Couple weeks ago, me boi Jimmy-da-welder took back my gas tank and the 3/16 plate I made to strengthen and shim-up the filler assembly. He was excited to use stainless this time because it leaves fewer voids, so he promised a nice smooth, no-leak finish.
Couple days ago I got it back from him and sho-nuff: smooth, shiny; great.
Now to drill out the five holes for the filler....
what the..
HEY!!
Three hours (and several bits) into it, I now have half a hole. Tried the small bits, the step bit, went to the store and bought some Milwaukee colbalt bits. Broke two of them.
Tried cutting fluid, tried without fluid; slow, very slow and not-so-slow. I tried pulsing the drill, pushing hard, not so hard and too hard. Pilot holes, straight in with the 5/32, everything in between.
I tried getting the tank up in my drill press. No-go.
I tried the internet. The consensus there, among welders and drillers, is, when welding with stainless stick: DRILL THE HOLES FIRST, THEN WELD.
Now they tell me?
Jimmy says he can drill it for me but I'm not so sure. I guess I'mma just give it back to him and cross my fingers.