Finally got a keg

[scarecrow]

Found this on the side of the road *cough cough*

I don't know how to open it and I don't want a 2" valve imprint in my forehead.
It's a Tooheys 50 litre keg and it has Theilmann on the bottom of it.

Is this the valve or just a cover?
How do I get it off?

Most of the ones on here have a circlip and a ball type arrangement.

Ooooh....I can see that 2" Bok sittin' in the garage as I speak.

scarecrow

[Hawke]

If it is a Theilmann manufactured keg, it will most likely be a double walled keg.
Does the flange spin freely? If not, you should be able to just unscrew it, after you relieve the pressure.

[HookLine]

I did one that looks kinda like that.

IIRC, you gotta lever that centre rubber bit out first, probably wreck it on the way out. The centre metal stem will now be loose, and you can just kind tilt it to one side and rotate it, then drop it down. This allows you to unscrew the main outer section, then lift the stem out.

Definitely relieve the pressure first.

Some pics of mine. (Note the two different slot types on the main head, and the two different types of tab on the stem head. These only allow the stem and the head to go together or come apart one way.)

Stem Head 2.jpg (8.31 KiB) Viewed 4246 times

[scarecrow]

I finally managed to force the rubber ring down to release the pressure. Getting a grip on that centre piece was the hard part.
If you don't push the rubber ring all the way down, you can't get a grip on the centre piece. I need more hands.

Once the centre piece turned, it just dropped down about 1/2 ".

I noticed your cap has a hole in it to get a key spanner or similar into it. Mine doesn't, and I don't have a pair of stillsons to get at it.

I managed to get a pair of fish grip gloves and an oil filter remover on it. Finally got this sucker out.

Now to find a way to get a 2" copper column on it. I saw a nice article on using the existing fitting with a small bore copper tube somewhere here, but I can't find it again. I'll keep looking because it was a very good article.

I might see about adapting the SS spigot into a racking cane. I need one.

Now comes the gas or electric dilemma. I might go electric, but I will need to save my penny's for a while. I'm still a bit scared of gas and ethanol.

scarecrow

[LWTCS]

I saw a nice article on using the existing fitting with a small bore copper tube somewhere here, but I can't find it again. I'll keep looking because it was a very good article.

That is a good article but a 1-1/4" column (as I recall) really is kinda,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not as preferable as a 2"

Congrats on the new boiler

[HookLine]

I saw a nice article on using the existing fitting with a small bore copper tube somewhere here, but I can't find it again. I'll keep looking because it was a very good article.

That is a good article but a 1-1/4" column (as I recall) really is kinda,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not as preferable as a 2"

Could use a 2-1.25" reducer.

Or just get a 2" slip coupling and tig weld it to the keg valve head, then just screw that into the keg, and slip the column into the slip joint.

[hacker]

hey guys

trying to open one here myself

got the gas out and the spear loose, ripped the spring out and rubber in the process but that doesnt matter

now i noticed you drilled a hole in the top so i did that as well thinking i might be able to get some more leverage to open it

these are tough fuckers..... tips / tools used for turning that last big part would really really help!!!

thanks guys

[HookLine]

now i noticed you drilled a hole in the top so i did that as well thinking i might be able to get some more leverage to open it

Mine came with the hole, think it was made that way.

these are tough fuckers..... tips / tools used for turning that last big part would really really help!!!

They can be. Mine was stuck pretty firm. I used a large pipe wrench and it took a fair effort to crack it loose too. Had a friend holding the keg to stop it from turning while I leant on the wrench. You can see the teeth marks from the wrench on the outside of the valve head, in my second last pic ('Head & Stem Fitted').

Try using some penetrating lube around the rubber seal, and let it sit for an hour or two.

[olddog]

That top flange is threaded into the keg, once you have let all of the pressure out, get a stillson wrench (pipewrench) big enough to open to the diameter of the flange and unscrew. You will find another sankey type flange underneath the top flange which will accept a 2" Tri-clamp. I have removed at least 6 of these in the past.

OD

[hacker]

i finally got it out

tough fucker, had to drill 2 holes, stuck a bolt in each and made a makeshift handle, then i noticed the part where the spear locks in was bent outwards and was making it not come out so i bent it just enough and got it out!!

WOOOOOOT