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05-11-2006, 05:56 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 145
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Drilling through stainless steel
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I'm mounting a backsplash/drip tray made of 304 stainless steel on my keggerator.
I need to drill six, 7/8" holes for the faucet shanks to go through. I bought a bi-metal hole saw for the job. I know that heating the SS through friction hardens it and makes drilling/cutting extremely difficult. I already drilled some 3/16" holes for small mounting screws and it was really a tough chore. Other than using oil for lubrication/cooling and using low RPMs, does anyone know of any techniques that will make this task easier? Thanks.
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"PROST!"
Kegged: Anglo-American IPA
Kegged: Columbus on the Horizon IPA
Bottled: Belgian Trippel
Bottled: Smoked Scotch Ale
Secondary: Honey Stout
Primary: Irlandés Rojo y Amarillo
Next: Nut Brown Ale
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05-11-2006, 06:05 PM
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#2
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Beer, not rocket science
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Posts: 4,571
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Is it possible to mount this tray just below the taps so you can avoid the drilling issue all together?
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Before I learned to brew I was poor, sober and lonely. Now I am just poor.
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05-11-2006, 06:22 PM
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#3
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Discover the motherlode
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Heidelberg, Germany, Baden Wurtemberg
Posts: 8,837
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brewpastor
Is it possible to mount this tray just below the taps so you can avoid the drilling issue all together?
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Yeah...good point.
I don't know the exact size of the drip tray, but are you going to be able to put a pint under the taps if you have the holes right in the tray?
__________________
On Tap: Lake Walk Pale Ale -- Eternity (Raspberry Stout) -- Nutrocker -- Donnybrook Dark
Primary: Lake Walk Pale Ale
Secondary: Summit IPA
Up Next: Smoked Porter -- Pub Ale -- Watermelon Wheat
Planning:
Gone But Not Forgotten:
www.IronOrrBrewery.com
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05-11-2006, 06:29 PM
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#4
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Lacks intriguing title
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 4,846
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Was going to be my recommendation as well (& what I did)
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05-11-2006, 06:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 145
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dude
Yeah...good point.
I don't know the exact size of the drip tray, but are you going to be able to put a pint under the taps if you have the holes right in the tray?
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Yes, it's 15" high X 18" wide. I'm planning to mount the faucets 3" down from the top of the backsplash, this will leave an 11" drop from the mouths of the faucets to the top of the drip tray. Enough room to fill pitchers and growlers. Plus, it will look a lot better than mounting the faucets on top. I know it's going to be a pain to drill the holes, but I think it'll be worth the effort. Just trying to find out if there are any tricks to make the job easier.
__________________
"PROST!"
Kegged: Anglo-American IPA
Kegged: Columbus on the Horizon IPA
Bottled: Belgian Trippel
Bottled: Smoked Scotch Ale
Secondary: Honey Stout
Primary: Irlandés Rojo y Amarillo
Next: Nut Brown Ale
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05-11-2006, 09:33 PM
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#6
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Beer, not rocket science
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Corrales, New Mexico
Posts: 4,571
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Do you have anybody around who can cut the holes for you? A machine shop maybe? It would be a shame to mess up that nice tray and for a few dollars (I would guess $25) somebody should be able to do it for you. Or find somebody with a drill press and cut cool, wet and slow.
__________________
Before I learned to brew I was poor, sober and lonely. Now I am just poor.
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05-11-2006, 09:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 509
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A bi metal hole saw will work fine. Just place some wood behind the back splash when you drill.
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"Thru the darkness of Future Past
the magician longs to see
one chants out between two worlds
Fire - walk with me."
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05-11-2006, 10:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Fredericton, NB
Posts: 185
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by AHammer16
A bi metal hole saw will work fine. Just place some wood behind the back splash when you drill.
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I was just thinking that as I read you post.
It may be stainless, but it's not a 1/2 piece of pipe, it's only sheet metal.
IGOR
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Igor Stien
Fermenting: MT
Secondary #1: MT Secondary #2: MT
Conditioning: Nothing Drinking: Store bought
On Deck: Festa Brew Red Ale....As soon as I get my bucket back from storage.
All bottles are Guinness bottles, Plus Five Kegs!!!
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05-11-2006, 10:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 367
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I cut a 7/8" hole in my brewpot with a hole saw and had no problem. Just don't force it and it should be fine. I used a drill press so that did help. You may also want to do pilot holes with a smalled drill bit as a 3/8 (or whatever the pilot for the hole saw is) tend to try to jump around.
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PRIMARY: Air
SECONDARY#1: Air
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Keg Conditioning: Air
Bottle stock:
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--------------------
My Homebrew Stirplate
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05-11-2006, 11:21 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 145
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by MrSaLTy
I cut a 7/8" hole in my brewpot with a hole saw and had no problem. Just don't force it and it should be fine. I used a drill press so that did help. You may also want to do pilot holes with a smalled drill bit as a 3/8 (or whatever the pilot for the hole saw is) tend to try to jump around.
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Definitely doing pilot holes and I think my uncle has a drill press I can use.
__________________
"PROST!"
Kegged: Anglo-American IPA
Kegged: Columbus on the Horizon IPA
Bottled: Belgian Trippel
Bottled: Smoked Scotch Ale
Secondary: Honey Stout
Primary: Irlandés Rojo y Amarillo
Next: Nut Brown Ale
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