# Pin lock VS Ball Lock **URL:** \ **Category:** Brewing Processes\ **Created:** [May 10, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573 "2013-05-10T21:14:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fejjgw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fejjgw/32/4173_2.png) [@fejjgw](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fejjgw)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/1 "2013-05-10T21:14:15Z")
So im starting to do research on kegging equipment.  The first real choice i seem to come across is pin lock vs ball lock.  Does anyone have an opinion to voice on this matter.  Id like to start with a few 2.5-3 Gallon kegs. i have read [Cornelius Kegs: Ball-lock vs. Pin-Lock](http://www.homebrewing.com/articles/cornelius-kegs.php) but am looking for people experiences. Jeff ---
**Author:** ![tygo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tygo/32/2134_2.png) [@tygo](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tygo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/2 "2013-05-10T21:18:36Z")
Either is fine. I have all ball locks because that’s what i started with but they’re getting harder to come by these days. ---
**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/3 "2013-05-10T21:49:55Z")
Personally I wouldn’t bother with 2.5 or 3 gallon kegs unless space requirements absolutely require it. you can put 2.5 or 3 gallons of beer in a 5 gallon keg but not vice versa. Generally, at least from what I have seen they are comparable prices wise. ---
**Author:** ![dllipe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dllipe/32/8619_2.png) [@dllipe](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dllipe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/4 "2013-05-10T22:14:27Z")
> [@morticaixavier](#): > > Personally I wouldn’t bother with 2.5 or 3 gallon kegs unless space requirements absolutely require it. you can put 2.5 or 3 gallons of beer in a 5 gallon keg but not vice versa. > > Generally, at least from what I have seen they are comparable prices wise. +1 ---
**Author:** ![realbeerguy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/realbeerguy/32/8843_2.png) [@realbeerguy](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/realbeerguy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/5 "2013-05-11T01:05:12Z")
The 2.5/3 gal ones are almost 3x the cost of a 5.  Get mainly 5’ves and 1 or 2 smaller ones.  I typically use the smaller ones for barleywines and high gravity beers. ---
**Author:** ![fejjgw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fejjgw/32/4173_2.png) [@fejjgw](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fejjgw)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/6 "2013-05-11T02:33:43Z")
Well i want to play with a 2.5 gallon keg first and then when i have the correct setup(keezer etc) 5s will be the name of the game.  but for now 1 or 2 2.5ers is more economical space and quantity wise:) ---
**Author:** ![duxx](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/duxx/32/11577_2.png) [@duxx](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/duxx)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/7 "2013-05-11T03:07:46Z")
I stopped by “The Home Brewery” in Springfield MO today.  I wanted to pick up a few more ball lock kegs.  The 12 I have are full.  They used to sell them (Last Fall) for $35.  Today, they were $49.99 and really beat up.  I didn’t buy any because I thought it was crazy to pay for kegs that looked like they were in a tornado.  The owner’s wife told me that most people will have to switch to pin lock because that is all they can find now.  So why is that? ---
**Author:** ![fejjgw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fejjgw/32/4173_2.png) [@fejjgw](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fejjgw)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/8 "2013-05-11T03:32:08Z")
Thats very strange.  all the literature ive read suggests that ball lock kegs where created in a far higher quantity then pin lock.  While the soda industry doesnt use them any more i guess we can assume that homebrewers have eaten up all the ball locks. ---
**Author:** ![mtnrockhopper](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mtnrockhopper/32/8305_2.png) [@mtnrockhopper](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mtnrockhopper)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/9 "2013-05-11T04:02:17Z")
The deal is Coke is still getting rid of pin locks, so they are more available. Quality doesn’t matter, when is the last time you saw a homebrewer selling their ball lock kegs? - Sent by my R2 unit ---
**Author:** ![AmandaK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@AmandaK](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/AmandaK)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/10 "2013-05-12T13:36:09Z")
> [@duxx](#): > > I stopped by “The Home Brewery” in Springfield MO today.  I wanted to pick up a few more ball lock kegs.  The 12 I have are full.  They used to sell them (Last Fall) for $35.  Today, they were $49.99 and really beat up.  I didn’t buy any because I thought it was crazy to pay for kegs that looked like they were in a tornado.  The owner’s wife told me that most people will have to switch to pin lock because that is all they can find now.  So why is that? Steve, I think it’s just supply/demand. Ball locks seemed to be the first choice for homebrewers, and now that Pepsi doesn’t use them anymore, the supply is just drying up. When I first started only 3 years ago, you could find them on Craigslist all day long for $25-30. Now people want $50 for them. You know what that means? Time to stock up! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![corkybstewart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/corkybstewart/32/1995_2.png) [@corkybstewart](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/corkybstewart)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/11 "2013-05-12T14:24:18Z")
