My insane 25 Gal, 100 Percent Hard Plumbed Tri-Clover, Automated Tippy Build

[Stealthcruiser]

Probably, so he would not burn the bench.......( the foil).

 

[kickflip_mj]

yeah my press wont go down to that speed. I have a large drill that I used. I had no problem filling all the gaps. just puddle it in there. The foil was so I didnt burn the bench but also to keep the solder from flowing all over the table.

 

[Bensiff]

yeah my press wont go down to that speed. I have a large drill that I used. I had no problem filling all the gaps. just puddle it in there. The foil was so I didnt burn the bench but also to keep the solder from flowing all over the table.

My press goes to 300rpm which did great with all the metal cutting for the control box and brew stand. However, if what I'm drilling isn't held firmly and that bit catches, bad juju ensues. If all else fails I will have pick up a MAP torch and try my hand at silver soldering stainless. Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[Matteo57]

Awesome build! Really great job! How much did the whole thing cost you so far? if you posted it, I missed it!
Thanks for all of the well documented information!!

 

[kickflip_mj]

My press goes to 300rpm which did great with all the metal cutting for the control box and brew stand. However, if what I'm drilling isn't held firmly and that bit catches, bad juju ensues. If all else fails I will have pick up a MAP torch and try my hand at silver soldering stainless. Thanks for the thoughts.

Mine only goes to 600, **** gets crazy if it gets caught. Just turn around and run! Lol I just used lead free solder. I'm not concerned about it melting because it's only going to see 212 max.

 

[kickflip_mj]

Awesome build! Really great job! How much did the whole thing cost you so far? if you posted it, I missed it! Thanks for all of the well documented information!!

Sadly I have no idea how much it's cost me. I'll know when it's done. I'm assuming 3-4k so far

 

[wncbrewer]

Yes, yes it does, Brewer's Hardware, Glacier Tanks, and Still Dragon will profit nicely from you as they did me...each of them has something you need for cheaper and then its about getting the cheapest shipping after that. Still Dragon does best on shipping followed by BH, and Glacier...they aren't so good.

I bought a stainless counterflow from Williams. My plan is to do exactly as kick did, but have a welder do the work for me. However if I can't find someone to do it I will have to attempt it myself and solder as I don't trust myself to succeed with my MIG. Otherwise you could buy the TC counterflow from Morebeer...but, that is way overpriced IMO.

If you decide not to try for the TC end on the CFC I would avoid the Williams or plan to cut the threading off. They used a stainless thread that is larger in its ID than the tube's OD so there is a gap. It is welded on the exposed side. Instead of welding the side that would contact the wort and then polishing they chose to leave the gap and then siliconed it to seal, no good, they should have just left the bare pipe.

Thanks for the advice, bensiff and kick. I am super lucky in the sense that I live in Portland, and glacier tanks has a retail store 10 minutes from my house. No shipping and they give a cash discount. Which is probably good because I could max out a credit card in one hell of a hurry in that place. I received some goodies from brewers hardware just the other day, so at this point the stout kettles and a few more clamps and gaskets and a solution to my chiller quandary is all I need. Leaning towards soldering the TC cap. I have never silver soldered but can weld and sweat copper so with a little practice I should be able to pick it up. Thanks again, guys.

 

[orangehero]

Soldering stainless is exactly the same, you just need special flux. Make sure you pre-heat the cap first before you move to the joint itself.

 

[thewurzel]

what a great build.

Nice Job.

 

[kickflip_mj]

I received my brew troller yesterday, now I can start my control panel. The one thing they forgot to include is the mini LCD screen in my order. I had like 30 plus items from them, I expected something to be missed.

 

[wncbrewer]

Kick,

Sorry to keep going back to your chiller, one quick question though. How do you plan to sanitize it? Are you gonna recirc hot wort through it during whirlpool? Set it up in a sani-loop with a conical. Just curious.

 

[kickflip_mj]

Kick, Sorry to keep going back to your chiller, one quick question though. How do you plan to sanitize it? Are you gonna recirc hot wort through it during whirlpool? Set it up in a sani-loop with a conical. Just curious.

It's no big deal, that's why I started this thread! I actually plan on cleaning after each brew with a "clean in place " cycle. With that being said. I am just going to run the boiling wort through it, maybe have a delay on when the water valve opens. Just to sanitize it.

 

[wncbrewer]

Thanks,that's what I figured. That's my plan as well

 

[Trillium]

Very nice build. I'm going to start building mine soon and it will also be equipped with Tri-clamps. I noticed you used lots of expensive tri-clamp elbows and pipe runs. I purchased some 1/2" stainless pipe and a Rigid pipe bender so I have a continuous run from fitting to fitting. I am going to TIG weld end caps onto the ends. I figure this will be much much cheaper.

 

[mattd2]

Very nice build. I'm going to start building mine soon and it will also be equipped with Tri-clamps. I noticed you used lots of expensive tri-clamp elbows and pipe runs. I am planning on buying 1/2" stainless pipe and using a pipe bender so I have a continuous run from fitting to fitting. I am going to TIG weld end caps onto the ends. I figure this will be much much cheaper.

If you are TIG welding the ferrules on why not use elbows instead of bending the tube - might end up with a lot of kinked tube if you try and bend it.

 

[zrule]

I have brewer's boner

 

[Trillium]

If you are TIG welding the ferrules on why not use elbows instead of bending the tube - might end up with a lot of kinked tube if you try and bend it.

I already purchased the tubing and Ridgid 608 tube bender and did a couple of test bends. Absolutely no kinking. It is a very nice bender and I think that makes all the difference.

Butt welding thin tubing is not very easy. Its difficult to get a nice smooth interior weld.

