Pin Lock Socket Substitutes

[brewawan]

Does anyone have any ideas for a substitute if I don't own a pin lock socket? I don't want to order online and continue to wait for shipping. Also, does anyone have an idea for a Haier tower that has a serving line for a bigger tube when I'm using a 3/16" serving line? I have a welding shop in town I was going to stop by tomorrow to see if they had any solutions. Thanks!!

 

[DocksideBrew]

I just made a socket for my pin locks today. All you need is a 6 point 13/16" spark plug socket and a rotary tool (dremel) with a grinding disc. Set socket over pins and mark on outside of socket where the pins are. Grind out wide enough for pins and about 3/8" deep into socket. The pins will be in the corners of socket. Super super easy took 10 minutes and a $1 socket from advanced.

 

[TheBroonery]

With Finesse...

It's all I need. Just be careful with the pins. You can work it from the top and through the handle hole on the side, depending on how the post is oriented.

 

[Gunfighter04]

I'm also able to work a brake line wrench past the pins

 

[JRems]

Just clamp some vise grips below the pins on the bottom of the post. Worked for me.

 

[Duckfoot]

I just made a socket for my pin locks today. All you need is a 6 point 13/16" spark plug socket and a rotary tool (dremel) with a grinding disc. Set socket over pins and mark on outside of socket where the pins are. Grind out wide enough for pins and about 3/8" deep into socket. The pins will be in the corners of socket. Super super easy took 10 minutes and a $1 socket from advanced.

+1 on this... Made both gas and liquid sockets for my stuff..

 

[ebj5883]

How wide do the slots need to be to accommodate the pins? I'm about to make one myself.

 

[Duckfoot]

Take the socket, sit it on the post and mark with a sharpie... You should catch the edges with the socket.... No need for super exact measuring...

 

[joeybeer]

+1 on the socket build -- I cut both gas and liquid pins into the same socket ... 10 mins & $1 and it works great.. No more fooling with wrenches and pliers !!

 

[climateboy]

I can confirm that vise grips, or a channel-lock wrench, below the pins work just fine. Bang the wrench with a mallet if you need it to move. If there isn't enough space for access, cut away some of the rubber collar--I'm glad I did that anyway to allow for more play in the lines in my tightly-packed kegerator.

 

[Mike37]

I was able to weasel an open ended wrench below the pins on mine. Just went through the handle opening.

 

[Euphist]

I spent $4 on a spark plug socket. Pulled the rubber insert, and cut the notches for the pins. No worries about clearing the collar!

 

[zzzzzzzzz]

very important that you get socket to catch on the nut head prior to marking. If not will be a bad fit and possibly (I guess not work) I didn't and my slots quite messy but work. I also made both wrenches on one socket using a common slot (neatest one!) 2nd wrench was nice fit after finding out about had to fit nut head!