Tools

[JohnQ]

We've chatted about it off and on, but the idea of a toolkit came to mind again.

Thought I'd start a thread where we could suggest what type of tools the club should purchase for members to use when building up their gear.

Some could be 'signed out' but much of it could be used at meetings, before the beer, with the assistance of a more experienced tool user.

Of course a vac sealer is high on the list, but I'm a little concerned about the design of model I used to reseal the mini hops purchase we just did.  After a short time, there was quite a layer of the sticky residue inside the sealer, looking like a recipe for disaster.  It may be that we need to do some research and save up for something a little more commercial.  Alternatively, that design is less than a couple of hundred at Costco, so maybe we buy it, and run it until it breaks and then make a judgment about it's value.

In addition to the vac sealer, here are couple of ideas...We could also stock some of the bits required that the member could reimburse each usage if it gets expensive.  Thinking Solder, Flux, oetiker clamps, etc.

Step drill bits, I bet a set of them probably come on sale at CT regularly enough...must have cutting oil used with them or they won't last.

Soldering equipment for making CFC's.

Oetiker Clamp tool.

Greenlee Radio Punches for clean hole punching.

Ideas for some tools could come from the electric brewery page with parts and tools listings...
http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/parts-list-for-building

We can save on some of the stuff bringing it back from the states.  Also we could get our Moncton McGyver(Jr) to check Princess Auto... so a list would be good, then a plan could be developed on acquisition timeframes based on our budget.  We'll need Peter's help with that.

I guess at that point we might want to move the discussion on purchasing to the Members Only section so we can vote on a budget and timeframe, but for now, if you can think of a tool for the kit, post it here.

I also suggest that someone be 'official tool librarian' and kind of run a tools part of the club. Immediately, dean comes to mind, with fakr as the assistant tool guy if they'd be willing. I'll obviously help out on the acquisition side as needed getting stuff stateside across, but my toolroom is an unmitigated disaster, so I'd be a very bad choice.

JQ

[Kyle]

We will have more details on this at the meeting and this is a good place to start discussion. As for budgetary considerations, the exec will provide details. Probably in the Private forum.

A commercial quality vacuum sealer tops the list of tools I'd reccomend. JohnQ has been very generous to let the club use his regularly, but it is not meant for the rigors we put it through.

[Kyle]

There is a saying that "a good tool lasts a lifetime". Whatever tools we as a club decide to buy, they should be of high quality, otherwise we'll spend more in the long run, when they break.

[sdixon]

John - That was a great link. Do yo uknow anyone in the club that uses a system similar to the electric brewery? I think that is my new goal!

I was always skeptical about electric due to temp control, but with the fuzzy logic PID's that should take care of most of the issue I would think. Most excellent.

Drawback # 1 = $$

[Kyle]

I'm interested in a low budget version of that. Kal's setup is amazing, but not for me. I'm doing a single heating element to cut down on cost. The other two vessels will be insulated.

[Gil Breau]

If I can get some finances under control I may be switching to an electric setup next summer. I'll have to wait and see though....seems pretty awesome from all the research I've seen.

[JohnQ]

It is my master plan to reproduce that with a 5 gallon setup, then I can always upsize if I want to by switching the parts out.

JQ

[Kyle]

5gallons goes so fast though...

[sdixon]

Kyle, that's exactly what I was thinking