Question about keggle fitting

[brewmasterash]

Hello everyone.

I have been brewing now for 2 yrs. I started with Mr. Beer, went on to 5 gallon kits, then extract w/ grains and now finally AG.

I attribute all my knowledge to this board (and Palmer!). Seriously, you guys really know your stuff!

Anyway, here's the question...I obtained a keg and converted it into a keggle (plasma cutters rock!). My father in law, who is a machinist, said that silver soldering the ss coupling to the keg for the valve would work just as well as welding and would be much easier. What do you think? Would there be any type of detriment to my setup OR brew?

Thanks for your input,
Ash

[hooky]

I would think that you'd have to have pretty tight tolerances to make that work. It's my understanding that silver soldering is actually brazing and you'll need to be within a few mils to make that work. Of course I could be totally confused. It's been a while since I did any of it.

[MrNate]

I've definitely heard of people doing it, I just can't remember where right now. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if it didn't work you could always grind it back down and weld it, right?

[brewmasterash]

According to my FIL, I can grind it down and re-do if there is a problem. Good deal, thanks.

[Jared]

It can work pretty good in fact. just have the right stuff on hand to do the job and it should be fine. I've done some .040 stainless sheet before with out too mush fuss.
The local welding supply shop should be able to provide the right solder and flux.

HAPPY Brewing!

[brewmasterash]

It is done. Looks pretty good too. I brewed a #9 clone for the first batch and it did really nice.

Thanks,
Ash

[Jack166s]

got any pics?
Thanks Jack

[brewmasterash]

Here are pics of the keg valve. I have re-done the manifold. Pics to follow when I can.

[brewmasterash]

oops. here goes another try...

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x38/brewmasterash/brewery/DSC00877.jpg



http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x38/brewmasterash/brewery/DSC00876.jpg

[Xdredo]

I'm pretty new to all-grain, so take my comments/questions with a grain of salt (and a homebrew), but your mainifold looks sort of small. Howz it working for you and how did you come up with the size?

[Xdredo]

It does look pretty sweet though...

[brewmasterash]

I actually never used it! I wanted to use a ss braid, and I had that one already. I figured it may not work, so I made another one out of copper w/ slits. It seemed to work pretty good. I will take some pics of it and post after work.

I meant to attach this pic instead of the manifold!

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x38/brewmasterash/brewery/DSC00874.jpg

Thanks,
Ash

[Otis_The_Drunk]

I would think if you used a propane torch to apply the solder then the heat from the turkey fryer may possibly melt it... I'd hate to lose 5 - 10 gallons of wort due to a short cut.
but that is just my personal opinion.

[MrNate]

Ah, that's a good point Otis. Have you beta tested this rig yet?

[brewmasterash]

Tested it last weekend. All went well.

Used Mapp gas. Propane won't touch it!

[MrNate]

Learn something new every day. I may have to give this a try. Silver solder and MAPP gas? What flux? Any other tricks?

[brewmasterash]

Here's the pic of the current manifold. I put the slits down on the first batch and most all of the wort drained out, but I'm fairly certain that at least a moderate amount of trub came also. I will likely put them face up on the next batch to judge the difference if any.

How do you think a ss braid slid over the copper mani would improve the straining of the trub?

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x38/brewmasterash/brewery/DSC00916.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x38/brewmasterash/brewery/DSC00916.jpg

Thankd for the advice so far. Learning a new rig is fun, but I imagine it is also nice to have it dialed in!

Ash

[brewmasterash]

Oops again!

Here is the other pic.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x38/brewmasterash/brewery/DSC00918.jpg

[brewmasterash]

This is the solder we used...
It comes in a self-fluxing rod. The type I used was pink.

The company is Castolin Eutectic Corp.

The melting point in f is 1145-1205 so I think it will hold!

Here is the Material Data Sheet:

Self-Fluxing Brazing Alloys
1020 XFC® (I used this one)
1020 F
Applications
High-silver content, Cadfree® brazing alloy. Maximum security alloy for all joining and repair work. Taps and fittings, medical instruments, food processing equipment, refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

Technical data
57 % silver
solidus 625°C
liquidus 655°C
Tensile strength 400-500 MPa

Features and benefits
• Excellent fluidity
• High tensile strength
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Color match with stainless steel
• Safe for food and beverage contact
• Low heat input

Hope this helps MrNate.

Ash

[MrNate]

Helps a lot, thanks Ash... I'm going to add this to the list of projects!

[rups0815]

So how high is everyones fittings above the bottom of the keg?

[brewmasterash]

Mine is 1" above the bottom of the side of the keg. I use a manifold to get my pickup tube to the bottom.

[Mad Scientist]

Maybe three inches max....I have never measured.....