Is it worth reconditioning these Firestone Kegs

[ctagz]

I got some kegs the other day looking a bit average, thought id get them and clean them up. I believe they are Firestone 18L kegs with Pin Locks.



Keg 1 is in pretty good condition and i have no worries about changing over to ball locks with new seals

Keg 2 appears to have a pin hole on the bottom that has been repaired with a spot of solder. The handle however has copped some abuse



Keg 3 Looked good, but on closer inspection appears to have been re soldered as well, this time up near where the handle joins the keg. there is still red stuff on the inside, looks like paint. I assume its some kind of welding/solder flux?



Are they worth reconditioning or letting them go to someone who has a better idea what they're doing?

I know to get the parts from STPV down in melbourne at http://www.stainlesstanks.com.au/contact-stpv/

I have taken them apart and given them a soak in Oxyclean, keeping each kegs parts seperate so I know what came from where.

Cheers for the advice,

Callum

 

[blotto]

Personally I'd just keep the good one. I'd be concerned that if one hole has needed patching are there more almost about to appear? It sux when you lose a keg of beer and maybe a bottle of gas because of equipment failure. But if they look ok and your ok with the solder you could use them for soda water if you don't want to put beer in there? I always have a keg of soda on for the misses and kids.

 

[earle]

Mytton Rodds in good condition are great. I picked a ball lock one up and just needed to replace a few seals at minimal expense to get it back into top nick. Agree with above though, I would only bother trying to recondition the good one, even then the cost of parts may make it not worth your while compared to just buying a corny.

 

[pist]

The solder will be soft. Id be concerned about the kegs ability to hold pressure, and as already stated if its already been patched its likely the keg has had its day

 

[ctagz]

Thanks for the responses guys. I tightened back up the seals and put 20 psi into two of them. Held them underwater in the pool and didn't see any air bubbles coming to the surface. On the bottom patch one it seemed tiny air bubbles were coming out of the rubber. I might put some water and pressure in it. See if anything leaks.