Tag Archives: ball lock

hardware

How to convert a pin lock corny keg to a ball lock one

Corny_keg_explodedKnowledge is power, and not buying that screamingly cheap keg simply because it is not whatever style of connections you have can cost you in the long run. Depending on how well you shop around you can buy the pieces to convert a keg from pin to ball or vice versa for around $10. There are a few things you need to know.

What kind of keg do you have?

“Corny kegs” were manufactured by a lot of companies, with the lids generally being interchangeable, but the posts often use a different threading. You need to find the manufacturer so that you can buy the right threading. Look on the side of your keg to find inscriptions. Firestone and Cornelius are the two big manufacturers, so look for those first. Another useful tip is that firestone kegs generally have rubber that is not continuous. What I mean by that is that it is not one full circle at the top. It dips down in between handles. Here is a great link on how to tell different kegs apart.

What kind of fittings do you need?

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hardware

Ball lock vs Pin lock Corny keg?

Shiny5GalCorny

Once someone decides that a kegging setup is right for them, the very next question is usually:

“what is the difference between ball lock and pin lock kegs?”

The answer is pretty simple. The kegs are usually quite similar, but the connection point that the gas and beer lines use is slightly different.

This is an example of a ball lock post
Ball Lock Post
and this is an example of a pin lock post.
Pin-Lock-Posts
Notice the small pins that poke out of the base of the pin lock post. That is why it is named “pin lock”

History

In the past these kegs were used predominantly for soda syrup. Coke used the pin lock kegs and Pepsi used the ball lock kegs. They could have easily used the same system, but it was probably obfuscated in order to discourage restaraunt owners from switching soda companies as well as to keep the kegs circulating in their respective distribution pools.
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