Cracked corny keg

[Mylo]

Might be worth looking up a guy on the more beer forum that goes by the name usmcruz. He lives in jacksonvile florida shipping might not be to bad. I know he has some experience with the thin stainless.

+1. Joe (Cruz) knows his shit. I have seen pics of conicals and other brewing equipment he has fixed. He will do it right the first time

He's also a super nice guy.


Mylo

[triple-oh-six]

He's also a super nice guy.


Mylo

You'd never know it from his avatar though

[aleguy]

Hey trip, aren't you supposed to be in New England right now?

[triple-oh-six]

Hey trip, aren't you supposed to be in New England right now?

Yes, they have internet here too, go figure

[aleguy]

Naw! You gotta be kidding me! Internet in that backward ass place?

[Quin]

You might call these guys. They do fabrication on "thin-ish" aluminum structures. The are located around Beaumont.

http://www.seabreeze-culvert.com/

[usmcruz]

I recently purchased a 3-gallon Challenger VI keg that has a hairline crack near the lid. It has created a small leak. I talked to a friend who welds stainless and he said the metal was too thin to weld by hand. I suspect he simply doesn't have the skill since he mostly worked on heavy stainless for the oilfields. Would I be best off using lead-free solder to try to fix the leak or does it really need to be welded? I wouldn't worry about it for a 5-gallon, but the 3-gallons cost a fortune and I am really pissed about the crap deal I got on ebay. No returns!
I'd like to save this keg if I can.

First I want to say thank you Brandon, and Henning1966 for the nice words, and putting my name out their.


As for the keg, well, it would need to be welded, only because the silver solder will yes seal your leak, but wont contain a hairline crack on a pressure vessel, and over time the crack will start to spider out. I would need to drill both ends of the hairline crack with a very small drill bit(this will keep the crack from spreading, while welding, and is proper procedure for fixing cracks, then I would run a bead. It would need to be back gassed of course, and I would take good care of it for sure. Tell you what, If you did want to send me the keg to fix your leak, and seeing how you would have to pay for shipping both ways, I will fix it for free. Doesnt get any better than that huh . Im a certified pressure vessel, and pipe welder, and I have done thinner metals. I have welded alluminum soda cans together, and alluminum foil as well, so your keg will be easy. If you dont want to spend the money to ship it, well if your ever in Jacksonville, fl, bring it with you, and I will weld it while you wait. Between setup, prep, setting up back gas assembly, etc.. it would take me about 30 minutes. Good luck with whatever you decide!