Isolation Build

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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Sun Apr 12, 2020 6:50 pm

Thanks Birdman. I was the same. Had most of the copper sitting round for a couple of months. Was just looking for an excuse to get started. Well, the time was given to us whether we wanted it or not. Can’t stay inside all day watching the idiot box. It would send me round the twist. Once you make a start, it’s hard to stop. I had to limit myself to a couple of hours per day. Doesn’t sound much but by gee you can get a lot done. Your turn now. Plenty of pics needed.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby dans.brew » Sun Apr 12, 2020 8:33 pm

Lesgold wrote:Once you make a start, it’s hard to stop. I had to limit myself to a couple of hours per day. Doesn’t sound much but by gee you can get a lot done.

Once the bug bites it bites hard. :laughing-rolling:
I had some late night/ early mornings when i built my bubbler... not so good at keeping track of time.
This hobby is very addictive if your not careful.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Mon Apr 13, 2020 9:46 am

OK you wizards. Need a bit more advice. Said I was going to build a boka next but I think there must be some rocks in my head. Everything I did on the pot was modular and I just thought it would be a shame not to take advantage of that. Have now decided that a CCVM would be the sensible build from this point. I still have enough 2” to make an extension to the column of about 500mm. This would give me about 1m or 40” in total. If I can squeeze a bit more out of the material I have left, I will do so. Still need a tee and some more 1/4” for a coil. My questions are:
1) do you think that a packed section of 1m will be enough? And
2) what length of coil would you make considering that I have 2400w to play with?

Looking forward to your replies.

Cheers

Les
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby db1979 » Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:21 am

Save your 2" for making plates for your future bubbler build :teasing-tease:

If that's what you decide to do later on then you'll need about 200 mm for the plates, you may also want to do a packed section, it'll need a plate too, then if decide to do a Carter head you'll want plates for it too. You can make single bubble caps out of 2" for a 4" bubbler. Many seem to be going for multiple 1" caps lately but 2" are effective.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Mon Apr 13, 2020 11:49 am

Talk about pressure db. You lot just want to see copper porn. I think I’ll finish this job first and use it for a while. If I was to build a bubbler, that would take a bit of time. Wouldn’t like to be buying 3” or 4” new. I reckon you would need to mortgage the house if you did. You have however, pushed me over the edge. Will have to start scrounging over the next few months for bits and pieces. It will need to be on the long range plan. My knowledge of bubblers is also very limited. Doesn’t seem to be an overly difficult build, just more bits to it. Getting the dimensions right for each component would be critical for efficiency I reckon. Anyway, don’t distract me......... you are getting into my head and changing my thinking. Time to get back on track.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Stryda » Tue Apr 14, 2020 4:54 pm

Nice work Lesgold! I have just been thinking over the last few days that I might try giving it crack myself, you have made it look a lot easier than I am sure it is but I think I am keen, just need to source some bits and pieces and go from there.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:36 pm

Hi Stryda,

Give it a go mate. A good bit of fun working in copper. Nice and soft so it’s easy on your tools and the best part is that it solders easily.

Decided to make some more modular pieces today for the CCVM. Only need four bits to convert it from a pot to a reflux still. First job was to knock up a few easy flanges and make a tee section.
6AA79BA1-A3AC-430F-94C5-0756D85B2140.jpeg

After that, a small column section for the reflux condenser.
016A6F41-982B-410E-B780-987F0FC7CCCE.jpeg

AC1AA71A-6122-407A-9DF4-62F08C43DCEB.jpeg

Looks like I have about 650mm of 2” left to make an extension to join to the column I built the other day. When joined, I should have over 1100mm to fill with packing. That will be tomorrow’s build.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby db1979 » Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:29 pm

This doesn't look like a bubbler :think:

:teasing-tease: :romance-kisscheek:
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:34 pm

I love a man with a senses of humour.... :naughty: :naughty: :naughty: :naughty: :naughty: :naughty:
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Sam. » Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:18 pm

db1979 wrote:This doesn't look like a bubbler :think:

:teasing-tease: :romance-kisscheek:


With skills like that you would be mad not to....
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Birdman85 » Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:27 pm

"Yeah ill just knock up an immaculate T section in 15mins flat... No worries"

I hate you! :crying-blue:

That's amazing work bro
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:43 pm

Wish it was 15 minutes. Must admit, these easy flanges are good fun but I reckon that a couple more will just about do me for a while. Talk about peer group pressure for a bubbler build. Crickey, you lot just want to see a bloke put under pressure and stress out. I honestly think there is some twisted enjoyment out there gained from seeing that. Time to grab a UJ, sit back, relax and enjoy the lockdown.....
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:23 pm

Finished the column extension today. Tomorrow’s play time will be winding a coil. Thought I might try using my wood lathe to do the job. I have a couple of home made wood turning tools that have 19mm shafts. One of those could be used as a mandrill for winding a double helix coil. Should be able to bodgy up something that will do the job. If it works out, I’ll post some pics. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll sit in the corner and sulk like a spoilt child.
689D8BA3-2E98-4903-A35D-6A4D8CE7920C.jpeg

