Ball or Pin

[brewjester]

My question is deciding which keg is easier to work with. Are ball lock easier or are the pin lock easier? I've never kegged and have been looking into it. Anyone please let me know what the difference is. I appreciate any info.
Thanks,
J

[DannyW]

Ball lock kegs and fitting seem to be easier to find, and more of your friends will already have them so it makes connecting kegs at events much easier.

Pin locks can only go on the right way, ball locks can be put on the wrong posts and are then very hard to remove.

Pin lock kegs are a little shorter and wider, ball locks are slightly taller and narrower. Might make a difference depending on what freezer or fridge or kegorator or whatever you are dealing with. I think the fittings on a pin lock are taller than the ball locks, so the vertical difference is probably none once it is all hooked up.

Ball lock posts can be removed with a regular box-end wrench or deep socket. Pin locks require a modified socket to remove, I think.

If you are starting out and buying all the stuff, I would go with ball lock. If you ran across a deal on a bunch of pin lock stuff, I would take it, but would not seek them out.

[Mrs_Henning]

check out this thread

http://thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/vie ... f0b3b60a55

it might help but probably not so don't blame me

but here is another one

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/sho ... eadid=6956

and LAST ONE to help you

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/sho ... adid=10980

[brewjester]

Thanks Dan and Mrs Henning. Those should help nicely. I appreciate the info and will look into those websites. Thanks so much.
J

[DannyW]

You are welcome, and now see if you can resize that avatar! Holy moly!

[seanhagerty]

I have pin locks, and have no real issue getting parts, with costs, or getting them to fit in my kegerators.

There is lots of discussion about using one type over the other. I dont think there is any real benefit to one over the other. Make sure if you get one kind, stick with that kind, do not mix and match pin and ball lock or you will drive your self crazy.

Good luck,

Sean

[yabodie]

I use both. The pin locks for my meads and the ball locks for my beers.

Pins are easier to realize when you are putting the connectors on wrong, however as already mentioned they are becoming harder to find...

Also search the forums for topics such as this, you will find a lot of info...

[J.Brew]

Ball lock...no contest.