Cutting a Keggle

I've been reading up around here about cutting the top of the keggle open and i have access to two methods i've seen so far, grinder and sawzall/recip saw. From what i've seen, all the guys cutting with the recip were using bi-metal metal cutting blades. Has anyone tried carbide grit, carbide tip, or titanium tipped bi-metal blades? These are just some examples of each bellow from Lenox, i have seen higher TPI carbide tipped blades than the ones in the link bellow that would be better suited for metal cutting. Just looking for some feedback to see if anyone has tried these with any success.
Thanks!

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/recip_gold.htm

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/gritrecp.htm

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/carbiderecip.htm

I haven't seen too many good results with sawzalls... Case in point:
http://www.bamfbeer.com/2006/05/30/first-brew-day-pics/
I've seen plenty of keggles cut very nicely with grinders. I really don't see why you'd want to use a sawzall if you have access to an angle grinder also.

Funkenjaeger said:

I haven't seen too many good results with sawzalls... Case in point:
http://www.bamfbeer.com/2006/05/30/first-brew-day-pics/
I've seen plenty of keggles cut very nicely with grinders. I really don't see why you'd want to use a sawzall if you have access to an angle grinder also.

Click to expand...

Wow, did BM have something to do with this?!

If the blade depth is very narrow, allowing easy turning, a sawzall would work fine and be much quicker than a grinder if you have experience controlling one: They can get away from you pretty fast in thin metal. I would recomend a good quality Jigsaw with a very fine metal blade over a sawzall though.

Use a grinder.
Use a grinder.
Use a grinder.
Use a grinder.

Really, it takes about fifteen minutes, tops. Use the rim of the keg to guide you around. Take a couple passes (I think I went around three times), and use the thin cutting disks (I think I only used one, maybe two). Couldn't be easier, and a lot easier to control, I think.

I'm just going to bring mine into my shop and laser cut the top off...

If you find a local shop with a laser cutter I'm sure you could get it done for a 6er or $20. Nice clean and fast.

Yep there are plenty of people out there with Plasma cutters do a little bartering.

jcb317 said:

I've been reading up around here about cutting the top of the keggle open and i have access to two methods i've seen so far, grinder and sawzall/recip saw. From what i've seen, all the guys cutting with the recip were using bi-metal metal cutting blades. Has anyone tried carbide grit, carbide tip, or titanium tipped bi-metal blades? These are just some examples of each bellow from Lenox, i have seen higher TPI carbide tipped blades than the ones in the link bellow that would be better suited for metal cutting. Just looking for some feedback to see if anyone has tried these with any success.
Thanks!

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/recip_gold.htm

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/gritrecp.htm

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/carbiderecip.htm

Click to expand...

I am a retired tool and die maker and so I have done this before many times. A Sawzall will cut stainless like butter if you run it with a tool steel blades (high speed steel) with at least 2 teeth in the thickness being cut and be sure to use cutting oil while cutting and very slow motor speed (RPM) so as not to burn the blade. Let the blade do the cutting. Take your time the first time and you will do a nice job. I would think 18-20 teeth per inch would be a good blade for this job but 40 TPI would be perfect if they make them. Carbide blades work good too but once the carbide gets ripped off the blade you have to change it out for a new one. Lay out your cut accurately and follow the line. The example picture in this thread was done in haste and he did not have a line to follow. The keg needs to be secured to something so you can have both hands on the saw for good control. Bi-Metal blades are really good for this too. They are very tough blades.

the_bird said:

Use a grinder.
Use a grinder.
Use a grinder.
Use a grinder.

Really, it takes about fifteen minutes, tops. Use the rim of the keg to guide you around. Take a couple passes (I think I went around three times), and use the thin cutting disks (I think I only used one, maybe two). Couldn't be easier, and a lot easier to control, I think.

Click to expand...

+1 except I used 4 very cheap wheels.

WBC said:

I am a retired tool...

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Man, I'm feeling seriously juvenile today...

I bought my kegs precut from my FLHBS, but a friend cut his own using a Dremel and the reinforced cutoff disks. He says it took a little time, but he had no issues and his are nicer than mine. I think he did the major deburring with a file, then used some medium-coarse sandpaper for the final cleanup.

Again, the key is marking the line well and taking your time.

Joe Dragon said:

I am a retired tool and die maker.......

So we can talk about end mills, E.D.M., Bridgeport mills, bed lathes, Wire E.D.M and other such code? Mitsui surface grinders and N.C machines? 24 year mold maker here.

Sorry, completely

Click to expand...

Sounds good to me. I have been in the tool and die world my whole life. Uncle, father, older brother are all tool makers I went the other way and went cnc then to programing and for the last 8 years I have been designing progressive and transfer dies.
Looking to get out of it though. I am starting to hate the life and need to find something else.

go the grinder those thin discs are great

Ahem....

If I may interject for just a moment....

One sawsall...

One pair of sound proofing earmuffs...

One bronco-buck saddle...

Nine drill bits...and you have no problems...

Oh....and a nice thick rag to bite down on whilst you're riding that keg across the basement floor would be a big help.

ANGLE GRINDER!!!!!Fast,way easy and cheap.I used 2.5 discs(4.5" 1/8thick).It took 5 mins and turned out great.



Cheers

Yuri's method

[YOUTUBE]_reRMz7YHic[/YOUTUBE]



Anyone care to explain how to embed youtube video?

SuperiorBrew said:

Yuri's method

[youtube]<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gmd2HYT5pCk&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gmd2HYT5pCk&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmd2HYT5pCk

Anyone care to explain how to embed youtube video?

Click to expand...

Wrap the youtube tags around just the last part of the URL after the v=
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmd2HYT5pCk"][/ame]

I'll throw mine in again. Even if my math sucks in the video, it takes less than 3 minutes with a 1/16" cutoff wheel.

[YOUTUBE]LthGdMk_avk[/YOUTUBE]

I've done one with an 4.5" angle grinder (had very little wear on the wheel btw) and one with the plasma cutter. Both have nice clean round holes and look good, but the plasma version was def. less work

FSR402 said:

I'm just going to bring mine into my shop and laser cut the top off...

If you find a local shop with a laser cutter I'm sure you could get it done for a 6er or $20. Nice clean and fast.

Click to expand...

Where do you guys have alcoholic welding shops that accept beer as legal tender? I've tried to offer and they all say they'd rather have cash to buy their own.

EDIT: Bobby_M: ask your friends for a tripod for X-mas.

Have you seen my BMBF video? I not only have a tripod but a clip on lav mic too. Ramping up the production quality baby!!

I also question the barter for welding idea. It's never worked for me. These guys get $70-90 an hour for welding jobs and most have a one hour minimum. Hmmm, a sixer of some unknown "hooch" or $80 cash? Which would you want? MAYBE if you catch one of the low guys in the shop on a day when the supervisor isn't around but I've tried that too.