6 replies to this topic

[DaveS]

I'm disassembling and cleaning a couple of Corny kegs (ball locks). The inlet valve on one of my kegs has a 12-point star base where it screws into the keg rather than the six-sided base on all the others. I can remove the six-sided valves (both inlet and outlet) easily with an open-end wrench. But I cannot turn the star nut. I don't have a proper socket wrench and cannot turn it with a pair of vice-grips. Access to the valve is limited because of the black rubber handles that surround it. I guess I could go back to my LHBS where I bought it and have them either remove it or replace it with a six-sided valve. Any suggestions out there before I drive over?

[beach]

Box end wrench? Sorry, that's all I've got if you don't have a deep well spcket. Isn't there a hardware or auto parts store open nearby? If you buy a 12 pt deep-well socket now you won't have to worry about the posts in the future. Reasonably priced cornys are getting tough to find and even harder if you become picky about the post size. $.02Good luckBeach

Edited by beach, 28 August 2011 - 08:40 AM.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I went to Lowes and got a box wrench for it. It was $12 or something like that, but one side fits the regular hex, and the other end fits the star. It probably a 7/8 wrench.Cheers,Rich

[macbrak]

star ones are pretty common, I'd bite the bullet and buy it like Beach said. My LHBS's latest batch had a bunch of the smaller sized posts I bought without realizing . I think a lot of the conversion kegs use this size too.

[DaveS]

Thanks folks. Bought 7/8" box-end wrench for $9 at an auto parts place. Worked like a charm.

[gumballhead]

Box end wrench? Sorry, that's all I've got if you don't have a deep well spcket. Isn't there a hardware or auto parts store open nearby? If you buy a 12 pt deep-well socket now you won't have to worry about the posts in the future. Reasonably priced cornys are getting tough to find and even harder if you become picky about the post size. $.02Good luckBeach

Deep well socket. Sharpie Marker. small die grinder.take Sharpie marker and tag the deep well socketat the posts.take die cutter wheel and cut out sharpie marks. if done right this will make slots for both the inlet and outlets to fit onto.

[beach]

Deep well socket. Sharpie Marker. small die grinder.take Sharpie marker and tag the deep well socketat the posts.take die cutter wheel and cut out sharpie marks. if done right this will make slots for both the inlet and outlets to fit onto.

The OP has a ball lock not pin lock. Good tip though.Now, get back to work! Beach