No barbs....

kornbread · 12-17-2008, 01:15 AM

Hey guys,

I bought a keg kit today at my LHBS. Tonight I went to start assembling things and I found this type of connector in the bag.

There was nothing in there with which to connect these to the hoses.

After doing some searching I found out that these are MLF type connectors and that they are preferred by many of you here. But I'm not sure what I need to connect the hose to these. I've been searching but I can't find anything.

Once I know what I need, can I get them at Lowe's/HD? My LHBS closes each day before I get off work. And I won't be off again til Saturday.

I'd really like to get the beer on the gas ASAP to have it carbonated before Christmas eve.

Thanks

McKBrew · 12-17-2008, 01:23 AM

You are going to need the item on this page labeled as Barbed swivel nut. Don't think you'll find anything comparable at Lowes/HD, but I might be wrong. Now that you know what you are looking for it should help.

MoRoToRiUm · 12-17-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKBrew

You are going to need the item on this page labeled as Barbed swivel nut. Don't think you'll find anything comparable at Lowes/HD, but I might be wrong. Now that you know what you are looking for it should help.

+1; I doubt your hardware store has them. I went with the the 1/4 threaded myself so I can switch over to sankey tap easily (haven't needed to since I ramped up my brewing).

I suggest you use teflon tape on the gas side thread to get a nice tight connection and prevent leaks.

HairyDogBrewing · 12-17-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoRoToRiUm

I doubt your hardware store has them.

+1 Save yourself the trip and figure out how to get to the LHBS instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoRoToRiUm

I suggest you use teflon tape on the gas side thread to get a nice tight connection and prevent leaks.

Do not use teflon tape or paste on these fittings.
Teflon is only for tapered pipe threaded (NPT) fittings.

**Bobby_M** · 12-17-2008, 11:32 AM

It's nice to have at least one set of hoses running the MFL/swivel nut barb so that you could have a guest tap of either commercial beer or pinlock keg.

Fett327 · 12-17-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egolla

Do not use teflon tape or paste on these fittings.
Teflon is only for tapered pipe threaded (NPT) fittings.

+1

No offense to the people that use tape on their flare fittings, but they are engineered to seal at the tips, not on the threads.

yellowcolumbia · 12-17-2008, 07:34 PM

If you've got a flaring tool, you can get necessary pieces at your hardware store. You could get the flaring tool there too, if you wanted. Pick up a 1/4 flared nut and piece of 1/4" copper tubing. It will work fine for carbing for a couple days, but I wouldn't serve with it. Some hardware stores sell 1/4" stainless tubing as well, but your typical flaring tool won't be able to flare it. If you want a pic, there are a couple almost to the end of my kegorator write-up: Wort-O-Matic: Custom Draft Tower and Kegerator

MoRoToRiUm · 12-17-2008, 09:18 PM

The purpose of teflon isn't to seal- It's to cut down friction to allow proper tightening. I know this will be objected in the use I stated above, and please feel free to retort my opinion, but I will still continue to use teflon tape on my gas threads to ensure proper tightening (unless some one has documented test proving me otherwise).

OP, sorry for hijacking your thread a little- let us know if you have any other questions or need a source for the proper barbs. Happy brewing!

**BlindLemonLars** · 12-17-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoRoToRiUm

The purpose of teflon isn't to seal- It's to cut down friction to allow proper tightening.

Actually it serves both purposes, reducing friction and filling gaps. Pipe dope accomplishes the same thing, seals and lubricates. I use them both, but generally prefer tape.

But if tape is working for you in this application, then who am I to say you should stop using it! So long as it's not overlapping onto the actual sealing surface it can't hurt, and it may make tightening easier.

Ben25 · 12-17-2008, 10:28 PM

I got one barbed swivel nut from NB but realized that I actually needed 2, so I got another at my LHBS. The one from NB just had the barb and the nut, and the one from my LHBS had the barb, nut and a little plastic washer. I didn't use the washer, and it has a good seal. Should I be using the washer, or does it not matter?