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Author Topic: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg  (Read 11856 times)

Offline Tony H.

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Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« on: March 09, 2011, 02:14:19 pm »
Hey guys,
   I did some cursory searching on this topic and didn't find exactly what I was looking for.

Issue: I bought 4 re-conditioned kegs.  Out of those 4, one had issues with obtaining a proper seal.  I narrowed it down to the mouth of the keg by trying several lids (lubed and unlubed) and got the same results each time in the same location.


Outside of slowing hammering the area in question, is there a more accurate way to correct the problem with the leak?
Tony (johngault007)
Primary: Toffee Nut Brown
Kegged Concussion Red,Pumpkin Ale,Scottish Ale
Upcoming Brews:Beer
Me Uncensored: [link]http://www.stigmatic-creations.com/homebrewing[/link]

Offline hamiltont

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2011, 02:15:58 pm »
Outside of slowing hammering the area in question, is there a more accurate way to correct the problem with the leak?
Call the vendor & ask for a replacement.  Cheers!!!
If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

Offline Tony H.

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2011, 02:22:27 pm »
Sorry, should have included that.  The vendor has been nothing short of outstanding.  They are sending a replacement and only asking for the bolts and diptube back from the damaged keg.

I was hoping to salvage the keg itself and just purchase the hardware for it at my convenience.
Tony (johngault007)
Primary: Toffee Nut Brown
Kegged Concussion Red,Pumpkin Ale,Scottish Ale
Upcoming Brews:Beer
Me Uncensored: [link]http://www.stigmatic-creations.com/homebrewing[/link]

Offline kerneldustjacket

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2011, 02:52:08 pm »
These guys claim this o-ring will help with sealing older kegs.
May be worth trying.

http://www.kegworks.com/product.php?productid=21412&cat=967&from_page=

Also, Williams Brewing has a similar product. Read the descriptions for both; they use nearly the same information, but Kegworks is cheaper. (Of course shipping may be different for both, so price may equal out in the end; just do your due-diligence when shopping)

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/KEG-LID-SEALING-O-RING-P58C78.aspx
« Last Edit: March 09, 2011, 03:06:42 pm by kerneldustjacket »
John Wilson
Savannah Brewers League
Savannah, GA

Offline weithman5

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2011, 03:02:25 pm »
you bent your mouth on what? ;D
Don AHA member

Offline kerneldustjacket

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2011, 03:08:00 pm »
you bent your mouth on what? ;D

weithman, you're on to something there.
Just add a handle and he's got a five-gallon stainless stein! Sweet!
John Wilson
Savannah Brewers League
Savannah, GA

Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2011, 03:32:22 pm »
I've heard of using pennies as shims under the feet of the lid to force a tighter seal.

Never tried it, but it might work for you.
It's all in the reflexes. - Jack Burton

Offline tubercle

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2011, 03:47:48 pm »
It would make a great grain storage container to keep the bugs out.
Sweet Caroline where the Sun rises over the deep blue sea and sets somewhere beyond Tennessee

Offline tallcall

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2011, 05:13:31 pm »
Might try an adjustable wrench to gently bend it.  Worst case it won't seal, best case you fixed it.

Offline euge

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2011, 05:49:13 pm »
It would make a great grain storage container to keep the bugs out.

Or a fuh men-tah. 
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. -Richard P. Feynman

Laws are spider-webs, which catch the little flies, but cannot hold the big ones. -Anacharsis

jaybeerman

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2011, 05:59:52 pm »
Use a hammer and dolly (if possible, i know the keg mouth is a weird shape to work with.)  I'm betting you could lightly hammer it out without scuffing the interior.  Worst Case, you could always use it to store cleaner or sanitizer.  Good luck, j

Offline Tony H.

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2011, 07:51:43 pm »
Thanks for all the suggestions guys.  I was looking at the gaskets from Williams/Kegworks.  Although the gasket that came with it was new and provided a very tight seal, I had to really put some force into closing it, I will give that a go first, and then try to move the metal as a last resort. 

If all else fails, I had already thought about making it a vessel to store sanitizer and other stuff.


Thanks again for the quick responses!
Tony (johngault007)
Primary: Toffee Nut Brown
Kegged Concussion Red,Pumpkin Ale,Scottish Ale
Upcoming Brews:Beer
Me Uncensored: [link]http://www.stigmatic-creations.com/homebrewing[/link]

Offline tom

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2011, 08:06:12 pm »
You can bend the opening back into position with a small crescent wrench.
Brew on

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2011, 10:47:17 am »
These guys claim this o-ring will help with sealing older kegs.
May be worth trying.

http://www.kegworks.com/product.php?productid=21412&cat=967&from_page=

Also, Williams Brewing has a similar product. Read the descriptions for both; they use nearly the same information, but Kegworks is cheaper. (Of course shipping may be different for both, so price may equal out in the end; just do your due-diligence when shopping)

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/KEG-LID-SEALING-O-RING-P58C78.aspx
Has anyone tried these?  I like the idea, but if they work I'd also like to buy them in bulk.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline tom

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Re: Bent Mouth on Ball Lock Keg
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2011, 11:23:15 am »
They do help. They are a little wider and a little softer than the usual O-ring.
If you find a place to order in bulk I would love to know.
Tom
Brew on