MFL adapter pieces at Lowes/HD

[kpr121]

I spent about 20 minutes today in the fittings aisle at Lowes trying to find a piece that could adapt a 1/4 keg mfl to barb so I can switch easily between sankey and corny. I know I can get this online at multiple places,but does anyone know if I can find it at a big box hardware store?

 

[edecambra]

I have also tried the big box stores to no avail.

Also the local plumbing store didn't seem to have any, but I described them over the phone.

I also couldn't find a left hand thread nipple to couple two regulators any where but Williamsbrewing.com, which I didn't think would be so hard to come by.

 

[kpr121]

Well yesterday I didnt have the actually piece with me while looking. I ended up buying some FIP connections (both 1/4 and 1/8) and neither fit at all.

Today I brought an MFL piece to work, and plan on spending my lunch break, again, looking for something at Lowes. I would really like to have it for the Superbowl (Go Steelers!), it would make my portable keg setup much less ghetto!

 

[electrichead]

I found it interesting when assembling the hardware for my keezer project that the first 30+ google results for "1/4 MFL barb" are all brewing related sites. I was also trying to get them at a big box. It appears that it is an uncommon fitting/size in anything but brewing. I ended up ordering online.

 

[kpr121]

I found it interesting when assembling the hardware for my keezer project that the first 30+ google results for "1/4 MFL barb" are all brewing related sites. I was also trying to get them at a big box. It appears that it is an uncommon fitting/size in anything but brewing. I ended up ordering online.

I also did the google search and came up with the same results. I dont like that. It seems like I am always tinkering with fittings and connectors, and I would like to have the option to be able to run to HD or Lowes if I need an adapter of some sorts. Why cant we all be on the same page?! I think I may just have to order something from a HBS that will adapt to some more well known connector type from the MFLs.

 

[kpr121]

So I think I am onto something. I found this (see link) which seems to connect to the MFL fine. The problem is I dont know what to use on the other end. It seems like it uses some type of compression fitting to connect directly to tubing, but I couldnt get it to clamp tight onto 1/4 vinyl tubing. I'm hoping that the ferrel will simply clamp tight with a 1/4 or 1/2 turn of the wrench, but I'll have to wait till I get home to try. Does anyone know how the gasket adapter works or if there is another way I can get to a barb fitting from here?

 

[kpr121]

OK, I ended up giving up my search and bit the bullet and went out to my LHBS this weekend. Ended up buying them out of all their MFL male and female connectors, some more CO2 and Beer disconnects, a air line distribution block, and some other odds and ends. Now my kegerator has the option of going from 3 sankeys to 3 corneys (or any combination of those on any tap). My portable setup can do 2 sankeys or 2 corneys, or one of each. This adaptability is something I have been striving for a while with my keg setup.

I still find it odd that the homebrewing community built on makeshifting everything settled for such an odd and individualized fitting connection.

 

[lotbfan]

For anyone else who reads this, check propane and bbq stores, this is where I found some of the odd mfl fittings, both places that do installs will make regular use of these fittings adapting peoples older home propane and natural gas lines to their appliances.