Deflated

[eskimobob]

Is it one of Norms? Why not drop him an e-mail if it is?

It is one of Norms (all of my cornies are from Norm) but I would feel a bit bad about complaining as it's one of the first ones I bought from him back in April and that's a long time to notice a leak. It was probably fine when he shipped it.

It's such a fine leak it's almost undetectable - If I had not spily some iodophor on the nect I would probably never have noticed it and if I had it attached to my CO2 cylinder it would have stayed pressurised.

[tribs]

I had the same problem with a keg from Norm. I notified him and he sent a fresh one out (without a lid) and told me to keep the dud for spares. I eventually managed to fix the dud keg and bought a fresh lid from H&G. I understand not wanting to approach Norm after so long. I was fortunate because I had bought 2 kegs and used the other first. Luckily I had decided to clean them both at that point. There must have been some grime sealing it up because it held pressure fine before I cleaned it

This thread from NB details how I fixed it. Basically I bought the Silver Solder kit from the ebay seller in the US and bought a little gas lighter powered torch from Maplin. I then soldered a gob of SS over the hole. The Silver Solder is low temp and suitable for Stainless Steel in sanitary applications. Alternatively, if you can get the keg to me (remember I work a few doors down from the Brew Shop in Stockport) I can fix it for you.

[eskimobob]

Basically I bought the Silver Solder kit from the ebay seller in the US and bought a little gas lighter powered torch from Maplin. I then soldered a gob of SS over the hole. The Silver Solder is low temp and suitable for Stainless Steel in sanitary applications. Alternatively, if you can get the keg to me (remember I work a few doors down from the Brew Shop in Stockport) I can fix it for you.

Thanks Tribs, I had not even considered solder. I think that would probably do the job just fine though and be better and any glue.

I have some lead free solder but not sure if I have any specific silver solder. I'll have a look. If not I'll bring the keg over as you suggest, thanks. No great hurry though for now. Cheers

[tribs]

The kit includes a small bottle of flux suitable for stainless steel use. You need to make sure that such a flux is used.

The solder is low temp silver solder. As Daab pointed out it is much stronger than normal solder but its melting point is low enough to be used with a simple butane torch. It is also Lead AND Cadmium free. Cadmium being somewhat toxic also.

[Frothy]

Thats good to know about the ss tribs I picked up a corny from a scrap heap for £5 a while back, fortunately no holes.

We have massive problems with couriers around here who often don't even bother trying to deliver our stuff because we live in a small village. They just return it to sender. I don't like it when bad couriers can cause people to turn on good companies.

Norm's flat rate of £14.50 is fair because in all honesty it's in his interest to sell you more than 1 keg and its got to be worth his while with packaging, transport etc. sound guy. I bought 3 and delivery was the same.

Matt

[eskimobob]

Thanks guys. When I went to rack my Wadworth last night I noticed that I had not put the leaky keg away but when I did I realised that it was still pressurised. I couldn't detect the leak either. I'm guessing that it only leaks when at high pressure (I pressurised it to 40psi the other night) so although it is probably weak and not to be relied on, it might be ok for lower pressure use.

Well I decided to give it a go so I racked my Wadworth into it and set it to about 10psi. It seems to not be leaking at the moment. I'll have to mark the keg in some way and keep my eye on it in future.