A brewing buddy of mine (not on BA) needs to step up his kegging game. I think I'm in the market for another keg, also. I have purchased kegs from Midwest before, but I wondering about other sources of kegs that are reliable and perhaps more economical. He is also looking for a manifold. We are both looking for pin-lock. TIA. Cheers!
Ebay has sales sometimes where they'll sell them by the pallet on the cheap. Otherwise you'll be paying $50-70 each from a LHBS or just about anywhere online after shipping costs.
People seem to have deals all the time on these things. I've ordered from Midwest, Adventures in Homebrewing, and More Beer for my kegs. All have been fine. That said, Adventures has a set of 4 Pin-lock (used) for $140. http://www.homebrewing.org/Set-of-Four-5-Gallon-Pin-Lock-Kegs-Used_p_3179.html
I used these guys twice and was very pleased with results (quality and price): http://www.mceverdistrib.com/syrup-tanks Prices vary with size of inventory, last time they were pushing pin-locks for under 30 bucks. Shipping is reasonable if buying in multiples of four.
My homebrew club ordered a pallet from those guys a couple of years ago. Prices (back then) were cheap....like $35 a piece shipped for 40 ball locks. I'm fairly certain prices have gone up 50-75% since that time. Anyway, when we got our pallet of 40 from those guys, about 10% of them were damaged to the point where they weren't functional. I'm pretty sure they made good on them after we hounded them though.
Online sales of used kegs is always a crapshoot. When I ordered mine I offered to pay a premium if they would pick out some nice ones. To their credit they offered to give me the nicer ones at no extra cost. Last fall I dropped by and got pin-locks for under 30 bucks (paid cash). They also have QDs and fittings cheaper than anywhere else. Interestingly, they ship kegs pressurized. Not affiliated in any way . . .
I bought my kegging equipment from MW supplies one time when I was swinging through Minneapolis on family business. Saved on shipping and I was able to inspect the used equipment. Plus, I was able to tap the brain of a staff member who was pretty savvy about kegging. YMMV (literally, depending on what you can drive to the LHBS, and figuratively).
Art's used to have tons of relatively cheap kegs back when I lived in SLC... not sure now. Not even certain he's still in business. For mail order, I second Adventures in Homebrewing.
Arts. A while back I tried locating that store. Couldn't ever find it, although it may have been a Google Maps glitch. Still, in SLC one rarely needs a map. I'll have to see it they are still in business.
Lucky for you, pin-lock kegs are far easier to find. I would think most homebrew stores could probably source pin-lock cornies for you. Hell, ball-locks are in such short supply that Northern Homebrew started manufacturing new ones.
http://www.cornykeg.com/store.asp?pid=29554&catid=19985 I've ordered from here. Decent price on converted ball lock kegs.
gotten my last couple from Adventures in Homebrewing and will add another favorable vote considering they were all in good shape and the customer service was awesome. A little closer to home, you've got Tom's in CO: http://www.tomsbrewshop.com/cat/88-Kegs--Tanks.html Never used them, but maybe could help if shipping is an issue.
wish i had estate sales with interesting items like kegging equipment...usually around here you'll find Aunt Millie's sewing kit & Uncle Bill's collection of stamps at an estate sale.
Get to know the local driver for Pepsi. I have a connection who works in a bar and the Pepsi guy will let her know if he drops a keg off the truck and they get em from him for like $10. EDIT: Sorry, just saw you want pin lock, in that case stalk the Coke driver.
650S 250W(aka Washington). It's a house converted to a shop. The street looks like an alley but SLC says it has street status. A slightly rough area - there were a couple of murders right in front of the shop about 15 years ago - but he's only open during daylight hours so you'll be fine.
