20 Litre Kero drum taps - no drip

[ozdude]

There is another thread on this forum called "20 Litre Kero drum tap", tried posting on there but it would not let me as the thread was too old. Posting this up as I have had a lot of problems finding a drum tap that does not drip. Basically I have come to the conclusion that what's available under the description "drum tap, safe for solvents and thinners" blah blah (I have tried a few) are cheap junk that represent a fire hazard. I won't mention any brand names, as much as I would like to . My advice to anyone is to stay away from them as you will most likely be wasting your money, and some of them are expensive (junk).

Batpig mentioned good old fashioned garden-taps on the old thread, even that would be better in my opinion but there still remains the question of finding a suitable washer that is compatible with chemicals.

Anyway, here is what you need and its available cheaply from Bunnings:

Kinetic (brand) Garden Tap 15mm 1/4 Turn
Kinetic Brass Threaded Bush Hexagon Reducing 20x15mm
(15mm and 20mm is equivalent to 1/2" and 3/4" BSP)

I also added a hose fitting, means I don't need to use a funnel when decanting into bottles and things like that. For filling the 20 litre drums from 44 gallon drums I use an Alemite 501A rotary drum pump, again, watch out for those cheap rotary drum pumps, don't waste your money.
drum_tap.jpg

[Fuzzie]

Might have been my old thread. I replaced my first tap with some other nylon looking one which at least hasn't dissolved yet but I still don't trust it much. I'd really like to find one of those old tin whistle style hand pumps, if anybody remembers them.

[ozdude]

Explain what a tin whistle style hand pump is Fuzzie, you've got me curious.
By the way I forgot to mention that those Bunnings 1/4 turn taps are solid brass, no seals in them. They are very nicely finished on the inside with a mirror finish which is what you need with petrol, solvents and kero. Tried some other similar taps specifically made for chemicals but you could see the tooling marks which is enough to cause a drip with kero. All other lever operated, spring back type taps dripped with a full 20L drum but stopped dripping at the half way (10L) mark. Talk about useless

[Fuzzie]

What I had in mind from old memories was somewhat more light weight than one of these as it didn't replace the lid, you just inserted as required when the lid was off, sort of like a syphon pump.
Vintage Ampol 5 Gallon Kerosene Drum TIN With Hand Pump | eBay

$T2eC16dHJGgFFmqS6gv,BRu!RP4nYg~~60_57.jpg

[ozdude]

I know there isn't much available that I have seen, just mostly plastic pumps of the arrangement you have pictured. Sent you a PM to something I found going for sale you might be interested in, should be great after a bit of a clean up

[Fuzzie]

Thanks Dude. Given the amount I expect to us it, my budget for a pump would be pretty low. I probably should check the auction sites now and again for something local.

[ozdude]

Yes, there's lots of old useful stuff that comes up on them, Gumtree is probably better and cheaper than Ebay I find for some things. I use Kero quite a bit including extra heating and lighting so have to have an efficient dispensing system.

[Fuzzie]

This one went on ebay for $4 but I forgot to bid on it it is the style I was originally thinking of by calling it a tin whistle.
pump.JPG

[ubeaut]

Used plastic taps with turps and metho and kero for years without any drastic problems other than binding in the movement of the tap.

Switched to the below metal taps for both around 9 mths ago and love them. Good flow control, non drip and easy to use (smooth action handle) Used in 200 litre drums, but fit all standard drum fittings where a plastic one will go.

I got mine from the local plumbing supplies joint but have since seen them in Mitre 10. Cost from memory around $14 or there about.

Cheers - Neil