 54 mm copper tube size i would recommend not using the stainless ferrules.

My preference is the SD brass 2" ferrules that are a perfect fit on 54 mm copper tube and can just be soldered. You can use the more expensive copper ferrules but I like the brass ones.

Even on 76 mm tube i like the brass 3" ferrules but there is a slight size discrepancy to sort out - but it isn't a big issue.

Brass ferrules - good call.

Bit later with my reply.... well busy few days. Been on the scrounge and purchasing a few bits. Below is my spoils so far. Feeling quite chuffed as only spent 110 quid so far, a lot you see below in terms of tubing is freebies or dirt cheap. Have a mate in construction and he's sorted me good! Not what i know here but who i know lol. Reducers are on the way (yes i totally plaguarized Mashys link haha) and the last few bits of tubing/connectors. Also got my hands on a 54mm compression fitting (2inch thread) so i will be using that - no more ferrule worries!! Gonna have to grind out the lid which is easy enough to get it to fit, plan on doing this at the weekend. If anyone thinks this is a bad idea let me know now before I *&%$! something. All seems pretty plausabloe as the measurements work out ok. My initial thoughts... this is gonna be top heavy Boilers so much lighter than i expected, ok will have some weight when full but still reckon top heavy. Will deal with this when all soldered together etc but presume for safety i'll just support on wire with hook from ceiling. There's 2 lengths of 2" tube, one about 55cm the other 75cm (with the chunk of metal soldered to it!) I plan on using the latter but removing the monstrosity attached. Will come off easy once solder melted with blow torch Also started a cider/apple mash yesterday in readiness, will take 3 - 4 weeks to ferment proper but gives me plenty of time to finish things up. Can't wait!!!