I have both kinds, in roughly equal quantities.  Pin locks are short and wide, ball locks are tall and skinny so that may matter when you design a kegerator for them.  I can put 6 of either in my 12.5 cu ft chest freezer.  My 18 cu ft fridge will hold 5 pin locks or 6 kegs if at least 2 are ball lock kegs. You cannot force the wrong connector onto a pin lock keg, but you can with a ball lock.  With pin lock you don’t even have to be able to see the post to put the proper connector on. I use flared threaded connectors so that switching from one type to the other is simple. I suggest you buy whatever you find and can afford. ---
**Author:** ![jrdunne](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jrdunne/32/4550_2.png) [@jrdunne](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jrdunne)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/12 "2013-05-13T14:18:06Z")
Of course, you can also get converted pin locks.  Ball lock connections, pin lock dimensions.  I see these more and more. I like my 3 gallon kegs, but the price of those things is crazy.  You can get two 5 gallons for the same price, even on fleaBay. For me, the wider dimensions of the pin lock kegs is the deal breaker.  I can just barely fit two ball locks in my Sanyo mini fridge.  I don’t think I could do two pins. > [@AmandaK](#): > > You know what that means? Time to stock up! 🙂 I really don’t need more, but I keep cruising eBay and Craigslist looking for deal… $50 is looking like a deal these days. ---
**Author:** ![mtnrockhopper](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mtnrockhopper/32/8305_2.png) [@mtnrockhopper](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mtnrockhopper)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/13 "2013-05-13T15:37:06Z")
Hopefully the price of new ball locks will fall as people start to buy more. I’ve already seen them sold for ~$90 in multi-packs. Given the hastle of some used kegs, I’d pay a premium for new. I think if it dropped to $75 or so it would be great. ---
**Author:** ![jrdunne](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jrdunne/32/4550_2.png) [@jrdunne](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jrdunne)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/14 "2013-05-13T15:42:18Z")
I’m seeing some pretty beat-up used kegs on eBay selling for around $50 plus shipping which puts them at $70+ all in.  If you need new poppets, gaskets and/or a PRV you’re looking at a total cost in the ballpark of new kegs. ---
**Author:** ![mtnrockhopper](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mtnrockhopper/32/8305_2.png) [@mtnrockhopper](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mtnrockhopper)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/15 "2013-05-13T16:00:01Z")
Even worse if you never get it to seal at all. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/16 "2013-05-13T16:25:44Z")
> [@mtnrockhopper](#): > > Hopefully the price of new ball locks will fall as people start to buy more. I’ve already seen them sold for ~$90 in multi-packs. Given the hastle of some used kegs, I’d pay a premium for new. I think if it dropped to $75 or so it would be great. The ones I have seen for $90-100 new are made in China. I picked up a nice 3 gallon ball lock in S. TX for $30, at a flea market last month. ---
**Author:** ![jrdunne](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jrdunne/32/4550_2.png) [@jrdunne](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jrdunne)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/17 "2013-05-13T16:37:54Z")
NB has single handle new 5 gallons for $120.  I believe they are the Italian ones, not the Chinese. I’ve got a couple 2.5 gallon Chinese kegs.  They work just fine but have noticeably thinner steel and no rubber bottom. BTW, that’s a score on the 3 gallon keg as I’m sure you know.  Wish I had more of those. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/18 "2013-05-13T17:26:49Z")
> [@](#): > > BTW, that’s a score on the 3 gallon keg as I’m sure you know.  Wish I had more of those. Disn’t bother to negotiate on the price, just said I would take it.  🙂 ---
**Author:** ![beersk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/beersk/32/13414_2.png) [@beersk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/beersk)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/19 "2013-05-13T20:28:01Z")
I’ve got one that is very difficult to seal. I’ve been using my used kegs for fermenters and bought a couple new Italian kegs for serving. If I buy more kegs in the future, they’ll be new. ---
**Author:** ![fejjgw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fejjgw/32/4173_2.png) [@fejjgw](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fejjgw)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2013, 3:51pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573/20 "2013-06-11T15:51:12Z")
So my decision was made due to finances.  i scored 8 5 gallon pinlocks for 250 bucks.  now i just need to research the rest of the equipment i need.  ill probably use them as fermentors to start and work my way up:) [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pin-lock-vs-ball-lock/13573.md?page=2)