anyone turn a keg into conical fermenter?

[Brewvy]

I got a welder buddy and access to some decommissioned cider kegs 15.5 gal,and need some bigger fermenters.Was thinking about getting some sheet stainless to make a cone to weld on bottom (or top)of these kegs,with valves ,etc.How thick of steel would i need,and has anyone tried this before(I'm sure it's been tried but has anyone succeded?I would also need a sealable access for cleaning(probably in the side)Is a 60 degree cone the norm in this situation?I plan on making a wood mold to bend this steel around then tackweld, then cut bottom and topthe right size for valve and keg diameters. would love to leave the ring around the bottem of keg for stand stability but dont know if that will be possible with the welding needed.Any thoughts would be great.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yep, 60 degrees is the norm for conicals. Search around, I believe it has been done by attaching a prefabbed toledo metal spinning cone. Your "welder buddy" will need mad fabrication skill, all welds should be sanitary and non porous. From what little I know, this is a very tough job. A 15.5 gallon keg makes a pretty nice fermenter as is...good luck.

 

[wyzazz]

Yuri Rage has done this very thing, and even put in some temp control to boot!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/diy-chilled-conical-keg-fermenter-123770/