thanks for the quick answer...i'll go with making the collar....i dont have any experience working with wood nor do i have all the right tools...i'll have to figure that out, i think i'm going to get all the parts i need first then start working, i expect this to be spread across a couple paychecks
You don't have to go all fancy and use mitered joints like mine, which I had a brew buddy's dad do on a table saw.
The Northern brewer video shows how they did a very rudimentary keezer collar. They didn't even stain it.
You could do it with a hand saw, and you just also really need a drill, which can also use as a screwgun.
Bobby M's video helped me a lot as well, except he mounted his collar onto the lid.
It gave me some good ideas as to plumbing.
I also learned a ton from reading Carlisle Bob's posts in various keezer threads.
I know what you mean about spreading it between paychecks. Well, I'm over a grand into my keezer, (utilizing the collar design) including the $180 for my 7 cu chest freezer. It's got 3 taps though it can hold 5 kegs. I bought 4 kegs for about $140, Spent about $360 on on the co2 tank and regulator, and all the stuff necessary for the gas and liquid lines (including tap hardware and lines,) I spent about $160 for a secondary regulator. $30 for my Ebay Temp controller. The stuff for making my own taps (in
THIS thread.) Everything else was lumber, stain, insulation, sealer, silicone, and all the miscellaneous hardware and crap from home depot and harbor freight, including the electrical stuff for the temp controller..
I also ended up buying an orbital hand sander and a saws-all from Harbor Frieght, and assorted drill bits and such..
I spent $44 on a 12" drip tray, and another $30 for old time bottle opener and cap catcher for decoration.
It came out to be much more than I expected, but I'm happy with it.