Stainless Wiki Conical under $100?

[chippy_23]

What kind of clamp are you using? Pics?

I am using a clamp from Gemplers it is like $5

http://www.gemplers.com/product/4310-1/Replacement-Lever-lock-Ring-Metal-Pails

It came 20 hours after I ordered it and it does the trick but, I would like to have one with a bolt closure.

Lg

 

[rico567]

This is an ingenious idea, using off-the shelf stainless components to produce a cheap conical. I believe that the end of the funnel can be dealt with and will function, but I'm a whole lot less sure about sealing the entire circumference of the union between the funnel and the pot.

I agree with the post & pic that some kind of barrel lid clamp (or the same kind of arrangement) is going to be the only answer, because it will come the closest to applying uniform pressure around the entire seal. It depends on how heavy the metal of the funnel and pot is, but if it's as light gauge as some I've seen, I'm afraid that any attempt to apply clamps at intervals around the circumference of this rig is just going to distort the seal enough to result in an annoying series of leaks.

Not trying to be negative here, just pointing out a potential problem.

 

[BargainFittings]

Scuba,

Thats why I posted the purchase link for the funnel. I am hoping that a bunch of guys buy them and start experimenting. I personally wanted to build one out of a Sankey but I dont have one so I started working on the retired brew pot.

You know I think a corny with the 8.75(ish) McMaster funnel would give you a stainless conical for under $40. I dont have a corny either or I would be knocking that out.

Since I can see the light at the end of this tunnel I am going to start on a two roller grain mill with bearing, gap adjustment and drill power with rolling pin rollers and try to keep it under $50.

Cheers,

Lg

You just had to post that and put another item on my list of projects!

Wayne

 

[chippy_23]

You just had to post that and put another item on my list of projects!

Wayne

Wayne,

Are you going to do the corny keg conical or the roller mill idea?

either way I will let you know my concept. I can only work on one project at a time or I will never finish anything. BTW thanks for the write-up on soldering stainless. This Funnel will end up brazed to something.

Lg

 

[BargainFittings]

I'm thinking the corny keg would be interesting to play with but I really don't want to cut one. I think I'll find a funnel and kettle to work with.

Bad part is a conical will not work in my setup. I use chest freezers, so I would have to do it mainly as an experiment, not for actual use in my brewery.

 

[chippy_23]

I'm thinking the corny keg would be interesting to play with but I really don't want to cut one. I think I'll find a funnel and kettle to work with.

Bad part is a conical will not work in my setup. I use chest freezers, so I would have to do it mainly as an experiment, not for actual use in my brewery.

Wayne,

I was thinking of that same problem myself. I want to have three of these conicals on display in my barroom so it would have to be in the open. The way I figured I would cool it is to have a 1 wrap immersion chiller in the conical with the inlet and outlet going through the top of the conicals.

Then I would have a plastic barrel in the chest freezer, filled with water at serving temperature. I would then attach a chugger pump (on temp control device). So in the end you would have a closed system being cooled by your chest freezer.

What do you think,

Lg

 

[BargainFittings]

That plan would probably work out ok if you have 3 simultaneous split fermentations.

To get separate control you would need some logic and solenoids to control flow to individual conicals.

 

[MarshyTheKid]

This idea is pure awesome.

 

[tigmaster]

yeah u should contact a process pipe welder and get that welded together...

 

[hotrodtrash]

have you considered welding the funnel to the kettle but having the bottom (top) of it being held on with 4 ammo box clamps and a rubber seal?

 

[EarthBound]

Has anyone seen this guy's conical? It seems to be easier and cheaper because it's copper.

 

[chippy_23]

Guys I am sorry that I havent updated this but I have been busy. I recieved the Ebay boil kettle

http://www.fyurl.com/rr.php?site=ww...80281359337&fromMakeTrack=true#ht_2295wt_1139

and it is the EXACT diameter as the funnel. I wrapped both the funnel and the pot with thread tape and locked them together with the bucket ring and it worked beautifully. Unfortunately I have A leak in the rivet that holds the handle on the pot. I think I will hit it with some silicone, build a stand and throw some wort in the thing.

Has anyone started experimenting with their own funnel yet?

Lg

 

[Berniep]

Rivets can be tightened up easily with two hammers one larger one on the inside or a heavy piece of metal and smack the outside of the rivet and it will tighten up enough to seal most of the time. I have fixed lots of rivets in John boats this way when others smear silicone over them in a failed attempt to get them to quit leaking.

 

[chippy_23]

Rivets can be tightened up easily with two hammers one larger one on the inside or a heavy piece of metal and smack the outside of the rivet and it will tighten up enough to seal most of the time. I have fixed lots of rivets in John boats this way when others smear silicone over them in a failed attempt to get them to quit leaking.

Thanks I will give tat a try this weekend.

Lg

 

[KCBrewer]

Any progress/update on this?

 

[dannedry]

WOW! This is an awesome idea... love it!

 

[bgrubb7]

Rivets can be tightened up easily with two hammers one larger one on the inside or a heavy piece of metal and smack the outside of the rivet and it will tighten up enough to seal most of the time. I have fixed lots of rivets in John boats this way when others smear silicone over them in a failed attempt to get them to quit leaking.

