Keg to a Kettle, a newbies experience

[geno_47]

So here is my experience so far of converting a keg to a kettle. Here is the guide i used.

http://hoppybrewing.com/2008/03/10/how-to-convert-a-retired-sanke-12-bbl-15-gallon-keg-into-a-boil-kettle/

After the keg was taken apart, i took a sharpie and drew a circle around the top. I then took a drill bit and drilled about 15 holes or so along the circle. The point of the holes was to go from hole to hole with the sawzall blade. I then drilled 4 over lapping holes in order to fit the blade of the sawzall into the top of the keg. I used about 3 sawzall blades to get a hole all the way around. BE CAREFUL. If using this method the keg shakes violently. I had to get my wife to help me hold down the keg as i cut around it. Also the sawzall blades get very hot.....i have the burns on my fingers to prove it.

For the hole that the weldless bulk head goes into, i used a 7/8 hole saw. I would not recommend using a hole saw unless you have a drill press. At first i tried using the hole saw with a cordless drill but that kept jumping every where. So i dug out the drill press and that did the trick. I would recommend using a step bit after drilling a pilot hole (use lube).

On all cuts/holes i made i used a 5 dollar sander bit that fit into my cordless drill. The best place i found thus far to buy the weldless bulk head is

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=46

I bought 2, i cant wait for them to get here so i can get this part of my brew setup finished. The rest of the parts i found at Home Depot. I hope this helps someone doing this for the first time. Feel free to pm me if you have questions about any of this.

 

[day_trippr]

Well, congrats, I guess. But I have to say, you totally did every bit of that the hard way. With all the threads here on how to cut open a keg and how to drill port holes, some reading might have made that whole thing a lot easier...

Cheers - and happy brewing!

 

[geno_47]

Yes there ARE easier ways of doing it. But not all of us have access to the proper tools to do this. I have spent about 3 weeks on the forum researching different setups and methods. The right tools are expensive so i went about it a little more economically. Again, i hope this helps someone in a similiar situation as myself and wanted to take on this project.

 

[passedpawn]

Borrow the tools you need if you don't have them. This will also reinforce one of the most important parts of your life: networking.

 

[geno_47]

I guess the point of this topic has been lost or not understood. Obviously if i had contacts to borrow said tools I would have done so. This was all about what can be done with the resources i had available.

Cheers.

 

[BargainFittings]

Sounds like you accomplished your goal and got it done!

 

[geno_47]

Sounds like you accomplished your goal and got it done!

Yup! Can't wait for the weldless bulkheads to get here that I ordered off your website

 

[marquette048]

I guess the point of this topic has been lost or not understood. Obviously if i had contacts to borrow said tools I would have done so. This was all about what can be done with the resources i had available.

Cheers.

Good job man! I'm lucky enough to have all the tools I need at the machine shop, but it's good to see some ingenuity for those who aren't as lucky! You'll like the ball valve from BargainFittings....I just got a s/s one for a new MLT I'm making.

 

[geno_47]

Good job man! I'm lucky enough to have all the tools I need at the machine shop, but it's good to see some ingenuity for those who aren't as lucky! You'll like the ball valve from BargainFittings....I just got a s/s one for a new MLT I'm making.

I hope so! I ordered them on Friday so maybe mid week I will get them in. It's exciting making a setup. Can't wait for it all to be hammered out so I can start the fun part!