Cutting co2 dip tube

[pbower089]

Bought some new ss dip tubes for the corny kegs to upgrade from the old plastic ones. Then realized the diameters aren't the same size. The solution I've seen people do is to drill out the 'in' port so the new dip tube fits.

I was wondering if it wouldn't be easier to cut the dip tube so it still holds the o ring in place but doesn't extend into the part of the post that gets skinnier.

Theoretically, the seal would still be good. Im thinking that it may be a less invasive modification.

Any thoughts?

 

[day_trippr]

I lopped the gas dip tubes on all sixteen of my kegs down to under 1/2" total length including the one keg with a plastic tube.
All you functionally need is enough length to securely hold the flange O-ring, so I'd say if you can eek out that much you're good to go...

Cheers!

 

[Off Balance Brewing]

I think it would work but might be hard to cut that short. I cut mine down with a pipe cutter but hard to get less than 1/2 inch length. You want less than that right?

 

[day_trippr]

A 1/2" is fine, but yeah, using a pipe cutter has a built in challenge wrt shortest length possible.
I made matching half-wells in some soft pine scraps to fit the dip tube and flange, clamped the works in a bench vise and used a fiber cut-off wheel, then dressed the end with a cone grinder...

Cheers!

 

[jddevinn]

I lopped the gas dip tubes on all sixteen of my kegs down to under 1/2" total length including the one keg with a plastic tube.

I did the same on all of my kegs. It helps with oxygen purging as well. With the CO2 tube cut so that it doesn't protrude into the keg you can tilt the keg so that the CO2 in is the highest point and fill with StarSan prior to purging without having a small air pocket at the top.

 

[pbower089]

Thank you guys. All good thoughts. After cutting it with a pipe cutter I took it to the bench grinder, then a file to take off the burrs. Works great. Finally got that plastic out of there.

 

[IslandLizard]

Thank you guys. All good thoughts. After cutting it with a pipe cutter I took it to the bench grinder, then a file to take off the burrs. Works great. Finally got that plastic out of there.

Plastic dip tubes are not really an issue, though... Unless they're cracked.

 

[pbower089]

Plastic dip tubes are not really an issue, though... Unless they're cracked.

I agree. I used them for several years without issue. They are getting wavy, though, from the poppets pressing against them.

 

[IslandLizard]

I agree. I used them for several years without issue. They are getting wavy, though, from the poppets pressing against them.

Oh yeah, there's that problem too.

I've tried to "flare" short (gas) ones from long dip tubes with no success. It's really not a flare, it's more like a dome.