Pin-Lock vs. Ball Lock?

Message

chadman · #1 Post by **chadman** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:30 pm

I am fairly new at this and wondered if ther are any advantages in the type of corney kegs?

Bill · #2 Post by **Bill** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:55 pm

Welcome Chadman!

Any advantages would depend on your need. Ball locks are taller and thinner than pin locks. If you are limited on heigth, get pin lock, if you are limited on width, get ball lock.

Ball locks are more common, so if you are taking a keg w/ you and you have pin lock, you better bring your own serving equipment just in case.

You will never try to put the wrong QD on a pin lock, or ever succeed at it either. You can put the wrong QD on the wrong post on a ball lock. You have to try, but you can do it.

The parts are slightly different between the two. Those are basically the specs. ball locks are tall and thin, pin locks are short and fat. Use what fits your space or that you can get a deal on. I have both, 4 pin lock and 8 ball lock, and I use all of them. They all hold and serve beer. That's all I'm looking for

Greenblood · #3 Post by **Greenblood** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:19 pm

I'll second everything Bill said, and add that I am a ball lock user, mainly because they are more plentiful, and because I can fit more of them in my refrigerators. In my opinion, Pin lock fittings are a superior, as I find them easier to connect/disconnect. If I had the patience and the money, I would find a way to put pin lock fittings onto ball lock kegs. Then I would be a truly happy man.

Glenn · #4 Post by **Glenn** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:06 pm

Greenblood wrote:If I had the patience and the money, I would find a way to put pin lock fittings onto ball lock kegs. Then I would be a truly happy man.

I have wondered this and asked that question several times, and most people say it can't be done. So you're saying it can be done, it just costs some money? I find it surprising that this isn't standardized.

Blktre · #5 Post by **Blktre** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:16 pm

Ill stick w/ ball locks. Regardless of keg size, the ball lock fitting I prefer. I just never got into pin lock connectors, pushing and twisting. Just have never felt comfortable with the connection. But who am I to say? I use ball locks primarily which means I don't have long term experience w/pins....but that doesn't mean Ive never used them.

chadman · #6 Post by **chadman** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:45 pm

Thanks for clearing this up!