Pistol Pete

Thanks guys

Hey Guys - For anyone who uses compressed air to clean their bottles before filling, what are you using to dry the air so as to not get moisture in the bottles? I've been looking at the different filter/dryer options available and they all seem to have chemicals "known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects" so I'm a little bit wary of using them for fear of them leaving some sort of trace amounts of lead/chemical residue on the inside of my bottles. I'm not sure if that is a valid concern or if I am I just being overly paranoid about the whole thing? Thanks everyone PS: I'm only using an oil-less compressor so my only concern is the moisture

Thanks Will - Do the calibration points matter? One thermometer I was looking at has 5 points: 32, 40, 60, 100, 120°F but that is a mercury thermometer which is illegal in my state. Another thermometer is has 6 points: 32, 50, 68, 86, 104, 122°F Will the fact it's not calibrated at 60 matter? Thanks again Hi Jeff- that doesn't sound right to me, my knowledge is limited so take this with a grain of salt, but I don't think the size of the cylinder should influence the reading of the hydrometer.

Hey Guys - Just wondering how often you have your thermometers calibrated and at what temperature points? I didn't see anything in the gauging manuals regarding this, but from what I've read on here it seems like it's mandatory. Also, what about your floor scales and hydrometers? Are the rules for them the same as well? Thanks!

Thanks Will, you're the man

OK thanks again Will, I appreciate it. Kind of off topic, but how accurate is your scale? I purchased a 1000 lb .5 lb accuracy floor scale to weigh and mix in 55lb drums and I'm wondering if that will not be accurate enough?

Thanks Will- So do you suggest getting the calibrated one and then also some less expensive uncalibrated ones with proper divisions and then using the calibrated to calibrate the uncalibrated? (say that 5 times fast )) Or do you suggest just getting the calibrated and using that? I'm a little bit confused on how to proceed. Thanks again.

Hey guys, so what type of thermometer do you recommend if you are not able to ship mercury to your state? I've talked with reps from novatech and HB and no one seems to have any idea what they are talking about

Thanks Paul, I'm not sure if what you are suggesting would work in my situation or not. The pump I ordered is the same one mentioned by Scott from Twenty2Vodka in another thread: High-flow Plastic Air-powered Diaphragm Pump, Acetal, Santoprene Diaphragm, 4 Gpm. Available at Mcmaster Carr item # 13465K29 I talked to the guys at Mcmaster Carr and they said it needed to be grounded for static electricity, even though it's plastic (which I don't understand). They weren't able to tell me how to ground it, and instead said that I should consult OSHA guidelines :/ I'm hoping once I get my hands on it, I'll be able to figure out, but was hoping someone might have a better idea. This stuff is obviously not my strong point Thanks again for any insight...

Hey guys- Quick question: How did you ground your pumps/equipment? Also, did any of you bond it too? Thanks.

Thanks Dave- I appreciate it!

Thanks Scott! I guess my question is...if one were to be weighing high proof spirits, and one were to accidentally spill said high proof spirits onto the scale, shouldn't the scale be explosion proof to prevent fire, explosion etc? Or am I just over thinking the whole process?

Thanks for the responses. So are you guys just using regular old digital floor scales or some kind of specialized explosion proof ones?

Hi - What size are the bottles? Also, I do not see any picture attached. Thanks.

Thanks everyone for the info I really appreciate it. I've been looking and researching and generally coming up with nothing. From what I gather, most people are using an air powered pump, which means I would have to buy an air compressor and pump separately..and if I wanted to know how much I've pumped then buy a separate batch controller? That or weigh it on a scale. It just seems like the whole process is so complicated for something that should be so simple... If anybody has any other info or ideas it would be appreciated. Thanks again. (PS. Artesian, do you have a link or model information for the sanitary pump you are using? Thanks.)

Hi Guys- I have some very simple questions that I just can't seem to find the answers to. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. Let's say I have a tank full of distilled high proof ethanol that I now need to dilute with water down to 80 proof. My questions are: Question #1: How do I pump/transfer the ethanol into a mixing tank? (Preferably without blowing up.) Question #2: How do I know how much ethanol I have pumped from Tank A into Tank B? These seem like they should be such simple questions but so far I haven't found any answers. Thanks again.

Few questions for you all: 1.) Have any of you ever been denied by insurance companies for a bond? 2.) How much assets/financial backing are they looking for to approve you? 3.) Anybody ever get started with little to no liquid assets? Any thoughts would be appreciated

Anybody know specifically what happens if you were to go over your bond?

Thanks coop- yeah after talking with state and feds it looks like we would have to apply for basically all the same permits as if we were to distill ourselves...

Hello- Is anybody familiar with what type of permits would be required to sell alcohol that you are not distilling yourself? For instance, if one were to buy bulk spirits and repackage it, add some flavors, and make available for sale. I assume that doing that is generally looked down upon since this is a distilling forum, but any information would be appreciated

Cool...thanks alot Coop

Hi Coop- Couple quick questions... So you received your state license before you had the still in? Also you received your state before your Federal?? How was that possible? Just wondering because I was under the impression you had to get Federal first and that to get Federal that you needed your still in, up and running. Thanks

Hi all - Great forum... Does anybody know how the TTB handles odd formulations of spirits that don't fit neatly into pre-existing categories? For instance what if someone wanted to mix vodka and rum (or whiskey) together and sell it? How would the TTB handle something like that? Not saying I wanted to, but hypothetically I am wondering. Thanks.