 

[Jester0925]

Wow! I just read this entire thread from start to finish. Amazing project! You sir have some skills! I can't even imagine tackling this kind of project but I sure would like to try someday. Maybe something smaller to start with. I'm definitely inspired by this though for sure. Great job so far. Can't wait to see it come to completion. Subscribed!

 

[Stealthcruiser]

I already purchased the tubing and Ridgid 608 tube bender and did a couple of test bends. Absolutely no kinking. It is a very nice bender and I think that makes all the difference.

But welding thin tubing is not very easy. Its difficult to get a nice smooth interior weld.

What type and diameter tubing are ya' bending with this bender?

I'd like to see some of the bends, if you would be so kind.


Edit:.........That's a nice bender!

 

[mattd2]

I already purchased the tubing and Ridgid 608 tube bender and did a couple of test bends. Absolutely no kinking. It is a very nice bender and I think that makes all the difference.

But welding thin tubing is not very easy. Its difficult to get a nice smooth interior weld.

Ah you are using 1/2" tube, ignore my suggestion as you have, for some reason I was thinking the tube would be 1"+ (rereading your post you say its 1/2").

 

[kickflip_mj]

It's begun! Wish me luck. Lol wrapping my head around this has been a lot. But I got this, it's been the layout that's been tough

 

[kickflip_mj]

Just scored two cornies for $40 at the scrap yard, they also had a few sankeys, I already have to many. Lol

 

[marcb]

Just scored two cornies for $40 at the scrap yard, they also had a few sankeys, I already have to many. Lol

Dude, you know I always need more sankes!!!

 

[kickflip_mj]

The sankey was $40 a piece, and by the time I get it to you in Santa Clara it's an $80 sankey. Since I'm never that way. Unless you want me to get some, and you can come get them. They had one good condition one from Sierra Nevada and the ironic part is the scrap yard is across the street from Sierra Nevada brewery. Lol (girlfriend lives in chico so if you ever need anything up this way let me know)

 

[marcb]

The sankey was $40 a piece, and by the time I get it to you in Santa Clara it's an $80 sankey. Since I'm never that way. Unless you want me to get some, and you can come get them. They had one good condition one from Sierra Nevada and the ironic part is the scrap yard is across the street from Sierra Nevada brewery. Lol (girlfriend lives in chico so if you ever need anything up this way let me know)

Nah, I was just cracking stones. My CL keg connection dried up... I think I'm going to have to break down and buy a pallet of them ; )

 

[kickflip_mj]

I mean I can grab them when I find them in chico. Insure they turn up weekly

 

[RonRock]

Wow nice build! I just read all 45 pages. I see a few mentions of welding fittings to the stainless tubing, but not a real good explanation of how you do it. Am I correct that you are drilling the end caps then putting tubing into the drilled cap, then TIG the inside of the cap at the joint? What size tubing? And where did it come from? How are you back gassing the weld? How are you finishing the weld?

Also waiting for more info on your control system. I have my brewery set up with a BCS, but have never been happy with my setup. Issues with the igniters causing RF and the BCS to flake out. So I have been planning on a conversion to Brewtroller. Bought the BT setup and then got sidetracked. So curious how you plan to use the BT in your system.

Sorry a little long winded. Great build.

Cheers,
Ron


A few pages back you mention some extra TC pieces. Let me know what you have to sell.

 

[kickflip_mj]

Wow nice build! I just read all 45 pages. I see a few mentions of welding fittings to the stainless tubing, but not a real good explanation of how you do it. Am I correct that you are drilling the end caps then putting tubing into the drilled cap, then TIG the inside of the cap at the joint? What size tubing? And where did it come from? How are you back gassing the weld? How are you finishing the weld? Also waiting for more info on your control system. I have my brewery set up with a BCS, but have never been happy with my setup. Issues with the igniters causing RF and the BCS to flake out. So I have been planning on a conversion to Brewtroller. Bought the BT setup and then got sidetracked. So curious how you plan to use the BT in your system. Sorry a little long winded. Great build. Cheers, Ron A few pages back you mention some extra TC pieces. Let me know what you have to sell.

No worries about asking a lot of questions. That is the main reason I started this thread. Well first I ordered a bunch of these end caps with 1" holes already cut out from glacier tanks. http://m.glaciertanks.com/product.cgi?group=3621&product=3625 Then I ordered 1" tubing from brewershardware.com in my desired length. I think you can order from glacier tanks but the tubing is a lot more shinny at BH.lol http://www.brewershardware.com/1-304-Stainless-Steel-Tubing-by-the-Foot.html My welding set up is just a basic everlast tig welder with a gas lens, using a 1/16 2% theorated tungston electrode with argon I then tack welded the fitting on like so at roughly 31 amps Then fusion welded the fittings together at 31 amps. I recommend just doing a little bit at a time so you don't warp the TC cap. Just work on different parts while it cools down slightly. Until it looks like this.



I then cleaned the weld down if necessary with a flap disk and polished it with a scotchbright wheel on the die grinder. Then passivated with barkeepers. Most of my welds did not have to be cleaned up at all. The process for one is really simple and pretty fast. You don't need to back gas because you are not concerned with the back of the weld.

 

[kickflip_mj]

Regarding the brewtroller. I plan on using it like they intended and max it's outputs out. I will be running 7 valves that control the beer flow, 2 valves for the water to the bk/HLT and 1 for the counterflow chiller. That's 10 valves in total. Then I have two pumps and two honeywell ignition systems. Ontop of that I am running two volume sensors with the aquarium pump. I hope at some point I can add a second module to control hop additions or have someone help me program a RPI to do this. But I think I have plenty of automation in the mean time, I still want to play some role in the beer process. Lol

 

[RonRock]

Thanks for the tutorial. That and the links will be very helpful.

Cheers