Question about assembling shanks and tail pieces

Brewing Processes
1

For anyone who has used separate shanks and tail pieces (as opposed to shanks that have welded tail pieces), can you tell me whether there needs to be a gasket between the shank and the tail piece?  I’m concerned that a metal to metal connection might result in leaking.  Am I being overly worrisome or am I missing something?

Also, does the tail piece just screw onto the shank?  I’ve only seen shanks and tail pieces in photos online.  I suppose I could just go to my LHBS and look at them, but since you fine people are all online and I’ll be at work all day… :wink:

Thanks!

2

there is a wall gasket in what my club just put together, leaked otherwise

3

Thanks, Fred. I assumed there would be leaking if there wasn’t some sort of gasket involved.  By “wall” gasket, do you mean one with flat sides?  As opposed to, say, an o-ring?

4

Think of it as a square o-ring.  An o-ring would work

5

Something like this?

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/neoprene-washer.html

6

Exactly!  Thanks.

7

A beer washer goes in between the shank and the tail piece and the either a hex or a winged beer nut holds the whole assembly in place.

8

Thanks!  That’s exactly the info I was looking for.