Drilling the tower

[moxie]

So after an extended period of acquiring the necessary parts, I am ready to drill a hole in my brass/chrome beer tower to add that second tap. I don't really have a vice or anything to hold the tower steady, (or a drill press) and I am not too experienced when it comes to drilling through metal, (especially a convex surface like the tower!) Any tips to help avoid destroying this beast? I am considering drilling it in place, mounted to the kegerator. I will be using a 1" bi-metal hole saw. I know with a step bit you are supposed to apply a lot of pressure and slow drill speed, should I do something similar with the hole saw? I was thinking about putting some masking tape on the surface of the tower to "try" to avoid chipping if possible.

[mr x]

I would use a pilot bit first to make a hole to keep the hole saw from wandering. I'm not a big fan of high speed drilling, and I would use lots of lubricant.

[BBrianBoogie]

Yup, start with a small bit. Go slow.

[Jmac00]

two pieces of wood with a ratchet strap might act like a vice and prevent it from rolling around on ya. Got a punch you could hit where you're gonna drill? would help so the bit doesn't slide until you get it going.

[derek]

Surely somebody here has a drill press you could use - especially if you're bringing your own bits. I'm really, really, sorry I sold mine before I moved here.

[moxie]

There are two tools that I always seem to need every month or two and I have never gone out and bought because I can "do it without." An angle grinder, and a drill press! I agree, mounting the tower in some sort of a vice would be ideal, but I am hoping to set up the tower ASAP, we have some company coming this weekend, so I think I might just risk it... Any substitute for cutting oil if I don't have any on hand? I have a close to empty jug of motorcycle oil that might work.

[LiverDance]

I've alwasy drilled my shank holes (always in large fridges) with a 7/8" hole saw bit, you may get too big of a hole with 1" as they tend to get away from ya a bit. I would use a step bit if you've got it instead of a hole saw on a finished metal like your tower, you can pick a cheap one up at PA.

[mr x]

There are two tools that I always seem to need every month or two and I have never gone out and bought because I can "do it without." An angle grinder, and a drill press! I agree, mounting the tower in some sort of a vice would be ideal, but I am hoping to set up the tower ASAP, we have some company coming this weekend, so I think I might just risk it... Any substitute for cutting oil if I don't have any on hand? I have a close to empty jug of motorcycle oil that might work.

Any oil will be an improvement over nothing.

[ratchet]

that oil will be perfectly fine for drilling that... please remember that the chrome will be a very hard layer.

be sure to use a punch to give the pilot something that will prevent skipping.

[moxie]

Thanks for the input, guys. I think I am going to go grab a step bit up to 7/8" since like LD said, the 1" may be a tiny bit too large. I'll let you know how it turned out.