National Homebrew Club Ireland

at the minute I've a 40l buffalo boiler with two 2.4kw elements in it. I used a 40mm a-max cutter to cut the holes and it was a great job. Just wondering have many folks used these and would it be good for a keg? Considering switching the two elements over.

I do know that the cutters have a thickness limit as to what they can cut. Anybody any advice on the best job for drilling holes if it doesn't suit? Step bit, normal hole saw bit ?


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Some have had success with qmax cutters on kegs. I tried and got 2 holes dine before it gave up the ghost. I got some cheap step bits on Ali express and they're still going strong.

 I don't think the qmax will cut the kegs, the walls are too thick, I tried to use a 19mm qmax for a tap on a keg and gave up. I got a step bit instead.

I got titanium tipped hole saws on eBay but haven't got around to using them yet

I've used 20mm holesaw cutters on RSJs at 10mm thickness with cutting compound and the knack is slow and easy so you don't overheat the cutter.I have a keg myself that I have just acquired so will be giving that a whirl in a few weeks as I need it as a HLT..

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http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/0232507/?tpr=3

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cutting-fluids/0691347/

The best way to cut a keg hole is a step drill bit and plenty cutting compound. Nice and slow as stainless is horrible to drill.

Good to know for the q-Max's then. Thanks for that

Will probably just get a few off eBay and see how I go, thanks a million


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Have done 3 vessels with holes for three half inch taps using a step bit sourced from here
http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/GreenLee-36414-1-3-8-step-drill-bit

I also used a 35mm hole saw to cut holes in 1 of the vessels & also the step bit. Search for 38mm for others experience doing the same thing. To echo others posts slow speed with high torque drill is preferable. I have used water from a spray bottle rather than any special compound. My memory was that the step bit was slower but produced a better hole :)

Having also drilled a herms pot recently that has a thinner wall I had trouble getting a water tight seal so I used the following food safe compound called fernox -
http://www.ie.screwfix.com/fernox-ls-x-leak-sealer-50ml.html?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Shopping&gclid=CMinwpTN99ICFca37QodZnoOmg&gclsrc=aw.ds

I assume your going to use compression fittings e.g. a threaded ss nipple, a ss lockout, a silicone seal & a ss washer.
If so I would advise when your drilling holes to drill them slightly smaller than required. Then for the last mm or you use a hand file to file off the burs. This will allow you to get a tighter seal as you can screw the threaded ss nipple through the hole & in effect use the threads of the nipple to thread the hole.

The risk with using the exact size is that if your marginally off centre the hole can be too big & then your in to trying to seal the hole with the sealant. Hope that helps.

Shanna

Awesome advice shanna, thanks so much


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