Ready To Cut Keggle...Need Help!

[TopherM]

OK, so I have a buddy who owns a fabrication shop that is willing to cut the top off my keg with a plasma cutter. I am going to be using this keggle for Brew-in-a-Bag, so I don't want the typical 12" cut with a lip, I want to take as much of the top off as possible.

So, I just need to draw the cut circle, and this guy is going to take care of the rest. How FAR from the wall can I practically cut without damaging the wall? I want to make it pretty flush for my BIAB, so where should I draw the cut line?? Can it go all the way to the edge?

 

[BendBrewer]

Cut the entire top off at the weld and weld on some handles. Someone around here has pictures. Makes it lighter too.

 

[BendBrewer]

Here it is:

 

[samc]

Easier would be to leave the existing handles in place, with maybe an 1" on either side of them and cut the rest of the skirt off. Photos exist on HBT, damned if I can find them now.

 

[BendBrewer]

They were on the same thread.

That doesn't solve the Larger Opening problem though.

 

[JuanMoore]

Make sure he puts a couple gallons of water in the keg before cutting. You don't want slag sticking to the bottom of the keggle.

 

[samc]

They were on the same thread.

That doesn't solve the Larger Opening problem though.

He can cut a bigger opening and it saves on welding on handles. It also looks better, but that can be the polishing job!

 

[jeepinjeepin]

If he is your buddy and you trust him just tell him what you want and just let him cut it. I have a little experience with a plasma cutter and see those handles taking some collateral damage if you were to try to cut to the edge near them. Show him that picture and explain the difference that you want. He'll probably make you happy.

 

[TallyPatriot]

I cut mine using a simple Harbor Freight cut-off wheel(air). I used one disc to cut a 8-10" hole around the sanke valve, then I reached inside the keg and cut the lip back to about 3/4" from the wall. Took a while but it works well.

 

[dmfa200]

Make sure he puts a couple gallons of water in the keg before cutting. You don't want slag sticking to the bottom of the keggle.

Put more than a couple of gallons in it.
Fill the keg to just a few inches from the top.

Sometimes the spray of slag wanders, and can spray towards the walls of the keg too.

Do what you want though.

 

[JayWeezie]

OK, so I have a buddy who owns a fabrication shop that is willing to cut the top off my keg with a plasma cutter. I am going to be using this keggle for Brew-in-a-Bag, so I don't want the typical 12" cut with a lip, I want to take as much of the top off as possible.

So, I just need to draw the cut circle, and this guy is going to take care of the rest. How FAR from the wall can I practically cut without damaging the wall? I want to make it pretty flush for my BIAB, so where should I draw the cut line?? Can it go all the way to the edge?

What mind of drainage/false bottom are you doing? Im gonna be doing my keggle in the next few weeks and am a lil confused on what's the best setup.

 

[ahave]

Brew in a bag is great because you don't need a false bottom, the bag itself is the filtering medium. You would still want a valve on the bottom of the kettle so that you can easily drain the wort post-boil.

 

[JayWeezie]

Brew in a bag is great because you don't need a false bottom, the bag itself is the filtering medium. You would still want a valve on the bottom of the kettle so that you can easily drain the wort post-boil.

Oh that makes sense. Im planning an all-grain set up with an igloo cooler for a mash tun.