Working on my keezer this weekend and I have 2 questions. I’m drilling holes in the collar (2x6) for 3 faucets. What size hole do I need to drill and how far apart should the holes be? I was thinking drill one dead center and have the outside ones 4" from the center one. That takes up 8" so I can get a 10 or 12" drip tray to cover all 3.
What size are the shanks? That is the size to drill the holes. 
Measure twice and drill once to be certain you drip tray will cover everything.
Do you have the taps and shanks? If not, I would wait until I did.
It’s got to be a 1" hole. I think virtually all shanks are 7/8". My shanks and faucets are on order but they appear to be 7/8" so I went ahead and drilled a 1 1/8" hole. I don’t think it should be a problem. I spaced them 4" apart. Later I will buy a 6x12" drip tray that should suffice. I’ll post some pictures when done. I was going to build a really nice one with either a fancy maple or cherry collar or simply a triple tower and paint it black with my college team logo on it, however SWMBO said no to a keezer in the house so I’m doing a 2x6 collar with 3 faucets and just hit the 2x6 with some white spray paint. It’s fine in the “man cave”. I should have faucets installed later this week as well at the 3 gauge regulator. That will allow me to force carb at 20/30 PSI on one keg while the others are set to 8-12 Lbs.
hope your holes aren’t too big. I drilled mine so the holes were tight when I installed the shanks. I did not want to worry about any movement when operating the taps.
+1. I drilled mine 1/8" more narrow than the shank. It took a bit of effort–but really, only a little bit–to get the shanks in place, but there’s no play in any direction.
I’m sure there won’t be an issue. I can always wrap the shank with foam tape.
The only thing I’ll add to what’s already been said is, check these out: not only do they provide a nice template for drilling your holes, but they are very reasonably priced (check around) and provide an easy way to mount a drip plate on your keezer. They also look cool.
OK got my faucets installed and there are no issues. The holes were a little larger than needed but the flange nut on the inside keeps everything nice and tight. I haven’t ordered a drip tray yet. I ordered the handles and additional hardware from NB and will hopefully get the 3 gauge regulator on Friday. Right now just one keg hooked up but it works perfectly although is seems like the new faucets produce a lot more foam than the picnic taps did.
As stated earlier this is a pretty “utilitarian” set up. It’s not really pretty, but I think it will be very functional. Someday if I can get the green light from SWMBO I’ll build a really fancy one.
I’ll post some pictures as soon as I get the gauge and handles installed.
[quote=“Scalded Dog”]seems like the new faucets produce a lot more foam than the picnic taps did.
[/quote]
How long are your liquid lines? If they are shorter than the picnic tap line and beer is being pressurized at same PSI, it will be foamier.
My lines are 6 feet and I pressurize around 10 PSI.
Cheers,
Drew
[quote=“Turkeygecko”][quote=“Scalded Dog”]seems like the new faucets produce a lot more foam than the picnic taps did.
[/quote]
How long are your liquid lines? If they are shorter than the picnic tap line and beer is being pressurized at same PSI, it will be foamier.
My lines are 6 feet and I pressurize around 10 PSI.
Cheers,
Drew[/quote]
I simply reused the same line just removed picnic tap and stuck it on the new nipple. I think it was foamy because we were getting to the bottom of the keg. The three of us drained it 
OK My keezer is 100% done. It’s not as fancy as Brewmanchu’s but it works very well.
Here are some pics:
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/012_zpsbcf0e674.jpg.html
3 kegs fit just right in the 7 cu ft freezer. I added wheels to the freezer and they work great to move it around. The collar is 2x6. Sorry about the mess.
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/015_zps32de7c72.jpg.html
I made these plates out of 1/8 steel and they secure the back so there is no chance of the collar coming off. The collar is simply glued with a high quality silicone.
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/022_zpsdeda4a29.jpg.html
I know …I know…goofy taps. My son got me them for Xmas. I don’t use the Monty Python one because it’s just too cumbersome …always bumping it and spilling beer.
Here is the inside:
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/018_zps6468498a.jpg.html
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/009_zps0c6ec4e1.jpg.html
This gauge is pretty good but I had to modify it. Note I added 90º elbows and shutoffs with barb fittings. What I don’t like about it is that the gauge on the left has it’s readings in 20 PSI increments which makes it a bit harder to fine tune. What I really like about it is that I can have different pressures for different beers.
[quote=“Scalded Dog”]OK My keezer is 100% done. It’s not as fancy as Brewmanchu’s but it works very well.
Here are some pics:
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/012_zpsbcf0e674.jpg.html
3 kegs fit just right in the 7 cu ft freezer. I added wheels to the freezer and they work great to move it around. The collar is 2x6. Sorry about the mess.
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/015_zps32de7c72.jpg.html
I made these plates out of 1/8 steel and they secure the back so there is no chance of the collar coming off. The collar is simply glued with a high quality silicone.
http://s102.photobucket.com/user/russbyrd/media/022_zpsdeda4a29.jpg.html
I know …I know…goofy taps. My son got me them for Xmas. I don’t use the Monty Python one because it’s just too cumbersome …always bumping it and spilling beer.[/quote]
Looks good Dog!!
I don’t think my build is all that fancy but I am flattered by your comment…lol. The extra time and material was minimal in regards to the benefits the keezer gains. I may have spent some extra cash buying all stainless accessories and Perlick taps but I figure, Why buy twice? I will say that I’m not happy with the 6ft beer lines, though. I have more line now and will try 10ft when I get time or maybe just run that on the next keg.
UGA fan, huh? I don’t mind them as my father was from the peach state but I hate hearing about the SEC. The U baby!!
Well done, S-Dog. Plain or fancy, the beer tastes the same.
:cheers:
Thanks guys. Brewmanchu…I’ll get a Steelers magnet if I can
Once I reminded SWMBO that the walk to the keezer was shorter and warmer with it in the house, she had no objections to it being in the house.
Cheers
