Attempting to drill mounting holes in a beer tower

[rileyj]

Recently picked up a kegerator with a four tap tower. The mounting screws corroded with some damage to the 4 mounting holes so I want 4 more evenly spaced holes for a total of 8. My cobalt bits are barely making a dent. I figured it was hard metal so started by punching the flange then using a dremel diamond bit for a better start but my bits for "hard metal" aren't doing the job. Craftsman bits.

What's this made of? I guess grinding might work. The dremel didn't make much progress either. Any idea about what kind of bits I should use? Thanks.

 

[day_trippr]

Jeeze, I've never had stainless resist my cobalt bits when used at uber low speed with a ton of pressure and plenty of cutting lube.
And a diamond bit did nothing? Yikes!

You sure you can't recondition the four original mounting holes and use them?

 

[rileyj]

Jeeze, I've never had stainless resist my cobalt bits when used at uber low speed with a ton of pressure and plenty of cutting lube.
And a diamond bit did nothing? Yikes!

You sure you can't recondition the four original mounting holes and use them?

It's certainly harder than expected. I was using low speed with lube. The diamond did more but it was a small bit in a dremel.

I'm taking your advice and redoing the original with bigger screws. If it doesn't work I've done the main job, new faucet tail pieces and lines, better insulation into the kegerator, so it will come apart without too much hassle. I do have a drill press which isn't in a convenient place now but if I have to revisit this I'll use it. And maybe a carbide bit.

Cheers!