benthe8track
Member
You guys need to find a buddy with a plasma cutter. My jig was a piece of string haha.
Got this all set up to grind tomorrow -- my kids are asleep in the bedroom over the garage, so I guess I have to wait to cut the top off. Thanks for the simple tip!
This might be the simplest jig for cutting the top off a sanke keg. It is just a 1-1/4" PVC coupler with a 1/2" channel cut out of it, then a hose clamp to hold the grinder. I also stick a piece of PVC pipe into the coupler which extends into the keg for more support. Couldn't be easier. I've cut 4 perfect holes with this setup. Tighten that clamp down tight.
Of course, the center tube (spear) must be removed before you begin. This involves 1) depressing the ball and ensuring there is no pressure in the keg (make GD sure you do this!), prying out the retaining ring, rotating the spear and sliding it out.
Note that once the entire circumference of the lid is cut, there is nothing left to support your tool. I have not had any problem with this at all, but if you are concerned you can extend the pipe 20" (or so) so that it is just off the bottom of the keg: when the lid is cut the grinder won't drop into keg.
Some more notes:
- If you intend on using a grinder with the same jig that I built, you'll need one with a handle mount on the back of the grinder head, not just on the sides. Some grinders (especially the cheap Harbor Freight ones) don't have this hole.
- Maybe this is obvious, but make sure to remove the spear first. At least make damn sure there's no pressure in there. Pressing a screwdriver into the ball will do that. If you need help getting the spear out, let me know.
- Take your time. Move around the keg in circles, slowly grinding a line in a circle around the keg. Don't expect the grinder to get through it right away... you need to keep etching that circle and eventually it will go through. If you try to force the cutting disk into the cut, it will shatter and you'll be replacing the disk. So, don't push down, just let the rotating wheel and the weight of the grinder do it. It won't take long.
- Wear protective eyewear and hearing protection. It is possible that the rotating grinding disk will fly apart. Cutting can be very very loud, especially right above the keg. Filling it with a few gallons of water can help reduce the noise a lot.
- After you cut the top off, clean up that edge with a flap disk for your new grinder. It will be sharp and believe me can cut your arm when you are cleaning it after a brewday.
- Don't ever use anything made of steel to cut or clean your keg, unless it is stainless. This includes iron wool, files, etc. They will embed iron into the SS and it WILL rust later.
- Barkeepers friend does a great job cleaning the thing up.
- You might be curious what diameter the hole should be. I cut mine at about 12" and that's worked out great. IMO the larger the better. One thing to consider, though, is that you can buy replacement glass pot covers at kitchen stores (or online) pretty cheap, and you can cut the hole to match a pot cover. That would be pretty cool, but maybe only for the HLT and mash tun.
I think I will borrow my buddy's plasma cutter. The savings to my ears alone would be worth it.
I'll sacrifice a 1/2 gallon of volume to a avoid a chunk of shattered cutoff disk flying at my face.
You can shatter a disk doing it your way too. You lose that handles, volume, and structural integrity of the pot.
I wanted to add to this thread for those who use the Harbor Freight air tools. I like to use air tools whenever possible, and this is the HF 4" Angle Grinder. all PVC fittings are 1 1/4
The best secret I have found that I don't hear mentioned when cutting these. MAKE multiple passes. First pass just etch it. Second a little deeper... Saves disks and energy.. cutting to deep per pass will brake a disk every time.
- Take your time. Move around the keg in circles, slowly grinding a line in a circle around the keg. Don't expect the grinder to get through it right away... you need to keep etching that circle and eventually it will go through. If you try to force the cutting disk into the cut, it will shatter and you'll be replacing the disk. So, don't push down, just let the rotating wheel and the weight of the grinder do it. It won't take long.
Eh, all this seems unnecessary. I just used the guard as a guide against the lip of the keg and went around it. Perfect circle.
Eh, all this seems unnecessary. I just used the guard as a guide against the lip of the keg and went around it. Perfect circle.
Eh, all this seems unnecessary. I just used the guard as a guide against the lip of the keg and went around it. Perfect circle.
yeah, i pressed the ball the other night on my anheiser-busch keg a buddy gave me and what did i get? a face-full-o-beer. yucko.
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