Anyone Repalced a Commercial Keg Retaining Ring with a Circlip?

[brocasarea]

I have two 30 litre commercial kegs (all legal) in my setup and the retaining ring can be a bummer to put in and out all the time. Has anyone replaced this with an appropriately sized circlip? Gone from pic A to B?

I've read online that people have done it but I'd like to get some more thoughts before going and doing anything rash.. with a pressurised vessel... with a spear in it... Opinions?

 

[Tahoose]

Why bother??? Once you take it out just chuck it away. You don't need it.

 

[brocasarea]

Why bother??? Once you take it out just chuck it away. You don't need it.

It holds the spear in. I've got ones that aren't the screw in spear type.

 

[mb-squared]

do you mean one of these?

http://kegking.com.au/keg-couplers-and-keg-disconnects/kegs/circlip-for-50l-spear-removed-with-circlip-pliers.html

 

[brocasarea]

do you mean one of these?

http://kegking.com.au/keg-couplers-and-keg-disconnects/kegs/circlip-for-50l-spear-removed-with-circlip-pliers.html

Cheers mb-squared. I do mean one of those. Have you used one? I have had quality issues with Keg King and it's not something I want to have fail.

 

[Killer Brew]

Keen to know this also. I bought a couple of brand new 50L kegs at auction in March and haven't even been able to get the retaining clips out yet. They are very tight and can't get a good grip with the long nosed pliers.

 

[mb-squared]

I have not used the ones from kegking. But you certainly are right to be wary of the quality of their products. A bit like shopping at kmart or bunnings -- some things are fine, most are not.

I just drilled a hole through the stock ring and then I use a punch (ice pick) and some needle-nose pliers to get it out.

 

[brocasarea]

Keen to know this also. I bought a couple of brand new 50L kegs at auction in March and haven't even been able to get the retaining clips out yet. They are very tight and can't get a good grip with the long nosed pliers.

Yeah, first go to get mine out were a pain. I ground down an old screwdriver to work at the ring in the notch. Also, there's an o-ring on the sealing surface of the spear, so if you push down with something like the end of hammer you'll have a bit more luck.

It's getting them back in that I don't like. Big pain in the proverbial .

 

[brocasarea]

I have not used the ones from kegking. But you certainly are right to be wary of the quality of their products. A bit like shopping at kmart or bunnings -- some things are fine, most are not.

I just drilled a hole through the stock ring and then I use a punch (ice pick) and some needle-nose pliers to get it out.

Better safe than sorry I think. I'll source some from a fasteners shop. At least then I know if it's rated and made out of the proper stuff. My impressions on dealing with Keg King is that quality on quite crucial parts is not a priority.