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Universal Stopper with 2 Drilled Holes
I've been searching for a commercially available carboy stopper that has 2 drilled holes: one for a thermowell and another for an airlock. I either have very poor Google skills, or this is a product that isn't readily available from online homebrew supply stores.
I've seen a couple of threads discussing adding a 2nd hole by using a piece of sharpened tubing as a drill bit on a drill press, but I don't have a drill press handy or a piece of tubing with the correct OD. It would be great to find a universal type stopper with 2 holes, but I'd settle for a classic #6.5 rubber stopper. Has anyone seen these available for sale online? In case you're wondering, a carboy cap will not work for my purposes. I want to use it in the top of my conical fermentor so that I can monitor temperature inside while allowing for an airlock/blowoff. |
This place has 2-hole lab grade stoppers: http://www.hometrainingtools.com/stoppers/c/126/
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I'm looking to do the same thing. I've read that freezing the stopper before drilling will make it easier to drill. I also don't have a drill press, so I am planning on figuring out the best way to clamping the stopper down and then going freehand. I bought a couple solid stoppers in case I screw it up. Just waiting on the stainless tubing that I ordered to arrive.
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Morebeer makes them. You won't be able to get them cold enough in a regular freezer to drill them.
http://morebeer.com/view_product/16672//Stopper_Thermowell |
I want to freeze it in my chest freezer, which sits at around -10°F normally.
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I drilled some for transferring beer into and out of barrels with counter CO2 pressure. I have a drill press but I'm sure you could do it without. It's much easier than you think, you don't have to freeze it, mine were room temp. I used dish soap and water as a lubricant. Drill slowly and don't let it get hot, remove the bit every 1/4" or so to cool it with water. It doesn't take much pressure if the tubing is sharp. I used a file and then sand paper on the tubing. I cut a piece off the stainless raking cane to make it.
http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/1...0153-56576.jpg |
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That said, I'd still like to find a source to purchase them considering we're talking about a $1-$2 item and I don't have to hack up my racking cane to pull it off. |
The bore can be quite smooth if you're careful. I boil them before use anyway.
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They claim they use liquid nitrogen to freeze them before drilling |
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