[hopfenundmalz]

What do most homebrewers use... ball or pin lock soda kegs?  What would you recommend I purchase?

Most use ball lock. That was due to Pepsi going to bag in a box for the syrup early so those were available.

Pin lock are cheaper. Chose one type and stick with it.

[jeffy]

I have both.  I like the positive feel and easy identification of pin lock posts, but the ball lock kegs are more universally accepted and are taller and thinner so more fit into my freezer.

[denny]

What do most homebrewers use... ball or pin lock soda kegs?  What would you recommend I purchase?

I think ball lock are more common.

[Jimmy K]

What do most homebrewers use... ball or pin lock soda kegs?  What would you recommend I purchase?

If you know other homebrewers that keg, you might want to use what they use. If you don't, then it doesn't matter much. Pin locks are usually much cheaper. All of the brand new kegs being sold are ball lock and eventually that may be all that is available.  If you get threaded disconnects though, it isn't hard to swap them out.

[Joe Sr.]

I believe ball locks have typically been more common.  But pin locks are used by a lot of people, too.

I would say the most important thing is to be sure that all of your kegs are the same, so that you don't need different quick disconnects.

There is no specific benefit to either pin or ball lock that I am aware of.

[hopfenundmalz]

I believe ball locks have typically been more common.  But pin locks are used by a lot of people, too.

I would say the most important thing is to be sure that all of your kegs are the same, so that you don't need different quick disconnects.

There is no specific benefit to either pin or ball lock that I am aware of.

You can't get the in/out mixed up on pin locks.

Ball locks are taller with a smaller diameter (that geometry thing) so more can fit in a keezer.

Pin locks are made out of a thicker gage steel, and are harder to dent, but they are a little heavier.

So there are differences, it is up to someone to decide if that makes a difference.

[mmitchem]

I have all sorts of different kegs with all sorts of different connects on them. I have some coke keg that are traditionally pin lock with ball lock connects and vice versa. Can't say that one works better than the other, I just got what was freely available at the time. Sometimes it leads to a few Franken-kegs!

[Joe Sr.]

Pin locks are made out of a thicker gage steel, and are harder to dent, but they are a little heavier.

This I was completely unaware of.

[hopfenundmalz]

Pin locks are made out of a thicker gage steel, and are harder to dent, but they are a little heavier.

This I was completely unaware of.

The guy at the LHBS laid a pin lock on its side and give it a stomp, and said try doing that with a ball lock. He then explained it is made from heavier gage steel.