I just made a variation of a Supercat stove out of two party favor tins, and the result looks crude but performs very nicely. I used 12 paper-punch holes just under the top, and 6 paper-punch holes in a row below that, this seems like a really good arrangement of holes for an efficient, hot flame.

I'm not much of a tinker, so I'm wondering if y'all can give me suggestions for improving the two things that make it seem crude.

1. I need to cut a smooth, round, centered 1" hole in the bottom of one of the party favor tins. What's the best way to get this right?

2. I need to cut the rim off of one of the party favor tins, and to do it evenly. I got it a little crooked in my initial prototype. What's the best way to get this even?

Jonathan

1. I need to cut a smooth, round, centered 1" hole in the bottom of one of the party favor tins. What's the best way to get this right?

A hole punch (http://zenstoves.net/Supplies/KnockoutPunch.jpg) or a step but/ uni-bit (http://www.alliedelec.com/search/ProductDetail.asp?SKU=799-3414&R=799%2D3414&sid=478E9A806790E17F)


2. I need to cut the rim off of one of the party favor tins, and to do it evenly. I got it a little crooked in my initial prototype. What's the best way to get this even?

Jonathan

Scissors work well on aluminum; Tin snips for tin. It helps if you scribe an even line to follow.

A hole punch (http://zenstoves.net/Supplies/KnockoutPunch.jpg) or a step but/ uni-bit (http://www.alliedelec.com/search/ProductDetail.asp?SKU=799-3414&R=799%2D3414&sid=478E9A806790E17F)

Cool!

Both options look kind of pricey, though. Am I going to be unhappy if I try for something cheaper like the Harbor Freight manual knockout?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91201

Jonathan

Cool!

Both options look kind of pricey, though. Am I going to be unhappy if I try for something cheaper like the Harbor Freight manual knockout?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91201

Jonathan

The party tin may be too flimsy to allow it to be "punched".

Have you tried a 1" spade bit, or a 1" hole saw?

Make sure you have the tin set on a solid wood backing, like a 2"X4".
Use an awl to mark the center of the hole.

Scribing the outside edge sounds like a good idea, from a previous post.

Good luck with it. Please post pictures, if possible.:sun

Cool!

Both options look kind of pricey, though. Am I going to be unhappy if I try for something cheaper like the Harbor Freight manual knockout?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91201

Jonathan

The manual knockout kit will work just fine. I use it all the time.

The manual knockout kit will work just fine. I use it all the time.

Great! Thanks!

Jonathan

Instead of buying one of those $80 dollar uni-bits, just go to homedepot and get yourself a set of dewalt paddle bits. 1/4 of the price also.

Instead of buying one of those $80 dollar uni-bits, just go to homedepot and get yourself a set of dewalt paddle bits. 1/4 of the price also.

Great idea!

That will leave plenty of money for the first aid kit.

If it's aluminum, get a drawing compass and replace the pencil with some sort of metal scribe. Centerpunch the center of the hole, and using the compass, scrape around and around until it's cut through. It takes less time than you'd think.

The hole will be a little bit rough and you'll need to smooth it. Sandpaper around a dowel works fine.

I did this on airplane parts years ago to make larger holes.

i'm with froggy - just mark it out with a fine tip sharpie, score it with a box cutter a couple times around and then pierce it in the groove with same box cutter - it should then tap out very easily with minimal rough edges (depends on how uniformly you scored in the first place)