Im gaining on it slowly. Spent 50 bucks on a dewalt cobalt step bit thats made for 1/8 stainless and it died on me after 3 3/4 holes. I did get all the 1/4 holes done tonight. Got 11 more 3/4 holes to go.
Wow this thing is impressive!
It was worth the time and effort but if I build another stainless drum I'm paying extra to have the holes drilled. I ended up going to a buddy's shop to use his heavy duty tools. My cheap tools just wasn't up to the task of drilling stainless. We had to step up from 1/4 inch bits when drilling the 3/4 inch holes. We had 3 drills going with three different bits just to keep them cool.
In the end we ended up using a big slow speed high torque industrial drill and that thing ate it up. Went through it like butter..wish we thought of using that sooner. The holes in the picture shows just how hot it gets when you lose patience and try to rush things. We got those cleaned up and cut to the proper size.
I'll be burning a basket full tomorrow after work then a pork loin cook Sunday.
Can't wait ! I've missed cooking on a drum.