Hole Saw or step drill

[mrbugawkagawk]

i will be drilling a turkey fryer so i can put a valve in it, i was wondering what i should use i know that the step drill will leave a nicer clean hole behind but can i get away with using a hole saw meant for metal? Only reason i ask is because step drill bits are expensive and i am trying to keep costs down without quality suffering to badly

 

[Cookiebaggs]

i will be drilling a turkey fryer so i can put a valve in it, i was wondering what i should use i know that the step drill will leave a nicer clean hole behind but can i get away with using a hole saw meant for metal? Only reason i ask is because step drill bits are expensive and i am trying to keep costs down without quality suffering to badly

That's all I used to drill my keg. Use some machine oil to help the bit cut and use enough pressure to let the bit do most of the work.

Also, a metal punch and a hammer helps make a starter dimple so the pilot bit doesn't walk around when starting.

 

[zimman]

i used a step drill on my keggles. worked perfect.

 

[broadbill]

Step bits at Harbor Freight or eBay FTW!!!!!

I'm sure someone will post and tell me that HF bits are crap and I can't dispute that. However, for the limited amount of holes you'll be drilling its a great deal.

 

[kezgin]

step bits generally give a much cleaner hole. drilled several holes in stainless pots/kegs with mine and still works great

 

[kmack747]

Step bits are preferable due to their cleaner holes. Either way some sort of cutting fluid is a must. The hf step bits are good for their price I use the snot out of them at work.

step bit

 

[meddin]

Step bits are preferable due to their cleaner holes. Either way some sort of cutting fluid is a must. The hf step bits are good for their price I use the snot out of them at work.

step bit

What sort of cutting fluid do you recommend, and is it just applied to the bit? Also, do you use the step bit the same size as the hole you desire? Sorry, im not very experienced in this area

 

[kmack747]

Pam cooking spray is a good alternative. I just spray some on as the hole is being drilled. Step drills are marked as to the actual hole size they drill. I take a sharpie and mark the step I want to stop at so I don't go to far.

 

[DrDirt]

Or dish soap.

EDIT : http://www.greatbargain.net/order/shop2.html -bargain fittings site

 

[Cliff897]

I'm sure someone will post and tell me that HF bits are crap and I can't dispute that.

They are. But if a person cares a lot about tools they will be motivated to buy a better grade anyway.

However, for the limited amount of holes you'll be drilling its a great deal.

Yup. And even harbor freight step drill can be sharpened.
It's about ten times easier than sharpening a regular twist drill and those are easy peasy. All you need is a wheel.

 

[malkore]

I used a bi-metal hole saw/bit cuz it was cheap. no lubrication, but my aluminum kettle walls were wicked thin...it was almost a bad idea to put a weldless fitting on it, but live and learn

 

[Wade E]

Id go the step drill way myself, I bought the Home Depot big one as im sure Ill eventually use this again and like said before, you can buy and use the holesaw but with the step drill your more likely to need it again as it has multiple sizes instead of just 1 and the cut is way cleaner.

 

[mmonacel]

+1 on the step drill. Use the right tool for the job - you can always find a cheapo step drill bit if you don't think you'll ever use it again.

 

[pickles]

i have the HF step bit and a set of Blu-Mol hole saws anf found that the step bit dulled quickly in SS and finished the holes with the holesaws. I was using Mobil thread cutting fluid.

 

[McCuckerson]

What sort of cutting fluid do you recommend, and is it just applied to the bit? Also, do you use the step bit the same size as the hole you desire? Sorry, im not very experienced in this area

WD40, motor oil, cooking oil, water if its a cordless drill.... you get the point. Any fluid will reduce heat and friction at the tool contact point. Once the tip dulls, friction coefficient increase and things go south in a hurry. Slow speed, fluid and solid even pressure on the drill. You will be surprised how well even crappy bits will cut and last if you treat them well.

 

[mmonacel]

Slow speed, fluid and solid even pressure on the drill. You will be surprised how well even crappy bits will cut and last if you treat them well.

+1 to that! This is a very important - yet often overlooked part. Slower speed, lubrication, and let the bit do the work. (Ok, looking at that last sentence, maybe some Marvin Gaye on the radio would help too)

 

[Bensiff]

Given the price HF is great. If you need a heavy duty use tool sure get a DeWalt or similar, but for those items you only use once every now and then HF is awesome.

I use a hole saw with lubricant followed up with a light sanding and it has always done a great job, but I will be trying a step up bit in the near future for comparison.

 

[Flyin]

These work great just drill a 5/16 or 3/8 hole & punch it out to 7/8. Nice clean hole every time.

 

[willynilly]

I have used the same HF step bit to drill about 20 holes in SS kettles, still going strong. They are cheap, but they will drill plenty of holes .

They leave a much cleaner hole, and can be had for under $10 easy. I vote step bit

 

[flyerwire]

i've drilled plenty of holes in aluminum with the HF step bit and it has worked wonderfully for the $7 i paid for it