Cheapest way to drill hole

[HollisBT]

In the side of a keg... I just ordered the valve for my kettle today, and I'm looking for the cheapest way thrill a hole in the side of my keg. Any input? Is a step bit really the best way to go?

 

[cobolstinks]

Sharks with lazers on their heads...

No but seriously, I just drilled out two of my kegs last night. I used a step bit. The size of the bit depends on if you are going weldless or not. I used the Harbor Freight step bit with some cutting oil and it worked great. 7 holes in ~1.5 hours. Make sure you drill a pilot hole first. Good luck.

 

[38372]

I just used metal bits laying around. Started real small and worked my way up. They ate through like butter. Could probably pick a set up for 20 bucks at Homedepot and get your money back down the road using on other various projects.

 

[autobaun70]

A step bit is by far the best way to go. Drill out to the biggest standard style bit you own then finish with the step bit. If you have access to a standard bit of the correct size you can get away with using it as long as you deburr the hole from both sides.

If you don't have either ask around your friends who are either mechanically inclined or mechanics of some sort and one of them is bound to have a bit.

 

[cl330b]

Hole saws from home depot are an option. They do not make the cleanest holes but I have used them in the past and not had any leak trouble. The hole saw is less than $10 and the arbor is around $13. I now use the Greenlee punches. Pricey but they make perfect holes every time, all the time. I think they are worth the extra scratch.

 

[HollisBT]

Hmmm, I can get a cheap step bit on amazon for about $15, I guess that might be my best bet...

I suppose I could always try to pass them on to the next person on the forum who needs them when I am done with them.

 

[CollinsBrew]

I used the cheap step bit set from Harbor Freight and it made four nice holes for my weldless valves and sightglasses. For the eyehole that holds the top of the sightglass, I used a standard bit but it was one of the nice Dewalt titanium ones. Home depot had them on sale last week.

 

[HollisBT]

I broke down and ordered a step bit and Randy Moesher's book radical brewing from amazon.com today. Who knows, maybe someone else locally or on this forum will want the bit when I am done with it.

 

[bf514921]

i have used step bits, work fine for me, side note some step bits are 1/2 shank.