Drilling SS

[Cliff]

Search for "Neiko step" in the industrial section. Here's the one I bought for $4.99.

I have always been absolutely mystified at the use of titanium on cutting tools.
Titanium is a soft metal. The titanium that is used is merely a vapor deposition coating of Titanium Carbo-Nitride (TiCN). In that form the metal is hard because it is in a carbide form but still it's just a friggin vapor dep' coating. Once one wears through the coating the party is over. The edge is where the coating will wear away first. The edge is what does all the work.

Cobalt however is the shizz especially for tough metals like high chrome Stainless.

If you are drilling lots of SST it helps to have a means of sharpening your tool. It'll need it.

[foomench]

With the titanium coated bits from Sears I probably drilled a little over a dozen holes, no problems.

[maxpower2078]

I found drilling and cutting SS is always easier if you go slow.

make sure to keep it lubed well too

[Landshark]

I spent $35 to $45 each on some step bits at Sears and drilled a whole bunch of holes with those. Then when I needed to make a hole bigger than 1" I searched Amazon and found much better prices. Search for "Neiko step" in the industrial section. Here's the one I bought for $4.99. There are some sets too. Maybe they are cheap Chinese crap, but I'm not a pro so after I make a few more holes they probably won't be used for years.

If you can get a few holes drilled before the bit is useless then you are lucky. My experience with the $5 ebay Chinese bits are that they fail on the 1st or second use. My advice is to pay $35 and get a good step bit. It will last longer and cut much more effectively. ....pay for a good product. I've converted 8 kegs with three holes each. Still using the same Unibit I purchased at HD. Canola oil in a hand soap dispenser is good to keep around for cutting. Smells like french fries as you work.

[mstubb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH8q6XbiFeI