Weldless Fittings

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Matty

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Howdy all.
Been following things on here for quite a while.
I've managed to source some stainless steel kegs (2 in total) to make a HLT and a boiler. I need to attach taps to these (obviously) and would like to attach a sight glass to them (at least the HLT).

Does anyone know where to pickup a weldless tap (and hopefully the sight glass fittings) in the brisvegas area? Roughly how much am I up for?

Thanks!
 
Well I don't think you can just go and pick up a weldless tap (or sight glass for that matter), your going to have to make one. Everyone that has used a weldless arrangement has made them out of a piece of threaded brass piping or a 1/2" nipple, then used galv steel/stainless washers and sealed with rubber or silicone washers.

Have a search around on this site to find pictures and see what others have done. Next bit, get thyself to a pluming supplies store and have a sift through to see what you can find. The name of the fitting your trying to build is commonly called a "bulkhead fitting". A search on the net will reveal 100 and 1 ways to build one. Look at converting coolers to mashtuns, they use the same system typically. Avoid the hardware stores like Mitre 10 and Bunning's (although not too bad), go to plumming supply stores for a cheaper price.
 
Avoid the hardware stores like Mitre 10 and Bunning's (although not too bad), go to plumming supply stores for a cheaper price.

At least shop around - prices can vary by a factor of two at least. There are also places that specialise in fittings (not just plumbing). Some places I frequent include the Purple Pig (stores in various places) and Industrial Fitting Sales Noble Park.

One of the neat things you can get at Bunnings is a "flanged brass nut".

I have two closeup photos (inside and out) at:

brewiki: brewpot
 
Thanks sosman. Thats exactly what I needed! Your a champ!
So far I've got the mash/lauter tun together, and Can pick up some great 3 ring burners from a campibng store for about $39 each.

Just had a thought. For a sight glass, I could always create 2 bulkhead fittings with brass elbow joints and attach high temp food grade clear tubing with SS clamps.

Only thing that I am yet to pick up is a temp guage. Gonna grab a multi meter style temp gauge (Because it has a nice long replacable probe) from Dick SMiths for under $60. (measures -20deg to 1000deg).

Getting ready for the first AG...
 
For a sight gauge on my HLT I just used an inch of 1/2" copper pipe with a 90 degree copper elbow on it, in which I stuck some 12mm OD acrylic rigid tubing. I just drilled a hole in my keg just big enough to accept the 1/2" pipe and then used a bit of silicone to seal it up. Eyelet bolt up top to accept tube.

Cheap. No leaks. Easy. You can upgrade it later on if you want.
 
For more ideas on weldless fittings check out Zymico.

For building a sight glass check out this thread. It has info for welded and weldless options.

Beers,
Doc
 

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