StillSmart

I\'ve been toying with the idea of having a go at making a more efficient still, by building something based on some of the designs at homedistiller.
The problem appears to be that some of the materials are a lot harder to locate.
For instance, getting copper piping and fittings any larger than the ubiquitous 15 and 22 mm used in domestic plumbing isn\'t easy.
I have found one place that has an online catalogue, and does pipes and fittings up to 54mm in size, but the catalogue isn\'t very well laid out, the prices aren\'t cheap and I don\'t know if there\'s any \"minimum spend\".
So I was wondering if anyone here who might have local suppliers for copper pipes, fittings, or maybe boilers or other copper or stainless steel vessels that could be used or converted into a boiler might post any info that they have i.e. addresses, phone no\'s, web addresses, links etc etc (possibly even prices, if anything like that hasn\'t been just a \"one off\").
That way, anyone who has a go or wants to have a go, could get the parts/accessories themselves.....
What do you think

Hi Phantom
Would it not be easier to just try and build a column to fit your reflux still…why source a boiler when you already have one.
I used mine for the first time yesterday its awesome it ended up at 75%, diluted down I got 10 litres at 40%.

Would it not be easier to just try and build a column to fit your reflux still…why source a boiler when you already have one.
I used mine for the first time yesterday its awesome it ended up at 75%, diluted down I got 10 litres at 40%.

Yes, of course, but I\'d like a bigger boiler at the same time.
I might actually see if "they" can supply a replacement lid, that way if I have to make the hole bigger I still have the original kit.
I\'ve actually been trying to find out if there\'s a matching thread in the F.I.L\'s pile of plumbing bits and pieces.
The actual hole is too small to take a 22mm compression adapter, so it maybe that I\'d have to use something like a 15 mm adapter, then an expander to 22mm and re-reduce it back to 15 for the threads too fit.
If it turns out that it does fit a 15 mm adapter then I could easily just use a length of scrunched up copper mesh to make the reflux packing for the column....
But also, further to the idea of links for parts, it\'s because while some of the stuff is available in the UK, it\'s like 3 or 4 times the price that it is in the US.
Plus there\'s the problem that lots of plumbing suppliers only keep a relatively limited stock of sizes of pipe, connectors, etc - that\'s without having the faintest idea of where to obtain some of the slightly more specialised components, like needle valves etc....

Hi Phantom,

You could always try Tubes , Fittings & Valves Ltd. phone 01623 643235 All the plumbers i know always go there when they need a over size or speacial fitting etc. As for prices i dont know.

CHEERS

Notts19

Hi Phantom,

Ive just found there web site www.tubesfittingsvalves.co.uk hope this info is usefull to you.

CHEERS

NOTTS19

Hi Phantom,

Ive just found there web site http://www.tubesfittingsvalves.co.uk hope this info is usefull to you.

CHEERS

NOTTS19

Ta for the link Notts19, I\'ll go and have a look. We have a local BSS that apparently does stock the larger sizes of pipe etc but I\'ve yet to find time to get there to see how much it all costs......
Got to look up some of the local welding suppliers as well as I haven\'t (at the moment) got anything that will heat silver solder up enough to make it "run".....
regards
p