Can't get spear out of german keg

[bigmike86]

Hi all, I have a german 50L Keg that has a normal looking sanke spear. I took that thin ring out and realized that the spear doesn't twist and remove like the other keggle I did. The only internet searches I can find deal with a different style german coupler/valve whatever you wanna call it.

Any ideas? I want to get this one out without cutting the top off. I was thinking of just trying to drill the middle out with a 1 3/8" step bit but I feel like that's not going to get me that far. Suggestions appreciated!

-Big Mike

 

[doomy86]

Is it a "flachfitting" like this ?

 

[wilserbrewer]

Search around, I recall some sanke kegs have a safety catch once the stem is loose?

Does the stem un thread?

 

[bigmike86]

No it looks like a normal sanke but it doesnt seem like it twists at all. Theres not that little notch that lines up when you twist and lift the spear out of normal keg. Trying to get a picture up but apparently im an idiot and cant figure it out. But again, normal looking sanke minus it doesnt look like its threaded in there. Maybe its fixed and I need to just cut it out?

 

[bigmike86]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VL7wLEEajY[/ame]

Well daaaaang. I'll try this when I get home tonight. Reverse threaded, who woulda thought!?

 

[doomy86]

Wow, that looks like a lot of pain to open. Keep us updated.

 

[bigmike86]

Finally got it out. Banged on the inside lip until it started unthreading in the normal counterclockwise direction. Then it wouldnt lull out so i clamped a C clamp real hard to give a handle and pulled untill the spear came out. There was a tab in there that was holding it in. This was an Erdingsr 50L keg.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

The tab looks like its supposed to be there...It looks pretty brown like leftover beer/sugar locked it up...I've had a hard time getting open an old keg. A hot soak melts away the sugars and opens them right up

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Not to mention that tab looks well below the keg and would have no effect on unscrewing it... that's what it seems like anyway

 

[wilserbrewer]

I believe the proper way to open these euro sankes is to unscrew the spear, then push the tab with a long thin screwdriver while the spear is partially free, and just the tab is holding it in.

The tab is a safety feature should someone unscrew a pressurized keg.

Sounds like brute force prevailed.

 

[PapaO]

This is the easy way to remove the spear on this type of keg.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=240453#post6354318

PapaO

 

[bigmike86]

That information would have been useful 2 weeks ago! But thanks. No need now

 

[mclardass]

Scored a free Warsteiner half-barrel from my local shop and got it open with little drama (thanks to youtube and this HBT post). In the youtube video the guy grinds off the "locking" tab on the spear, maybe similar to what was mentioned in this thread? I believe I read on HBT that it enables screwing/unscrewing the cap and spear without the need to remove the spear separately; Can anyone confirm before I grind it off? Thanks!

PS I tried the lineman's pliers from the YouTube video without success but found using Channel Locks, as in the HBT link, much easier to release the spear.

 

[mclardass]

Just to answer my own question (and for ppl who end up in the same situation), here's another video showing that, yes, that tab allows you to easily remove the spear assembly so you can reuse the keg without the hassles. Harrassy as it's being used for water or sand (strongman training) but it clearly shows an "A" System keg and spear removal. Slainte!