EXTREMELY GHETTO: Another DIY Stirplate

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Bartp

Bartp

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I want to share few pics from today's project in hope that it will help someone build a cheap DIY stirplate. My total cost of the project is exactly $0 as I scavenged all parts from random things that I had around the house. Your price may vary.

diy_stirplate_7.jpg


First. I used a fan from an old computer, and superglued a magnet that I pulled out from a broken hard drive.

diy_stirplate_3.jpg


I found found a Fan speed controller in my closet from an old desktop. I use that to control the fan speed. If anyone is looking for a great speed controllers, you can pick one of these up for few buck on amazon or newegg.com. You dont have to splice any wires on the fan, just connect it and you're golden :)

diy_stirplate_4.jpg


diy_stirplate_6.jpg


The only mod that I did to the wiring was splicing wires together from a 12v power supply that I had laying around to a 4 pin power connector that I used from an old power supply. If you are interested in doing the same thing, then the yellow wire is 12v and black is ground. The other red wire is 5v so I just cut it off as there is no need for it at this time.

diy_stirplate_5.jpg


Then I put it all inside of a craft storage box. Cut out the hole for the speed controller, and then I screwed in the fan to the lid. The lid had a conveniant pocket where the magnet could hide without hitting the top. See the first image above.

and viola! an extremely ghetto 30 min stirplate, that works like a charm.

diy_stirplate_1.jpg


Also, for the stir bar I used a standard 1/4" hex bit from my tool kit. It works absolutely fantastic!

diy_stirplate_8-1.jpg


It has no problem creating huge vortex that will reach the bottom of a 2000ml flask.

diy_stirplate_2.jpg


There is also zero rattling with the 1/4" hex bit. And its very easy to adjust the speed and get a perfect vortex with the fan speed controller for a nice and quiet setup.

hope it helps!
 
Nice. I like the hex bit stir bar. Wish I would have thought of that when I made mine.
 
Looks good but watch out for that hex bit. If the bit gets thrown enough times it may damage the glass with micro-fractures (there is a reason the commercial stir bars are coated in plastic).
 
Varroa said:
(there is a reason the commercial stir bars are coated in plastic).
Click to expand...

Two reasons actually. One would be to reduce friction and the other to prevent rust. I think the bits are steel and will likely corrode.
 
Great Job!

As far as the stir bar, if it's a concern, What if you took two of these goomers and put one on from each end. The seal would probably be water tight. If not, you could put a little shrink wrap on the joint. I'm sure you can source something from one of the big box stores, but these are vinyl. Luck - Dwain

http://www.alliance-express.com/round-vinyl-end-caps
 
just out of curiousity what is this for? sorry if thats a dumb question- i just dont have a clue...

DNA testing?...
 
haha. ok. gotcha. yeah that DNA thing was a joke in case anyone thought i was being serious. haven't got that advanced in terms of saving yeast strains from my bactches and reusing them.

pretty impressive set up- could use some duct tape though :)
 
mmm. good point about the rust and fractures in the glass caused by the bit. I guess I'll better get a real stir bar.
 
TomHanx said:
haha. ok. gotcha. yeah that DNA thing was a joke in case anyone thought i was being serious. haven't got that advanced in terms of saving yeast strains from my bactches and reusing them.

pretty impressive set up- could use some duct tape though :)
Click to expand...

Starters aren't really an advanced technique, if you're using liquid yeast you should get familiar with the concept. Dry yeast (at least the Safale 11.5g packets) have enough cells to pitch in most beers, but the liquid yeasts really benefit from a starter.

Love the ghetto stirplate.. I was going to break down and buy one since I could get a much nicer one than I could build myself for $40-$50 - but you inspired me to look around a little bit more before I do that.
 
I was thinking a little more about my stir bar. You guys had a very valid point about the corrosion and possibility of braking the glass. So I came up with another mod, which I hope will relief both of the problems.

I took a wire shrink wrap and a ligher, and enclosed the bar in with the vinyl. I melted the ends with a ligher and pressed firmly with needle nose pliers to seal in the ends. and then trimmed the excess vinyl with scissors. Now the bar is completely enclosed in soft vinyl which is waterproof and adds a nice cushion if it hits the glass. and it performs just as well as when 'naked'

Kind of hard to see but here are few pics.

diy_stirplate_2_1.jpg


diy_stirplate_2_2.jpg


this is the kind of wrap I used

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HDF8MU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bruin_ale said:
Starters aren't really an advanced technique, if you're using liquid yeast you should get familiar with the concept. Dry yeast (at least the Safale 11.5g packets) have enough cells to pitch in most beers, but the liquid yeasts really benefit from a starter.

