I think you hit the nail on the head with this. I was having the same problem drilling holes in my kegs. I spoke to a very experienced welder/pipe fitter friend of mine and he said use low speed and keep things cool. He said not to use oil, but use a constant flow of water by spraying it or any other safe method that will not get you electrocuted. I purchased a new bit and tried this. It drilled like butter. You almost have to have two people to do this. I noticed before that once the bit got hot it was toast! COLD water and LOW speed is the trick I use and it works great.
I can't believe how hard drilling a keg is
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I think you hit the nail on the head with this. I was having the same problem drilling holes in my kegs. I spoke to a very experienced welder/pipe fitter friend of mine and he said use low speed and keep things cool. He said not to use oil, but use a constant flow of water by spraying it or any other safe method that will not get you electrocuted. I purchased a new bit and tried this. It drilled like butter. You almost have to have two people to do this. I noticed before that once the bit got hot it was toast! COLD water and LOW speed is the trick I use and it works great.
Absolutely, the knockout punches re the way to go.
I got a Dewalt 3/8" cobalt pilot point drill bit from Lowes for $11. (I anticipate doing this often over the next year with several brewers). Used this to drill the access holes for a Greenlee 1/2" conduit 7/8" punch. Used a standard 6amp portable wired drill and just leaned on it hard and feathered the power buton to keep a slow turn. Stopped periodically to cool and hit it with a squirt bottle.
I don't have an impact wrench so I used a 13mm box wrench and my persuader (3 lb maul hammer) to drive the punch.
Cleaned the hole just a bit with a metal rasp. Took maybe 10 minutes total.
no sweat.
I got a Dewalt 3/8" cobalt pilot point drill bit from Lowes for $11. (I anticipate doing this often over the next year with several brewers). Used this to drill the access holes for a Greenlee 1/2" conduit 7/8" punch. Used a standard 6amp portable wired drill and just leaned on it hard and feathered the power buton to keep a slow turn. Stopped periodically to cool and hit it with a squirt bottle.
I don't have an impact wrench so I used a 13mm box wrench and my persuader (3 lb maul hammer) to drive the punch.
Cleaned the hole just a bit with a metal rasp. Took maybe 10 minutes total.
no sweat.
