50l Keg Help

[dengeez]

Hi fellow brewers.

I have been given an empty 50L Castlemaine keg and coupler, was wondering if anyone knows if they can be used for homebrewing. I know the CUB's can (remove the circlip), but wasn't sure about the one I've got.

I have managed to unscrew the thread flange

, but don't know if the barrell (or whatever it's called) can be removed to clean and fill the keg. I noticed there is a small groove on the neck of the keg but am having difficulty extracting it

.

Any solutions would be greatly recieved.

 

[InCider]

Hi Dengeez,

Domonsura has a great guide with pretty pics here:
Sir Linkalot

 

[schooey]

Mate, I think the Castlemaine ones are similar to Lowenbreau/Tooheys etc? If that's the case, they're a whole different thing to Dom's guide.
The way I get mine out Dengeeze, is with a small pair of pointy nose Vise Grips. You need to make sure there is no pressure in the keg and all the other safety stuff. You depress the black rubber with the grips and being really careful not to mark the inner stainless bit, you grip it. You then lift it just a tiny bit, and spin it clockwise to remove it from the tabs. The spear will then drop off and allow you to get it out.

Once you have it out, you will see the little tab that prevents it coming out in the first place. I simply grind it flush and then the whole lot unscrews as one assembly.

Obviously, you would only want to be doing this on a legally owned keg... :blink:

 

[schooey]

I thought this might be easier in pics



Thats the middle bit I was talking about between the arrows




The direction the tab needs to move, you'll notice it's been ground off




The spear without the threaded flange




The threaeded flange with spear removed

 

[Tony]

Obviously, you would only want to be doing this on a legally owned keg...

Whats that ? :lol: h34r:

 

[brettprevans]

looks like an 'A' type system. see micromatic

I have a coupler that should fit that type of keg. PM if your interested, I might consider selling it. I'd have to check with a pub to make sure its a tooheys type coupler rather than a 'M' type.

EDIT: oops. re-read the thread and realised I didnt read it properly. you already have a coupler. happy kegging

 

[dengeez]

Thanx schooey.

Excellent instructions, now I can continue with my project using my legally, borrowed indefinately, keg !!

 

[Truman42]

I was just given a 19litre keg with a type A fitting and following this awesome guide managed to take the spear out. (after getting showered in beer when releasing the pressure )
So just to be clear I want to grind off the tab that bends up at 90 degrees?

Then I can screw on and off the threaded ring with the spear attached each time without needing to release the spear first?

 

[Truman42]

Bump...Someone??? Would like to know if its worth me keeping this keg and buying a Type A coupler or just ditching it.