Here is how I was able to lighten my sanke keggls by 5 lbs, by removing most of the top skirt but leaving the handles, first mark your handle lines with a sharpi, I measured from the center of handle opening 2" on each side at the top and 3" from center at the weld, this will give you a tapered handle that looks better then straight ones, now with a 1/16" thick 4 1/2" cutoff wheel cut along the line you made, take care near the weld not to cut into the keg top, stay 1/2" away from the weld with your through cut because the grinder may jump forward and cut into the keg, once you are through go back and carefuly cut the last 1/2" just enough to break free in the later steps. Now cut along the weld between the handle cuts, don't cut too deep, no deeper then the skirt is thick, once your cut is deep enough, place the keg up on a stable surface with the skirt hanging over the edge, if you don't already have them on put on your safty glasses and heavy leather gloves, with a hammer start hitting the skirt near the handle and if the your cut is deep enough the skirt should break free if not go back and cut a little deeper and try again, there you are 5 lbs lighter, now all you have to do is clean up the weld and the handles with a flapper wheel on your grinder and your done.
Handle layout_________________________________________________________________________Handle cut with 1/2" relief
Skirt cut__________________________________________________________________________Skirt relief cut makes removal easer.
Knocking skirt free
Job done
Handle layout_________________________________________________________________________Handle cut with 1/2" relief
Skirt cut__________________________________________________________________________Skirt relief cut makes removal easer.
Knocking skirt free
Job done