Shine-a-Long Let's Build The 2" Column For The Keg Still

In this livestream replay, we built the column for our keg build.
Here are the links for the parts I had to get online.
2" to 1/2" reducer
amzn.to/3Ju72HP
2" 90 street elbow
amzn.to/3io9qEg
2" tri-clamp ferrule
amzn.to/3ts3794
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[@jasonfischer4354]

So glad I watched this I’ve learned so much more in this one video than I have in days

[@StillnTheClear]

@@jasonfischer4354 awesome. I'm glad you found it useful.

[@jasonfischer4354]

I really love the live stream as well the tips coming in from people watching it gives me the confidence to have a go and saves me a lot of heartache time and cash if you do anything DIY where you edit can u please include the wealth of knowledge tips and techniques. Thanks for keeping it real 👍

[@davidallen4174]

I was ready to attempt a shotgun condenser out of copper when I found a stainless, 7 tube condenser already assembled in a 2" stainless shell for less cost than two pieces of copper tubing. Oh well, copper tubing is like gold right now. I'll have to take the easy way out and pack my column with copper mesh for sulfates. Thanks for your work, great video.

[@moosebonsai]

For some reason, this is the exact level of information I've been seeking. Thank you. I've enjoyed watching.

[@StillnTheClear]

That's great, I hope you enjoy our channel, and if there are any specific topics you'd like for us to cover just let me know.

[@moosebonsai]

@@StillnTheClear Cool! What i enjoyed was seeing you work. I'd love to see someone actually cut or drill the holes in a keg and affix the pipe ferrules and whatnot instead of talking about it.

[@vmitchinson]

At 40.3 you ask about soldering three parts in one go. If you clean and Flux all parts, assemble all parts then solder the whole assembly at same time will make for a faster and better final product.

[@StillnTheClear]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip.

[@KennethMainor]

Glad to find yer live feed... I'm tech challenged but still drippin...

[@CwCarter-vn2xc]

Not yet I'm still trying to learn every thing I can before I invest in a still

[@zsoltbarko8599]

Eltőltöttem veled 20percet. Már érdekelt mit alkotsz. Levágtam (remélem). Sajna angol nyelvtudásom, kevés. Foasztás alapja... Ajánlom az ipari ezüstöt, stabilabb. Awit akarom próbálni, impulzal. Járhatóbb Ez is tetszett 20 évesen, nagyon sokáig! ❤

[@kevinhoban4416]

You need to make sure a big piece of copper like that is heated all the way around evenly before you start soldering and then just let the solder flow and then take the wet rag and wipe it off while it's still warm in the solder soft how to make you a good job keep up your videos you're doing good

[@bobnole1991]

If you keep the heat on it and the solder liquid the wet paper towel will wipe away any excess solder leaving you with cleaner looking joints and less to sanding off to pretty up.

[@StillnTheClear]

Thanks for the tip

[@mattsidney6566]

Awesome to see thanks for live stream

[@timadair4339]

Great video. It should help some new guys get over the fear of soldering. Ugly joints can be cleaned up with a little elbow grease.

[@StillnTheClear]

For sure. I've been soldering ugly joints for a couple decades. Long as they don't leak, I'm good.

[@burnair1608]

Never quince that soon fractures your solder inside the joint! Heat further away from the actual joint let the heat pull the solder to the flame.

[@johnzillner1596]

On the reducer to 90 joint, there are a couple of ways to overcome the reducer from falling off. 1) you can slightly ding either the reducer or the 90 to create an out of round condition or 2) the most common way, heat the 90 first so it swells and holds the reducer.

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

That weld is beautifully done

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

Rotation I've found Will make a great and even flo

[@charliepooley373]

Central, Texas is in the house, I love your channel

[@StillnTheClear]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jakeen7733]

Man, I missed out on the live stream. Things to note. Copper unions at Lowe's carry two brands (NIBCO and Streamline) and they are not interchangeable. Streamline has larger but and more meat at the union so get the same brand on all to add modular or interchangeable. Also, a tee at the top allows for a condenser and thermometer. The gasket for flanged ferrules will work and seal on the smooth keg top flange with no problem. Thanks for the video.

[@StillnTheClear]

Great. Thanks for the tips.

[@angelpirosoto2409]

I start the hoobbie, loved 😍

[@danielrecker320]

I love watching copper joints pull solder in. Out of curiosity could the 2”x1/2” reducer set on top of the 2” column and do the 90 with 1/2 pipe and fitting? It would be cheaper and achieve the same result wouldn’t it? Or is there a reason to use a 2” elbow??

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

I decided to take my 40" × 2" M. Self taught and taking a 2" od. I found I had to red hot the copper and super cool it fast, annealing. Be careful swedging.

