Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Has anyone had any success removing the spear from these kegs?
I've unscrewed it as far as I can but its stuck on what I'm guessing is a tang. Can't see it though.
Hit it with a sledgy? :think:

No I wouldn't hit with a sledgie but have you got a pic of the type of fitting on top that would be a help.

Is it a standard CUB type?

Does it look anything like this? If so they are a pain in the arse but it can be done. Only problem is that the whole spigot comes out don't think you can just remove the center so no good for mounting a still off, wrong shape anyway but good for storage.

CUB coupling but no circlip.
Seams to be a cross between a CUB and LION NATHAN.

youtube "remove A type keg spear" as it looks like the "A" type to me..... same as Tooheys, lion nathan etc

Cant remember where I seen it but a google of "keg spear types" should get you the answer :handgestures-thumbupleft:

BourbonJunkie wrote:

7evan wrote:CUB coupling but no circlip. Seams to be a cross between a CUB and LION NATHAN.

7evan, the threaded spears I have removed have a tang out the side to retain the spear when screwed out so it doesn't become a projectile if the keg still retains pressure when the end of the thread is reached. What I have done after screwing the spear out till it is lose is get a couple of heavy screwdrivers, or pry bars, even the nail removing claw of a hammer, under the spear and lever it up. Here is an image of the bent tang after using force to remove the spear...

Spear Tang.jpg

Just tried that, but as theres no lip like the lion Nathan kegs I've fucked the thread up. Guess this is a trial keg now.
Will have another crack tomorrow with bigger screwys and bigger hammers. Failing that, ANGLE GRINDER, to work out whats going on in there. :obscene-birdiedoublered:

I made an absolute meal of my first keg too, so I lopped the top off and welded a 3" FSD ferrule on (for my 3" pot) :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I've got plans for this one too. Not still related as its only 30L.

Food though :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Interesting... Would make a good ageing keg ;-)

if it were me it would turned into a boiler, I'd love a little batch still for product testing my experimental recipes :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Zak Griffin wrote:Interesting... Would make a good ageing keg ;-)

Promote that man! :clap:

I didn't even think about that.

Champion.

MacStill wrote:if it were me it would turned into a boiler, I'd love a little batch still for product testing my my experimental recipes :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Mac, I have that covered with two 50's and an 80L fitted with SSGS and drains.
Would be one of each if someone would hurry up and buy my package. No sexual pun intended 8-}

My eyes are forever peeled for a pair of 30L kegs for ageing a whiskey and a rum :handgestures-thumbupleft:

A small batch still would be cool too, but running gas I can use a 50L boiler for that :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Would make a good thumper also seeing ya ruined it ill take it off ya hands :laughing-rolling:

Right, I've pulled the thing apart proper now. And maybe hit it with a hammer a few times. And took to it with the angle grinder.
There's a little tang holding the spear in. Since getting it out even bending the tang with pliers is ridiculously hard. Stainless obviously.
The tang lines up with the S on the coupling.
If there was a lip like the lion Nathan kegs it would be doable but I'm out of ideas.
:angry-banghead: :angry-banghead:

This one's going to be an aging kegs now though :laughing-rolling:

Nope. An angle grinder to cut out the top of the keg to investigate.
You can't get enough purchase on it to bend the tang.
My only other idea is to get a 50mm nut on it and try and turn that on, and in turn hopefully pulling out the spear.

that tang look similar to a A type where you get some vice grips on the inner spear , push down and rotate clockwise 30 degree's , the unscrew the outer section

Once you've got it apart, a 4" ferrule would be ideal
If you intend using it for an aging keg.

Mine still has the double skin 2" and it is a pain to get dominoes in and out of.

Mind you..... once they are in... no issue.

October will be 12 months and I've tasted the result :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Just needs a bit longer as the taste is a little thin.


All the best with whatever you choose to do.

DBV

Finally worked it out. :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft: :teasing-tease:

Standby for more photos and explanation.

Right.
Stuffed another keg in the process but worth it.

This is really a two man job by the way.

Tip keg on side and push in ball to purge pressure. Smelling sweet cider.
Either make a tool or use a hammer and drift (×2 if you have another set of hands) to screw out the spear as far as it can.
Either make a plunging tool like we did or use a socket and extention to push the ball and black seal down, without damaging it.
Once down use a torch to locate the clip. On the S side.
Use a scribe or something sharp, long and skinny to pull the clip towards the centre of the spear.
Once you do that you should be able to pull the spear out.
Wahlaa!
Then you can either bend and twist the clip out, and put it in a pit of molten lava, or
Put the top end of the spear in a vice and depress the spring retainer and turn to release the spring. It all comes apart then.
Get the prick of a clip out and throw it in the bin.
Push the tube/spring/retainer back in and twist to lock. This is a pain and is heaps easier to do with two people. One pushing against spring retainer with a ring spanner and one using a hammer and drift to lock it in.

Massive pain in the arse but hopefully I've helped a few people out that were looking at getting into kegging but didn't want to deal with shitty 19L leaky kegs or couldn't justify being a man and doing 50's.
At least I've got a few 30L aging kegs now :handgestures-thumbupleft: