This is similar to what I was thinking thanks. Put a piece of 12mm round bar between the frame and door at the 'low' part, close the door so the round bar is trapped then 4x G clamps on each corner. Heating and tightening at the same time to bring or back in.hogaboomer wrote: ↑January 27th, 2021, 12:42 pmRig something to hold the two sides down and push the middle with a bottle jack.
Haha I wish, I'd take a picture or my garage/workshop but 1) it's embarrassing the state of it and 2) there's literally zero space left!!Dirtytires wrote: ↑January 28th, 2021, 11:04 amMight just be time to buy a shop press....I had no idea how often I would use it but now can’t imagine being without it.
I wasnt using oil, after a bit of research yesterday I think i'll have to do that. Yes it seems that one hole is much harder now (I guess due to hardening) I also learnt the sideways torque lesson the hard way, thankfully a broken bit rather than a broken wrist!dacolson wrote: ↑February 2nd, 2021, 2:17 pmAre you using tap oil? Or WD40. Heat can cause work hardening which is hard on bits so you want to avoid it vs just letting it cool. Slower is better and use oil. It sounds like you are starting with a smaller bit and moving up? That can help but I find that using a step bit to get you most of the way is a lot easier on the bits. Also, if you are hand drilling, keep as steady as possible. A little sideways torque can snap you right off. Any larger than 20mm and I'd switch to a hole saw through that 6mm steel on a hand drill.
Step bit:
Screen Shot 2021-02-02 at 1.14.09 PM.png
Tap oil:
Screen Shot 2021-02-02 at 1.15.25 PM.png
Thats a good idea, I'd need to check the threads/depth as the thermometers are different from the 'probe type' ones.Big T wrote: ↑February 2nd, 2021, 10:46 pmI drilled several 7/8'' holes in 3/8'' plate on a cooker that I built about 10 years ago and it was a nightmare. When I was building my next cooker I started dreading having to drill the holes for my thermometers and someone recommended blowing a hole with a torch and welding a threaded coupler in the hole. I have used this method to mount my thermometers from that day forward.
Just did a smaller hole and threaded it for the handles, worked so much better with oil thanks!Cole Leffert wrote: ↑February 3rd, 2021, 8:37 amYou can't over do the oil but not enough and you will work harden the steel and mess up the heat treat on the drill and the drill will be trash and keep the rpm slow!
I probably didn't need it but I am a big fan of building stuff overkill!! Two wasn't going to hurt anything but one could possible not be enough! More important, I thought it looked cool!!!BigPete wrote: ↑February 4th, 2021, 1:26 pmJust did a smaller hole and threaded it for the handles, worked so much better with oil thanks!Cole Leffert wrote: ↑February 3rd, 2021, 8:37 amYou can't over do the oil but not enough and you will work harden the steel and mess up the heat treat on the drill and the drill will be trash and keep the rpm slow!
Random question, if I'm making grills from mild steel do I need to remove the mill scale?
Also 1 or 2 handles/locks on the door. @Cole I saw you did 2 locks, any reason why you did?
Have one on order after all the swearing at 9am this morning
Your step bit is trashed at the width you are at. Dull. It’s done.BigPete wrote: ↑February 6th, 2021, 5:28 amHaha yes it does look cool.
Check this out, I'm still struggling to get this hole widened from 16/18mm to 20mm. A brand new bit, slowly with oil did absolutely nothing. Really at a loss how to get this drilled I guess as it's hardened now.
Here's the b@stard hole vs one that went ok.20210206_102604.jpg
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Here's also the handle, end drilled, tapped and finished with a countersunk washer.
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