Hey all. So I've tried the bottling, got old. Neighbor has keg system, expensive. I have access to a bunch of stainless 316 309 etc and fairly decent tig welder. Any thoughts on if it'd be worth trying to fabricate a keg? Anyone ever try? Any plans?
Why try to make a homemade pressure vessel when you can purchase a new one for ~$70 and a used for less. You're going to spend almost that much on connections to get it working.
I'll play along. Read to the end.
You can go way cheaper on the fittings, it doesn't have to be threaded with a bung and a qd on top of that, you can weld any stainless fitting you want to the top (eg 1/4barb to anything) and hose clamp your gas line to that. Do the same on the bottom or bottom side for beer out and no dip dube needed.
Personally I like the pin locks, aside from the price, because I can visually see they are locked (not that I've ever had a ball lock connection - beer or otherwise - fail me in any way).
*No connection to Adventures in Homebrewing, although they are my LHBS.
Unless you need a specific shape for a too-small-for-standard-kegs fridge, just buy used. As was said, the kegs are likely not the most expensive part of the kegging process.
Adventures in homebrewing currently has a sale on kegs:
4x pin lock for $149
4x ball lock for $199
http://www.homebrewing.org/Sale-Items_c_21.html
Personally I like the pin locks, aside from the price, because I can visually see they are locked (not that I've ever had a ball lock connection - beer or otherwise - fail me in any way).
*No connection to Adventures in Homebrewing, although they are my LHBS.
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