Stainless Camlocks review

[ClaudiusB]

For me, camlocks are easier to use. I always end up dropping the gasket whenever I used tri-clovers. So I have to sanitize it all over again.

You can solve the problem by using the correct gasket.

Stay in place seals.

Bobby_M as always a great video and good info.


Cheers,
ClaudiusB

 

[Budzu]

Great vid bobby. BTW it was I that found the fittings while trying to design my system (which I completed this weekend woohoo!) I posted about them and about a month later they sold out haha. I had to wait a bit but I have all I need now. Cheers bro!
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/sourcing-some-qds-131784/

 

[Mose]

Great video and information on these things.

I read in here that Aluminum would be fine but would wear out faster b/c they are softer.

Are there any other concerns with Aluminum? Cleaning chemicals or anything that would adversly effect aluminum vice SS? Thanks.

 

[ajwillys]

Aluminum has a more limited number of chemicals that can be used, such as no oxyclean. Also, they're softer. One positive is that they would cool down faster.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Accidentally dropping the ends on cemernt will distort the female end or chew up th sealing contact surface of the male end causing leaks each way your screwed.
Adding to this the heat loss of aluminum vs stainless is another factor with leaving cost out of the picture. Stainless is the only way to go. JMO.

 

[Bobby_M]

I got an email from proflow that they have about a 100 pieces of each part right now for those who have been waiting.

 

[MacBruver]

Thanks for the heads up, Bobby. Ordering some now. I'm going to stock up... I think eventually they're going to figure out they can raise prices on these little ones, if homebrewers keep buying them all up.

 

[wildwest450]

I got an email from proflow that they have about a 100 pieces of each part right now for those who have been waiting.

Anyway you can tell us which "type" the two fittings are. Their site isn't overly descriptive. Thanks.

 

[MacBruver]

Type A is female thread to male camlock
Type B is male thread to female camlock
Type C is hose barb to female camlock
Type D is female thread to female camlock
Type E is hose barb to male camlock
Type F is male thread to male camlock

If you're doing female fittings on the hoses and male fittings on ball valves, you'll probably need two Type C's per hose, and one type F per ball valve. I picked up a couple extra Type A's, just in case a pump or something I get down the line has female threads.

 

[ScottyBones]

I got an email from proflow that they have about a 100 pieces of each part right now for those who have been waiting.

Hey Bobby, did you ever leak test the silicone o-rings you substituted for the rubber gasket in the camlock?

 

[ScottyBones]

nevermind! i see you did in post #85 of this thread. said it "seals no problem". thnx

 

[smakudwn]

Used mine for about 3 brews now and i like them a lot, ive gotten to the point i can usually close these with one hand.

 

[MrShake]

I got an email from proflow that they have about a 100 pieces of each part right now for those who have been waiting.

ssshhh... I wasn't going to tell anyone until mine got to me... teehee!!

 

[erik]

My order shipped today. I've been waiting for what seems like forever, and wasn't expecting anything to come soon.



Now I just have to get replacement silicon seals. Thanks Bobby

 

[MacBruver]

I think my favorite setup so far, which I just messed with after making the video, is the 1/2" male NPT female QD with a street elbow threaded on. You can grind those threads down into a smooth hose barb which is the most compact way to emulate the old mcmaster elbow connector. The bonus is, you don't "ruin" the camlock threads in case you have second thoughts.

Hmm... just saw this. Bobby, is this the kind of elbow you're using?

http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/br...reet+Elbow+-+Stainless+Steel+-+1/2"+90+Degree

 

[Bobby_M]

Yeah, that's the one. I found it a lot easier to grind the threads of a straight coupling but this makes the most compact setup while still getting the elbow.

 

[Mose]

Hmm... just saw this. Bobby, is this the kind of elbow you're using?

http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/br...reet+Elbow+-+Stainless+Steel+-+1/2"+90+Degree

I just ordered a handful of these from this site. http://stores.ebay.com/Mainland-Valve-and-Fitting-Inc. I'll report back on the quality when I get them in. But so far, cheap prices, I bought a couple nipples and things as well. Quick response to my email and combined shipping for a great price.

 

[MacBruver]

I also found them here: https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=8599&step=4&id=368&top_cat=1

Their shipping for multiple items is significantly cheaper than mainland, which somewhat offsets mainland's low low prices. I got a total of $38 out the door for 6 from Mainland, and $31.84 from onlinemetals. Not much of a difference I suppose, but it's at least enough to buy an extra one.

Mainland is way cheaper than anywhere else I've found for hose barbs... too bad they don't have those 5/8 ones!

 

[Bobby_M]

www.buyfittingsonline.com for much less.

 

[Mose]

I also found them here: https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=8599&step=4&id=368&top_cat=1

Their shipping for multiple items is significantly cheaper than mainland, which somewhat offsets mainland's low low prices. I got a total of $38 out the door for 6 from Mainland, and $31.84 from onlinemetals. Not much of a difference I suppose, but it's at least enough to buy an extra one.

Mainland is way cheaper than anywhere else I've found for hose barbs... too bad they don't have those 5/8 ones!

I was kind of worried about the shipping with them as well. I emailed him and got a good deal. I got 8 streets, 2 course nipples, and a tee shipped for $41. I'll check out online metals and buyfittings online next time, I'm sure I missed stuff on this order. I was giddy since it was the first real purchase for the build. Oh Yeah, it's begun.

 

[johnnyo1977]

I order last week when the first parts came in and talked to the nice people at pro flow on the phone asking if i place a order would they hold the order untill the other parts come in and send everything at once and send them out as soon as they get them. I explaned that i needed them for the weekend and that i was two day air shipping. They said no problem. I talked to them yesterday as soon as the email came and they said that I would have them on friday. So stoked.

 

[Budzu]

Wow. I can't believe how much these things caught on... Pro-flo owes me some dough! Surely before long a vendor here in the states will start carrying them. *nudge nudge*

 

[MacBruver]

Just got mine today. They changed my order for me to the Type B's so that I can use those street elbows. I can definitely see what Bobby was talking about with the gaskets... they're a little tough to seat with the stock ones, takes some effort. I'll be ordering some of those O-Rings to make things go a bit easier.

Left to right: Type A, Type F, Type B

 

[ScottyBones]

Just got mine today. They changed my order for me to the Type B's so that I can use those street elbows. I can definitely see what Bobby was talking about with the gaskets... they're a little tough to seat with the stock ones, takes some effort. I'll be ordering some of those O-Rings to make things go a bit easier.

Left to right: Type A, Type B, Type F

Type A, Type F, Type B

 

[MacBruver]

Type A, Type F, Type B

Ooops... linked the wrong picture. good catch.

 

[AiredAle]

I got an email yesterday rrom Michael at ProFlow Dynamics saying he had a 100 food grade gaskets in stock, and did I want some. I do. And I thought others here might want some as well.

 

[ThreeDogsNE]

I'm wondering about whether putting the female fittings on tubing or on kettles makes for easier handling? Anyone experienced with these willing to offer words of wisdom about this before I buy?

 

[wyzazz]

Females on the tubing seems like it would make the most sense to me. At least that's what I plan to do...

 

[Bobby_M]

It should work OK either way as long as you have enough room to swing the cam arms back to lock the fitting. I can take a pic and show you what female on the ball valve would look like..

 

[johnnyo1977]

I did the made'in run over the weekend. they are great. I had no problem locking them down and they did not leak a drop. I think i sold a few set at the big brew day we did behind the LHBS on saturday. What a great time, lots of home brews, food and friends some rare belgium were floating around and I had my first ever boil over on a 10 gallon batch of Smoked Wheat.