Which Kegs - Coke or Pepsi

	This short treatise addresses issues one should be aware of
when making the decision to buy Ball Lock or Pin Lock kegs.  While
there may be some factors which are not mentioned, I think I have
covered most of the reasons.

	Pin Lock kegs are exclusive to the Coca-Cola Company, while
Ball Lock kegs are known as "general beverage" due to the fact that
the Quick Disconnect fittings are known that way.  BTW, the soda
industry refers to these as soda syrup canisters, not kegs.

CAPACITY
========
	There is virtually no difference between the capacity of ball
lock or pin lock kegs.

SIZE
====
	The pin lock kegs are slightly fatter and shorter than the
ball lock.  If you are attempting to stack these in a fridge, then the
couple of inches difference may be critical.

AVAILABILITY AND COST
=====================
	In general, ball lock kegs are more readily available and
usually are $5 cheaper than pin lock kegs.

FITTINGS
========
	Ball lock and pin lock kegs do not have the same threads on
the kegs for the QD plugs (the male half of a QD fitting is known in
the industry as a plug, the female as a socket) as pin lock kegs.  In
fact across one type there are variances between threads.  If you
choose ball lock fittings, then you have a broader range of QD sockets
types available to you.  Pin lock is only availble with right angle,
or straight, barb or 1/4" flare as the way to connect a hose to the
QD.  Ball lock has available in addition to these, male and female
pipe threads pointing straight up from the QD, which can be very handy
if you are trying to invent some type of equipment to attach to a keg.
QD sockets for both are available in both plastic or stainless steel.
Ball lock plugs can be removed from the keg with a normal socket
wrench, the pin lock require slots to be cut in the corners of the hex
socket to accommodate the pins sliding into the socket wrench.

	There are adapters available from Foxx and probably other
suppliers which allow ball lock QDs to be put on pin lock kegs and
vice versa.

FITTING PLACEMENT
=================
	Ball lock kegs have their fittings directly across from each
other at north and south on the compass (if the compass were on top of
the keg).  The handles are at east and west, again directly across
from each other.

	Pin lock kegs have the QDs at west and north and the handles
at east and south, this making them slightly harder to lift with both
hands and carry straight.  With soda syrup, it does not matter if you
jostle the contents, but you may be trying not to stir up the sediment
in the bottom of your beer.

QD FOULUPS
==========
	On pin lock kegs, it is impossible to put the gas on the
liquid or vice versa.  On ball lock kegs, the only thing preventing
this is a slightly different size to the connectors.  While it is hard
to reverse the connectors, it can be done and if the smaller socket is
forced over the bigger plug, it will be impossible to get them apart
withou severe damage to the socket.  If you put the larger socket over
the smaller plug, then you will get leaks.