drilling holes in broken leg sockets

[crowderjd]

Hello all,

I have a new kettle (pics forthcoming) that I'm restoring.  Two leg sockets are broken, and I planned on reattaching via screws which I've seen here on the site.  The problem is drilling the holes...I've tried my cordless drill with a metal drill bit, which I've used for drilling holes in an IMUSA pot in the past (WSM build), but it won't even start to drill a hole in the leg socket.  Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks!

[Uncle Al]

It is possible you have a dull bit.  Do you have any other bits you could try?

[brewtownbeatdown]

It is possible you have a dull bit.  Do you have any other bits you could try?

Definitely sounds like a dull bit. Also might wanna start with a 1/16" bit to drill a pilot hole. Go slow when using the final diameter bit, so you're less likely to chip porcelain. 


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[Darko]

I used self tapping metal screws on my blue. Worked like a charm.

[varekai]

The one thing you DON'T want to do is run the drill full throttle, slow speed, steady pressure...and what brewtown said, start small and go bigger as needed.

[crowderjd]

Thanks all, I'll give it a shot tomorrow with some of your suggestions!

[Hetron]

And put some oil on the bit to keep it cool.

[Geezer]

Is the drill in reverse?

[DirectDrive]

Also many of the bits you see at the store have 118° tip angles.
I like the 135° tip for heavy duty work.
Chances are that the salesman will not know the difference.
You will have to "eyeball" them.

I just drilled through a kettle lid yesterday using a 3/32" 135° for pilot then switching to a Uni Bit  for a 1/4" hole.
Drill through some blue painter's tape to keep the pilot bit from slipping.

[jeffrackmo]

What @Darko and @Verakai said.  I used an electric drill with a 1/4 titanium bit.  SLow slow slow... Then followed up with Self tapping screws.

Good Luck!!!

[Anglerman]

I used a die grinder with a tiny carbide bit to just remove to porcelain then a regular bit will work just fine.

[crowderjd]

Is the drill in reverse?

Last night laying in bed, I thought about that...how dumb am I if that was the case...I'll let you know later today.

[crowderjd]

OK...I did NOT have the drill in reverse, but the bit is very dull.