My keg's "Binary" tap

[mr_jolly]

I've got a hamilton bard keg and when dispensing beer it's all or nothing. Basically it's a sod to turn the tap and when I put enough effort into turning it it's anyone's guess whether it's going to open fully or just a tad (when it opens fully I get a face full of beer from when it bounces off the bottom of the glass at great speed). Is there a way to improve the tap or should I replace it?

Edit: Link removed in accordance with forum rule.

Many thanks for any ideas (especially if there's a way to fix it without replacing it!).

[ChrisG]

I have that keg and it does loosen off in time. Is your one new?

[mr_jolly]

A friend lent it to me and he's only used it twice. This is my first brew and the first time i've used it (it's not been used for about 5 years before this). Do you know if they can be stripped down for cleaning (and maybe greasing with tiny dab of vaseline or similar?)

[Garth]

pop the top cap off the tap and the whole thing comes to bits, it may be dirty, I wouldn't put vaseline on it though if you're serving beer through it

I've have just got some taps from eBay, item number 320411863273, they are the black lever type, they are much easier to operate, I like them as you can put a hozelock push fit on them, I use them on my fv to fill my cornies.

[mr_jolly]

pop the top cap off the tap and the whole thing comes to bits, it may be dirty, I wouldn't put vaseline on it though if you're serving beer through it

I've have just got some taps from eBay, item number 320411863273, they are the black lever type, they are much easier to operate, I like them as you can put a hozelock push fit on them, I use them on my fv to fill my cornies.

Thanks I'll strip it down when the keg's empty. Do you think those ebay taps will be OK for holding the pressure of a keg? They look handy for a FV though.

[Garth]

they should be fine, they have the same thread and nut as the drum tap in your picture, I think they're made by the same company, Waddington and Duval.

[Dr. Dextrin]

If it's anything like my tap you can grease them with vaseline. The thread part is separate so it doesn't come in contact with the beer. You just have to be careful not to push the grease down towards the beer end as you re-assemble it, so only use a small amount of grease. It makes a huge difference.

BTW they use a double thread, so there are two positions you can put them back in. Only one is correct!

[Madbrewer]

I bought one of these taps from the HBS yesterday I think it was £2.95. I think it's a useful spare to have. They do break (my lever type one did for example). I should think a strip down & clean will solve your problem, but i'd recommend a spare never the less.