[@chrislnflorida5192]

Im happy i came across your build. U answered every question i had from other videos. This was 100% a great video. Now if i can find your Condenser build. 1 question i did have and u answered it at the end about the Groove in the Ferrule. U didnt show the Whole Build when u finished?

[@StillnTheClear]

Awesome, I'm glad it was worth watching. To answer the question about the gasket I ended up taking a regular 2" tri-clamp gasket and shaving off the lip with a razor blade. It worked great. Here's the condenser build video kzbin.infozh8UGMKFEMk?si=98OAZhrM9TdPRpGl

[@tomblankendaal3228]

Nice video again. On the subject of the gasket: take the PTFE gasket(the rigid white ones) and just run it over a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface. It helps if you have a spare ferrule to hold on to the gasket.

[@StillnTheClear]

That's a good idea. Thanks for the tip.

[@ronfussell8244]

You can make it look like a filled weld,just enough heat to melt,dab it like a weld,a fine line with heat,back away when it gets shiny.

[@robertcampbell6521]

Best tip I could give is use oxy acetylene instead of map gas or propane as flame control and heat is way more controlled giving you clean strong joints especially when using silver soldered.

[@wait4dl]

i start your corn wheat kit tomorrow morning!

[@StillnTheClear]

Woohoo! I can't wait to hear how you like it.

[@rexjohnson8597]

Waiting on my corn mash to finish up it’s taking over 2 weeks to finish!

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

I've got 15 gal. Sweet wash going for a second new batch

[@mariopennisi1991]

How tall is the column starting from the boiler? Thank you

[@treyescobar5520]

I'm building one right now, your video motivated me to build one. Is a 2ft column too high?

[@StillnTheClear]

Not as long as it isn't too tall for your space. Functionally, 24in is fine

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

Stiller dawg from California

[@fishslayer8533]

Don't let anyone fool you your flux is what makes the difference when soldering

[@jimhayes7224]

New to the mash, this is great !

[@StillnTheClear]

Awesome! I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

Without sacrificing the 20 : 1 ratio ?

[@robstaggs7577]

Sure miss these shine alongs

[@StillnTheClear]

They're coming back once we get moved completely into the new studio.

[@leekenner-tn5nv]

Grumpy old man here, just looking and learning... Are you going to put a thermometer in the top?

[@StillnTheClear]

I did not install a thermometer. I typically don't use a thermometer to run my stills. I would suggest one for a beginner though.

[@jacquesmuller4356]

in your opinion, what do you think has the best output result, a bigger size column or bigger condenser, meaning I might have to push "higher" volume vapor through a smaller column but have the ability to condense or visa versa

[@StillnTheClear]

If I had the choice it would be for a larger column.

[@jacquesmuller4356]

@@StillnTheClear thanks for the reply, but why? why do you think a bigger column is better that a bigger condenser?

[@StillnTheClear]

@@jacquesmuller4356 because one or the other will create a bottle neck of vapor and I wouldn't want the bottle neck to be in the pot.

[@jacquesmuller4356]

@@StillnTheClear ahh ok, thanks, that would be dangerous, appreciate the feedback

[@StillnTheClear]

@@jacquesmuller4356 not so much dangerous as it could make "puking" more likely.

[@geocatcher5743]

Is it safe if alittle bit of soldering is inside of your pipe?

[@ryankullar9754]

Great video lots of good info 👍 but where did u buy the beer keg from and where is the video on building the condenser? Also what kind of flux and solder did u use. Thxs

[@StillnTheClear]

Here's the condenser build kzbin.infozh8UGMKFEMk?feature=share . I use regular lead free solder from the hardware store and regular copper soldering flux from the hardware store.

[@ryankullar9754]

@@StillnTheClear thxs for the reply but do u also have any link's 2 buy a beer 🍺🍻 keg that's not going 2 break the bank

[@StillnTheClear]

@@ryankullar9754 the best option is to get a used keg from Facebook market place, craigslist, or eBay. Depending on your area your price should be between $25 to $75.

[@ryankullar9754]

@@StillnTheClear thxs again and one more question what grit emery cloth r u using 2 clean the copper

[@Offishal_Lifestyle]

When you stop your run on a keg still how do you vent it so the still/column don’t collapse from the vaccum? Just pop the column? Or open the fill hole on the still if you have one?

[@StillnTheClear]

If you're running with a thumper all you have to do is open the thumper or open any of your connections. This will relieve the pressure in the system. If you aren't running a thumper then you don't have to worry about it is an open system(no pressure). Hope this helps.

[@Offishal_Lifestyle]

@@StillnTheClear that makes perfect sense

[@bradcoffman7684]

Good job

[@cancelchannel3394]

That's just what I was thinking, an oz or two of good bourbon whiskey would work wonders for your shaky hands 😊☺️

[@Abbynorml1979]

A really tall pot still? How does that affect/effect the outcome? Does it have an effect? If so, how/why? Thanks!

