StillSmart

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:04 am**

In my search to make a decent JD replica it is becoming apparent that I probably won't achieve this using a neutral spirit and need to make myself a good Rye Whisky but only having a T500 with a reflux head I can only make a neutral, do you guys now where I can get a pot head that will fit a T500 boiler???

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:36 am**

Make one?

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:43 am**

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

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:37 am**

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.

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

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:34 am**

The easiest way to do this (but not the least expensive) is to use a 1.5" BSP female to 42mm female end feed adaptor.

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:44 am**

OK you have been given a couple of ideas and I am sure you will find lots more.

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:22 pm**

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.

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?

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:38 pm**

.

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:41 pm**

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.

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?

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:44 pm**

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.

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:50 pm**

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

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

Posted: **Sat Aug 10, 2013 6:24 pm**

OK your hooked, who's next?

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.

StillSmart

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