E8AAF9C6-0E05-4D0A-A562-397C1E3913CF.jpeg


Cheers

Les
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:52 pm

Made a start on the condenser today. Decided to use bits and pieces around the workshop to do the job. First item I needed was a mandrel to wind the coil on. Grabbed one of my home made wood turning tools which was made from 19mm round bar. Thought that would be perfect for the job. Sanded a bit of the rust and scale off and drilled a small hole in the centre of the end of the tool.
0FF0E178-F8B8-4DE0-B699-B3AA744C4780.jpeg

A bodgy handle was then screwed to the outboard faceplate on the lathe. This would allow the spiral to be turned slowly.
4EFC0DB1-7181-4D7F-8391-93C894BBDBBE.jpeg

An off cut of 3/4” pipe was tack welded to the mandrel and some 1/2” copper was clamped near the 3 jaw chuck. This would hold the 1/4” copper in place while the spiral was formed.
1F2FB737-7A3A-4678-A540-B644AA23CC62.jpeg

Fine salt was placed into the 1/4” tube and the ends were crimped. The coach then slowly turned the handle as the inner helix was formed.
E3107972-5B49-4FE3-996F-FF65ACDA56EF.jpeg

Was quite happy with how the first spiral turned out. A piece of thin walled 30mm PVC was slotted and then placed over the newly formed spiral.
32CD95C8-3CB4-45DF-B2E0-8C7F47BA3625.jpeg

The outer helix was then formed over the slotted PVC.
E7EF9F2C-2547-4068-BA0A-B7C044E82D59.jpeg

Job done. A bit of muscle was needed to remove the PVC but it did turn out reasonably well for my first effort. Crimped and soldered some 1/2” copper to the end of the condenser and connected it to the hose.
3349E5E2-DF43-4D42-831F-3307DD4728B9.jpeg

Turned on the tap and then waited. And waited. And waited. After about an hour a drip of water came out the other end of the condenser. At this point I knew I had it beat as the salt would now be wet. Just had to wait for it to dissolve. So I waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually I left it and did some other jobs around the house. Came back to check and found that it had cleared and water was freely flowing through the condenser. Another couple of hours work and the whole thing will be done. May leave the finishing touches for a week or so. Ordered some tri clamps and seals from 5 Star and they should be here in a couple of days. Thanks Andrew. Awesome service. I Want to get that pot up and running first. Vinegar run here we come. Time to also put some of the stored foreshots and heads to good use. Will post some pics when it’s all together.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:31 pm

Finished the build today. Played around with an idea for keeping the RC locked in a position rather than relying on a bodgy system of putting a strip of sheet metal between coils to hold it in a set position.
1201CFD3-0EBA-45BF-85C9-96D1134CB667.jpeg

Soldered a vented cap to the 1/4” water tubes which holds the RC in a full reflux position. As you can see, no vapour is going to make it to the PC as the potential path is blocked.
577250D7-AA2D-4D03-910D-3597EBABD810.jpeg

The cap can be twisted and raised slightly to fully open the tee to the PC. This would allow up to 50% reflux.
AB809831-510E-4634-BC8A-C07E48B3666A.jpeg

15A6B43B-3D97-4FB7-8165-D41D3389AFF8.jpeg

Notches placed 6mm apart allow for settings between the two extremes:
A28AF915-888E-4138-ACE0-17B0F2DA2B86.jpeg

51D149A4-F0A2-468F-905B-A1D554F10D78.jpeg

Hopefully there will be enough settings to allow the correct amount of reflux for every individual wash. Vinegar and sac runs should be run next week if parts arrive via mail.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby bluc » Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:32 pm

Love ya rc holder :handgestures-thumbupleft: hope you blocked end of it :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby db1979 » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:08 pm

Lesgold wrote:The cap can be twisted and raised slightly to fully open the tee to the PC. This would allow up to 50% reflux.
Notches placed 6mm apart allow for settings between the two extremes:
Hopefully there will be enough settings to allow the correct amount of reflux for every individual wash.

Great idea :handgestures-thumbupleft: was it original original, or did you see it somewhere else? Hopefully it works well, should at least allow for finer control.
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Currently having a makeover: 2" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (1" bubble caps, no sight glasses...maybe not for much longer!) on a bain-marie boiler.

Re: Isolation Build

Postby RC Al » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:25 pm

:text-+1: I likey a lot

You may need to extend the reach of the coil - your only getting 1/4 or so of it below the take off, making the rest of it redundant. See how you go when you run it - depends on the amount of power in use
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby Lesgold » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:39 pm

Thanks guys. Hopefully it will work but not sure of how efficiently. Will report back when Aust Post gets the tri clamps to me and I can run the toy. If need be, l can do a bit of cut and paste to change things. Yes db, it was my idea. Thought there would have to be a simple, neat way to finish off the top of the condenser and make it adjustable.
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Re: Isolation Build

Postby db1979 » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:44 pm

Lesgold wrote:Yes db, it was my idea. Thought there would have to be a simple, neat way to finish off the top of the condenser and make it adjustable.

Well hats off to you even if it doesn't work, great out of the box thinking :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Currently having a makeover: 2" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (1" bubble caps, no sight glasses...maybe not for much longer!) on a bain-marie boiler.

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