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Message |
    
Randy Hamm
New Member
Username: Hamm
Post Number: 22
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 12.218.128.67
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 04:34 am: | 
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What a great day it has been. Transfered blonde ale to secondary and brewed an oatmeal stout today and everything went great... hit 80% efficiency, (that's really good for me!) PLUS.... I bought a nearly new Miller Brewing Co. 15.5 gal keg for next to nothing (such an pretty shiny thing) All part of my capacity upgrade. My question concerns the tool for cutting the opening on the top. I've seen reference to a sawzall.... I have a B&D cut saw (6 A). Will the B&D do the job? Should I rent something else? Types of blades..etc..etc... Also, any special tool needs for drilling holes. Thanks for your help.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, Randy Hamm |
Randy Hamm
New Member
Username: Hamm
Post Number: 23
Registered: 10-2006
Posted From: 12.218.128.67
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 04:37 am: |
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Sorry!!!
Randy |
Bob Wall
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 519
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 24.99.80.253
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 05:51 am: |
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Sawzall will work, be sure to keep the blade oiled and wear earplugs. But if you take it to a pro, he can cut off the top with a plasma torch in no time flat, and it will be much cleaner and easier to de-burr. I got a local guy who will cut off tops for $10.00 apiece and weld female couplers for $10.00 apiece.
If you do find a local guy, be sure to mark EXACTLY where you want him to cut and/or weld your couplers!
Find a good lid and take exact measurements. I used construction paper and cut out a template so I could get an exact mark for my lids.
I am all for do-it-yourself, but some things are worth a professional touch if the price is reasonable. In my case, I had my three tier keg system cut & welded for a total of $80 plus tax. That was three tops cut, and 5 female couplers welded.
After he was done and I got them home, I took a stainless steel wire wheel to the kegs and buffed the welds clean and de-burred the lid edges. Be sure you use a new wire wheel, and make sure it is stainless, otherwise you run the risk of impregnating rust into the metal.
Give a man a beer and he'll waste an hour. Teach a man to brew and he'll waste a lifetime.
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Connie
Advanced Member
Username: Connie
Post Number: 878
Registered: 10-2000
Posted From: 24.98.76.59
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 04:04 pm: |
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I use a 4 inch angle grinder with a metal cutting wheel to cut the tops of kegs then a regular grinder wheel to de burr, works well (wear eye and hearing protection). I use a step drill bit to drill the holes before taking to the welder. (I had a couple of bad experiences with the welder installing the couplings in the wrong places, so I would at least drill a pilot hole where you want the coupling)
A regular metal drill bit will work OK for ss.
Bob, that $10 weld was a bargain! |
Bob Wall
Advanced Member
Username: Brewdudebob
Post Number: 520
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 24.99.80.253
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 04:15 pm: |
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"Bob, that $10 weld was a bargain!"
I know. I'da paid more if he asked. I just got lucky I guess. I bet the whole job took him less than an hour.
Give a man a beer and he'll waste an hour. Teach a man to brew and he'll waste a lifetime.
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Tom Meier
Intermediate Member
Username: Brewdawg96
Post Number: 426
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 72.154.251.142
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 04:36 pm: |
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I recommend an angle grinder ($30) and a DEWALT FIBERGLASS (THIN) CUTOFF WHEEL. not the thick gator brand kind from home depot. The thinness of the wheel allows it to turn the radius, so you have less of a stop-sign effect, if you know what I mean.
I've got an article here
http://www.antiochsudsuckers.com/tom/ |
Belly Buster Bob
Senior Member
Username: Canman
Post Number: 2649
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 131.137.245.199
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 05:12 pm: |
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that's alotta hard work for a 6amp saw...give it plenty of rests to cool off
Bellybuster Bob
www.bellybuster.netfirms.com
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Joe Rovito
Member
Username: Joez8
Post Number: 202
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 66.235.42.150
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 05:52 pm: |
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Sawzall with bi-metal blades beats dremel and grinder (BUT not plasma). Cuts like butter, EZ cleanup. Use the grinder (if you must) to take off the rough spots. |
Bob Wheeler
New Member
Username: Bobwheeler
Post Number: 6
Registered: 04-2003
Posted From: 71.108.144.111
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 06:58 pm: |
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To cut down on the noise fill the keg with water.This also helps cool the blade |
Jeff Preston
Member
Username: Jeffpreston
Post Number: 203
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 142.161.187.34
| | Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 10:21 pm: |
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Brewdude is right on, but I'd buy a couple bi-metal blades and take your time. I prefer to use an angle grinder and cut off disc . |
Brews and Views Archive 2006 
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