Ugly Drum Smoker - Page 61

CarrsvilleSmoker · 03-21-2008, 10:29 PM

Good news, just found out I have a food grade drum waiting for me. My uncle was able to get me one from his work that prev. had molasses in it, he even washed it out already. Not sure if it has a lining or not.

Anyway my question is, how hard is it to drill the holes into this thing. I am in the market for a new drill anyways, so just wanted to get some suggestions on how powerful a drill I will need. Is there anyway to get around using a step bit, those things aint cheap.

Meat Burner · 03-21-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarrsvilleSmoker

Good news, just found out I have a food grade drum waiting for me. My uncle was able to get me one from his work that prev. had molasses in it, he even washed it out already. Not sure if it has a lining or not.

Anyway my question is, how hard is it to drill the holes into this thing. I am in the market for a new drill anyways, so just wanted to get some suggestions on how powerful a drill I will need. Is there anyway to get around using a step bit, those things aint cheap.

Trust me brother...buy the step drill bit!

Life will be better.

Bbq Bubba · 03-21-2008, 10:42 PM

I bought a new 1" holesaw for my cordless drill and got 3 drums worth of holes (9) before it wore out. that size hole accepts a 3/4" pipe thread perfectly!

txschutte · 03-22-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

I bought a new 1" holesaw for my cordless drill and got 3 drums worth of holes (9) before it wore out. that size hole accepts a 3/4" pipe thread perfectly!

Use a bit of 3 in 1 oil, I have gotten at least 20 holes from mine.

jeffjenkins1 · 03-22-2008, 12:37 AM

I will be doing a drum this weekend, have to look in my basement to see if I have any old rotobroach bits. then I won't have to worry about wearing drill bits out.

chinesebob · 03-22-2008, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meat Burner

Trust me brother...buy the step drill bit!

Life will be better.

There is more truth to this than you will ever know. I went through 2 in my drilling life which was a total of 6 holes before the step down bit. You can find them reasonably at sears hardware.

HB-BBQ · 03-22-2008, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesebob

There is more truth to this than you will ever know. I went through 2 in my drilling life which was a total of 6 holes before the step down bit. You can find them reasonably at sears hardware.

Harbor Freight also sells the import unibits which are holding up pretty good for me so far. They go on sale once a month for $8.99/3pc set. I think the regular price is only 12.99/set which is still cheaper than buying a single original one. I do feel the originals are sharper and are made out of a better tool steel than the H.F.'s but you can never have too many tools.

ipls3355 · 03-22-2008, 01:07 AM

I got a step bit off eBay for $6.00. May not be the quality of the one at sears, but my UDS didn't know the difference. Buy the cheap one, it will work well for a while if you like it, then go with the $40 one at sears.

txschutte · 03-22-2008, 01:21 AM

Fastenal carries all grades of step bits and hole saws. Check there and you may come out with on you prefer. I buy the higher quality hole saw, and it has served me well. Just keep your hole saws for either metal or wood. Interchanging the material will shorten their life.

Barbarian · 03-22-2008, 01:25 AM

IMHO go with the step bits they worked great and I have built 5 UDS and 1 UDG. The one we used is still in great shape. Harbor Freight for that bit.

Dr_KY · 03-22-2008, 05:08 AM

I'm using the same holw saw I have has for eight years the trick is to use cutting oil and not force it. Remember adjust the drill bit no further than 1/8 of an inch above the holesaw or you wil break it. Those drums are fairly thin so no need for a massive drill but I would buy a quality one with plenty of torque and it will last you for years.

CarrsvilleSmoker · 03-22-2008, 09:46 AM

Not to get off topic of the UDS, but would a quality name brand drill, i.e. DeWalt, would a 12 Volt cordless do the trick or do I need something more powerful. I am somewhat new to having my own tools(lived w/ roommates for years that had plenty of them, so no need to buy)

I was able to find a 13/16 hole saw bit for under 10 bucks, which should match up to the 1/2 inch pipe nipples I was planning on using. This board is great, thanks for all the advice.

Dr_KY · 03-22-2008, 09:53 AM

De-Walt is great as is just about any other brand including a K-Mart special when it comes to drilling a drum.

Lets put it this way, if you took a hardened nail and a hammer you could pierce a drum like these, it's not thick material.

BTW I use a cordless Black and Decker for just about everything.

Dr_KY · 03-22-2008, 10:05 AM

Stainless bolts are in and set eight inches from the top of the drum.

McClung · 03-22-2008, 09:30 PM

I drilled my holes, 2 inch intake and exhaust, with a 1/2 bit and then sawzall. Cleaned up the holes with the dremel. I thought about using my Rotozip but didn't.

03-21-2008, 10:42 PM	#903
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I bought a new 1" holesaw for my cordless drill and got 3 drums worth of holes (9) before it wore out. that size hole accepts a 3/4" pipe thread perfectly! __________________ Pitmaster @ Lockharts BBQ Beer Snob I cook the best brisket north of Dallas. Get over it. Northern midwest director for OBR www.operationbbqrelief.com

03-22-2008, 12:37 AM	#905
jeffjenkins1 is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 03-01-08 Location: Akron, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I will be doing a drum this weekend, have to look in my basement to see if I have any old rotobroach bits. then I won't have to worry about wearing drill bits out. __________________ You do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do! Right now I am working on doing what I want to do! Ole Hickory Ultra Que 2 Primo Oval XL NB American Gourmet offset smoker UDS Turkey Fryer Told you I would get a signature.........

