how to make a big hole - needing help from the handy

motley que · 06-22-2007, 08:25 PM

ok so i am building another drum. instead of all the vents, i want to do something like N8dawd did. I just want 1 big vent. my step bit goes to 1.5 inches, I want to make a 2.5 or 3 inch hole.

My thought is to copy a 3 inch circle onto the drum and just use the bit to make the hole then extend it to make it larger.

thoughts? ideas?

Beerwolf · 06-22-2007, 08:29 PM

Ive made a decent looking 2 1/2" hole using the edge of my grinder. It wasnt absolutely perfect, but once I welded the tubing in the hole it looked pretty sanitary. Layout your cutting line and make a few passes with the edge of your grinder to make a "pilot". Once you see the steel starting to turn blue, you will know you are almost thru the metal.

jpw23 · 06-22-2007, 08:29 PM

Buy a hole saw

Meat Burner · 06-22-2007, 08:29 PM

Maybe it's just me but explain that again...a different way.

nthole · 06-22-2007, 08:29 PM

Use an angle grinder or reciprocating saw on a drawn circle. The saw would be easier. Even a jigsaw with a metal blade would probably work.

Grinding out with the bit is going to suck some ass.

motley que · 06-22-2007, 08:31 PM

i have no power tools, but the drill. thats why i am looking for help

Beerwolf · 06-22-2007, 08:35 PM

If all youve got is a Drill, go with the hole saw. You can nab one at Harbor Freight for about 5 bucks. I will probably do that job and maybe one more, but it will get her done. Aside from that... the other option is a 20 gauge, if thats too small go with a 16 gauge.

BBQchef33 · 06-22-2007, 08:36 PM

i vote for the hole saw.. or a roto-tool.

or if thoese are not options, drill lots holes around the circumference, and whack it outt with a ball peen hammer.

But im a big advocate of the right tool for the job. it will save you alot of time, frustration, crappy workmanship and busted knuckles.

Brauma · 06-22-2007, 08:41 PM

Blue tip wrench

BBQchef33 · 06-22-2007, 08:43 PM

nice brauma.. im sure we all got one of them in our back pocket.

Beerwolf · 06-22-2007, 08:44 PM

One other option is to find an Electrician and make him your best friend in the world and ask if he has any Greenlee punches that go that big. That is what I used on my keg conversions and they are slicker than poop thru a goose

nthole · 06-22-2007, 08:49 PM

Many holes drilled around the perimeter is probably best then. Then a simple hole saw would probably open it up.

Jigsaws are pretty useful and cheap. If you're in west county pm me and I might be able to get you a tool.

Brauma · 06-22-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQchef33

nice brauma.. im sure we all got one of them in our back pocket.

Is that your Blue-Tip wrench or are you just happy to see me?

Thawley · 06-22-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerwolf

One other option is to find an Electrician and make him your best friend in the world and ask if he has any Greenlee punches that go that big. That is what I used on my keg conversions and they are slicker than poop thru a goose

That would make the cleanest ho' IMHO. I've had mixed results with ho'saws in steel. Especially big ones. Pretty easy to dull the cheap ones down if you're not careful. Oil the cutting teeth frequently while cutting.

Still, might be easier to find a friendly trademans with a Greenlee punch who'll trade makin' a ho' for a fatty...

MAsQue · 06-22-2007, 10:16 PM

You could probably get a nibbling tool that will cut 18 guage steel for about $8.

06-22-2007, 08:25 PM	#1
motley que is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-06 Location: St. Q'ouis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	how to make a big hole - needing help from the handy ok so i am building another drum. instead of all the vents, i want to do something like N8dawd did. I just want 1 big vent. my step bit goes to 1.5 inches, I want to make a 2.5 or 3 inch hole. My thought is to copy a 3 inch circle onto the drum and just use the bit to make the hole then extend it to make it larger. thoughts? ideas? __________________ 22-1/2 Weber Kettle with Rotisserie Weber Performer WSM 30 qt outdoor cooker Blue Drum Smoker Red Drum Smoker Orange Drum Smoker Weber Smokey Joe - my 3 yr olds pit Blue Thermopen Harbor Freight Weed Burner Tired, but wiser for the time

06-22-2007, 08:29 PM	#3
jpw23 Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-02-05 Location: Ky Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Buy a hole saw __________________ __________________ --------------------------------------------------- Chargriller pro offset X 2 Brinkman Gourmet Smoker 7-N-1 r2d2 looking cooker(on loan never to be returned) Slightly bent Weber kettle Scratch and dent wally world Uniflame kettle new link to new musical adventure coming soon!!!!

06-22-2007, 08:29 PM	#4
Meat Burner Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-22-07 Location: Springfield, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Maybe it's just me but explain that again...a different way. __________________ my avatar swiped fatties from the plate....look how sorry he is. ________ Meat. NB Bandera with mods Weber 22 .5" x 2, 26.75" x 1 UDS x 3 KCBS CBJ Created "The Great Spam Revelation of 2011." www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111155

06-22-2007, 08:29 PM	#5
nthole Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Use an angle grinder or reciprocating saw on a drawn circle. The saw would be easier. Even a jigsaw with a metal blade would probably work. Grinding out with the bit is going to suck some ass. __________________ Neil -- "Easy Bake Master" NB Bandera [gone to heaven...conveniently located in Long Island, NY] Rebel 23, WSM A, WSM B, UDS, Easy Bake Oven Pork Pistols BBQ MOFO Illuminati MOINK...It's what's for linner.

