Solder versus weldless bulk head

I just aquired a sanke keg, and want to install a valve on the bottom. Does anyone have any opinion on solder versus weldless? I have used the weldless kit from bargain fittings in the past, and it works well. I was just wondering if there were any pros/cons anyone is aware of.

Thanks in advance!

If all applications are applied ideally (key word there):

Weld
Solder
Weldless

The problem is, there is a very good chance that both welding and soldering are done in a sub par manner and in that case, a well executed weldless install may likely be the best route.

Thanks Bobby! I have never tried soldered stainless, but I have installed weldless with no problems. I have sweated copper, and sterling silver, but not stainless.

I would agree with Bobby. I've seen so many butchered weld jobs it's not even funny. About 2 years ago we tried silver soldering our couplers on. About half ended up leaking and had to be shipped back (lost A LOT of money). My opinion of soldering is it's junk. A weldless kit from Bobby will work well. Drilling through a keg can be a PITA though.

Soldering a coupling to the thin edge of a vessel sidewall would absolutely be junk (not sure if you tried dimpling the hole or not) but I would easily stand by weld spud or other broad faced connections. You can't hammer or pry such things apart.

Bobby_M said:

Soldering a coupling to the thin edge of a vessel sidewall would absolutely be junk (not sure if you tried dimpling the hole or not) but I would easily stand by weld spud or other broad faced connections. You can't hammer or pry such things apart.

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We dimpled and still wouldn't hold. My brother used to work for a large company that makes brazing and soldering supplies and we still couldn't get a solid product. Haven't tried the spud but I could see that working MUCH better

I put a 1/2" NPT spud into the side of of a 1/4 barrel keg with solder and was able to stand on a 6" nipple threaded into it. My hefty ass did bend the wall of the keg, but no effect on the spud.

New tag line "If my fat ass won't break it nothing will"

I initially went with weldless fittings. They worked well but I didn't like the way they were easy to twist and move.

I then had three welded fittings installed. They were expensive and tough to find someone local that could do it.

After reading some DIY threads I replaced the remaining weldless fittings with dimpled/soldered couplings. All of the fittings are solidly attached and it was pretty easy after reading some DIY theads.

Here are the threads I used.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/soldering-stainless-steel-155782/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/4-87-keg-tool-402677/

The challenge with weldless fittings is that there is a huge variance in each vendor's design. Many are horrible designs. Sorry, that's not competitive slander but just the truth. The other issue is that every well designed bulkhead will also still have different ideal install techniques and unfortunately the end user doesn't always have the best mechanical ability or the right set of tools to really crank on the fittings. Long story short, if a weldless bulkhead is well designed and installed, there should be no shimmy or flex at all.

purplehaze said:

After reading some DIY threads I replaced the remaining weldless fittings with dimpled/soldered couplings. All of the fittings are solidly attached and it was pretty easy after reading some DIY theads.

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I did mine using silver braze. More expensive due to the higher silver content, but it worked really well. After I ground and polished the bead, it looked pretty good. I went weldless for some of the accessory fittings, but I went tri-clamps for my main plumbing.

I actually brazed on one of those welding spuds. The trick with the spud was hammering the joint area flat enough to get a good mechanical bond without using a huge puddle of solder. I had to get a little creative with rigging something to clamp it in place too.

If your going to use a weldless, I have had good luck with the brewers edge kettlevalve. It's a patented weldless valve and a little nicer than other solutions out there.

JRems said:

If your going to use a weldless, I have had good luck with the brewers edge kettlevalve. It's a patented weldless valve and a little nicer than other solutions out there.

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Except it kinds sucks that they were happy with nickle-plated brass and a reduced one-piece body.