Stainless Camlocks review

[Yambor44]

Got mine in today. So the general consensus is to take the rings off?

Also, is it absolutely necessary to grind the threads down on the male end of the 90 degree elbow? Can't I just thread the hose on and it will be tight enough without a clamp?

 

[Yambor44]

Like this?

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think so, just use a white ziptie instead of a worm clamp. Gawd, I love stainless steel

 

[Yambor44]

Old on the left new on the right....

 

[Yambor44]

 

[JrZyBud]

Sorry if I missed this, but Im looking for a way to use these on 3/4" MPT. I ordered the 3/4" FPT Type A Adapter thinking that the actual camlocks were standard sizes. I'm looking for stainless parts to go 3/4" MPT to 1/2" Adapters so everything will work in my brewery. I recently purchased one of the diesel chill plates but the only option was 3/4" MPT or FPT. Any suggestions?

 

[SweetSounds]

This guy:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-pipe-adapters/=9hhici

All the way at the bottom - 3/4 to 1/2 NPTF to NPTF

 

[IrregularPulse]

Is anyone taking the rings off? I find these to be an incredible PITA when operating with one hand. They get flipped under the lever and in the way.

 

[BargainFittings]

Is anyone taking the rings off? I find these to be an incredible PITA when operating with one hand. They get flipped under the lever and in the way.

Yes I take the rings off of mine. Replacing the stock gasket with a silicone o-ring also makes these easier to use.


Wayne.

 

[Yambor44]

Is anyone taking the rings off? I find these to be an incredible PITA when operating with one hand. They get flipped under the lever and in the way.

According to some of the posts, yes. I removed all of mine last night. I installed most of my camlocks last night and they worked great without the rings. By the time I was done putting them on and taking them off a few dozen times, it was easier than I thought. Now doing it with a pair of gloves on while boiling wort is flowing thru them may be another story...

 

[ajwillys]

Now doing it with a pair of gloves on while boiling wort is flowing thru them may be another story...

I wouldn't recommend disconnecting them while boiling wort is flowing through them.

 

[limulus]

Are the flow dynamics camlocks the same as the ones at bargain fittings? I've skimmed through every page and probably missed the answer to my question.

 

[wyzazz]

Are the flow dynamics camlocks the same as the ones at bargain fittings? I've skimmed through every page and probably missed the answer to my question.

Yep, and the same as many of the other vendors on this site as well!

 

[BargainFittings]

We carry snaplock brand camlocks. They are the same.

 

[limulus]

Thanks Lads

 

[Yambor44]

Bargain Fittings are great to deal with too. Fast, friendly service.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Yes I take the rings off of mine. Replacing the stock gasket with a silicone o-ring also makes these easier to use.


Wayne.

Thanks to your awesomeness, this was already done. Cheers

 

[Budzu]

I find the key rings useful, it helps when disconnecting, and also I hang them up by them to drip dry after sanitizing. As with all equipment though, we work to find our own touch and ways to make things work
I did replace all 6 of my hoses with silicone o-rings. The stock gaskets (black buna-N) I used for about a dozen brews.. never noticed any off-flavor but they got quite worn in.

 

[SankePankey]

Where do you find sock gaskets that aren't 'one-MILLION dollars'.?

I need one but can't see paying $45 for one gasket.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think they meant "stock" gaskets.....but you can usually find "sock" gaskets on ebay for about $30....they're expensive, but it's a 1 time purchase if you take care of it....

 

[Yambor44]

Did a "dry" run to check all the fittings for leaks.

Bad picture but if you look close you can see a small drop of water where the silicone meets the stainless elbow. This were threaded on without grinding.

I took the advice of ScubaSteve and added a white zip tie. Seemed to fix the problem.

 

[Bobby_M]

The problem is that the silicone doesn't bottom out in the valley of the threads. The liquid can thread its way through. If the tubing extended past the threads and hit the flat part of the fitting, it would seal there. I'd rather not have liquid get stuck in the threads though. Hard to clean. If you've got a bench grinder, it makes quick work.

 

[Yambor44]

the problem is that the silicone doesn't bottom out in the valley of the threads. The liquid can thread its way through. If the tubing extended past the threads and hit the flat part of the fitting, it would seal there. I'd rather not have liquid get stuck in the threads though. Hard to clean. if you've got a bench grinder, it makes quick work.

i did mine on a bench grinder and yes, it sucks. I stopped often to let the piece cool down. another way is to mount the fitting into a vice and use a grinder hand held. It's much eaiser to do this with a straight nipple because the elbow part doesn't get in the way. Too bad the street l is a nicer solution.

 

[Yambor44]

Those pictures look rather nasty with that wide of a stretch on the tubing, a failure point looking to happen besides the possble leaking with crap in the root of the threads.
I would remove the threads plus below then at the end of the fitting make the wall thickness rather thin plus radiused preventing any digging in cutting of the tubing when its pulled to the side.

What are you saying here?

 

[ScubaSteve]

It's just like Jon Stewart when he plays back politicians contradicting themselves Bobby's probably right...in the long run it may be easier on the tubing and collect less gunk....but if you don't have a bench grinder you'll probably be okay. I think it's important to put SOMETHING on the tubing to secure it.....once things heat up, the tubing gets soft and one tug could send hot wort spraying. I think zip ties are a little more forgiving on the tubing, don't corrode, and are cheaper than worm clamps.

 

[Bobby_M]

Well, it's an annoying job to grind anything. I'm talking about the alternative of using some ghastly hand tool like a file.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Oh yeah, that would definitely suck. It never ceases to amaze me what a tenacious metal SS is.....mild steel, aluminum, etc. are easy to shape, grind, cut, and drill....SS does none of these things easily....but man does it look good

 

[Reelale]

Bobby, did you grind the elbows completely, or did you leave enough of the threads to act as a barb? I ground mine like the latter, and it took no time at all. Must be cheap Chinese stainless.

 

[BrewBeemer]

What are you saying here?

Sorry nothing to be added or considered from that reply i'll delete it.

Between what I think, fab or machine does not come across at times i'm
not a good instructional instructor.

I did cut threads off a 2" stainless street elbow for my well by chucking the fitting
in a 4 jaw chuck on the lathe, a smooth surface for the hose plus I left a bulb at the end preventing the hose from blowing off. I'm talking 270 plus PSI of head pressure at the piston pump pushing uphill 24/7 with no one around for days. This on the ranch.

 

[Yambor44]

Sorry nothing to be added or considered from that reply i'll delete it.

Between what I think, fab or machine does not come across at times i'm
not a good instructional instructor.

I did cut threads off a 2" stainless street elbow for my well by chucking the fitting
in a 4 jaw chuck on the lathe, a smooth surface for the hose plus I left a bulb at the end preventing the hose from blowing off. I'm talking 270 plus PSI of head pressure at the piston pump pushing uphill 24/7 with no one around for days. This on the ranch.

No sweat. I was just trying to get a picture of what you were referencing.