Just want to add 2 observations regarding the built characteristics of the lid and bowl of the LE in comparison to the regular lid and bowl. First, the porcelain coating on the LE is slightly thinner. Don't really have a way of measuring the thickness of the porcelain coating other than eyeballing it when i drilled the holes. I'm also assuming the thinner porcelain because when drilling, there's very minimal to almost zero chipping or cracking adjacent to the holes that's drilled. Holes came out very smooth even when i used the step-drill, which i might add, not very sharp. I verified that the LE is less prone to chipping while drilling holes by drilling holes on an old damaged bowl. The holes on the old bowl came out much rougher. There's a lot of little porcelain/enamel fractures around the hole and also some chipping which is very consistent with my prior experience drilling holes on the kettle.
Second observation is the metal probably has a different characteristics/composition. I found it harder to drill through the metal even with a freshly sharpened bits.
Some finishing photos:
I just cut the handle all the way to the portion that's welded to the bowl. Drilled 2 holes through the remaining welded portion of the handle and attached a ss strip that i cut from a tong.