The forward sealing faucets are usually <$40 and the shanks can be as little as $10-15. Total assembly per tap could be $50ish, give or take depending a quality. But if you are budgeting, I would plan on $50 per tap and then your hoses and keg connections. Manifolds and secondary regulators also add cost.
Manifolds for single pressure distribution are in the $10 per distribution. Secondary regulators run closer to $30 per distribution.
By the time you add keg connections and hoses, I would budget $75 - $100 per tap. I know that sounds high, and I know people can get it lower. But truly, if you don't have all the parts sitting in front of you and you add up all the costs of every little connection, hose clamp, keg connection, hose, shank, faucet, tap, etc, it really is that high. A lot of people will say they did it less, but if you don't count the "I picked this up from a buddy, or found this at a bar going out of business..." type of acquisitions, then you are looking at $75-$100 per tap. OH, thats not counting the keg it self.
I can't speak for all the DIYers on here, but on most of my projects the end costs is usually higher than the original budget due to all the quick trips to the hardware store for this valve or hose clamp etc.
Warren
__________________
On Tap: Blonde Ale, Apfelwein, Cinnamon Apfelwein, Amber Ale, Irish Red
Bottled: Porter, Wheat, Barleywine, Cranberry Apfelwein, Amber Ale Buy Bugeater Brewery Gear
Last edited by MNBugeater; 06-05-2008 at 07:55 PM.
As far as cost goes, I think when you start a project like this, it's best not to save the all the receipts. You really don't want to know what you spent. Plus, if your SWMBO asks, you can honestly say you don't know.
__________________ Drinking on the keg: BPA, Brown Ale, Dry Mead, Wee Heavy aged on Oak, CAP Drinking in the Bottle: Conditioning: Fermenting: Planning:
I am curious though, what specifically did you insulate the tap box with? fiberglass, green friendly blow-in insulation, styrofoam.....? I noticed you had some duct work in there when I was looking at your 3D model, but i didn't see what you are using to pump air up and into the box. (the tap box, not the fan to pull air along the sides of the kreezer)
I used 2" rigid foam to replicate what is in the 3D model. I have not rigged it up yet, but cooling to the tap box will be a fan mounted on the bottom of the lid, with a large vent hose dangling to the bottom of the freezer for cold air pickup.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TerapinChef
I hate to even ask...
What was your total price on all of the CO2 fittings and taps?
Ugh - you know, I started keeping track of all the expenses on this, but along the way I decided I didn't want to know anymore
I don't have the costing, but here is a list of parts for each tap:
Beer Side
Ventmatic Faucet
Stainless Washer (replaces the stock black plastic one)
El Cheapo Black Handle (to be upgraded at some point)
4" SS Shank (probably should have gone with the 6", but they work well enough)
SS Tail
Tail Washer
Tail Nut
Beer Line
Ball Lock Liquid Connector
2 Oetiker Clamps
Gas Side
Guage
Regulator
Nipple (to connect to the next reg in the manifold)
Shutoff
Check Valve
PC Fitting
Hose
PC Fitting
Ball Lock Gas Connector
There are a few misc plumbing bits for the manifold, but the above counts for all but a few dollars of the total plumbing bill. Of course, nobody really needs 7 regs for 7 kegs, but they were cheap, and I was sort of going for a 'showcase' piece with this, so I went for it.
As far as cost goes, I think when you start a project like this, it's best not to save the all the receipts. You really don't want to know what you spent. Plus, if your SWMBO asks, you can honestly say you don't know.
Thanks!
Yeah, I started not tallying costs. It's all worth it when I can pull a pint from it! Also, I'm lucky in that my lady encourages my beer projects.
what specifically did you insulate the tap box with?
Here are some pics of the foam in the tap box
First, the back all closed up (there will be a panel on there when complete with some override switches for the exterior duct fan and the tower fan, and a switch for the rope light)
With the back cover removed, here is the first (last?) layer of foam
With that layer removed, here are the two layers that make the chase. (gotta get the other 4 taps plumbed) you can also see the two outermost holes for expanding to 7 taps in the near future.
And now, some new progress, I have the sides for the cabinet fabricated. Now they need to be attached, and the final skirt trim applied around the bottom. Getting close now!
You're quite the carpenter, Jester. That's superb craftsmanship.
__________________
Primary 1: Oktoberfest Lager Primary 2: Apricot Wit Primary 3: Christmas Warmer MkII Primary 4: Apfelwein Bottle conditioning: Vanilla Caramel Creme Ale Bottle conditioning: Brain Spawn Saison Bottle conditioning: Hot Shot Rye Red On Tap 1: Barletariot Cream Ale On Tap 2: Apfelwein
Linear Mode