03-22-2008, 01:07 AM	#908
ipls3355 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-27-07 Location: Mattoon, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I got a step bit off eBay for $6.00. May not be the quality of the one at sears, but my UDS didn't know the difference. Buy the cheap one, it will work well for a while if you like it, then go with the $40 one at sears. __________________ Chris Crankin out Q on my ECB since 2005 UDS born September, 2007 22" Weber Kettle 18" Weber Kettle

03-22-2008, 01:21 AM	#909
txschutte Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-02-07 Location: Cozad, NE USA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Fastenal carries all grades of step bits and hole saws. Check there and you may come out with on you prefer. I buy the higher quality hole saw, and it has served me well. Just keep your hole saws for either metal or wood. Interchanging the material will shorten their life. __________________ "Bring it on, you bananna thong wearing killer of brisket!"-Chambers If you really care about this place, you'll show some respect for it. I'm such a ZERO. Team Whosoever Q If a man looks lustfully at eggs and bacon, he has already committed breakfast in his heart.

03-22-2008, 01:25 AM	#910
Barbarian is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-07-07 Location: Middletown California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	IMHO go with the step bits they worked great and I have built 5 UDS and 1 UDG. The one we used is still in great shape. Harbor Freight for that bit. __________________ Cheers, Jerry aka Barbarian Drumhead - UDS x 2 & UDG Thermopen Keep on Smokin' KC native missin' KC IMBAS Certified MOINK Baller 2009 I also support PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals

03-21-2008, 10:29 PM	#901
CarrsvilleSmoker Got Wood. Join Date: 02-27-08 Location: Carrsville, VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Good news, just found out I have a food grade drum waiting for me. My uncle was able to get me one from his work that prev. had molasses in it, he even washed it out already. Not sure if it has a lining or not. Anyway my question is, how hard is it to drill the holes into this thing. I am in the market for a new drill anyways, so just wanted to get some suggestions on how powerful a drill I will need. Is there anyway to get around using a step bit, those things aint cheap.

03-22-2008, 05:08 AM	#911
Dr_KY Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-15-07 Location: England Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm using the same holw saw I have has for eight years the trick is to use cutting oil and not force it. Remember adjust the drill bit no further than 1/8 of an inch above the holesaw or you wil break it. Those drums are fairly thin so no need for a massive drill but I would buy a quality one with plenty of torque and it will last you for years. __________________ www.drsweetsmoke.com Slappin that bass like some delerious funky preist!!! UDS, Half Pint (Mini UDS), Weber, ProQ 20, Kegrilla 250 gallon cooker- 'The Meat Beast!!' British BBQ Championships Grand Champion 2008 ~~~~ British BBQ Society - Southern Championship Grand Champions 2009

03-22-2008, 09:46 AM	#912
CarrsvilleSmoker Got Wood. Join Date: 02-27-08 Location: Carrsville, VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Not to get off topic of the UDS, but would a quality name brand drill, i.e. DeWalt, would a 12 Volt cordless do the trick or do I need something more powerful. I am somewhat new to having my own tools(lived w/ roommates for years that had plenty of them, so no need to buy) I was able to find a 13/16 hole saw bit for under 10 bucks, which should match up to the 1/2 inch pipe nipples I was planning on using. This board is great, thanks for all the advice.

03-22-2008, 09:53 AM	#913
Dr_KY Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-15-07 Location: England Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	De-Walt is great as is just about any other brand including a K-Mart special when it comes to drilling a drum. Lets put it this way, if you took a hardened nail and a hammer you could pierce a drum like these, it's not thick material. BTW I use a cordless Black and Decker for just about everything. __________________ www.drsweetsmoke.com Slappin that bass like some delerious funky preist!!! UDS, Half Pint (Mini UDS), Weber, ProQ 20, Kegrilla 250 gallon cooker- 'The Meat Beast!!' British BBQ Championships Grand Champion 2008 ~~~~ British BBQ Society - Southern Championship Grand Champions 2009

03-22-2008, 10:05 AM	#914
Dr_KY Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-15-07 Location: England Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Stainless bolts are in and set eight inches from the top of the drum. __________________ www.drsweetsmoke.com Slappin that bass like some delerious funky preist!!! UDS, Half Pint (Mini UDS), Weber, ProQ 20, Kegrilla 250 gallon cooker- 'The Meat Beast!!' British BBQ Championships Grand Champion 2008 ~~~~ British BBQ Society - Southern Championship Grand Champions 2009

03-22-2008, 09:30 PM	#915
McClung is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-19-08 Location: Edgewood, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I drilled my holes, 2 inch intake and exhaust, with a 1/2 bit and then sawzall. Cleaned up the holes with the dremel. I thought about using my Rotozip but didn't.

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