"Hey All,
So after many, many uses, my first still is beginning to show signs of wear. I made it and use it so wear is not surprising. Anyway, come time to build a newstill. Ok, maybe I just want a bigger one....
I've got my design down, so no problem there. Just an inflated version of my first one - an all copper, valved reflux. Coupla questions though. Just to make it more groovy looking I've thought of having the condensor column be glass. Any thoughts on combining glass (heavy duty) and copper? I'm going to have doubled copper coil inside and I just thought it'd be cool to see in.
Another question and it's about packing. I've used copper scrubbers up to now, but want something with a longer life and still copper. A friend and mentor put the kybosh on making my own copper raschig rings; cutting tiny diameter tubing until I had enough to fill the column. So here's the question: what are thoughts on filling the column with the same tiny copper tubes, soldered together, but all running parallel, inside the length of the column - from the bottom to just under the reflux tube? They would be soldered together but removable for cleaning. Or not.
Oh, one more thing (coffee - sorry), can someone assure me that if I make the jump from propane to electric that I will still have the same immediate control of the heat with electric that I now have with gas. Has anyone done the jump and did the electric bill skyrocket?
I'll stop now.
Thanks for any replies.
Yours,
PJ Lily"

"Thanks Wineo,
I'm absolutely going with a three inch column, but if I can find it bigger - why not... (really, why not?) For the coil, you had the 1/4 inch tube coil up and continued back down, yes? Not more than that? And you got 18 feet out of it. Do you suppose I could get your 25 feet with the 3/8? I suppose I could if I ""just"" made the condensor tall enough. How tall is yours? For the coiling, have you thought of fine grain sand instead of salt? Oh, and while I may or may not have the column be glass I AM having the condensor of glass.
So you didn't like my 1/4 inch (or less) tubes in the column as packing? I think I can even get a nice twist to them before I insert them into the column. That's where the idea of a glass column came from - to see the cool looking, slightly curving ""tubes as packing"". And yes, I believe we were Flavor Profiling at the time of these ideas.
But I don't mind some pain in the ass if the end result comes out sweet looking. I may not to tell you what was suggested to put onto the exterior cooling tubes...
But what is your thought on the tubes providing enough surface area in the column?
Er, one more? The change from gas to electric. Is the control of the heat the same for both?
Thanks so much.
Yours,
PJ Lily

p.s. leaves"

"Hey Guys,
Thanks Wineo. I used the sand for my single direction coil and had no problem, but I can see the difficulty with a coil coming back on itself. So how did you get all the salt out? Did you hook up the coil and let the water just eventually dissolve the salt and get through?
Only 12 inches for a condensor with 3/8? I would have thought more. I guess I'll find out. Wind the inside 3/8 coil around a 1 inch pipe and then the outside coil back up around a 2 inch pipe? All inside a 3 inch pipe... Do you suppose it matters much if the tubes enter the condensor at the top or the bottom?
So, used regularly (and suddenly) the electric heaters use up that much juice to be noticeable by Big Brother? Living in Berkeley I believe pot has been grown here before, so they might indeed sit up and take notice. Thanks for the heads up.
And ya, I think the glass condensor could be really groovy looking, especially if I can get the double coil perfect. But no comments on the tubes for packing? Tubes the length of the column and twisted for a little extra length? Is there a tube smaller than the 1/4?
Still thinking and drawing. And waiting for the rum wash...
Yours,
PJ Lily"

Yes, we can move threads around. Done!:)

"PJ,you hook up the coil to the water,with a tight connection.It might take a while,but the water will dissolve the salt.I would wind the coil first,and then
figure out the housing size.You can start winding the coil on a piece of 1 or 1 1/2 inch pipe,and when you get it 12 inches long,start winding it back up,and on top of the first layer.When you get it wound up to the top,you will have both water connections on top.No fittings to mess with,just a 1 piece coil.
Just make sure that the copper is completly full of salt.It would take two people to do this.You crimp one end,and pour the salt in with a small funnel.
You have to keep tapping on the copper,with a piece of wood or something,
so the thing gets really full.Once its filled up,you can bend it around all you want,and it wont kink,or flatten out.But its got to be really full.Just crimp the other end,when its full.Leave extra tube on both ends,and cut them off when your completly done bending.
Wineo"

"Hi
Just wondering why you use salt for the coil. I use water.Fill the copper line with water and solder both ends.You can't compress a liquid,so it won't kink.When you are finished bending, just cut the ends and drain the water. Later"

"Thats the first time Ive heard of using water for coiling copper.Great idea!!
It makes sense that it wouldnt kink,as long as its full,and sealed up good.
I will give it a try,the next time I make one.
wineo"