Here's my new brew stand project. I wanted to make it from recycled materials for 2 reasons, one to be cheap, and also just for the challenge. I came across a portable basketball hoop in the neighbor's bulk trash pile. I also had some leftover fence posts. The tubing is all round, which I am not used to working with, and I'm pretty inexperienced at welding, too. Making the fishmouth cuts by hand with a grinder was fun. The top side you see is a much better fit than the bottom facing side. My MIG welder's wire feed has been sketchy but I blame a roll of wire that got kind of tangled. I am using flux core now but I will buy an argon/co2 blend tank next week for the finish welds. The wheels are kind of dinky but they will not bear the weight of the rig. They're just for rolling it around with the kettles removed. There will be 2x4 wood feet to take the weight, attached with the fencing brackets. The hoop bracket will become a platform for my MLT cooler, and the kegs will hang by hooks. I haven't got it all figured out yet, but the mockup pic really helped me to visualize the finished product. Never mind the wonky positioning of the kettles, I just had it in place to figure out the rough vertical spacing.I'm open to suggestions, questions, and criticism. I like reading other's post about builds, so I figured I'd try to document this as best I can, as I go.
-Ben
EDIT - Here it is finished - read on to see the process
Last edited by bendavanza; 03-02-2009 at 06:46 PM.
from what I've seen with fence post material - that stuff is kind of flimsy. I'd be careful with getting some weight on that thing & test it out a little bit before you trust it to brew on. I'm thinking with any leverage up top, the fence posts will buckle or bend at the welds.
I hope I'm wrong. Looks like a good design otherwise.
__________________ Crooked Horn Brewing Co. BREWtality 2 Build Thread
"Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me."
"No soldier can fight unless he is properly fed on beef and beer."
"Make sure that the beer - four pints a week - goes to the troops under fire before any of the parties in the rear get a drop."
-Winston Churchill----brilliant man
__________________ Crooked Horn Brewing Co. BREWtality 2 Build Thread
"Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me."
"No soldier can fight unless he is properly fed on beef and beer."
"Make sure that the beer - four pints a week - goes to the troops under fire before any of the parties in the rear get a drop."
-Winston Churchill----brilliant man
XXguy-
The fence posts are 2&3/8" 16 gauge I think, they say heavy duty, but those are only the shiny horizontal base parts, and are two straight pieces rather than 4. The black parts are the post for a basketball hoop, very solid 3" tubing. I plan on adding gussets and possibly some struts to strengthen it if need be.
Couevas-
The kettles are just hanging there right now for a mockup, and the MLT will be on a platform. I checked out your build, and the kettle hanging is what I was thinking of doing, but now seeing yours it gives me a more solid idea. Thanks!
I've used these kettles and MLT for gravity just using tables and blocks, so I know thye all work well. The real test will be the strength of the design. I think the oversized round tubing will be plenty strong. My welding skills will be the challenging part.
Other things I've welded were very strong, so I think I'll do fine once I'd using a real MIG and the wire feed is smooth. I will have some more practice before I finish the real deal.
cheers
-Ben
Update
I got the argon/co2 tank for my welder so I started finish welding the base this morning. I got it all done after having to re-do a few of the welds. My fishmouth job was not perfect, I don't have the best tools to be working with large diameter round tubing, but as I figured, it would be a challenge. I painted the base and added the 2x4 feet. It's very sturdy, I tried swinging around and pulling it back and forth, no budging. If I think it is bowing under the weight, I can add 2 more wood feet near the center. I will probably add some sort of diagonal support, too. Maybe even some gussets, but I don't think it will have any problems with 150 lbs or so of water.
-Ben
Looks like you did pretty good for being an "inexperienced" welder. I'm glad it held up to your stress testing - it should be one fine looking setup when you're all done.
more progress pics, getting better at the welding, Now I need to mount the burners.I'd like to make them adjustable for height. I used the mounting system that Couevas showed me, but the MLT will need a shelf because it's a cooler. I think I'll need some heat shields to protect the cooler form the heat of the HLT burner.
more pics!
Lookin' good there, Ben. Nice compact design, easy to store and move around. +1 on testing before you introduce hot water or wort. Easier to fix minor flaws with cold water in the containers that with hot stuff after it's too late. Keep us posted. I've been thinking of a similar rig, but your's looks more compact.
Beers,
Ken
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My first 3 tier gravity brew stand.
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