How difficult would this be to do? (Install ball valve)

[SweetSounds]

You will need one for every penetration of the kettle. So I would plan on at least one per, just for the bottom valves... Maybe more if you go with a HERMS in your HLT or something like that. It just depends on your system.

 

[IPAAAA]

I still new to this so I don't understand what you mean by every penetration of the kettle
or herms of hlt.

 

[GGandee]

Never mind HERMS- he was just being thorough in his answer. For what we're talking about, here's the basic process:

You want to attach a ball valve to your 15 gallon kettle/keggle/metal vessel.

-order yourself a bulkhead from Pickles (PM him on HBT). He will include for $12 (plus small shipping) the bulkhead components and o-rings. Awesome deal- they're like $95 on McMaster-Carr.

-in the meantime, get the step bit mentioned previously from harbor freight or bargain fittings.

-when the bulkhead arrives, drill a small pilot hole in the side of the kettle/keggle where you want the penetration to be centered. then, use pilot hole to guide the step bit and create the necessary penetration to just barely allow the bulkhead to pass through.

-insert the bulkhead and screw it down tight so it clamps down on the keg.

-then, you simply just get the proper size and length nipple to connect the bulkhead to the ball valve.

 

[pickles]

GGandee - Thanks for the free advertisement

IPAAAA - My bulkheads will work for your purposes, but if I were you I would buy the complete set from bargain fittings. That way you'll have all the components you need and it'll be done. You can pick up the bit from bargain fittings while your at it. His prices are about as good as it gets for these things. As far as drilling goes; just go slow with the step bit and check your fit frequently and you'll be fine.

 

[IPAAAA]

Never mind HERMS- he was just being thorough in his answer. For what we're talking about, here's the basic process:

You want to attach a ball valve to your 15 gallon kettle/keggle/metal vessel.

-order yourself a bulkhead from Pickles (PM him on HBT). He will include for $12 (plus small shipping) the bulkhead components and o-rings. Awesome deal- they're like $95 on McMaster-Carr.

-in the meantime, get the step bit mentioned previously from harbor freight or bargain fittings.

-when the bulkhead arrives, drill a small pilot hole in the side of the kettle/keggle where you want the penetration to be centered. then, use pilot hole to guide the step bit and create the necessary penetration to just barely allow the bulkhead to pass through.

-insert the bulkhead and screw it down tight so it clamps down on the keg.

-then, you simply just get the proper size and length nipple to connect the bulkhead to the ball valve.

Thank you for the detailed info!

GGandee - Thanks for the free advertisement

IPAAAA - My bulkheads will work for your purposes, but if I were you I would buy the complete set from bargain fittings. That way you'll have all the components you need and it'll be done. You can pick up the bit from bargain fittings while your at it. His prices are about as good as it gets for these things. As far as drilling goes; just go slow with the step bit and check your fit frequently and you'll be fine.

Is there a difference between yours and bargain fittings setup? I would gladly buy from you if I could figure out the rest of the pieces I would need for the ball valve and attach to the bulkhead.

Now if you got a good 50 ft IC for a good deal then I would definitely buy it.

 

[giligson]

BTW - If you feel that you are going to drill lots of holes in sheet metal in the future I would definitely recommend the step bit; however it is possible to create a hole in SS with only your basic Dremel kit setup if that's what you have. You need to mark the hole size and grind away (with the smallest grinding stone you have ) INSIDE the mark (its easier to make it bigger if you make a mistake but not the other way). This will take longer because you have to keep grinding out just a tiny bit of material on each pass - don't get greedy. But it will work in a pinch - This is actually the way I cut the top off my Sankey Keg - making an almost perfect circle with a very smooth edge (took 15 min)