Assembling My Brewstand

[akthor]

Not reinventing the wheel but documenting it just the same.

Started with a stainless steel stand from Brewers Equipment.

Using Sankey Kegs for vessels. Going to polish them

The stash pile so far, this SS stuff adds up quick all that is missing are the 3 - BobbyM sightglasses (on their way) I still need to figure out what I am going to do for thermometers and silicone hose and some misc clamps etc. Oh and my 50' SS HERMS coil which is being coiled by HBT member Texan. Then I can start assembling everything. More pics as I do things....

 

[akthor]

Close up of the basic on/off power control box I made for my Chugger Pumps.

Just a 2-gang box, 2 - combo switch/outlet, and a 25' extension cord. Switches are wired to control the outlet.

 

[Jones]

Very nice!

 

[dutchoven]

Ah Ha!! ... That's where all the F Camlocks went ...

Looking good.

 

[akthor]

I know I had to order stuff when I wasn't quite ready cuz the Chuggers and the camlocks keep being in and out of stock so when I saw them I grabbed em'

Ah Ha!! ... That's where all the F Camlocks went ...

Looking good.

 

[evandena]

That's quite the haul. I keep holding out for someone to sell a lot like that on craigslist for $20. A dream I may never realize.

 

[akthor]

Yeah I used to scoff at systems like the More Beer Brew sculptures but now buying all these shiny little bits of SS I understand more fully the costs involved. All those fittings and other stainless bits add up quick!

Installed the quick disconnects and valves to the pumps and rotated the heads. Gotta head to the hardware store for some nuts and bolts to mount them.

Then today I need to build a "polishing booth" in my laundry room. I figure it will be easier to polish the kegs before cutting them and putting the holes in them. It's winter and f'ing cold outside so I gotta figure out a way to contain the mess doing it inside.

 

[TravisT]

Nice build, did you do the welding? Cost is the main reason I'm building a 3 tier rig made from used steel.

 

[akthor]

No I bought the stand. I really wanted SS and I knew no one who could weld SS and I didn't trust myself to try.

Just took me 15 mins to drill one hole in one of the pump mounting plates for the pump. Guess I better get a better drill bit when I go into town

Figuring out as I go it's not just the SS bits that add up. All the misc items too. Had to buy a grinder, cutting/polishing wheels, polishing compound, drill bits, Greenlee hole punch, stuff to make a jig for cutting the tops off the kegs........

Just keeps adding up

 

[day_trippr]

[...]Then today I need to build a "polishing booth" in my laundry room. I figure it will be easier to polish the kegs before cutting them and putting the holes in them. It's winter and f'ing cold outside so I gotta figure out a way to contain the mess doing it inside.

Good luck with that. You'll pretty much need a hermetically sealed environment to keep from coating the laundry room with smudgy grey/black flecks that won't simply vacuum up. I imagine if there's a domestic partner involved you could end up headless

Cheers!

 

[akthor]

Thinking of covering the washing machine and the floor with sheets I don't care about ruining, using the washing machine as the workbench and making a cubicle by hanging a couple more sheets I don't care about as walls. Should contain the mess ok. I hope

 

[akthor]

My god even with a titanium drill bit drilling the mounting holes thru what appears to be about 1/8" SS was a bear! I am going to try to make sure any other plans I have don't involve drilling into the stand.

Got the pumps mounted finally tho:

 

[FSR402]

My god even with a titanium drill bit drilling the mounting holes thru what appears to be about 1/8" SS was a bear! I am going to try to make sure any other plans I have don't involve drilling into the stand.

Got the pumps mounted finally tho:

Make sure you are using cutting oil when drilling it will help.

 

[akthor]

Not much to report till I get more time next weekend but more parts came in:

3 BobbyM sight glasses and another SS ball valve

 

[BSD_Glass]

did you drill holes in and mount your pumps to the fuel rail?



BSD

 

[FSR402]

did you drill holes in and mount your pumps to the fuel rail?



BSD

I think there are plates welded to the rail and that's what he drilled thru. You can see them in the first post.

 

[akthor]

Exactly!

I think there are plates welded to the rail and that's what he drilled thru. You can see them in the first post.

 

[akthor]

Well yesterday I took advantage of the warm day (upper 30's) and went out in the shed where I didn't need to worry about making a mess and started polishing my first keg. Pic below is after 2 med gator grit pads and about 2hrs of polishing. Next is a fine grit then actual polishing with compounds. I intend to polish each keg before cutting off the tops and punching the holes in them. Figure it would be easier that way.

Also on a positive note with my fuxxed up Greenlee 13/16 punch I bought used but as new (yeah right) on Amazon which came with the threads so torn up it didn't funtion. I brought it to a machine shop today and they tapped and drilled and cleaned up the threads so that it functions properly now. Only cost me $10 which what I saved buying a used unit over a new one grrrrrrrr

Ordered what I hope are the last few SS bits and 3" thermometers from Bargainfittings.com today too.

 

[akthor]

While I was picking up some more polishing supplies I grabbed some pieces of black threaded 3/4" pipe to make a quick and easy stand for my ghetto pump controls. Not fancy but will keep it off the ground Was about $25 to make the stand.

 

[akthor]

Almost have my 1st keg polished all the way just have to do the last step with the high gloss grit then I can start cutting and drilling.

 

[Dhruv6911]

that keg is making that brew stand look dull. Can you polish that also?

 

[akthor]

I probably could and it would probably be very easy since the stand SS is blemish free with no dents or scratches. Probably could go right to the #2 and #5 compounds and the buffing wheel. If I have any polishing pads or buffing compounds left I may do it. But I won't buy more supplies to do it

 

[kellanv]

Less smudging/fingerprint potential on the dull stand, too!

 

[akthor]

Got more goodies in the mail, after 3 or is it 4? Seperate orders to Bargain fittings and one to brewerhardware.com I finally think I have everything? Well except the silicone hose and the trub filter. Also just finished the final polish on the 1st keg. Gonna start cutting and drilling on it tomorrow.

 

[onthekeg]

Looking like a mighty fine build you have there!

 

[moboy]

+1 on the cost to build. Really does nickle and dime a person to death.

 

[akthor]

No kidding! At least it's a buy it once and done dealio ;-)

 

[horric29]

Almost have my 1st keg polished all the way just have to do the last step with the high gloss grit then I can start cutting and drilling.

These keggles are hurting my eyes just looking at the pictures! Nice work!!! :rockin:

 

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

may i ask what type of pumps those are ?

 

[CCBrewer]

chugger he said

 

[akthor]

Yup the SS head chugger pumps I got mine from Farmhouse Brewsupply

 

[akthor]

So I skipped a lot of steps but finally have all three keggles polished and all the SS doo dads installed.