There's a hole in my bucket!!

[Dieseljockey]

Today I've set-to and started my boiler... :clap:

First thing to do... decide on a side drain or bottom....makes sense to go with a bottom...should drain out more...but then the boiler will have to sit up on blocks.. :wha:

I received my 2 Q-max cutters a couple of days back..but what with w**k the job had to wait till the weekend. I also got hold of some titanium coated H/S drill bits...these turned out to be worth their weight in gold.

First ... got to drill a pilot hole....

Started off with a 4mm then used a 6mm....

Then up to a 10mm so that you can then use the 20mm Q-max cutter..

Now fit the tank connector....I've taken the black rubber washer off ...I've changed to a thin white one off an old plastic keg and fitted it on the inside now.

With the drain hole finished.......

........ it was time to tackle the big holes for the kettle elements.
After sorting where to site them a 4mm hole was drilled followed by the 10mm...then in with the big boy 1.5 inch= (38.1mm) Q=max...(took this photo to show the finale part of the action)

The 2nd hole now cut and waiting for the last element....

With a couple of hours under my belt I could stand back and get a good idea of how it's going to look on a brew day...

I'm Happy :party:

 

[snail59]

Nice work DJ looking good :thumb:

 

[highwayman]

Looking Good DJ....

 

[Cussword]

Mega Job DJ :thumb:

 

[corby_brewer]

nice work there that man :thumb:

 

[Killick Greenie]

Nice one :thumb:

 

[prolix]

those q max cutters are the bis.

nice job mate :

 

[Dieseljockey]

Thanks guys...going to start on the pipe w**k tomorrow...that'll get me thinking :wha:

 

[Dieseljockey]

those q max cutters are the bis.

nice job mate :

10-rog on that...I'd never heard of them till I joined the forum ..but what a brill bit of kit :thumb:

don't suppose I'll use them again but you never know...well worth the money.

 

Brilliant method statement!
Will you be calling on the services of one of the Forum's other members for you Hop filter?

 

[Dieseljockey]

Brilliant method statement!
Will you be calling on the services of one of the Forum's other members for you Hop filter?

Right on Dude :thumb: That's just one of the headaches.

Any ideas that you guys have please "throw um in the melting pot" before I cock it up .. :pray:
I have a rough idea of what & where the pipes have to run....I would like to get it correct at the first go & not have to redo any of it later.. :hmm:

 

[Tony]

Cracking work DJ!
:

 

[31bb3]

Lovely bit of workmanship mate soon be brewing in it :clap:

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

looking good :clap: . Are those kettle elements? I have three stainless 50l pots (salvaged before they went to scrappy), loads of plumbing stuff to make a small brewery. I was wondering whether to go with propane or kettle elements to heat the water and the wort. I was a bit concerned that the kettle elements would not have the guts to do a full boil with 40litres. I did not fancy heaving 40 litres of boiling stuff off the kitchen cooker

 

[Dieseljockey]

Yup... :thumb: Robbarwell...A lot of the guys here use them...bog standard Tesco £4.90p kettles...take the elements out and fit to your pots...I've put them into 100L pots so I bloody hope so....ye they'll be ok :pray: there's plenty of old post on here about the use of kettle elements to make a boiler.

Started the pipe w**k on Sunday now that's something else :wha:

 

[Cussword]

looking good :clap: . Are those kettle elements? I have three stainless 50l pots (salvaged before they went to scrappy), loads of plumbing stuff to make a small brewery. I was wondering whether to go with propane or kettle elements to heat the water and the wort. I was a bit concerned that the kettle elements would not have the guts to do a full boil with 40litres. I did not fancy heaving 40 litres of boiling stuff off the kitchen cooker

Try having a word with Aleman or Uncle Plumble about propane :thumb:

 

[corby_brewer]

I was a bit concerned that the kettle elements would not have the guts to do a full boil with 40litres.

Dont worry, 2 x 2KW elements will boil 50ltrs no problem. Altho ive never brewed that sort of length, ive tested a 52ltr boiler out and it wasnt any probem at all.

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

Brilliant words of reassurance chaps. I am off to tesco later to get a couple of kettles. I will try to get some photos of the thing when done for you. Should look the doggies licky bits when all polished up.

Incidentaly my first brew (coopers IPA kit) has conditioned well. I bottled it 3 weeks ago and sampled it last night. Lovely head that stuck to glass right through the pint, very paletable it was as well.

I have decided that all grain is the way to go though. Once I have done my plumbing and cutting I was going to try an all grain kit from the barley people from Ilkley. Anybody else tried them?

 

[Dieseljockey]

Got one in the spare room right now....Maybe the first one in my new setup...but would like to have a go at one of my own for the first run :party:

 

Lovely head that stuck to glass right through the pint

Sounds like "Coopers" use a good heading liquid! :whistle: