Sanke Tippy Dump MLT

[lschiavo]

This is my dead of winter project that I am just starting now. Yooper wanted to replace her 10 gallon cooler MLT with a sanke. I thought that was a good idea so I got a keg and thought I would build them both at the same time. I am just starting tonight.

These will be tippy-dump. I am cutting out the bottom of the keg and using the 2in tri-clamp for a bottom drain. I will make this work...not exactly sure how yet. Here come some pics from todays progress with one of the kegs......more to follow....

 

[lschiavo]

 

[lschiavo]

That's it for tonight. I'll keep this up to date.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for the pics! I love "picturing" what you're doing. I also love the "I will make it work but I don't know how...............". Bob did the actual LOL thing because we know it's true!!!!!! It will work and work well.

 

[Naptown]

Nice cut!

 

[lschiavo]

Nice cut!

Thanks! I haven't seen anyone cut a keg with a shear yet. It works great if you're wondering. All of two minutes...

 

[lschiavo]

FYI, I did burn through 3 sawzall blades. I should have been able to do it with two but I was impatient. I think a sawzall would cut the top very well also but I had the shear. I'm stickin' with that now.

 

[HawkATP]

Subscribed, I'd like to replace my cooler MLT as well!

 

[Old_mil_guy]

Subscribed. I have a roundside 15.5 sanke that I might want to do same thing.

 

[joeybeer]

Never thought a shear would work.. an angle grider zips right through. Cool design !

 

[lschiavo]

Subscribed. I have a roundside 15.5 sanke that I might want to do same thing.

I grew up on Old Milwaukee. We called it "Old Mud" and it was always best nearly frozen and stashed in a snowbank. Ahh, the good old days

 

[lschiavo]

Never thought a shear would work.. an angle grider zips right through. Cool design !

Neither did I. Just thought I would try. I see great results from the grinder technique but the shear is so clean and easy...I have one so that will be my go to now.

 

[yjfun]

Now I'm gonna have to remember to grab my shear next time. That looks a lot cleaner than the angle grinder cuts and just as fast.

How were the edges when you were done? Need dressing to remove the sharp edge or is it pretty smooth already?

 

[lschiavo]

Now I'm gonna have to remember to grab my shear next time. That looks a lot cleaner than the angle grinder cuts and just as fast.

How were the edges when you were done? Need dressing to remove the sharp edge or is it pretty smooth already?

Quite smooth and the shear cuts upwards so the small burr was on the top and easy to file off. I'm very happy with the cut. This is only my second... Much cleaner than my first attempt with a plasma cutter.

 

[lschiavo]

Thanks for the pics! I love "picturing" what you're doing. I also love the "I will make it work but I don't know how...............". Bob did the actual LOL thing because we know it's true!!!!!! It will work and work well.

I appreciate your misplaced faith in me

 

[Old_mil_guy]

I grew up on Old Milwaukee. We called it "Old Mud" and it was always best nearly frozen and stashed in a snowbank. Ahh, the good old days

Haven't had any old mil for a couple years now. When I first got married, bought a house, it was the best quality, cheaper beer I ever found.

 

[lschiavo]

I have made some progress. Yooper may be back from Texas any time now and I do not want to dissapoint her...


A mock up on my bench:

A few pieces of strut and some nut and bolts...

Hardware PRON.

Here she is dumped. Not the best picture. I can take more and this is just a trial. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Rbeckett]

How wel did the nippers work on the stainless top? My nippers seem too weak to attemp a cut like that. I may just be under estimating the tool too. So could you look at the ratings on the tool and give me some idea of the max cut or how ever they rate the strength please. Thanks in advance.
Bob

 

[lschiavo]

How wel did the nippers work on the stainless top? My nippers seem too weak to attemp a cut like that. I may just be under estimating the tool too. So could you look at the ratings on the tool and give me some idea of the max cut or how ever they rate the strength please. Thanks in advance.
Bob

I did not think they would work either. I was amazed. It cut like butter. One thing I am doing here is removing the collar from the keg. It gives a little extra room for the tool but looking at another keg, I think it would still work without removing the collar.

My shears are Milwaukee 6850. They are listed 18 Ga. and 4A.

 

[lschiavo]

Here are a few more pics:

I plan to use the false bottoms from our 10G coolers. Of course, I will have to plug the center hole and I was thinking of installing a stainless bolt through the bottom of the keg so I can attach the FB with a wing nut. Yooper's keg already has a hole in it anyway.

Here is the plan for the bottom. I'll transition to copper here and fit a ball valve and QD or hose barb. I will have to cut the top on Yoopers stand so the the valve will pass through.

Another shot of the dump action. It works well and is quite solid.

 

[phoenixs4r]

Subscribed. In the middle of receiving my last needed sanke and building my two tier. Thought about this but hate the prices of sanitary fittings, what did it run you for the clamp and the nipple if you don't mind me asking?

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

It looks pretty good... not too sure how well the two bolts in the skirt will hold up.

 

[lschiavo]

Subscribed. In the middle of receiving my last needed sanke and building my two tier. Thought about this but hate the prices of sanitary fittings, what did it run you for the clamp and the nipple if you don't mind me asking?

About $25 plus shipping. Actually cheaper than I was expecting.

 

[lschiavo]

It looks pretty good... not too sure how well the two bolts in the skirt will hold up.

Really? What do you think the issue would be?

 

[Yooper]

Hey, I just saw this. It's looking great! I already have a hole in my brewstand, so it might be just fine.

This is very cool!!!!!!!!

We should be home next Monday evening. I'm dying to brew, but I have to work on Thursday and Friday next week, so it might be Saturday by the time I can get to brewing. I'm also trying to wrap my head around slaked lime and reducing alkalinity to avoid having to buy water since the last time, I suspected the RO machine at the store wasn't maintained.

 

[lschiavo]

Hey, I just saw this. It's looking great! I already have a hole in my brewstand, so it might be just fine.

This is very cool!!!!!!!!

We should be home next Monday evening. I'm dying to brew, but I have to work on Thursday and Friday next week, so it might be Saturday by the time I can get to brewing. I'm also trying to wrap my head around slaked lime and reducing alkalinity to avoid having to buy water since the last time, I suspected the RO machine at the store wasn't maintained.

Now that you mention it, I do remember the hole in the stand maybe it will work out. It shouldn't take long to set up. Let me know when you want to get together.

 

[Yooper]

Now that you mention it, I do remember the hole in the stand maybe it will work out. It shouldn't take long to set up. Let me know when you want to get together.

I'm thinking Tuesday or Wednesday next week would work for me, depending on your work schedule. I have something to give you, anyway, so we'll have to get together soon.

Did you make your MLT the same way?

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

Really? What do you think the issue would be?

The keg when full of spent grain is really heavy. Our dump arms are pretty stout and you can feel the stress. I'm not saying it won't work. Just saying that long term it doesn't look up to the task.

 

[lschiavo]

I'm thinking Tuesday or Wednesday next week would work for me, depending on your work schedule. I have something to give you, anyway, so we'll have to get together soon.

Did you make your MLT the same way?

Oooh, a gift from Texas! But probably not seafood I'm exited! Work is pretty slow right now so we should be able to make one of those days work.

My design will be a little different because of my stand. All I did so far is remove the spear from the keg but I have a solid plan so it should not take long once I get started.

 

[lschiavo]

The keg when full of spent grain is really heavy. Our dump arms are pretty stout and you can feel the stress. I'm not saying it won't work. Just saying that long term it doesn't look up to the task.

I see your point and I have not tested it loaded yet (at least the keg wasn't loaded). I did use 1/2" hardware because I know there will be some weight in there. Those strut angles are quite stout. If I see any issue, I can add a backer plate behind the skirt for some extra rigidity I guess. Maybe I'll test with some water first. Thanks for the input.