Sanke retaining ring installation tool

[sivispacemparabe11um]

I am setting up 1/6 bbl sanke system. I know that the biggest issue with sanke Kegs is installing the retaining ring. There is good rightup on how to install it using pliers. I started thinking that there should be a tool that could attach to the collar of the Keg and compress the oring, making it easier to install the retaining ring. I wanted to make a tool that would do this but I figured that the factory had to be using a tool like this. I searched and found this for $134 big ones.

Needless to say I'm going to still try to come up with something that will simplify getting the retention ring installed stay tuned...

 

[closetocoherent]

I am thinking along the same lines as you. Just kegged for the first time yesterday and am using. 5 gal sankey. Getting that ring in is frustrating. There has to be something better than the pliers method.
Is the tool in your picture an installer or an extractor?
The smalley website shows pushing the ring through some kind of tapered collar as an install method.

Keep us posted on what you come up with!

Cheers

 

[RCCOLA]

I use a 2 jaw gear puller and a big socket to press the spear down. This allows me to easily push the retaining ring into the groove.

 

[JuanMoore]

Installing the retaining ring is the easy part IME, takes me a few seconds with a pair of pliers. If you're having trouble, try squeezing closer to the part that's already in the groove. The tool pictured is designed to make removing the ring easier, but with enough practice it's actually faster without it.

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

I wanted to come up with a tool that would compress the oring so that the retaining ring would spring into place without any carbon steel touching the stainless. I found all the parts for under $20. Ill give more details when im in front of a computer.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=GPkHxjL3Idw

 

[mikescooling]

I don't like using dikes on the clips, anyone got a better way?

 

[closetocoherent]

Nice solution. With either the gear puller or the 3-way clamp, you can compress the spear's o-ring and it makes ring install/removal easier. I'll have to pick up one of those up soon.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

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[sivispacemparabe11um]

....

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

Here is the video. The tool turned out quite well, I hope it helps those of you that were looking for an alternative way to get the ring back in.... enjoy.

 

[thatjonguy]

...if I can bribe my wife into being my camera woman...

Good luck dude! I think we all have been barking up that tree before.

Wait, what were we discussing?

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

Good luck dude! I think we all have been barking up that tree before.

Wait, what were we discussing?

we must have been posting at the same time she was a great camera woman... Not sure if ill be able to pull that off again...

 

[Bsquared]

I don't use Sankey kegs right now, but have thought about it a lot. I have always thought that an e-clip would work great. I did a little search and found a post on the northern brewers forum talking about this. And this is the Mcmaster part 91580A246 link

http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=88410

E-clip tools are really cheap and easy to use, might be a good alternative to the spring.

 

[JuanMoore]

I don't use Sankey kegs right now, but have thought about it a lot. I have always thought that an e-clip would work great. I did a little search and found a post on the northern brewers forum talking about this. And this is the Mcmaster part 91580A246 link

http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=88410

E-clip tools are really cheap and easy to use, might be a good alternative to the spring.

I used them for a while, but found that they don't seal as tightly. And once you get the hang of the spiral rings they're actually easier to install than the snap rings. The snap rings are a little easier to remove though.

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

I thought about snap rings aswell. But it would have to be stainless. With the clamp im using now its a piece of cake. The Keg is still the way it was originally designed.

 

[JuanMoore]

I thought about snap rings aswell. But it would have to be stainless. With the clamp im using now its a piece of cake. The Keg is still the way it was originally designed.

I don't recommend them for the reasons I listed above, but McMaster Carr has them in stainless. That's where I got mine.

 

[Crito]

More beer has the sakey tool for cheap. Same one sell for a lot more in other websites.


Remember to degas them.

Now the tool is good and it is a safety feature too. Its 100 dollar purchase that is well worth it.

The ring is easy to remove and place back in with the tool.

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

More beer has the sakey tool for cheap. Same one sell for a lot more in other websites.


Remember to degas them.

Now the tool is good and it is a safety feature too. Its 100 dollar purchase that is well worth it.

The ring is easy to remove and place back in with the tool.

It does the same thing as the tool I got for 20. I can use one of the other brass pieces to release gas, but to me releasing gas and removing the ring is the easy part...

 

[Crito]

I can remove the ring, take out the tube and place everything back in in under three minutes. Plus any gas build up will be vented without the tube becoming a missile. The tool is handy.

Your method looks good too.

 

[thatjonguy]

I can't seem to find this listed on Morebeer. Anyone have a direct link?

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

I can't seem to find this listed on Morebeer. Anyone have a direct link?

Here you go http://morebeer.com/category/sanke-keg-accessories.html

 

[erichsmith]

I'm a machinist and own a machine shop and could'nt come up with a better idea than this. Headed to Harbor Freight tomorrow.

 

[sivispacemparabe11um]

I'm a machinist and own a machine shop and could'nt come up with a better idea than this. Headed to Harbor Freight tomorrow.

Glad I could help...