06-22-2007, 08:31 PM	#6
motley que is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-07-06 Location: St. Q'ouis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	i have no power tools, but the drill. thats why i am looking for help __________________ 22-1/2 Weber Kettle with Rotisserie Weber Performer WSM 30 qt outdoor cooker Blue Drum Smoker Red Drum Smoker Orange Drum Smoker Weber Smokey Joe - my 3 yr olds pit Blue Thermopen Harbor Freight Weed Burner Tired, but wiser for the time

06-22-2007, 08:29 PM	#2
Beerwolf Take a breath! Join Date: 06-03-07 Location: Cloverdale, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ive made a decent looking 2 1/2" hole using the edge of my grinder. It wasnt absolutely perfect, but once I welded the tubing in the hole it looked pretty sanitary. Layout your cutting line and make a few passes with the edge of your grinder to make a "pilot". Once you see the steel starting to turn blue, you will know you are almost thru the metal.

06-22-2007, 08:35 PM	#7
Beerwolf Take a breath! Join Date: 06-03-07 Location: Cloverdale, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If all youve got is a Drill, go with the hole saw. You can nab one at Harbor Freight for about 5 bucks. I will probably do that job and maybe one more, but it will get her done. Aside from that... the other option is a 20 gauge, if thats too small go with a 16 gauge.

06-22-2007, 08:36 PM	#8
BBQchef33 Grand Poobah and Site Admin Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 10 Uploads: 4	i vote for the hole saw.. or a roto-tool. or if thoese are not options, drill lots holes around the circumference, and whack it outt with a ball peen hammer. But im a big advocate of the right tool for the job. it will save you alot of time, frustration, crappy workmanship and busted knuckles. __________________ Site Administrator and Grand PooBah CBJ with a Fuzzy Blue Hat, 18 Foot Competition Trailer, Customized Klose BYC, Custom Klose built MoAB (Mother of All Banderas) passed on to Big Dog, 1 Double Barreled Lang 84, 1 Heavily Modified Bionic Bandera, 1 Custom Super Medium Stickburning Spicewine w/stoker, 1 XL BGE, 1 Mini BGE, 1 Pit Barrel Cooker, 3 WSMs, 3 Weber Kettles, an NB Hondo, A Modified Brinkman Horizontal, DCS 48" Grill, a Broilmaster P3, a covered, pellet pooping FEC100, and our duck died. :( News Flash: "A mans worth is judged by the weight of his integrity " You know your getting older when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy Smoke on KC. WWW.BBQ-BRETHREN.COM

06-22-2007, 08:41 PM	#9
Brauma Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-04-05 Location: Goochland, VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Blue tip wrench __________________ Mark - part of Cat Sass BBQ Team. Community Development VP - Secret Squirrel Society (but we don't exist) Member: Mid Atlantic BBQ Association. Member: KCBS. CBJ # 31818 "Life's too short to drink cheap beer or eat crotchpot BBQ" NB Bandera - refurbished; Two Big Green Eggs: Poncho - Large, and Lefty - Small; Weber Kettles; 6' fire pit; Super fast Blue Thermapen

06-22-2007, 08:43 PM	#10
BBQchef33 Grand Poobah and Site Admin Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 10 Uploads: 4	nice brauma.. im sure we all got one of them in our back pocket. __________________ Site Administrator and Grand PooBah CBJ with a Fuzzy Blue Hat, 18 Foot Competition Trailer, Customized Klose BYC, Custom Klose built MoAB (Mother of All Banderas) passed on to Big Dog, 1 Double Barreled Lang 84, 1 Heavily Modified Bionic Bandera, 1 Custom Super Medium Stickburning Spicewine w/stoker, 1 XL BGE, 1 Mini BGE, 1 Pit Barrel Cooker, 3 WSMs, 3 Weber Kettles, an NB Hondo, A Modified Brinkman Horizontal, DCS 48" Grill, a Broilmaster P3, a covered, pellet pooping FEC100, and our duck died. :( News Flash: "A mans worth is judged by the weight of his integrity " You know your getting older when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy Smoke on KC. WWW.BBQ-BRETHREN.COM

06-22-2007, 08:44 PM	#11
Beerwolf Take a breath! Join Date: 06-03-07 Location: Cloverdale, Ca Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	One other option is to find an Electrician and make him your best friend in the world and ask if he has any Greenlee punches that go that big. That is what I used on my keg conversions and they are slicker than poop thru a goose

06-22-2007, 08:49 PM	#12
nthole Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: St. Louis Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Many holes drilled around the perimeter is probably best then. Then a simple hole saw would probably open it up. Jigsaws are pretty useful and cheap. If you're in west county pm me and I might be able to get you a tool. __________________ Neil -- "Easy Bake Master" NB Bandera [gone to heaven...conveniently located in Long Island, NY] Rebel 23, WSM A, WSM B, UDS, Easy Bake Oven Pork Pistols BBQ MOFO Illuminati MOINK...It's what's for linner.

06-22-2007, 10:16 PM	#15
MAsQue is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-04-07 Location: Lake Grove, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You could probably get a nibbling tool that will cut 18 guage steel for about $8. __________________ Brian Ma's 'Que Crew BBQ Team Ma's BBQ and Catering "Texas BBQ" propane tank stick burner Brinkman Cimmaron CBJ #6502

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