DIY Keggle Conversion (video!)

[Yuri_Rage]

Well, since I'm making a keggle, I thought I'd try my hand at a .

So far, it's kind of a "gee whiz, so that's what a plasma cutter looks like" video, but I plan on adding some more informative portions about drilling, fittings, cleaning (maybe), etc. It's my first digital video effort ever, recorded on our fairly new digital camera, edited with Windows Movie Maker (didn't even know that was on my computer before today!). Let me know what you think!



Oh yeah...no flames about welding/cutting in a short sleeved shirt. I know...it's a no-no...oops.

 

[the_bird]

1:42. Slowpoke!

Damn, that's cool - I haven't seen a plasma cutter before. Discovery channel should follow you around for a weekend and tape all the cool sh!t you build (and cut apart)

 

[the_Roqk]

Looks good! Faster than using a metal cutting disk. It took me about 15 minutes the other day.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

It's much faster than a cutting disk and requires about the same amount of cleanup around the edges. The down side? A plasma cutter is easily 10 times more expensive than a cutoff tool.

However, if you don't have any tools capable of cutting metal, the minimal amount of time/labor required for a professional to plasma cut your keg top translates to very little cost. A nice guy would do it for a couple of beers.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

()

I tried to be as informative as possible without spending a lot of time on any one thing. The subtitled format might be slightly annoying. I think I may have to bite the bullet and narrate the next one. Opinions definitely appreciated!

 

[NateKerx]

A nice guy would do it for a couple of beers.

I found a nice guy cut the top off of mine for a couple of beers! pics of that soon,but video looks great! When I watched part 2 the vid did cut out shortly after the final weld subtitle. In general I think the subtitles are a fine way to go

 

[Brewiz]

Great video Yuri!!! I wish you were around last year when I was doing mine..

 

[the_bird]

I love that this video was listed alongside yours....

 

[Bernie Brewer]

Nice videos, Yuri! One thing: Where are your safety glasses???

 

[Dude]

Those are awesome Yuri! The subtitles didn't bother me at all....FWIW.

Damn I wish I had a plasma cutter...that was slick!

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Nice videos, Yuri! One thing: Where are your safety glasses???

Thanks for all of the positive feedback! Sometimes I guess I'm a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of guy. I'm not making excuses. I was wearing safety glasses when using the air sander, but I forgot to put them back on before the drilling sequence. I suppose if I'm making these kinds of videos, I should pay more attention to that sort of thing (for multiple reasons).

Oh...I guess it shouldn't say, "Stay tuned for part 3," but rather, "Part 3...coming soon!" I'll be making that one today.

 

[FlynnAle]

Very cool video Yuri!

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Nice Yuri.

I noticed it looked like you were wearing a T-shirt that had xx (couldn't make out the #) Flying SQ on the back. Are you or were you in the Air Force?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I noticed it looked like you were wearing a T-shirt that had xx (couldn't make out the #) Flying SQ on the back. Are you or were you in the Air Force?

Yup (currently active duty)! There are a few posts about what I do, but I usually don't say much about it here. PM me if you want to know more!

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Well, I guess that means there's at least 2 of us that frequent here then.

Cheers.

 

[Moonpile]

A wonderfully helpful (and encouraging) video. This makes me wish I still lived in Albuquerque so I could have at least a chance of seeing some of your creations.

Thanks!

Moon

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I just finished the keggle! Standby for part 3 of the video...gimme an hour or so. Until then:

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Several homebrews, a few distractions, and 3 hours later...



I kept the subtitle format, and I tried to be fairly safety minded. I did weld in a short-sleeved shirt...again... Old (bad) habits die hard I guess.

Bonus points if anyone can tell what bar I got my shirt from!

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Wait... hold on here.. does the paint thinner come before or after the plasma cutting?

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Wait... hold on here.. does the paint thinner come before or after the plasma cutting?

Well, any paint thinner I used for cleaning came after the plasma cutting...am I too drunk to get the joke?

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Well, any paint thinner I used for cleaning came after the plasma cutting...am I too drunk to get the joke?

Yes, but don't worry. I am too drunk to get it too.

Seriously, a most excellent write up. I'd love to learn more about welding stainless...

 

[Dude]

Is the reason you are "Tim Allen's Clone" because you seem to have every tool known to man?

Great video write-up Yuri. Now can you do one for someone who doesn't have all of those fancy tools?

 

[kladue]

Great job Yuri, next time try inserting the coupling until it is flush with the inside and back weld the inside face of the coupling

 

[Jaybird]

Yuri
Great videos. Have you ever thought of concaving the bottom of your keg? It works really good using a 8# sledge this does a couple of things
1 you can get more of the liquid out of the keg when emptying
2 if you use hops without a bag ( not that any of us do)you can whirlpool and the hops will collect on the concaved center
3 causes the flame to stall out under the keggle thus using less fuel and being more efficient
also I like how you used the flux. how does the weld look on the inside? I have been cutting my cupplers in half (get two for the price of one) and turning a lip into them to 7/8" about 3/16" deep and tig welding them from the inside without any filler rod. it works really good but a pain to weld from the inside.
anyway just some thoughts

thanks again for the stir plate I have been using the hell out of it
JJ

 

[Yuri_Rage]

also I like how you used the flux. how does the weld look on the inside? I have been cutting my cupplers in half (get two for the price of one) and turning a lip into them to 7/8" about 3/16" deep and tig welding them from the inside without any filler rod. it works really good but a pain to weld from the inside.

The welds look pretty clean on the inside. I tried to show it in the video, but the shot is too far away to see any detail.

Similar to kladue's suggestion, I like your technique of turning a lip into the coupler and welding from the inside - wish I'd have thought of that! However, I like to keep both sides of the coupler. That way you can add fittings (pickup tube, hops screen, stainless braid, manifold, etc) to the inside.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

In the interest of everyone's safety, read this topic!

It wouldn't be difficult to drill a few vent holes if your keg doesn't have them in the rolled rims around the top and bottom.

 

[kenmc]

I have a stupid question. I just found an empty (Guinness) keg rolling around the field I was playing tag rugby in. It of course went in the car. It says 'Caution, pressurised - do not tamper'. How should I depressurise it safely??
Cheers
Kenmc

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I have a stupid question. I just found an empty (Guinness) keg rolling around the field I was playing tag rugby in. It of course went in the car. It says 'Caution, pressurised - do not tamper'. How should I depressurise it safely??
Cheers
Kenmc

Drink the contents. Either use a disconnected Sanke fitting or a blunt, non-metallic object to press the ball down away from the seal. It's probably wise to lay the keg on its side so you don't get a bunch of beer/foam spraying up at you while you do that.

 

[kenmc]

it's already empty. why non-metalic blunt object??? i don't have a sanke fitting....

 

[Yuri_Rage]

So you don't screw up the valve or the seal around it. Use the back of a screwdriver or something similar.