WCrane
Well-Known Member
So I just DIY a stir plate and looked around and wasn't much on making your own stir bar. I see most purchase theirs online or from a hobby shop. I wanted to test and see if I could make a simple one. I do realize this is just me "winging it" and have had success so far in the testing phase.
I realize most bought stir bars are coated, and balanced and what not. But In an attempt to go 100% free stir plate with stir bar, I fabricated one from a steel bolt. Basically took a steel hex headed bolt and cut the threads and head off. Rounded the ends a bit. Made two for fun, a 1.5" and a 1" Both work great in a glass jar. Spins a nice vortex and doesn't get thrown. So in that aspect it works great.
I do realize they are zinc plated bolts and zinc is bad especially in our MLTs. I'll probably insert it in a piece of tubing and silicone the ends and see how that works.
But then again will there be a lot of corrosion if the starter is mainly at room temp? Of course I did have a zinc washer in my MLT for my first few batches with no ill effects, but the acids from the grain corroded it and I since replaced it.
I also may tinker with cutting a Hex key. I will try to make center point on one just to see if it can be done.
I realize most bought stir bars are coated, and balanced and what not. But In an attempt to go 100% free stir plate with stir bar, I fabricated one from a steel bolt. Basically took a steel hex headed bolt and cut the threads and head off. Rounded the ends a bit. Made two for fun, a 1.5" and a 1" Both work great in a glass jar. Spins a nice vortex and doesn't get thrown. So in that aspect it works great.
I do realize they are zinc plated bolts and zinc is bad especially in our MLTs. I'll probably insert it in a piece of tubing and silicone the ends and see how that works.
But then again will there be a lot of corrosion if the starter is mainly at room temp? Of course I did have a zinc washer in my MLT for my first few batches with no ill effects, but the acids from the grain corroded it and I since replaced it.
I also may tinker with cutting a Hex key. I will try to make center point on one just to see if it can be done.