My Keggle. There are many like it, but this one is mine!

[cabot]

I'm alive! Sorry. I was out of commission for SWMBO the 14th. I'm back and I appreciate all of your feedback! I'm leaning towards tokolosh's suggestion. I'm a stubborn bastard and need to see most things for myself, although I don't doubt you all have valid points, I'm going to see how it goes with a batch and then make my peace with the welder in question. I'll let you all know how it turns out (assuming I survive boiling with my keggle) ..and I stated somewhere above, the nipple will be added to the valve after the wort has been cooled and removed after drained for using another time. IE: It's not on the valve while the keggle is being heated.

 

[Catt22]

It can't hurt to give it a try as is. The worst thing that could happen would probably be damage to the valve. This way you can explain to the welder that there was actually a problem rather than speculating that there could be one if it doesn't work out. He did do the work and supply the materials nearly for free and that should be taken into consideration for sure. Maybe it will work just fine.