Thread: creating replacement burners for grill

hi ya'll

I'm finishing a project I started 2 years ago and need advice on how to drill 48 holes through 1/8 inch stainless steel.
The holes need to go all the way thru the pipe so it's actually 96 holes.

20170806_102129.jpg 20170806_102147.jpg

I'm trying to recreate burners similar to these.

REPAIR-KIT-FOR-BRINKMANN-810-9520-S-5-BURNER-BBQ-GAS-GRILL-INCLUDES-5-STAINLESS-STEEL-BURNERS-5-.jpg

The hole size will probably be determined by the size needed to be sturdy enough to go through both sides if it's not to big.
The one I was copying had 70 holes per side. I've seen homemade burners with much less and though if I could get my __?__ sized holes spaced out 1/4 inch per hole it would be 48 ish holes.


To make the holes evenly spaced I was going to slice up a 2x4 into 48 1/4" spacer slices and remove the one at a time as the holes get drilled.

The real problem is that I don't have a drill press.

But I do have some large 4 inch gears that I could use to make a the rack and pinion part of a drill press. But that would probably be a whole new project lol

Kinda just brainstorming, any suggestions?

I suspect buyinh a small cheap drill press would be the only sensible starting point.... You won't regret it.

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Make a bush to go over the burner pipe. Drill 2 holes straight through the bush at the spacing you want the holes in the burner. Have 2 drill bits the desired size. One will be a locating pin the other will drill the hole. Cut slice into bush so you can clamp it on tube. Slide bush on tube and clamp it in place. Drill first sets of holes. Release, index to next hole and insert location drill upside down. Clamp. Drill new holes. Rinse repeat.

If you don't have the means of making a bush I'm sure one of us can knock one up for you.

Cheers

Mick

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Mick, location is Orlando - I think that's the one in Florida...

My vote is for buying a drill press too. Even if you sell it after doing this job, it will save a lot of frustration (should be able to get a reasonable amount of money back if you do). Mick's drill jig will help get things lined up. I would also suggest some form of coolant as nothing kills a drill when drilling stainless like heat. A hand spray bottle (adjusted to a stream) will do it and provided you wipe everything down to prevent rust, water will do.

Michael

Doh. Location didn't jump out at me on my phone...

Even a second hand drill press would be handy. Craigslist or similar may be an option.

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https://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/d...242734263.html


hmmm is this brand any good

NAME BRAND- CENTRAL MACHINERY
SPEED- 5 SPEED 760-3070 RPM
TABLE TILT- 45" LEFT/RIGHT
SPINDLE STROKE- 2


THIS DRILL PRESS IS BRAND NEW ONLY USED TWO TIMES

On my way to get a drill press lol

A Murican asking Aussies whether this brand is any good is a novel experience for me. Just saying. Muricans are usually telling people from across the pond which is the best brand.

Central Machinery Drill Press seach on Google returns multiple hits on US sites. Harbour Freight being one. I have never heard of that brand myself. Is it Chinese made?

Looking at the pictures etc I would say it would be fine to do your job. 2900rpm is good for your needs. I would say you should check the drill press for rigidity and quill movement before buying. They look pretty lightly built. You can't expect perfection, but just make sure they are strong enough.

I would suggest using Cobalt (Co) HSS drill bits for stainless. Many HSS drill bits sold these days are not suitable for stainless. I have found that bits suitable will say so on the packaging.

Dean

rigidity and quill movement??

Well i hope its good, i bought it and only tested the power and 5 speeds from an outlet in the back of a Publix shopping center.
Incase anyone ever needs power on the road I've alway found it at the back of shopping centers that contain a Publix but they probably all have them.
This particular one the GFCI outlet wouldn't test pop so I though it wasn't powered, but it worked when I plugged my phone charger into it.

rigidity and quill movement??<br>
<br>
Well i hope its good, i bought it and only tested the power and 5 speeds from an outlet in the back of a Publix shopping center.<br>
Incase anyone ever needs power on the road I've alway found it at the back of shopping centers that contain a Publix but they probably all have them.<br>This particular one the&nbsp;GFCI outlet wouldn't test pop so I though it wasn't powered, but it worked when I plugged my phone charger into it.

For fabbing up a burner a 1/16" hole will work just grand

from another site so I suppose that's the size bit I'll be looking for

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

I would say you should check the drill press for rigidity and quill movement before buying. They look pretty lightly built. You can't expect perfection, but just make sure they are strong enough.

I bought it before I read your post. checked it for power.

Get ready for some hurt and buy extra drill bits. Empty the swear jar first to make some room.. you may well need it with 1/16" small drill.

Job rigidity while drilling is going to be important so the drill doesnt bend.... they don't like bending

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Originally Posted by Oldneweng

2900rpm is good for your needs

The only speed settings close to that are 2180 RPM and 3070 RPM which one should I choose?

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

2900rpm is good for your needs.

Isn't that a little fast for SS? I have more success with low RPM and a high feed rate when drilling SS.

And yeah, Cobalt drill bits are a must.

I'm not an expert on gas burners, but given each burner has 96 holes, 1/16" sounds a little large. What size holes are in the replacement part you showed us?