StillSmart

[Edit - split out from parrot build thread]

Hi guys
I have been stilling for nearly three years now and recently found this forum having only previously known about the obvious US dominated site.
I was daunted by soldering before i started but once i did i found easier than I thought and ended up soldering loads of things just for the hell of it and to get practice. I had a load of scrap bits and bobs and some really old copper sheet of a roof. anyhow heres a few pics of my parrot and some other bits.
All the best SH

SH

Welcome to the forum, why not drop a note in this thread and introduce yourself.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2

Or even better perhaps you could add a post in the "Build Your Own" section, your fabrication and ingenuity look equally good. I am sure that it might convince some members to have a go at building a parrot at least.

I am curious about your condenser, any chance of a small description what goes on inside that beaten copper shell?

Hi YHB
The copper head I have i made out of some old beaten up copper sheet. It has a coil (definately not my strongest skill ) and a cold finger which was also made from the sheet copper. I stuck stainless scrubbers in between the coil and the cold finger. Ironically it was the most complex thing i made and soldered and have yet to use it on a full run. I have tested it on a cleaning run and it all worked great.
I built a very basic design of pot/reflux still (see pics) out of off the shelf copper parts and use that as it is simple and delivers, plus i just know it. The tap assembly pictured in the other post is connected to a water pump and allows me to control the amount of water going to either of my two condensers. I just love trying new things and learning new skills so all of this was a great fun experience i think anyone with a mind to could do exactly the same. A little patience goes a long way.
I will be using the other head soon though to see how she delivers.
all the best SH

I am sure it is and its only that I can't see it- but - is your condenser vented? From the angle the picture is taken from the top of it looks pretty much enclosed.

Hi Yhb
The whole top of the condenser is free fitting. The whole assembly just slides inside without being secured or sealed. There are small air gaps all the way round as the whole top is not truly round being hand made.
Its the same with my main still. The cold finger condenser that slides into the top of my main column is free also and slides in and out easily. I have a valve attached for VM mode if I feel like it but have never used it on a run. If I do i have an extra collar that fits into the top of the column before I insert the cold finger and that again is free fitting and has vent holes drilled all the way round. Basically none of my set ups are sealed so theres no risk of pressure build up.
At the monet my boiler is an old berco boiler that I had the bottom welded closed after I removed the electrics. It sits on a gas burner and as it stands a 19 litre bottle of gas has lasted so many runs (around 8 or 9 ) that I am pleased with the efficency of the whole set up.
I have done three runs recently 2x rum and one corn whiskey. I like to run slow single runs most of the time which means the shed gets a really good clean at the same time.
all the best SH

You seem to have a similar philosphy to me, I to, use as few ready made fittings as possible. Copper is so nice and forgiving to work with.

Looks good.

Anyone reading this with moderator powers!!!! - It may be nice to put these pictures in a thread of their own, they may get lost or forgotton about in a thread about Parrots.