3 ms·

> Also, this type of liquid is close to impossible to make yourself -- at least safely (since it requires subjecting volatile solvents to high pressures and tem

by c22 11y ago

> Also, this type of liquid is close to impossible to make yourself -- at least safely (since it requires subjecting volatile solvents to high pressures and temperature). I built a closed loop (butane retaining) essential oils extractor for around $1500 and I never felt unsafe operating it. There are no high pressures involved, I pull the system to a slight vacuum then flood it with butane to around 15 psi (all my valves, ports, and joints are rated to 300 psi). There are no high temperatures involved either, butane boils at 30.2°F so I just leave the system at room temperature with the gas reclaimer running till all my solvent is back in the cylinder. The largest risk is actually developing a butane leak and flooding the area with an odorless flammable gas, but basic precautions can protect against this.

exelius 11y ago
Then you are far beyond the skills of your average garage mechanic, my friend.
- c22 11y ago
  Really? Cause I just sourced appropriately rated threaded components from the internet and screwed them together with thread sealant from the auto shop. The hardest part was probably modding a minifridge to run on its back so I could fit my receiving tank in it for faster retrieval. The craziest mechanicals are probably inside the appion g5 refrigerant reclaimer and bargain basement vacuum pump I got off ebay. In fact, if I think about it this was probably my first real project as a "maker", my design document was literally a single sheet of graph paper. Since then I've embarked on much more ambitious projects (frame-up electric bicycle, cnc plasma cutter, modular light up dance floor...) and I feel like my skills have probably increased many-fold over where I was at the time. If I were to build another one today I'd probably introduce considerably more complexity (electronically actuated valves with process automation for example, perhaps co2 as a solvent which would require cooling with liquid nitrogen). Shit, at the time I think my toolbag consisted of a screwdriver and an adjustable spanner.

by c22 11y ago

exelius 11y ago

Then you are far beyond the skills of your average garage mechanic, my friend.

c22 11y ago
Really? Cause I just sourced appropriately rated threaded components from the internet and screwed them together with thread sealant from the auto shop. The hardest part was probably modding a minifridge to run on its back so I could fit my receiving tank in it for faster retrieval. The craziest mechanicals are probably inside the appion g5 refrigerant reclaimer and bargain basement vacuum pump I got off ebay. In fact, if I think about it this was probably my first real project as a "maker", my design document was literally a single sheet of graph paper. Since then I've embarked on much more ambitious projects (frame-up electric bicycle, cnc plasma cutter, modular light up dance floor...) and I feel like my skills have probably increased many-fold over where I was at the time. If I were to build another one today I'd probably introduce considerably more complexity (electronically actuated valves with process automation for example, perhaps co2 as a solvent which would require cooling with liquid nitrogen). Shit, at the time I think my toolbag consisted of a screwdriver and an adjustable spanner.