I am working on a rework on my drip heater.

What is the smallest hole that can be drilled in to steel?

My plan is to build the drip like my last one, but with a smaller hole this time and I will put the oil system under pressure by using a propane tank for the oil and welding in a fill spout with a lid and a connection for a pressure regulator.

Well, McMaster-Carr has a .0019" (.05mm) diameter bit (part #8904A11), if you have the skill and equipment to drill a hole with it!

take a look at what the babington burner people on wastewatts yahoogroup suggest for this purpose.

harbor freight has rasp drill bits down around
.010" very fragile.

you can also drill a 1/16" hole and epoxy it closed , using a bristle for a wire brush to form a nozzle.

Hi Hades,
Smallest hole I've ever drilled is in brass at about .010, and that was using a lathe. Really common steels like 1018 (available everywhere) are very difficult to drill small holes in without breaking the bit. However, 12L14 is a leaded free machineing steel that turns and drills very easily. If it has to be steel, thats what I would use. Just my two cents! Good Luck!
Chris

quote:

you can also drill a 1/16" hole and epoxy it closed , using a bristle for a wire brush to form a nozzle.

HEY! I like that! That's very clever!

quote:

Originally posted by mobetta:
harbor freight has rasp drill bits down around
.010" very fragile.

you can also drill a 1/16" hole and epoxy it closed , using a bristle for a wire brush to form a nozzle.

So just pull the wire out once the epoxy sets?


the hole will be in a Black pipe Cap.

You'll probably want to coat the wire in grease to make sure the epoxy doesn't adhere to it, but if you do that, then, yeah, it should pull right out and live a tiny little hole.