Drilling into a stainless fridge.

[Topher]

Building new keg fridge and the stainless shell is very thin, but super tough.
I had no trouble putting the drip tray on, and drilling an 8mm hole for the gas line was alright. But how do I get a neat 20mm hole for the shanks?
Tried some spade bits, (and yes I know they are supposed to be for timber), but they actually melted!

What is the correct tool for cracking this tough nut?

 

[CoopsOz]

I would just do a small pilot hole and then finish off with a step bit.

 

[Maheel]

us a carbide or HSS metal hole saw i reckon

i have some of these (mine are maybe a better brand...) and they cut very well
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Hole-Saw-Tooth-Kit-HSS-Steel-Holesaw-Drill-Bit-Cutter-Tool-Set-For-Metal-Wood-AU-/121034714501?pt=AU_Tool_Parts_Accessories&var=&hash=item1c2e3b2d85

or this type work well
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Carbide-Tip-Metal-Cutter-Hole-Saw-Select-from-15-to-100mm-/151077100760?pt=AU_Tool_Parts_Accessories&var=&hash=item232ce59cd8

 

[shaunous]

Tried some spade bits, (and yes I know they are supposed to be for timber), but they actually melted!

Crazy *******, wonder it didnt grab and snap your wrist in half :huh:

Decent stainless hole saw would be the go, OR a crap load of smaller tiny holes around the edge of your 20mm outline and do it that way. chances are it wouldnt have to be a perfect smooth circle anyway as it'd be hidden, cheaper option as you already have drill bits.

 

[Dave70]

The hole saws work well, but step drills are the go. We use them here all the time for anything up to 3mm G 450 - Z 350 blah..blah ..blah, anyway, its nasty high tensile and a bitch to drill.
Their 'step' design makes them far less grabby. But spend the money on a half decent one or stainless will just laugh at it and burr it over.
Medium speed and a few squirts of lube, WD will do the job, is the go.

 

[Eagleburger]

I would just do a small pilot hole and then finish off with a step bit.

I wouldnt put a twist drill near thin stainless unless is it <3mm. Step drills dont need pilot, just go for it. I used one to pilot a hole punch

 

[Topher]

Great advice guys, thanks. I'll go to the big green shed today and get the "right tool for the job".

 

[MitchD]

Any standard 20mm holesaw (starett, Sutton, Lennox brand) with an arbour. Pilot drill a 3mm hole at full speed. Then put the holesaw through at low speed, nice and slow with even pressure.

 

[Goose]

Slightly off topic... how can you make sure that where you drill isn't impacting on an electrical wire or worst a refrigerant conduit...

I drilled into my new kegerator only to find after I tried to power on it tripped the circuit breaker in the house. Turned out a wire that connected a light switch inside was imbedded in the foam insulation. :blink: aaaaaaaaaaaargh. I had no way of knowing where it was. Just shit luck.

 

[MastersBrewery]

Slightly off topic... how can you make sure that where you drill isn't impacting on an electrical wire or worst a refrigerant conduit...

I drilled into my new kegerator only to find after I tried to power on it tripped the circuit breaker in the house. Turned out a wire that connected a light switch inside was imbedded in the foam insulation. :blink: aaaaaaaaaaaargh. I had no way of knowing where it was. Just shit luck.

The best solution is using a soldering iron through the plastic on the inside, then 'explore' through the foam carefully with a screw driver, then drill the outside

 

[spog]

The best solution is using a soldering iron through the plastic on the inside, then 'explore' through the foam carefully with a screw driver, then drill the outside

Or the opposite, drill a small hole from the outside and explore with a piece of wire etc to see if you are not going to hit some thing you shouldn't .
Make sure the power to the fridge is turned off!
Grab some plastic push in caps from the hardware shop and a drill bit to suit so if you drill in he wrong spot, bung a plug in the hole and try again.

 

[wombil]

If you'rd doing a frige just go through the door

 

[Chris7]

Or the opposite, drill a small hole from the outside and explore with a piece of wire etc to see if you are not going to hit some thing you shouldn't .

You certainly could do this, and each to their own, but using the soldering iron on the inside first is a much safer option in my opinion and the option I have chosen to use ever since I hit a coolant line on my first fridge with the outside drilling method. I use the soldering iron to melt the hole in the plastic and insulation to the right size that I want, and then make the hole on the outside once I know the coast is clear. As always, have the fridge unplugged, and if using a soldering iron ensure there is adequate ventilation and you are wearing some sort of mask as the melted plastic/insulation lets off some nasty stuff.

Just my 2c