Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Craig on June 01, 2013, 09:52:33 AM

Title: Drilling advise
Post by: Craig on June 01, 2013, 09:52:33 AM
I'm looking into adding a lid bale to my scratch and dent black OTS that I got earlier this year. I ordered the lid bale assembly from ereplacementparts.com. I don't want to screw this up. So what kind of bit do you guys recommend?
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: Bman on June 01, 2013, 09:58:51 AM
A sharp one.  Seriously, that's about it.  Start small, real small, and go slow.  You need to get though the porcelain which is the dangerous part.  After that, the metal is a breeze for the pilot hole.  Then step up in sizes until you reach the final diameter.
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: Heyjude on June 01, 2013, 10:13:17 AM
A step drill bit may work. Be sure to tape off the area prior to drilling. Use some blue painters tape.
It will be easy to see your marks. It may also help to prevent the porcelain from chipping.
Start slow and easy.   8)
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: javahog2002 on June 01, 2013, 10:15:54 AM
I use the tape and a punch to start the hole with a small bit.  Then the stepper bit which makes nice clean hole.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drill-bits-69088.html (http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drill-bits-69088.html)
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: zavod44 on June 01, 2013, 11:19:56 AM
Sometimes a punch can knock off a big piece of enamel.  Just put tape, drill a small hole and go up in size from there....no biggie....

Sent from my XOOM 2 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: mike.stavlund on June 01, 2013, 11:42:13 AM
+1 for tape, sharp bits, small hole, slow.  I've drilled about 10 different holes so far, and not had any chipping (knock on wood).
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: pbe gummi bear on June 02, 2013, 09:58:45 AM
Sometimes a punch can knock off a big piece of enamel.  Just put tape, drill a small hole and go up in size from there....no biggie....

Sent from my XOOM 2 using Tapatalk 2

+1. Just use a sharp drill bit. You can start with a small pilot and move up in increments for larger holes.
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: TexasOnion on November 05, 2014, 07:03:59 AM
drill a small pilot hole and use these      http://www.harborfreight.com/titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drill-bit-set-3-pc-60379.html
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: Harbormaster on November 05, 2014, 12:10:07 PM
And if you have a variable speed drill, use a lower RPM. Higher speeds will cause the porcelain to chip.

Definitely tape the area off with masking tape too. It really helps minimize chipping.

If you do get some chippage that's visible, a stainless fender washer helps cover it up.
Title: Re: Drilling advise
Post by: weirleigh on November 05, 2014, 02:27:08 PM
I did put tape on the kettle both sides before drilling but just used a standard sharp metal drill bit and didn't have any problems on mine