rekoob

Recipes 

+1 to that.
I cut my first one free hand and the next four or five I did I made a jig with simply a piece of PVC that I notched out and tie wrapped to the grinder handle in the right spot, set the PVC in the spar hole and a couple times around with almost no pressure on the grinder, just letting it lightly score the keg each pass and done. What I like about the "jig" is I don't have to worry about watching where I'm cutting.

kzimmer0817

Recipes 

I'd like to submit my suggestion for the easiest way to cut a keg. I found it on a HBT thread, but I can't find it now.

I drew a line with a sharpie along the outside of the keg at the upper weld line. Using an angle grinder, I simply cut horizontally around the keg. It was easy to freehand this - no jig. I put some water into the keg to dampen the noise. Then I used one of those flapper wheels to smoothen the edges.

What I'm left with is a kettle/keggle with a completely open top - no ledge inside to catch stuff.

I wanted to do the more complicated cut where I would cut along the weld line, but leave the handles. On the advice of another HBTer, I purchased a couple gate handles, 4 SS bolts, rubber washers, and locknuts in order to attach a pair of handles near the top.

Respectfully submitted,
Keith

threeporks

Recipes 

Hey Keith,

That's an interesting idea. Can you submit a picture of that? I'm curious what that would look like.

Personally I like the 11.75 inch diameter so I can use a 12inch lid but I'm always open to trying new things.

annoyingrob

Recipes 

I don't know about easiest.....

My plasma cutter took all of about 15 seconds to cut the top off, and left a nice straight edge, as the rim of the keg makes a great guide for the cutter.

socalboomer

Recipes 

@rob, you're right, the absolute easiest method is with a plasma, but since most of us don't have access to one, the grinder/cutoff wheel on a jig is easiest and most approachable for the normal Joe...

@rekoob, ahhh, I see the problem. Often unmentioned is the step of doing light passes until you break through and hold firmly so you don't plunge through.

I've done freehand, and even with some skill using a grinder (can't hardly weld without grinding... ) I had it jump around quite a bit more than while using a jig.

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rekoob

Recipes 

yep, light pressure is the key for sure, second to holding onto it.

barryfine

Recipes 

And ear plugs! Definitely wear ear plugs.

rekoob

Recipes 

Yes, AND eye protection!

kzimmer0817

Recipes 

I'm going to try my luck at posting pictures. Here's my keg before cutting. I drew the line around the outside just where the collar is welded.


Here's the keg after cutting the top off:


Here's looking down into it after cutting:


I have not installed the handles yet.

Even tho the keg has lots of dents, I decided to try to polish it up following the directions on this thread:
http://www.suebob.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54
I'm not finished polishing it. I'm almost thru with the next-to-the-last polishing step.


I've hear of folks using a modified pizza pan as a lid for these. I'm thinking that there are lids that will fit.

I did put some water into the keg before cutting. I did not wear hearing protection, but I did wear safety goggles.

I plan to put a ball valve and a heating element into it. I'm not a welder, so I plan to use weldless fittings for now.

I'd like to find a really nice 4500-5500 watt heatstick. I'm just not sure about those things.

Hope this helps,
Keith