Welding SS fittings into your keg
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 9:33 pm
Hey,
I have spent the last couple of hour cutting out the old 2" keg conector and welding in a four inch ferrule and a drain fitting.
Firstly we placed around two liter of soapy water into the keg to protect the inside, then we started to cut out the old 2" conector using a Ozito a tool similier to a Dremel, it worked ok for what it was but it was not to flash but did get the job done. Five little blak cutter discs and it was out.
Once you mark out the cutting line for the new ferrule position, position yourself to have good control over the cutting, dont forget to wear your safety glasses, when you start to cut, cut about 2mm shy of your scribe line towards the old ferrule because the cutter moves down slightly once it settles into its cut, take your time with this tool as it a cheapie. You blokes that have a plasma,we know its the way to go...but we made do with what was at hand.
I purchased some 2mm SS rods of fleabay and they worked a treat, and ran them around 80 amps, firstly I tacked the ferrule into position checking it was level as I went...dont be afraid to stop start with these rods as they performed very nice, while welding make sure you aim the arc more onto the ferrule as it is thicker moving quickly as these are small rod and the keg is thin steel aswell.. I done this one in around five stop starts...
Once the 4" ferrule was welded into place we turned our attention to installing a drain valve so we did not have to handle hot spent wash. We used a step drill purchased from Bunnings which just hung in there, actually it was a let down but it got the job done...the drain fitting was 1" bsp SS.
I used the same stop start technique with this drain keeping the heat of the arc mostly on the the 1" adaptor, remember to move quickly while welding so you do not burn through, but if you do just let it cool, clean off the slag and spot weld it up, quick little burst to fill the hole...take your time between welds and you will fill the hole.
and here is our new flash one A keg...
Hope this gives a little insight into doing this modification to your keg, if I can help and i'm online...pm me, if needed, I will do my best to help you.
I have spent the last couple of hour cutting out the old 2" keg conector and welding in a four inch ferrule and a drain fitting.
Firstly we placed around two liter of soapy water into the keg to protect the inside, then we started to cut out the old 2" conector using a Ozito a tool similier to a Dremel, it worked ok for what it was but it was not to flash but did get the job done. Five little blak cutter discs and it was out.
Once you mark out the cutting line for the new ferrule position, position yourself to have good control over the cutting, dont forget to wear your safety glasses, when you start to cut, cut about 2mm shy of your scribe line towards the old ferrule because the cutter moves down slightly once it settles into its cut, take your time with this tool as it a cheapie. You blokes that have a plasma,we know its the way to go...but we made do with what was at hand.
I purchased some 2mm SS rods of fleabay and they worked a treat, and ran them around 80 amps, firstly I tacked the ferrule into position checking it was level as I went...dont be afraid to stop start with these rods as they performed very nice, while welding make sure you aim the arc more onto the ferrule as it is thicker moving quickly as these are small rod and the keg is thin steel aswell.. I done this one in around five stop starts...
Once the 4" ferrule was welded into place we turned our attention to installing a drain valve so we did not have to handle hot spent wash. We used a step drill purchased from Bunnings which just hung in there, actually it was a let down but it got the job done...the drain fitting was 1" bsp SS.
I used the same stop start technique with this drain keeping the heat of the arc mostly on the the 1" adaptor, remember to move quickly while welding so you do not burn through, but if you do just let it cool, clean off the slag and spot weld it up, quick little burst to fill the hole...take your time between welds and you will fill the hole.
and here is our new flash one A keg...
Hope this gives a little insight into doing this modification to your keg, if I can help and i'm online...pm me, if needed, I will do my best to help you.