Thanks all!
I really do appreciate the advice and encouragement ! :-D
Tickle, I finally found some 2mm thick plate today after about 20 phone calls.
I need a minimum of 1.6mm for the plates because a mate is making the plates in a fandangled machine at his work.
I should of probably mentioned that prior but had a brain fart after a few vodkas last night :oops
Brendan, all good for the 2.5" modular product condensor mate.
Found triclamps for $10.50 and ferrules where I got my expandon ferrules.
http://www.geordi.com.au/Products19d.htmI am trying to avoid bashing out a copper plate to make htem flat because I am lazy ;-)
I'm really happy a 150mm plate spacing isn't an issue!
Would have been super tight otherwise
I thought the packed vodka section may be way too small. I only have a 2.1meter height to run the column including the boiler.
Don't think the mr's is too keen with me cutting a hole in the floorboards so I'll make it as big as what I can fit.
I do like the look and ease of not having a cap on the downcomer however, it looks like the main consensus is to run a cap to avoid a quick route up for the vapour.
BT1, All makes sense mate! I have no experience with soldering so I might try a few options in the end.
Extra real estate sounds good.
Bushy, do the loose one inch "cups" make a heap of noise bouncing about when doing a run?
I like the idea of having the caps being able to drain.
I thought of having the cap soldered in place but, have a number of 1.5mm drain holes around the side of the cap?
I gueuss in the end, all these options will work and it's just down to personal preference and ease of build.