Removing top of 50l keg

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Permalink Reply by Michael on July 5, 2011 at 2:17am

This guy does a pretty cool job doing it himself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LthGdMk_avk

 

If you are not comfortable with doing this, talk to Chris. He is awesome at making keggles.

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Permalink Reply by hayden on July 5, 2011 at 11:35pm

Hey sam,

 

I just increased the size of my keg hole yesterday (for the second time) to allow my immersion chiller to fit inside. I used an angle grinder with a half used thin cut off disk (smaller diameter). Mark a line to follow, then use the guard on the grinder to rest against the top of the keg. See 4.18 of michaels video, rest the black guard against the keg.

Basically a freehand version of what michael posted. If you take your time and use only the tip of the disk, you can do a neat job and follow the curve of the line you drew. You can get a good view from above where you're cutting.

Follow up with a grinding wheel, round file, and some sand paper.

My cut was about 2 cm's from the vertical stainless, this meant that the angle grinder was cutting at a negative angle which meant it followed a curve better.

 

Good luck, give it a crack.... its easy

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Permalink Reply by Scarrfie on July 8, 2011 at 8:38pm

If you can put up with the hole being about 35mm from the edge then a jig saw with a metal blade would do the trick. Easier and neater than an angle grinder:)

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Permalink Reply by Ged on August 5, 2011 at 9:37pm

Take it to a local metal shop and ask them to plasma weld / cut the top out. Took a mate around 30 seconds to do it on mine and left a beautiful smooth edge.  Probably charge you a 6 pack of beer..

Ged

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Permalink Reply by Smiffy on August 9, 2011 at 8:48pm

I've wanted a plasma cutter for a while. Having seen the youtube clip of the guy cutting the top off a keg with one, and looking at other clips of them being used, I'm definitely going to get one now.

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Permalink Reply by RopenutS on August 9, 2011 at 9:24pm

Seen that infomercial for the "versicutter"? Haha could do the job...

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Permalink Reply by Smiffy on August 10, 2011 at 2:25pm

I doubt if one of those would cut more than a few inches of a s/s keg. Stainless steel is tough. Same for a jig-saw, you'd get through a dozen blades.

I've ordered a plasma cutter, should have it early next week.

Anyone still got a keg they want cutting? (Paraparaumu Beach).

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Permalink Reply by Scarrfie on August 10, 2011 at 2:32pm

Lol. Nice to have a toy like that, wish I was your neighbour:)

I recently had to cut through two stainless flues, and yes it buggered one blade. However I wasn't using cutting compound, which would be essential to stop it work hardening. It is really just an alternative to an angle grinder.

Go the plasma cutter.

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Permalink Reply by RopenutS on August 10, 2011 at 6:55pm

Yeah i bet the versicutter is pretty shit anyways.. How much would you take a top off for Smiffy? Im living in Paraparaumu myself

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Permalink Reply by Smiffy on August 10, 2011 at 7:32pm

I'll do it for the experience. Email me on smiffypr(at)clear(dot)net(dot)nz and I'll let you know when the machine arrives.

I'm thinking it may be a good idea to half fill the keg with water first so that any "splatter" doesn't stick to the insides.

 

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Permalink Reply by Paul Wicksteed - another1 on August 10, 2011 at 7:55pm

Chris Banks chris-beanie@xtra.co.nz is in Wellington and runs a brewing hardware business, contact him if you need help