Photo Tutorial - Removal Of 50l Keg Spears

[dafatdude]

Where can you buy big kegs like this?

Doesn't have to be in australia either, i'm interested.

 

[bugwan]

Where can you buy big kegs like this?

Doesn't have to be in australia either, i'm interested.

Buy? :lol: h34r:

There's plenty of debate as to whether the following advice is legal, but you can get them from scrap metal yards. Ring ahead to see if they have anything. If you're after a functioning keg (ie, something to act as a keg, rather than a kettle), you will have trouble getting a 50Ltr one like the one in this thread.

Grain and Grape in Melbourne import them from Germany - they used to be $120, but that was a while ago.

 

[dafatdude]

Yeh looking for functional ones

I wanted to obtain one legally, rather than do the old "snatch-and-grab" behind the local bottleshop.

 

[The7]

Hi folks,


can anyone in adelaide tell me where they have gotten old kegs from?

I'm not necessarily after functioning ones, just trying to piece together some bits for some all grain brewing!

I tried paramount browns but they wont even let go the ones on the scrap pile

 

[The7]

found this thread


http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...showtopic=16769

 

[LethalCorpse]

It's possible that the ends of the circlip will both be angled out to prevent getting a pointy thing in there. In this case, take an angle grinder, and, very slowly, cut a vertical notch in the lip which is holding the circlip in place, about 45 degrees around from the gap in the circlip. Cut it down to level with the circlip, but don't cut into the circlip (at least, avoid it as much as possible). Once you've got it down to the same height as the circlip, the metal from the lip will have somewhat fused to the circlip. Don't worry about that, just stick a flat blade screwdriver where gap between the circlip and surround should be, and tap the back of it with the hammer. The fused metal will separate, and then you've got a screwdriver in behind the circlip, making it very easy to prise out. This method will make it a lot easier to get the circlip in and out later on if you're reusing the post.

There was a youtube video from a seppo brewer a while ago showing how to cut the top off the keg. His keg already had this notch in it, but not all of them do.

 

[brettprevans]

is there a way to modify the spear/coupler assembly so that its easy to take off and buck back in? I know ive read a thread somewhere else on AHB about doing this but I think it was for a tooheys style keg? The thread talked about filing down pins and then it just twists out?

Im guessing that theres probably no easy way and that using a coupler that can be reversed for cleaning/filling is the easiest way?

 

[paul]

If the keg is a CUB style once youve got the snap ring out just take it and the keg down to CBC and get a circlip. Next time you want to remove it its an easy job with circlip pliers.

 

[brettprevans]

CBC?

 

[LethalCorpse]

The method I suggested makes it very easy to pop the circlip back in and out, provided you don't damage the clip too much in cutting the top of the ring.

 

[tangent]

better to drill 2x small holes and use circlip pliers, that's what they're made for.

 

[paul]

Yep. If you dont have a cbc locally go to a bearing and belt supplier.

I suggested a circlip as its a lot easier to remove and replace than the snap ring that they come with. It'll only cost a dollar or two to buy.

 

[domonsura]

Consolidated Bearings Co in Melbourne ....I'm sure you can find a local one in the list below....

Sales at Sunshine West 174 Fairbairn Rd Sunshine West 3020
Telephone: (03) 9313 2000 Fax: (03) 9313 2094

Airport West Cnr Matthews Ave & Victory Road, Airport West 3042
Telephone: (03) 9338 2644 Fax: (03) 9330 2862

Altona closed. Service via the following numbers
Telephone: (03) 9313 2000 Fax: (03) 9313 2094

Bayswater Cnr London Dr & Dorset Road, Bayswater 3153
Telephone: (03) 9762 3022 Fax: (03) 9762 3085

Ballarat Cnr Grandlee Drive and Caravan St, Wendouree 3355
Telephone: (03) 5339 8319 Fax: (03) 5339 8315

Braeside 1/73 Malcolm Rd, Cnr Venture Way 3195
Telephone: (03) 9587 9401 Fax: (03) 9587 9548

Campbellfield Unit 3, 1812-1826 Hume Hwy, Campbellfield 3061
Telephone: (03) 9357 8822 Fax: (03) 9357 8878

Dandenong South Unit 2/ 30 Greens Road, Dandenong South 3175
Telephone: (03) 9794 8511 Fax: (03) 9794 8384

Geelong North 2/379 Thompsons Road, North Geelong 3215
Telephone: (03) 5278 9266 Fax: (03) 5277 9936

Hastings Unit 1/2141 Frankston-Flinders Road, Hastings 3915
Telephone: (03) 5979 4375 Fax: (03) 5979 4482

Laverton closed. Service via the following numbers
Telephone: 03) 9313 2000 Fax: (03) 9313 2094

Mildura 34 Seventh St Mildura Vic 3500

Telephone: (03) 5021 1366 Fax: (03) 5021 1399

Notting Hill Unit 2 398 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill 3168
Telephone: (03) 9561 6400 Fax: (03) 9561 6434

Thomastown 168 Mahoneys Road, Thomastown 3074
Telephone: (03) 9460 4733 Fax: (03) 9460 8480

West Heidelberg 637 Waterdale Road, West Heidelberg 3081
Telephone: (03) 9459 0233 Fax: (03) 9459 8968

 

[HKS]

I wouldn't even bother opening it. Just pull the torpedo valve/1way valve out of the beer out of your coupler. Fill it up with a mix of water and napisan/sodium percarbonate. Leave it overnight, then drain it out, turn it upside down, then flush it out with water for a while till you are satisfied its only fresh water coming out. Then turn it back over and put you sanitiser in, give it a good shake, then turn it back over and drain it out. Purge it with CO2. Its then ready to fill.

Or you could use a fish tank pump in say a 20L bucket with water and napisan/sodium percarbonate mix. Turn it on and leave it for say 30 minutes, then flush out and do as above.

You really don't need to open these kegs.

But if you really want to make them easier to open, then get one of these kits from kegman - Linky

Cheers

 

[bluedog]

tangent is on the money.
I do have some decommisioned units, moded ready for what ever use you might have.

 

[Jye]

Between the first and second pic you can see that the spear has lifted up 3-4mm and this should normally happen by itself because the sealing washer is compressed, but may have to be lifted manually if stuck. This has to happen otherwise it will not unscrew due to the notch that is visible in the third pic.

Dont ask me how long it took to discover this <_<

 

[LethalCorpse]

Dont ask me how long it took to discover this <_<

About as long as it took me to figure out it's a left hand thread?

 

[manticle]

Ressurrecting an old thread so apologies. If converting my 100% legal and legally acquired keg to a boil pot, do I have to take out the spear before cutting? Following these steps but she won't budge.

 

[porky]

No, you don't

 

[manticle]

Thanks. Might save myself the bother then.