National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => North County Brewers => Topic started by: mcgrath on August 10, 2014, 02:48:01 PM

Title: Stainless drilling
Post by: mcgrath on August 10, 2014, 02:48:01 PM
I have a stainless Swan boiler(similar to burco) that I've been just heating water with. I want to replace the rubbish tap on it with a half inch ball valve.
Will require widening the opening. Anyone local know whats involved and have the tools etc? No panic on it. It's just on the to do list..
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: Jacob on August 10, 2014, 04:02:05 PM
All you need is a step drill. Will talk on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: mcgrath on August 10, 2014, 04:42:34 PM
Cool..
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: RichC on August 10, 2014, 11:27:34 PM
I have a qmax cutter that I used on my buffalo. I think its 20.7mm. Let me know if you need it
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: Will_D on August 11, 2014, 11:03:08 AM
Quote from: mcgrath on August 10, 2014, 04:42:34 PM
Cool..
And importantly a source of cool water to cool the steel and keep the cutter cool.

Slow and cool is the way to go when drilling/machining stainless.

A q-max cutter is different as its just a punch that cuts the hole cleanly without heat. Ok for thin pots but maybe not a keg!.

As Jacob said more chat on tuesday. Maybe we should start up "Tool Time" whereby people who know talk a bit about thye toosl and techniques?
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: mcgrath on August 11, 2014, 11:25:52 AM
Quote from: RichC on August 10, 2014, 11:27:34 PM
I have a qmax cutter that I used on my buffalo. I think its 20.7mm. Let me know if you need it
Thanks for the offer. I'll get my dimensions sorted and get back to you..
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: sub82 on August 11, 2014, 01:44:47 PM
Aye those wee Q-Max cutters are great - used one at the weekend there to punch a hole in my SS stockpot.
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: Shanna on August 11, 2014, 02:05:03 PM
Quote from: sub82 on August 11, 2014, 01:44:47 PM
Aye those wee Q-Max cutters are great - used one at the weekend there to punch a hole in my SS stockpot.
Any hints where you got the q-max cutter?

Shanna
Title: Re: Stainless drilling
Post by: sub82 on August 11, 2014, 02:53:15 PM
Oh yeah!

I got mine from Angel Homebrew (http://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/en/13-homebrew-tool).