Beer Forum

Just wondering how hard it is to drill Stainless Steele. are there special bits that I have to use? I've posted on my site what I would like to do. Which is buy an inexpensive SS kettle and put one of the weldless valve kits on it. http://www.homebrewing.me

Thanks,

First, buy Ms. Steele a drink...

Sorry, it's Friday and I'm ready for a drink.
The easiest way to to drill into SS is with a step bit, although a hole saw will work. You want to apply a fair amount of pressure while keeping the drill's RPM's low. To keep the bit or saw from overheating, use some oil (3 in 1 works fine). Take your time and don't rush it.

FYI, I did the same thing with a keg. It took me about an hour to do the top cutout and the valve hole, but I took a lot of breaks.

get a step bit off ebay.. probably $7. messure up from the bottom of kettle so there is enough room for the washer on the inside of the kettle. go ahead and drill your hole. it will take about a minute. it drills fast enough where you don't need oil. you need a 7/8 inch hole i believe so don't go to far with the bit. wash the hole thoroughly. and bits of metal that came of the bit will make your ss rust. aslo do it outside. or you'll end up with metal shards all over your kichen and a pist wife.

cheers
tom

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

i'll go slow when cutting the top off a keg. so its smooth and acurate and all nice like. but fuck.. just drill the hole. not a big deal. don't worry about going slow or fast or left ,right, up, down, pants on or off or whatever. just do it. as long as you don't make the hole to big it will be fine. ss is pritty forgiving. your not going to over heat it. and like a said befor. just give it a good wash after. it will be fine.

tom

one_dead_soul wrote:i'll go slow when cutting the top off a keg. so its smooth and acurate and all nice like. but fuck.. just drill the hole. not a big deal. don't worry about going slow or fast or left ,right, up, down, pants on or off or whatever. just do it. as long as you don't make the hole to big it will be fine. ss is pritty forgiving. your not going to over heat it. and like a said befor. just give it a good wash after. it will be fine.

tom

Speed does matter on stainless. http://www.hougen.com/tech_tips/cutter_info/cutting_speeds2.html

And if you get one speak of iron in the cut, from the bit or blade the SS will react and rust (oxidize).

thats a bit nit picky don't you think.. plus that chart didn't say anything about time. if your working on something for a wile yes.. go slow and be careful. it takes less then a minute to drill this hole. there is nothing to worry about

EASY! I was just trying to help.