Removing Crusader spears with a 5p piece

rpt · Post by **rpt** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:33 pm

I've just received my first Crusader 20L keg from BrewUK. I've found that I can use the 5p trick with a DSI coupler to pull in the safety tabs but it doesn't work with two different Micromatic couplers. With these, with the 5p in place, I can't even get the coupler to fit onto the spear. Has anyone else found this or can suggest what I might be doing wrong? I know I can use the DSI coupler or remove the safety tabs completely but it would be good if I could keep the safety device and use it with any of my couplers.

FUBAR · Post by **FUBAR** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:29 pm

Might be worth you searching posts from Barneey, he is the crusader keg expert and I'm pretty sure he posted a thread on here with pictures about the spear removal from different kegs .

rpt · Post by **rpt** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 5:22 pm

I'm pretty sure I've read all his posts which is how I knew the 5p trick should work with my spear even though the first time I tried it the Micromatic coupler wouldn't attach with the 5p in place. The probe on the Micromatics is slightly longer than that on the DSI which explains it. Perhaps if the spear is actually in the keg it will be easier as I'll have something to push against. I'm just surprised that no one else has found this.

alexlark · Post by **alexlark** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 6:00 pm

I just removed mine with the DSI coupler and cut off the safety. Been using them fine for the last 2 years.

tazuk · Post by **tazuk** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:12 am

and with sankey ones

roscoe · Post by **roscoe** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 10:09 am

With crusader kegs/spears I managed the 5p trick but found it tricky and usually ended up cutting my fingers cos' the threads are so very sharp. I cut the safety out on these, driving me nuts.

I have a non-crusader cornie shape sankey with safety which seems to be a slightly different spear/safety design and it comes in/out with 5p much easier, so I left it on.

joe1002 · Post by **joe1002** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:45 am

Silly question but are your micromatic's definitely Stanley 'S' (European)? If they are the American Sankey 'D' then the stems are shorter. Worth a check.

UpTheToon · Post by **UpTheToon** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:21 am

I have three of these and first thing I did was cut the safety's off.

Even if you are being particularly dozy and start trying to open one with a bit of pressure on it you hear the CO2 escaping well before the spear is going anywhere. Not that I've ever been that daft...

D4nny74 · Post by **D4nny74** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:26 am

I used the 5p trick, but it actually made the safety clip spring out of its housing , so I ended up cutting them off

rpt · Post by **rpt** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:14 pm

The Micromatic couplers are S. If they were D they would be shorter than the DSI which would make them easier to fit, not harder.

rpt · Post by **rpt** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 11:58 pm

Having found the 5p trick to be a right pain even with the DSI coupler I've cut off the safety tabs. I've had Polykegs for almost 2 years and I've never tried to take out a spear before releasing the pressure so I should be OK.

alexlark · Post by **alexlark** » Fri Feb 12, 2016 6:12 pm

If you ever did try to take it out you'll soon realise something is not right as when I rinse mine with Oxy the spear feels really stiff when taking it back out, and that's just the pressure from the Oxy.

Uncle Albert · Post by **Uncle Albert** » Thu Apr 21, 2016 9:19 pm

I used Barneeys instructions, worked well. A dremel on a 5p piece if I recall to thin it

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barneey · Post by **barneey** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 8:11 am

Just the usual disclaimer to anyone NEW reading this thread, if you are removing the spear for any reason or method, MAKE SURE there is no pressure in the keg before you start.

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