[@StillnTheClear]

The taller the column is the more passive reflux it produces. Reflex help increase proof

[@Abbynorml1979]

@@StillnTheClear Oh, i think i see, makes sense. I didn't think about passive reflux.. Thanks!!

[@StillnTheClear]

@@Abbynorml1979 you're welcome

[@leeeagles123]

for best joints tin each part first then slip them together and heat tell the solder mixesthen let stand for cooling

[@StillnTheClear]

@@leeeagles123 thanks for the tip.

[@Grandpa_RLP]

Could you save some by going SS with the tri clamp fitting and then go copper from there?

[@StillnTheClear]

Yes, but the skill level needed to braze copper to stainless is above me at the moment. So, I chose to go with copper.

[@TOAD7464]

Tap the 2" into a flange by hand with a ball peen and a big block of wood as an anvil. I'm not an expert but I did it twice and it's not that difficult. You just have to be more stubborn than the copper

[@aubreyowen5146]

Hey Cirus, how tall should my tower be?

[@StillnTheClear]

It can be whatever height, but a good range is 16" to 24".

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

On 2" do you ever use acetone before sweating?

[@StillnTheClear]

No, I didn't know it helps

[@mutantryeff]

My design is a folded column that would be about 8 feet tall if not folded. A 2" (up) with 1.5" inside (down) and 1" inside (up) all that. Each direction can all be packed with mesh. Another 2" section with the condenser sits on top of the 1" section. A minimal amount is soldered so that it can be taken apart to clean, and also modified to just use the 2" (up) as a pot still. Sadly it never gets used.

[@StillnTheClear]

I would love to see some pics or videos. That sounds awesome.

[@mutantryeff]

@@StillnTheClear I designed in Excel. I could send that document, but would need an e-mail.

[@StillnTheClear]

@@mutantryeff there is a contact info on my website. stillntheclear.com

[@mutantryeff]

@@StillnTheClear Just sent the Excel and some photos

[@StillnTheClear]

@@mutantryeff thanks, I'll check it out this evening.

[@williamsmiley7059]

First time watcher

[@charliedunn77]

Can I ask why you used the 2" 90⁰ instead of using the 1/2" reducer and then going to 90⁰ bend from main column? Thanks!

[@StillnTheClear]

Just a little less restriction before condensation. Probably not going to make much difference.

[@charliedunn77]

@@StillnTheClear thanks for the quick reply! I'm doing a similar build. I just put the 2"to 1/2" reducer on today. I set it up without the 2" 90⁰. Was definitely racking my brain wether it would be a big deal if I did it that way. Time and testing will tell I guess!

[@StillnTheClear]

@@charliedunn77 I'm sure it will be great.

[@CrunchEnhancer]

What is a go to length of a keg column

[@StillnTheClear]

16"

[@rockyrdc]

Big blue still build from barley and hops

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

Rotate the pipe keeping the heat constant

[@LukeCommeyne]

how to attach to a pot

[@jerrym252]

just use an 0-ring for the column to keg fitting

[@ross9505]

Did George quit making videos?

[@barrymills387]

I don’t even have a still but I want one.

[@StillnTheClear]

You should absolutely get one. You won't regret it.

[@TOAD7464]

Never understood the 2" 90. You would save $20 if you reduce before turning.

[@StillnTheClear]

That's an excellent point. Thanks for the comment.

[@chrislnflorida5192]

If your still around, can u explain your question about the 90° bend?

[@ronaldwalters-oj5fd]

Do the two joints at same time

[@gregoryhurlbut6562]

It's yo pipe

[@davidharris4550]

Why does everyone who builds a keg go with 2in, in my eyes a 3in will flow better and if u upgrade to bigger system u could use ur column on a bigger boiler

[@StillnTheClear]

The opening on the keg is 2" so 2" is the easiest route to take. If you go 3" then it requires a 3' ferrule to be welded in and the 2" keg opening to be cut out.

[@fredsmith597]

1 END IS ID THE OTHER IS OD IN 90 DEG. FORMATION...I sorry the repeating the same thing 10 times to make the video longer. as for sourcing the copper metal material supply and correct plumbing supply...

[@CwCarter-vn2xc]

You could just go live as well

[@youknow754]

Capillary action and no quenching a hot joint.

[@kevind7617]

Everybody wants to shine there copper and keg until it'll lookslike a Shiney penny.. I like my mine looking old with patina so it don't the wrong eyes when I'm not using it

[@zsoltbarko8599]

Eltőltöttem veled 20percet. Már érdekelt mit alkotsz. Levágtam (remélem). Sajna angol nyelvtudásom, kevés. Foasztás alapja... Ajánlom az ipari ezüstöt, stabilabb. Awit akarom próbálni, impulzal. Járhatóbb Ez is tetszett 20 évesen, nagyon sokáig! ❤