I finished building my keezer yesterday.
[IMG="[URL=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/keezerfrontsmaller.jpg/][IMG]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9741/keezerfrontsmaller.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"][IMG="[URL=http://img4.imageshack.us/i/keezerisometric.jpg/][IMG]http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8855/keezerisometric.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]
I used a black Kenmore 8.8 cu. ft. chest freezer, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Ice+Makers&sName=Chest#specificationsAnchor. With a collar, this freezer will fit 6 corney kegs and a 5 pound CO2 tank (I haven't tried any larger, but it may fit). Currently, I have four kegs and a CO2 tank sitting on the floor of the freezer and tubing, etc. on the hump. Unfortunately, only two of those kegs are in operation (double chocolate stout in secondary will be third).
Also, this is a dual hinge setup. I ordered a second set of factory hinges from Kenmore that allowed me to make absolutely zero permanant modifications to my freezer because I didn't have to drill any holes in either the freezer or the lid. Additionally, the dual hinges allowed me to avoid securing the collar to the freezer with glue, etc. This setup should also make it much easier to move kegs in and out of the freezer because the whole collar will lift which will take much of the tubing with it. I used two rows of black marine weatherstripping on the bottom edge of the collar (from Sutherland's). I have been satisfied with the seal the lid and collar make without any additional help.
[IMG="[URL=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/keezerrearview.jpg/][IMG]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7656/keezerrearview.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]
As for the collar itself, it's oak and about 11 inches tall and 1.5 inches thick. I used a radial arm saw to make mitered cuts in the oak and a combination of nails and glue to hold the pieces together.
I used Perlick 525SS faucets. They look great, but I haven't had them long enough to know if there will be any maintenance issues. I got the nicer two tap handles from Micromatic. I intend to have my brewery name engraved in them soon. I just need to settle on a brewery name first.
One more thing. I was pretty surprised by how expensive chalkboards were all over the internet. I ended up going with these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016KQZGQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20. I have not tried to erase the chalk yet, but I have moved the boards around a bit and they seem to do ok with that. The chalk is pretty easy to read, too. For $16 for a four pack, it's definitely not a bad option.
[IMG="[URL=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/keezerfrontsmaller.jpg/][IMG]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9741/keezerfrontsmaller.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"][IMG="[URL=http://img4.imageshack.us/i/keezerisometric.jpg/][IMG]http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8855/keezerisometric.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]
I used a black Kenmore 8.8 cu. ft. chest freezer, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...&+Ice+Makers&sName=Chest#specificationsAnchor. With a collar, this freezer will fit 6 corney kegs and a 5 pound CO2 tank (I haven't tried any larger, but it may fit). Currently, I have four kegs and a CO2 tank sitting on the floor of the freezer and tubing, etc. on the hump. Unfortunately, only two of those kegs are in operation (double chocolate stout in secondary will be third).
Also, this is a dual hinge setup. I ordered a second set of factory hinges from Kenmore that allowed me to make absolutely zero permanant modifications to my freezer because I didn't have to drill any holes in either the freezer or the lid. Additionally, the dual hinges allowed me to avoid securing the collar to the freezer with glue, etc. This setup should also make it much easier to move kegs in and out of the freezer because the whole collar will lift which will take much of the tubing with it. I used two rows of black marine weatherstripping on the bottom edge of the collar (from Sutherland's). I have been satisfied with the seal the lid and collar make without any additional help.
[IMG="[URL=http://img5.imageshack.us/i/keezerrearview.jpg/][IMG]http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7656/keezerrearview.jpg[/IMG][/URL]"]
As for the collar itself, it's oak and about 11 inches tall and 1.5 inches thick. I used a radial arm saw to make mitered cuts in the oak and a combination of nails and glue to hold the pieces together.
I used Perlick 525SS faucets. They look great, but I haven't had them long enough to know if there will be any maintenance issues. I got the nicer two tap handles from Micromatic. I intend to have my brewery name engraved in them soon. I just need to settle on a brewery name first.
One more thing. I was pretty surprised by how expensive chalkboards were all over the internet. I ended up going with these: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016KQZGQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20. I have not tried to erase the chalk yet, but I have moved the boards around a bit and they seem to do ok with that. The chalk is pretty easy to read, too. For $16 for a four pack, it's definitely not a bad option.
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