American Copper Works: Hand-Built Copper Stills from Fort Wilkins

American Copper Works is a copper still company that hand-builds copper stills at Fort Wilkins, our warehouse and showroom at 1009 Upper City Road in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. We make complete copper stills, electric stills, patented Flame Flow™ stills, and you-solder EZ KIT kits. Every one is built from thick 20 oz American copper and joined with lead-free silver solder.

This page explains who we are, what we build, and how we build it. It also tells the short Fort Wilkins story, how to reach the owner, and where you can see the work in person. If you came here looking for American Copper Works reviews, there's a section below on the best ways to check us out for yourself.

Who Is American Copper Works?

American Copper Works is a small copper still company based in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. BuyAMoonshineStill.com is our oldest website. Our shop is called Fort Wilkins, and it is home to Alchemist G.G. Wilkins, the persona of the owner who runs the business.

We focus on one thing: building copper stills by hand. We don't resell thin, mass-made stills. Each still is cut, shaped, and soldered in our own building, then tested before it ships.

When you call us, you reach the owner, not a call center. That matters when you have a question about sizing, setup, or your first run. You get answers from the person who knows how the stills are built.

What Does American Copper Works Build?

Our American copper stills come in sizes from small 3 gallon units up to 100 gallon kits. Complete copper stills include the pot, a thumper, and a worm (condenser), so you have the full setup in one box. You can browse everything on our all copper stills page.

Here is the main lineup:

• Complete copper stills: pot, thumper, and worm included. Common sizes are 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 50 gallons.
• Electric stills: 110V and 220V models with a heating element and controller, for people who want to skip propane. See electric moonshine stills.
• Flame Flow™ stills: our patented design, offered in 6 and 30 gallon sizes, built for faster heat-up and even temperature. Learn more on the Flame Flow page.
• EZ KIT you-solder kits: the copper parts are made for you, and you do the final soldering. Sizes run from 6 to 100 gallons. See DIY moonshine still kits.
• Parts: burners, heating elements with controllers, silver solder, hydrometers, and single pots, thumpers, and condensers.

How Are American Copper Works Stills Built?

We use thick 20 oz, 22 gauge American copper. That is much heavier than the thin copper found on many cheap imported stills. Heavier copper holds its shape, spreads heat more evenly, and stands up to years of use.

Every joint is made with lead-free silver solder. Lead has no place near anything you heat and distill, so we don't use it.

Each still goes through the same steps at Fort Wilkins before it leaves the building:

• Cut: copper sheet is cut to size for the pot, cap, thumper, and worm.
• Rolled: flat sheet is rolled into round shapes.
• Formed: seams, tops, and fittings are shaped to fit tight.
• Soldered: joints are sealed with lead-free silver solder.
• Tested: the still is checked for leaks.
• Adjusted: anything that needs a tweak gets fixed.
• Inspected: a final look before it is packed and shipped.

What Is Fort Wilkins, and Who Is G.G. Wilkins?

Fort Wilkins is the name of our workshop, warehouse, and showroom in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. It is where every American Copper Works still is hand-built.

The name comes from Dr. G.G. Wilkins (1819-1879), who lived in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Our owner's persona, Alchemist G.G. Wilkins, is inspired by that local history. You can read the full story on our Fort Wilkins page.

Why an alchemist? Because running a still really is hands-on science. You work with copper, heat, and vapor, and you learn to read what the still is telling you. As I like to say from the shop floor: the copper does its part, and you learn to do yours.

American Copper Works Reviews: How Can You Check Us Out?

We don't post made-up star ratings or quotes on this page. The best way to judge any copper still company is to talk to the people who build the stills and to look at the work.

Here is how to check us out before you buy:

• Call the owner at 1-502-337-3944. Ask how a still is built, what copper we use, or which size fits your plans.
• Visit the Fort Wilkins showroom in Pittsfield, NH, and see the stills up close.
• Read our lifetime warranty. We stand behind our copper stills for life.
• Compare the specs: 20 oz, 22 gauge copper and lead-free silver solder. Ask any seller for the same numbers.

Where Can You See Our Copper Stills in Person?

Our warehouse and showroom is Fort Wilkins, at 1009 Upper City Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263. This is the same building where the stills are made.

Seeing a still in person helps you judge size, weight, and build quality. You can feel the difference thick copper makes. Please call ahead at 1-502-337-3944 so the owner can plan to meet you.

Is It Legal to Own an American Copper Still?

Under US federal law, it is legal to buy and own a still of any size. You can use it for distilled water, essential oils, and similar non-alcohol uses.

Distilling alcohol (spirits) at home for drinking is not legal without a federal permit from the TTB, even for personal use. A free TTB fuel alcohol permit lets you make ethanol for fuel. State and local laws vary and can be stricter, so check yours. We don't give legal advice. Our article are stills legal to own? covers the basics.

How Do You Order or Contact American Copper Works?

You can shop on BuyAMoonshineStill.com. Orders check out through our sister store, MoonshineStills.com, so don't be surprised when you see that name at checkout.

For questions, call the owner directly at 1-502-337-3944, or use our contact page. It helps to know roughly what size you want and whether you plan to heat with propane or electric. If you're not sure, just ask. That's what the call is for.