EOI Stainless Perforated Sheet for false bottom

[mofox1]

I was quoted over $500 for a sheet of perforated stainless for the same type of project (newcastle area) I ended up
Getting a stainless fab shop to laser cut 2600 perforations at 2 x10 mm the smallest they could do, it is 600mm dia and was under $300. Materials and cutting

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1483959800.177854.jpg

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1483959970.208502.jpg

What thickness was the SS? I just got quoted $680 (plus gst!) for basically that but only 450mm dia.

I could get your guy to make and ship two of 'em for less than my quote!

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Scrap metal merchant on Huntingdale road South has some sheets of perforated stainless sheet, called in there on the off chance going to Geordi's if I could have got a sheet in my car I would have grabbed one also had a Carlton keg they usually sell them for about $50.

 

[Curly79]

I just spoke to him again this morning, he said he thinks he has a few sheets of the 2.4m x 900mm , 1mm thick 2mm hole size. Forgot to ask the pitch measurement. They are $150 a sheet cos they are an odd size sheet (normally 2.4 x 1.2m sheets). I'll head down there today probably and if they look the goods I'll grab a sheet. You still up for half Mardoo?
Otherwise it's $298 for the same thing in a 2.4 x 1.2m sheet.

 

[Mardoo]

Absolutely. Cheers!

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

FWIW I found that 10% open area was way too much with slots

I currently have a slot width around 0.6mm with 10mm between slots so that's around 5% open area allowing for the crossbracing. This seems to work OK with a grain bed of 200mm. As the grain bed gets deeper you'll need more open area: most of the recommendations you'll find are for commercial grain bed depths which are around 1 metre with dry milled grist from a 6 roller malt mill*, values of 10 - 15% seem about right at that depth.

Not sure how that translates to holes or mesh but it should be independent: the advantage of slots is that they don't block as easily as each particle only has two support points.


* With the common two roller mills you wouldn't go this high.

 

[Benn]

FWIW I found that 10% open area was way too much with slots

Can you elaborate on this LC? I would have thought that more flow through a false bottom would be beneficial. Or is this specific to your particular lautering vessel. Looking around my stainless pile, I may end up making a slotted F.B.
I realise this is veering off topic and I apologise to the O.P
Perhaps LC, we/you should start another FB thread?)

 

[Curly79]

Ok. They are 2m x 900mm for $120. $60 each for 1m x900. How's that sound Mardoo? Dunno how many sheets he has. I'll find out if anyone else wants some. He's located in Epping.

 

[malt junkie]

Hell at that price I may have to jump on board too, custom FB's are bloody exy .... and usually imported :unsure:

Grabing measuring tape as we speak.

 

[Mardoo]

Ok. They are 2m x 900mm for $120. $60 each for 1m x900. How's that sound Mardoo? Dunno how many sheets he has. I'll find out if anyone else wants some. He's located in Epping.

Sounds great. Might go a full sheet depending on how much he has. I won't be greedy right off the bat. Let's see how many folks want some.

I'm definitely in for a half sheet, possibly a full one.

 

[Lager Bloke]

Depending on price I could be interested as well. Need around 45cm dia.How are people thinking of cutting it? Angle grinder, laser? Worried that any hack job I do would leave sharp edges that would scratch up the inside of the pot.

Stainless disc on grinder-tidy up with flap disc on grinder

 

[malt junkie]

Yeah agree with above, might even set up a jig to hold the grinder with flap disc so I can get it dead on. Might be a bit of work but definitely worth doing if your using it years later.

 

[Lyrebird_Cycles]

I use a power file with Norton "Blaze" (R980) or "Bluefire" (R823) belt to clean up the cut. Works a treat.

 

[Curly79]

I'm heading down there tomorrow and as long as all goes to plan I'll grab two sheets. Both sheets will be pretty much spoken for. I will probably have some small bits to share but if he has more available I'll give his details to anyone interested. Cheers.

 

[malt junkie]

What thickness was the SS? I just got quoted $680 (plus gst!) for basically that but only 450mm dia.

I could get your guy to make and ship two of 'em for less than my quote!

Is that for the SS brewtech pot I picked up for you? If it is, martin should have specific falsies in stock for those, made by norcal too

 

[MartinOC]

Mofox1, CB has got proper false bottoms for SS Brewtech kettles if that's what you need & possibly a shitload cheaper than a custom job. We've also got rubber grommets to fit through them on the way this week. Drop me a PM if this interests you.

I wouldn't mind grabbing a small strip of off-cut to create a support-ring to fit under my current FB if that's doable?

 

[Curly79]

Picked them up this morning. Looks good, if anything slightly flimsy but after cutting out a 300mm diameter circle it will do the job nicely. I'll probably have some left over if anyone wants or if you want full sheets he has a few left. $100 a sheet in the end, bargain. [emoji106]. PM me if you want details. Cheers.View attachment 94600View attachment 94601

 

[Curly79]

 

[Mardoo]

OK, I just picked my perf up from Curly79, and it is fully thick enough to make great false bottoms. I'll try to post a measurement of it tonight, but right now there's dinner to cook. Larger ones will need supports, but that's easily solved. This is an insanely cheap price, so I recommend getting in touch with him to get the supplier's info.

Thanks so much and kudos for organising this mate!!! Otherwise that 710mm diameter false bottom would have been a dream for much longer than it will take me to make it. Maybe

 

[bevan]

Do you think it would work in a brauclone for top and bottom of a malt pipe (30cm)?

 

[Mardoo]

Based on having helped my mate assemble, disassemble and clean his Braumeister twice, yes.