From Thermo to Tun in 3 hours....Muddy's Tun Conversion

[Wez]

Today has been a great day for me, the thermobox that I got from Nordic back in August 2009 has finally been converted into a mash tun.

Before I go any further I should explain that if it were not for Muddydisco (MD) I probably would have bu@@ered up 3 or 4 thermoboxes trying to do what he made look sooooo easy today in just 3 short hours!

My DIY skills are ... limited, and i've always been taught, stick to what you know - make good friends for that you dont and you will always be helped and helpful. I hope I can in someway, someday pay MD back

So....my trusty 65L plastic thermobox developed an unrepairable split during a brew last summer. I was gutted, the old girl had not only done me proud, but had also been a workhorse for another home brewer over in East Anglia and I was lucky enough to be able to drive over and pick it up from him when it was finally retired from his duties.

Ok........on with the build, I'll post loads of pictures here and describe as best I can what MD was doing, hopefully he can correct any mistakes I make.

Huge thanks to Vossy1 and his How To, we followed your method :clap: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1709

An 80L Thermobox from Nordic.

Centre spot marked and pilot hole drilled.

The area to be cut out of the tun's outer skin is masked off and cut out.

The components.

Removing the outer skin and the insulation.

Depth between inner and outer skin is 1.75 inches

A hole for bottom drain was then drilled out to 16mm.

6x 3mm holes are then drilled into the flange nut.

The hole for the ball valve is then drilled, this was done by drilling a 12mm pilot and then usng a 21mm q-max punch, then the undercarriage tidied up.

The 90 elbow assembled, using JB Weld and the complete section which is to be fitted under the tun.

Matching holes drilled for the flange nut in the tun base.

This was then JB Welded to the tun and secured with 6x M3 SS nuts.

The false bottom from H&G was a bit too large, no problem for MD though

Tap fitted

Insulation applied to copper pipe and homemade cover fitted (to be filled with expanding foam on Sunday).

Mash Tun...DONE

Cannot thank MD enough, he will be getting a FV of the wort from the first brew plus an extra gift :thumb:

Sorry about all the pics!

Right, better get a brew on

 

[Sean_Mc]

Brilliant post, Thanks :thumb:

 

[jambanks]

Cheers for the post wez, looks like MD did a cracking job of converting this for you. Like you say plastic does the job more than adequately but them thermo boxes just look so sexy..... Is it just me aswell or are the ss taps a turn on :lol:

MD, really nice work there, bet Wez is more than impressed with it.
Am sure you could do a nice bit of business converting these for other members :thumb:

 

[Muddydisco]

Thanks wez I enjoyed myself! You did some work though, you helped tighten the 6 allen bolts :rofl:

 

[Wez]

Thanks wez I enjoyed myself! You did some work though, you helped tighten the 6 allen bolts :rofl:

yep, told Mrs Wez I needed a lie down :whistle:

 

[evanvine]

Thats brilliant, nearly as good as Vossy's! (oh eck)

 

[rickthebrew]

You did some work though, you helped tighten the 6 allen bolts :rofl:

:lol:

so how many miles is it to MD`s house from exeter :hmm: :whistle:
great work looks amazing - bet wez can`t wait to brew from that

 

[31bb3]

MD your a genius
Wez your a lucky bugger :

 

[EskiBrew]

Nice work chaps :clap:

 

[corby_brewer]

very good work there MD. I should be taking delivery of mine soon, you will have to work your magic on that.

 

[Vossy1]

What an absolutely fantsatic job md, you must be very happy Wez :clap:

 

[Wez]

It has passed a water tightness test today :thumb:

 

[Muddydisco]

Only did what you said V in my own way. But a great how to makes things easier, But I did drill the center hole from the inside as not to do your mistake But thats why how to's are here :thumb:

Of course it passed water tightness V's plans, my hands, result

 

[A T]

Nice work guys, Wez you must be tired after all that

 

[Dunfie]

Looks like a fantastic conversion, well done lads. :clap:

 

[bones]

Nice one Chaps :clap:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[leedsbrew]

A true beaut there wez! :thumb:

 

[rickthebrew]

wez - when and what will be your first brew in your new tun? bet you can`t wait :thumb:

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Great Job :thumb:
Most brewers on here use SS ball taps, is there a problem using 15mm gate valve taps, the ones with red tops, is it purley cosmetic or more to it :wha:

Who's the good looking kid with clean hands :wha:

 

[Muddydisco]

The SS taps have 1/2" bsp threads so with a nipple and a 1/2" to 15mm compression adaptor you can secure the tap to the side of the tun, other than that you could mount a normal tap on it but it won't be as fixed to the side of the tun.