Sanke Sealing Oring Replacement and Locking Ring

Anyone know what is a good oring replacement for a Sanke stem? I was going to use McMaster and get one but I didn't see any that were "flat" and I was a little (probably for no reason) hesitant in buying some that were "round"

I also need to get some replacement locking rings.... any reason why I can't use the standard ones (not sure of the "Real names" but they are 3/4 circumfrance and have little holes on the end for the special pliers to grab them and spread them.... the name escapes me)

hayabusa said:

Anyone know what is a good oring replacement for a Sanke stem? I was going to use McMaster and get one but I didn't see any that were "flat" and I was a little (probably for no reason) hesitant in buying some that were "round"

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Sabco Industries, Inc.

hayabusa said:

I also need to get some replacement locking rings.... any reason why I can't use the standard ones (not sure of the "Real names" but they are 3/4 circumfrance and have little holes on the end for the special pliers to grab them and spread them.... the name escapes me)

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They are called internal snap rings. I've never used them but Kegman sells them (or you could probably just buy them at McMaster.
KegMan Keg's Anti-Tamper Retainer Replacement Kit

Regarding the retaining rings...IMO the spiral rings that the manufacturer furnished w/ the keg work well! Replacement is easy once you develop a little technique...thanks clutchdude.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/installing-retaining-ring-sanke-keg-64128/

Excellent - I'm going to get some of the Kegman kits.

I'm going to update the post with it, but the Mcmaster-carr # for the Snap-ring (requires special pliers) is 91580A246.

For the o-rings, you need 1 7/8" OD, and 1 5/8" ID(making it 1/8" thick...)

I'd get the silicone(9396K215), but anything in that size will work.

Heckuva lot cheaper to go through mcmaster-carr.

EDIT:Also, what kegman doesn't tell you, is that you actually need this retaining-ring pliers. They aren't cheap, at ~$30 I think.

The alternative is to grind down a set of pliers, but I'd recommend the special pliers, as they have a spring-assisted action that is reversible.

retaining ring pliers are available at any tool store, and Harbor freight has a cheap universal set.

Here's the one I bought at the store for obviously a little more...They are reversible, so it's used for both external and internal snap rings


EDIT:
Seeing as I would use these pretty often(every time you fill, empty or clean a keg..) it violates my harbor freight tool rule:

Only buy what you are ready to watch break and need another of in the same day.

When installing a standard snap-ring, ala "keg-man" style, how is the o-ring compresed.

I just don't get it, the spiral rings, that are standard sanke seem to work so well. What is the upside of using the snap ring keg man type? I just don't see any advantage?

wilserbrewer said:

When installing a standard snap-ring, ala "keg-man" style, how is the o-ring compresed.

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You use a valve/spear removal tool similar to this one: https://www.morebeer.com/products/sanke-valve-spear-removal-tool.html

What is the upside of using the snap ring keg man type?

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I have learned and only use the standard manufacturer's snap ring, but I could see how, if I were opening and sealing a lot of kegs all the time, I might appreciate the "always 2-seconds each" nature of the keg man type, vice the "typically 5-10 sec, but sometimes I have to futz with it" of the spiral ring.

Speaking of which -- anyone got any ideas why sometimes the spiral ring just won't snap in? It's as if the spear just won't go down that last 1/64" and let it ka-snap!