Drilling hole in mason jar lid

mongoose33 · Sep 13, 2019

Tobor_8thMan said:
What drill bit size is recommended to drill the hole for the grommet? I know grommets are 1/2". I ask as I don't want things too tight or too wide (loose). Tried different bit sizes and a step drill on Thursday evening. Unsure if I have the correct diameter hole for the grommet.

Thanks.

The grommets I'm using are 3/8". The tubing from a bottle filler is just about 3/8" in diameter (maybe a few thousandths larger). The hole I drilled is 7/16".

https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bend...0&s=gateway&sprefix=evabarrier,aps,155&sr=8-3

smata67 · Sep 14, 2019

I got these larger grommets at ace hardware from the little baggie section in the electrical department. They are a bit harder to squeeze into the hole, but I think they would do better when dealing with a thicker lid. They are for 1/2" holes and fit pre-drilled bucket lids just fine.

Tobor_8thMan · Sep 14, 2019

Mine appears to match the more rounded one on the left. However, when I drilled a 1/2" hole inserting the grommets wasn't easy. Also, the airlock would not push into the grommet. I had to enlarge the hole a bit. I tried so many things I don't remember the hole size. That's why I'm asking. I don't want to spend lots of time experimenting again. I guess I could get the mason jar, with cider yeast, in the beverage center. Remove the grommet and determine the hole size. Thought, and hoped, it would be easier to ask here.

Tobor_8thMan · Sep 22, 2019

Recommended way to remove the gasket in a plastic lid so as to prevent damaging the gasket?

mongoose33 · Sep 22, 2019

Tobor_8thMan said:
Recommended way to remove the gasket in a plastic lid so as to prevent damaging the gasket?

If you're talking about the plastic lids I've noted above, I think you could take a utility knife, x-acto knife, even a pin or needle to get it out of there. Those gaskets are silicone, so they'll be pretty resistant to damage....