Sankey S coupler spear dimensions

[Buckie Brewer]

I have just got a pair of the crusader kegs from brewuk. Im away at work at the moment and Im eyeing up some stainless pipe to make a spear removal spanner, can anyone tell me the inside diameter of the coupler?

This will just be a spanner for tightening and removing once the keg is de-pressured.

[jaroporter]

bout 44mm. distance between the two tabs is 40mm, so 42mm pipe would be a reasonable bet

[Secla]

malt miller sell something ready made for £36

[Kev888]

The 'S' type couplers I have vary slightly, but are all around 44mm diameter, with the recess (or in reality the main body) for the lugs being about 38.5mm diameter.

(FWIW the spear's inside diameter (for the coupler body to fit in) is about 45mm and the distance between the lugs is about 40mm.)

So I'd guess the couplers allow not only for some clearance, but also variation in the spears.

Fwiw the small end of a cheapo Silverline-brand basin wrench (a bathroom basin tap-nut spanner) fits the diameter snugly. I think mine was about £2.70 from toolstation; I'd intended it to be temporary but it works so well that I never got around to improvements (other than cutting off the unnecessary big end).

[Buckie Brewer]

Thanks for all the replies.

[Heron1952]

33mm 1/2 inch drive socket for about £10 depending on make I used a Draper, can have a slot cut to suit. Basin wrench works but can damage spear lugs, and may slip. Malt Miller tool would have saved a lot of hassle.

[Kev888]

The basin wrenches certainly aren't as nice to use as the slotted sockets and proper tools. But.. provided they are the right size (and so fit snugly), they really don't slip or damage the lugs, which is why I still haven't got around to upgrading.

[toadwort]

brauwland sell the correct tool for removing s and d type spears .ordered it on monday it arrived thursday £36