Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Hi All.

At the point where I need to have the ferrules tig'd to the keg. Im going to have to find someone to do this for me, I have little welding experience.

Whats the best process for preparing the keg? Drill the holes first then have the welding done or weld the ferulles first then make the holes?

If anyone in Brisbane/Toowoomba area is available to help me out for some dollars or can reccomend a place they have used to have this work done would be much appreciated.

Cheers :text-thankyoublue:

I used Kennedy welding @ Coorparoo in briss to get some work on my boiler done.

They did a good job and was a decent price.

I got a 4" & 2" ferrule and a drain port TIG welded for $100 i think from memory

ive used them many times also. they drill and weld for that price. good job. i know a few others around this place who have also used kenedy welding :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers guys. Will give them a holler.

Went to the green shed today grabbed some Heavy Duty 10amp extension cords to chop for the elements which are still on the way.

Power Controller has been ordered. Will be running 2x 2400w elements.

Just got to work out a parts list for the drain and some legs.

Is that an "off the shelf" power controller Amfamora? It looks the business!

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

It is... advertised as 6000w capable. Clubby has a thread with one he has recieved and the case open :)

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=10587

Thanks mate.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

Managed to get a bit more done on the build today before my dremel decided to take a permanent nap :angry-banghead:

Wired up one of my 2400w elements with 2.5mm core wire instead of my previous choice of 10amp HD extension lead. A little overkill but will be a fair run to an external circuit outside the shed. My second element will be wired up when the power controller arrives.

Need a new dremel now to finish cleaning up the 4" and 3" holes before starting on the holes for the elements.

Good Times.

Hi Again All,

At the point of trying to decide where to place the hole for the second element. Im considering the spot marked with the x but being on a curve creates a couple of mm gap between the bottom of the ferrule and the wall of the keg.

Will whoever I get to weld this all up for me be able to span a couple of mm gap or does it need to be as flush as possible. No welding experience so sorry if it seems like a stupid question.

Do I need the holes big enough the ferrule needs to sit inside them to avoid this problem? Can I put them closer together at the same height almost parallel then bend the elements so they wont touch?

Doing it as I am, after the welding I do plan to have the holes ground back inside the ferrule with a die grinder :)

Cheers

I would not try bending an element

Ive just yolo'd it :)

Ill either get the ferrules welded on then do some gentle keg panel beating to splay out the angle of the ferrules. Or ask who ever I get to do the welding if they can cut/grind the bottom of the ferrule before welding to change the angle slightly.

Whats done is done but confident it will work out in the end.

I reckon you could get them to weld the ferrules on such that the elements sit parallel.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

Im hoping so, just not sure of the tolerance as far as covering gaps with tig. Ive done my share of shady mig welding but want this to be done neat :)

Im probably over thinking it all....

*Side Note*

Dont replace a dremel with a dremel. Get a foredom... even a chinese clone.... Les rippems more torque.

Cheaper than a half decent dremel :)

On my element ferrules I welded an extra 25mm of 2inch to the ferrules so I could run them both paralel at the same low height,wilst giveing plenty of room for the clamp,like this.cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Why the freck do kegs have to be round......

Ill get it sorted. 4" 4 plate almost here..... need to get this boiler done stat!

hillzabilly wrote:On my element ferrules I welded an extra 25mm of 2inch to the ferrules so I could run them both paralel at the same low height,wilst giveing plenty of room for the clamp,like this.cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Did you have your element holes cut to the inner or outer diameter of the ferrule?

I cut to the outer ,so that there is a little bit of the extra 25mm by 2inch inside the keg,was easier and I did not have ta trim funny angles of the ends,has worked perfectly for me,with a little clean up with a flap wheel.cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Can my advice be don't do it?
Or is it too late for that?

A 50L milk can boiler is a comparable investment once you really add up what a keg boiler will cost you.
And a 100L milk can does future proof you but it does take a bit longer to run.