Punching holes into a cartomizer

[golferman]

Hi

I got some DCT tanks and I bought some dc xl steel cartomizers. I am trying to punch a hole in the cartomizer. But it is not easy. I bought a punch to use but it is still difficult. Did I buy the wrong ones? Should I have got aluminum ones or something. These seem like they were made so you couldn't punch holes in them they are so solid. Or did I buy the right ones, it's just that I am a wimp or something. I am going to go and buy me a little table vice, maybe it would be easier but the steel is still going to be really hard. I am thinking about getting me a dermal but will the castommizer still be to hard. Did I buy the right cartomizers they are dc ce2 xl cartomizers. Please, any help would be greatly appreciated. Did I buy the wrong ones or what. These cartomizers seem to be built not to have holes punched in them.

Thanks for any help I might receive.

 

[rolygate]

Carto bodies are steel, I don't know if it's possible to 'punch holes' in them. Sure wouldn't use any of my leather punches on 'em

I'd put it in a vice and either drill a hole or cut a slot with a Dremel cutting disk.

Two things: put a strong drip tip in (not a glass one) before you place it in the vice, otherwise the top end opening will distort. And, try to clean off the swarf well, before you use it (swarf is the metal filings / drillings).

Most people don't have a Dremel so will use a drill. I'd use a 3mm or 4mm drill at a low speed (one-eighth inch or slightly bigger).

The trick to drilling a hole in a cylinder is to tape it with two or three winds of insulating tape first, which helps to hold the drill bit in place at first. Otherwise, it just skates off. Another method is to drill right up against the vice jaw, as the drill bit can't drop down. You get a small channel in the vice jaw but that's one reason why pros use replaceable soft jaw inserts that can be changed occasionally, for a small-job bench vice. Anyway the channel will come in handy next time.

Oh - I forgot 'elf & safety ......... If you use a Dremel, you must wear eye protection. Even if you are wearing goggles, never position yourself so you are looking at the edge of a cutting disk - that's where the shrapnel will be going if (when) a disk breaks. Your eyes might be OK but digging shrapnel out of your face is no fun. And it leaves a dirty black mark under the skin that can't be removed (yes I have broken everything that can be broken and somehow lived to tell the tale).

Amateur drillers should also wear goggles. Small stuff like this breaks easy. A drill press is the #1 tool for these jobs but few own one. One of the problems is that if you go too deep with the drill, you will wreck the carto. And you will

For try #2, you will figure out a way to have a 'drill stop' built into the process: a way to stop the drill jumping in too deep when it breaks through. The preferred way is to have your hands blocked by something solid so you just can't get any more depth on the drill. Tricky, but you'll need it.

 

[emus]

Can use a center punch followed by small drill bit then larger drill bit.
Can keep bit and carto coated w/ Vaseline in attempt to catch some shavings.
Can use hack saw or cut off wheel.
Can hold carto w/ pliers if don't have vise; hold near threaded end.

 

[Lightgeoduck]

I drill holes in my cartos using my dremel, but I grind a flat spot first, this not only provides a flat surface for the drill bit, it weakens/thins the spot that I want to drill.


LGD