Love the ghetto stirplate.. I was going to break down and buy one since I could get a much nicer one than I could build myself for $40-$50 - but you inspired me to look around a little bit more before I do that.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I was surprised that I was able to find all of the stuff that I needed in the closet, so I would guess that the useless electronics box is always a good starting place. Also you can hop on facebook and maka a wanted post, your friends will be glad to hand over their useless junk to you! haha.

if you are looking for a pre-build unit check out brewers hardware.

http://www.brewershardware.com/Brewers-Hardware-Stir-Plate.html

a very nice unit for $45. pretty much how much you would spend if you had to buy all of the parts yourself.

Also, I see you live in Campbell. So you can hop onto 85, drive over to morebeer and pick up a nice pro unit for $99 :mug:
 
Bartp said:
Thanks! I was surprised that I was able to find all of the stuff that I needed in the closet, so I would guess that the useless electronics box is always a good starting place. Also you can hop on facebook and maka a wanted post, your friends will be glad to hand over their useless junk to you! haha.

if you are looking for a pre-build unit check out brewers hardware.

http://www.brewershardware.com/Brewers-Hardware-Stir-Plate.html

a very nice unit for $45. pretty much how much you would spend if you had to buy all of the parts yourself.

Also, I see you live in Campbell. So you can hop onto 85, drive over to morebeer and pick up a nice pro unit for $99 :mug:
Click to expand...

I like the brewershardware one.. I've ordered stuff from him in the past and it's quality stuff. I'd order one right now, but they're on backorder. If I don't find the stuff around the house to make mine for less than $10, I'll buy his. Heck, may build one and buy his anyways.

And yeah, I spend way too much time at morebeer. I've tried other stores, but love the way they have the grain in bins and you can just help yourself. Plus they only bug me with advice if I ask for it.
 
Please explain more about the fan controller unit. Especially what to look for on ebay. I would like that kind of speed contraol for my own ghetto set up. Thanks!
 
nutty_gnome said:
Please explain more about the fan controller unit. Especially what to look for on ebay. I would like that kind of speed contraol for my own ghetto set up. Thanks!
Click to expand...

This is like the one I used, but only because I had one handy -- you can definitely go with something cheaper. you don't need 4 fan controllers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998065

This one should do the trick just fine, and its only $8 shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118217

or this one from amazon

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TLST6U/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

$11 and comes with the controller AND a fan :) cant go wrong!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
So did you submerge this in still water to see if any bubbles arise? That would give you a good test to see if you had an air tight seal on the ends. Also, I'd probably use 2 layers just to ensure you have enough padding (and assuming that the magnet would still be strong enough to get a good vortex going).
 
Hey Bartp,

Your build is really cool! I plan on doing the same thing. However I don't have any old cellphone power supply around so I was wondering if you (or anyone in fact) could suggest anything on newegg.com that could do the job. Looked a bit but I didn't find much. Thanks!


Edit: I'm looking at this: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...m_re=ac_dc_adapter_12v-_-12-123-309-_-Product
Would that do it? Sorry I'm not really knowledgeable in this field :p.
 
TomStew said:
Hey Bartp,

Your build is really cool! I plan on doing the same thing. However I don't have any old cellphone power supply around so I was wondering if you (or anyone in fact) could suggest anything on newegg.com that could do the job. Looked a bit but I didn't find much. Thanks!


Edit: I'm looking at this: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...m_re=ac_dc_adapter_12v-_-12-123-309-_-Product
Would that do it? Sorry I'm not really knowledgeable in this field :p.
Click to expand...

I think the one that you have the link to will be great! as long as the fan controller you have is using a 4 pin power plug. Some will use a mini 3 pin thats found on the case fans. If you want a fail proof, plug-and-play setup, Here's what you'll need:

12v power supply, as stated:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...m_re=ac_dc_adapter_12v-_-12-123-309-_-Product

12v 4pin fan controller:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...9&cm_re=fan_controller-_-11-998-129-_-Product

80mm 4pin Fan
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998109&cm_re=case_fan-_-11-998-109-_-Product

no modding required. other than gluing a magnet and finding a suitable case
 
The_Dog_42 said:
So did you submerge this in still water to see if any bubbles arise? That would give you a good test to see if you had an air tight seal on the ends. Also, I'd probably use 2 layers just to ensure you have enough padding (and assuming that the magnet would still be strong enough to get a good vortex going).
Click to expand...

yup, I did submerge it in still water, and I also ran a full test. I let it run for an hour or two. Definitely well sealed from both ends.

The first layer is pretty thick. especially around the edges so I don't worry about it now.
 
Update. I made a starter using this setup and it performed excellent. The starter fermented out and was ready for pitching in about 18 hours. my wort was full of activity within few hours
 

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