Split seam on keg

[Darin]

I have a 5 gallon corny keg that refuses to seal. After a bit of checking things out I discovered gas coming from the top seam (right at the line between the black rubberized handle and the beginning of the metal body). Is there any way to repair something like this at a reasonable price? Or should I just trash it and get another keg. Some guy is selling them on Craigslist for $25 (not cleaned or pressurized).

 

[Walker]

there must be a split in the metal, because the black rubber handles are not actually part of the "containing" structure of the keg. The handles are just kind of glued onto the steel cylinder.

I would try to have a look inside and see if you can find the actual leak from that point of view. depending on how bad it is, you might be able to fix it.

 

[dmfa200]

Unless you've got a buddy that can TIG weld, repairing is gonna cost you at least $25.
It sounds like that it could be fuse welded to fix the problem. What I mean is welding the seam without the addition of filler metal. Still probably $25 bucks.

 

[Walker]

if it's just a tiny hole, $0.10 worth of JB Weld would fix it.

 

[malkore]

yeah, at the pressures we use, JB weld would probably hold well.

I fixed a coffee mug handle with that stuff and it held for years through use and dishwashing until the whole cup got smashed.

 

[milesvdustin]

The handle to my oven is held on with jb weld.

 

[bad67z]

I repaired my mothers Ford Escorts aluminum alternator bracket (cracked in half) with JBW 3-4 year ago and it is still holding like a champ. This bracket holds all the pressure from the serpentine belt and adjuster. I'm a believer!

 

[dmfa200]

Yeah, I too fixed the latch on a brand new microwave with JB Weld. The spot welds failed.
Was still holding strong when I got rid of it.

 

[802VermontHomebrew]

jb weld ftw

 

[jonp9576]

I have a bunch of kegs with pinhole leaks in them. Jb weld fixed them all. No leaks. Love that stuff.

 

[lurker18]

Just make sure of the condition of the keg before you get too far into it. I had a keg that had a small pinhole, the only way to see it was with water and pressure. I thought about the JB fix, but after closer look, the keg was useless. It must have had some corrosive stuff in it, was BADLY pitted and rusty everywhere. So badly damaged, I couldn't even use it for spare parts.

 

[Darin]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I appreciate it. I think I'll do a little more looking at the propblem keg to see if I can find the source of the leak and try to repair it.