A little solder would seal 'em up nice and be much better than silicone...

 

[Bonwit]

Lg, This is Brilliant!

I too have been interested in the benefits of a conical, but not in paying the price. Kudos to you for doing the leg work that I believe is going to result in a workable solution. Regarding a suitable gasket, I wonder if it wouldn't be possible to fabricate one in place using a silicon sealant materal. I'm curious how much of a gap needs to be filled? Could you not wax both surfaces and apply a liquid sealant, form the gasket and then trim?

My main concern, of course, is the possibility of leakage or breakage of the joint. To have 5 gallons of fermenting wort loose in the kitchen would be a disaster indeed. Having said that however, the ability to break this thing in half for cleaning is very cool. I'm glad to see the band clamp you are using has a a place for a locking pin to be installed so it doesn't accidentally pop open. With that feature, I believe a band clamp is a very sound idea. I've got one that holds the two halves of my 60 gallon swimming pool heater together under high pressure, and it's held for almost 20 years.

I'm ordering my funnel and ring tonight. the pot will come later if I can't find one locally.

Once this thing is working, I'm going to figure out a way to install a glycol chilling system. I've got an old water cooler sitting around here that I've been dying to make something out of!

Thanks for all your good work. Keep 'em coming!

 

[jonp9576]

i might attempt the corny idea

 

[chippy_23]

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't followed up on the project. I am remodeling my kitchen at this time and wont be able to play with it for a while. Feel free to post your projects on this thread, This isn't a one man show.

I think the gasket is going to be the big variable for everyone on this project. I think the pipe tape works well but others will be turned off by it. As for dumping wort on the kitchen floor, I always thought that I would put sanitizer in it over night and then replace with wort to guarantee a good seal.

Good luck guys, I will jump back in when I get a chance.

Lg

 

[JKoravos]

How about these for clamps:

 

[Bonwit]

Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't followed up on the project. I am remodeling my kitchen at this time and wont be able to play with it for a while. Feel free to post your projects on this thread, This isn't a one man show.

I think the gasket is going to be the big variable for everyone on this project. I think the pipe tape works well but others will be turned off by it. As for dumping wort on the kitchen floor, I always thought that I would put sanitizer in it over night and then replace with wort to guarantee a good seal.

Good luck guys, I will jump back in when I get a chance.

Lg

My funnel arrived today. What a beauty, but I never thought I'd spend this much on a funnel! Still waiting on the ring, but ordered the pot today. I contacted Barry at Prime Pacific (eBay store). He was extremely helpful and offered to measure a few pots in a case to find one that is closest to 11 7/8. You can contact him directly ar 310-762-6018 it's item #PPD400-20 for $19.99. That's a pretty good price for stainless. Even if it doesnt work, it'll be put to good use. Keeping my fingers crossed it will be the right size.

 

[Bonwit]

Lg,

Describe the pipe tape. Is this Teflon Tape? How many wraps did it take to seal? Did you end up wrapping each piece separately? Sure seems like a soft silicon gasket would be more secure. Anyone had any experience forming a gasket?

 

[chippy_23]

The pipe tape was the pink .69 cent stuff at Lowe's. I am not sure if it was teflon or not. It took me 3-4 wraps to build up a bit of a gasket which you will probably find is enough to seal the deal.

Let me just echo your review of prime pacific... they are great and went out of their way to make sure I got the pot on time. I highly recommend them.

Good Luck,

Lg

 

[Bonwit]

Thanks Lg. Let me also say thank you for doing the leg work to seek out these parts.

Regarding that fitting that attaches the bottom ball valve. . . What kind of fitting is that? I searched the sheves at Lowe's trying to find it, but no luck.

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

Hey Chippy

I have been following this thread for awhile. Do you have any recent photos?

Thanks

 

[akthor]

What about cutting a slit in some beer tubing lengthwise and making a gasket out of that?

 

[Bonwit]

I seem to recall that was tried but it was too thick.

 

[chippy_23]

Bonwit,

I dont know what the technical name of the fitting is but it is 3/4" thread with a shoulder on it that is close to one inch. I used a 7/8 inch bit to drill the hole. The piece that I used I got from Lowes and it had a female "nut" on it. Look at the 3/4 inch stuff and you will see something that works.

The "beer tube" will not work as it is much too thick. The tolerances on this thing are VERY close.

Sorry no new pics I dont have a brewing room anymore until my remodel is complete.

Good Luck,

Lg

 

[Bonwit]

I looked everywhere, but couldn't find it. Was it with the PVC fittings or the copper?

The bucket ring arrived the other day and you're right, the tolerances are very close. Can't wait to get the pot and see how everything fits together. The bucket ring was a master stroke as it looks like it's going to be a very secure fit. I'm intent on trying to form a custom gasket using silicon sealant. I'm going to wax both surfaces, apply a bead and press fit the parts. Hopefully, the wax will prevent the silicon from sticking and I'll be able to produce a usable gasket.

Stay tuned.