Drilling a Keg for fittings help

[Beau815]

I got my valve and sight glass/thermometer from bargainfittings.com it says i need a 13/16 inch step bit or hole saw. First question which is easier? hole saw seems harder, secondly is this the right size i see 3/4 inch other places... not sure. Dont want to ruin my keg i spend hours cleaning to a shine.

 

[devildancer]

I used a step bit, worked great and very clean cut. If you do that, you can go 1/16" at a time until you have the right diameter. A deburring tool, a file, and some sandpaper come in handy too. Good luck.!

 

[pickles]

I tried harbor freight step bit ( 2 actually) with plenty of lube and it sucked! Very hard going in a keg. I switched to good quality (BluMol) holesaw and drilled through like it was butter. My holesaws tend to wobble a bit so 1" hole becomes a 1 1/16" hole approx., so take that into consideration.

 

[fatherbigfoot]

get the size bit you think you need and drill a hole in something you don't care about and see if its the right size before you drill in the real thing

 

[wilserbrewer]

get the size bit you think you need and drill a hole in something you don't care about and see if its the right size before you drill in the real thing

Some simple great advice...slap head...

 

[Dave46382]

Step bit worth every penny. Use a little 3 in 1 oil and you are set. Oh, and drill a small pilot hole!

 

[TomRep]

Did anyone try the step bits that bargainfittings.com sell? Do they hold up well on multiple holes? I'm not afraid to spend money on an expensive bit, but if I can get a cheaper bit that works just as well, I'd be happier.
tom

 

[Dave258]

The step bit I bought from bargin fittings for $18 I think it was worked out better then the $35 Irwin bit I bought at home depot. Don't ask me why......

 

[jcdillin]

I bought an irwin step bit and i've drilled at least 30 holes in kegs with it and it's still working great. I just use a touch of olive oil when drilling.

 

[Bobby_M]

For drilling up to 13/16", honestly the best method is to use a 3/4" bimetal hole saw first, then open and debur with a 13/16" step on a step bit from both sides of the hole. Of course, who's going to buy both right?

If you do use a hole saw, seriously, don't try to drill a 13/16" hole with a 13/16" bit. It will be oversized due to wobble. A 3/4" bit should be fine, if not requiring the slightest bit of filing/sanding to open up.

 

[juvinious]

I've got the bargain fittings step bit set they work just fine. The larger bit doesn't need a pilot hole to start off with and eats through it like butter. Hehe it's funny because I used olive oil just like jcdillin on kegs that I got from him. :cross:

 

[InfernoBrews]

Well When i drilled my kegs I needs a 7/8 hole.. and had three holes to put in three kegs.. I slowly stepped up with a selection of bits the first hole went well pretty easy.. after that first one it was game over.. I Stopped and made a phone call to a friend of my fathers who does metal work of all types for a living.. talked to him he said the bits pitch or angle just needs changed.. Gave him the bit he re sharpened it for my next day drilled like a hot knife thru butter with hardly any rough edges!

Just a thought.. I have no idea what he did but it worked like A Champ!

 

[Beau815]

Thanks guys. So deburring tool, file, sandpaper... drill small pilot hole.... if hole saw use blumol and get 3/4" and use olive oil.... i wrote all this down for saturday.

 

[BargainFittings]

The hole size will be just slightly bigger than 13/16" when installing the nipple. AT 13/16" the nipple will try to thread in. When it gets to the center portion it will stop. Going to 7/8" Will be slightly loose on the center of the nipple.

 

[Dave46382]

Did anyone try the step bits that bargainfittings.com sell? Do they hold up well on multiple holes? I'm not afraid to spend money on an expensive bit, but if I can get a cheaper bit that works just as well, I'd be happier.
tom

Yep, great bit!

 

[Guinness71]

I used a step bit, worked great and very clean cut. If you do that, you can go 1/16" at a time until you have the right diameter. A deburring tool, a file, and some sandpaper come in handy too. Good luck.!

I'll second that - I just did my three yesterday this way and it when pretty quick..

 

[BrewBeemer]

The step bit I bought from bargin fittings for $18 I think it was worked out better then the $35 Irwin bit I bought at home depot. Don't ask me why......

Because that good old American brand name product for over 85 years is now a POS made in China as well 95% of all Irwin products. they went cheap on us.
Oh that 3 in 1 oil, no you want a high sulfur cutting oil even 90 wt hypoid with sulfur would work better with SS threading oil as the best.

 

[Beau815]

ok i went thru some crap with my cuttings... first the guy at HD told me that I didnt need a grinder at that a $20 regular bit could punch into the top of the keg and go around no problem, he also talked me into a $34 step bit which was chrome looking and i told him i need titantium, he said use oil and it will be fine. He was wrong, it punched in about 3 steps and stuck, burning and smoking. I was like screw it im not even trying the top bit and returned them for my $58 bucks and got the $2 grinder wheel, as i SHOULD have to begin with and buzzed it down to a nub just in tme to get my top cut off. So i have a really good circle with no jig (my brother did it and has been a capenter his whole life, im sure i would of messed it up with no jig) So i have two pilot holes I guess you could call them for therm/sight glass and valve. Ordered the 19 dollar bit from bargainfittings to finish the job... looks really good so far. Need to get back to my bro's at some point to dull down the edges.