My Weekend Keggle Build

I wasn't sure where to put this, and the DIY forum felt a little over the top since this is a simple weekend project with no real novelty. So I picked up a keg off the For Sale forum for $40. I cut the top off with an angle grinder (no jig) and sanded the edges for safety. I then did a quick rough polish job to get off the grime using a gator pad. Then I drilled a 7/8 inch hole and installed a bulkhead, ball valve and a side pickup dip tube from bargain fittings. I finished it off with a high temp spray painted skull and a lid from IKEA. Total cost slightly over $100.

Let me know what you think.

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Nice job! Is that skull a stencil?

 

Yes! I bought it at the dollar store a couple years back and did the same thing on my cooler mash tun. Thought I would continue the theme with my keggle.

 

Nice job! Your painting skills are pretty cool too!

John

 

Great work on the cut - especially with no jig!

 

Thank you. I took my time slowly scoring the steel with the angle grinder until it cut through. I would say it took 5-10 minutes. During that time I used two cutting wheels to make it easier to maintain the radius. I rested the guard against the handle the whole time to control the radius also. Patience was key, and a grinding wheel to clean up any mistakes 😀

 

Nice job, what type of grinding wheels did you use? I'm just about to create a new keggle and the wheel I have seems a bit thick (1/4")?

 

Here are the wheels I used.

White is a grinding wheel I used for cleaning up the sharp edges after the cut was complete.

Yellow is the cutting wheel I used. This is a cutting wheel, not a grinding wheel. This thing is thin.

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Very creative and cool!

 

Looks great. Gonna get a lot of good brew from that!

 

Found those wheels at Lowe's, made the cuts tonight. Drilling and assembling the plumbing tomorrow... Thanks for the inspiration!

 

I have a keg waiting for this treatment myself. Are we supposed to drill holes in the bottom ring, before putting it over heat?

 

Yes, if it doesn't already have a few.

 

This will be my propane kettle that I will use at clubs to brew (if I ever join one). I run electric at home.

 

Nice work. I like the graphics touch.
Your suggestions for cutting the top off a keg are spot-on.
I used a jig in the center bung because I wanted to cut a slightly smaller opening, but the outer rim will serve the same purpose.