diy co2 distributor?

[nootay]

So im looking in to buying a co2 manifold, but they seem rather simple for the price tag. Can you make one of these yourself very easily? anyone have a tutorial?

 

[Photomask]

So im looking in to buying a co2 manifold, but they seem rather simple for the price tag. Can you make one of these yourself very easily? anyone have a tutorial?

Easy enough to do with fittings but that would be even more expensive unless you already have them laying around. The valves used on these manifolds have a check-valve built into the actual valve to prevent cross-feeding gas between kegs and possibly affecting the flavors. So you would have to get those particular types of valves and that can add up. or use separate check-valves and that would cost even more. When you look into the total cost, a manufactured manifold really isn't that far out of line.

 

[bendavanza]

Like Photomask said, the price is mostly in the shutoffs with check valves. You can cheap out and not have shutoffs or check valves but you don't want to have beer back up into your regulator, and you want to be able to control each line without having to disconnect everything. I made one out of some harbor freight air distro blocks, but for the money, time, all said and done, I may as well have just bought one.

 

[whale]

Idont know exact price but I paid around $20 for manifold + 2 check valves. I wouldnt even think about making my own.

manifold itself is only about $3 its the valves...

 

[LooyvilleLarry]

Yeah, after you count in a couple of refills on the co2, (btw, you almost always discover this on a Friday evening) you'll think that an investment in a good manifold would be a good thing. BTDT

 

[brewpal]

I have been down this road before: "gee, that does not look so hard to make myself...". Chasing leaks and replacing drained CO2 tanks will quickly have you wishing you had ponied up a few extra bucks for a pre-built model. Had I to do it over, I would have bought one for sure.

Just got one of these in the mail for a friend setting up a fridge and the quality looks very good on the parts and assembly:

http://www.brewersdiscount.net/item83186.ctlg

 

[Brewmoor]

A block of aluminum a drill press and a set of taps should do the trick. Well of course if you can get the valves at a decent price. I think I am going to make one. Though i already have all the tools. So three valves at the right price will make it worth it to me.

I say go for it. Should not be too hard if you have the tools.

 

[nootay]

yea after doing some pricing, i feel that it would just be much less hassle to buy a premade one. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[samc]

If you were to make it out of some SS or brass nipples, tees & end caps you have the advantage of being able to expand it easily at some future date. You'd wind up spending about what it would cost to buy one of those aluminum ones, but it could be of higher quality. Not all of the ones you see advertised at the online places have check valves built in, so you wind up having to buy those anyway. It's also IMO better to have a check valve closer to the QD and tank anyway to prevent ruining the gas line should beer flow back into them.

 

[BobG]

Here's mine. I have a couple more T's and valves handy to expand when it's needed.