How to drill hole through pipe for saddle valve?

Question

I'm installing an under-sink water filter. For the saddle valve, how do I drill the 1/8" hole through the iron pipe? What is the easy way to do this? Seems like I will be slipping around a bit. Any tips on this step?

Answer 1

Your best bet would be to support the pipe from the opposite side somehow and then use a small center-punch where you want to drill.

Good-luck.

Answer 2

What mrrosema said

Answer 3

1) most saddle valves are installed using a turn s***w piercer that comes with the valve for copper and are not designed for steel. steel is not soft enough to form a good seal to the saddle valve.

2) saddle valves are much more prone to leakage than other joints, so please consider adding a T connection in to the pipe in between the supply pipe and the faucet with the bottom of the T capable of connecting to the filter tubing with a compression fitting.

3) if you still feel you need to drill the hole, you could make a  jig from 2 pieces of wood, both wider than the pipe, one piece with a 1/8 inch hole pointed right at where you want the hole, the other would be screwed  to the first piece of wood on the other side of the pipe to hold the first in place. A "V" shaped cut in both pieces would steady the wood around the pipe. The v cuts should not be so large that the cuts allow play in the wood around the pipe.

Answer 4

My under sink filter hooked up the the cold water supply valve with compression nuts.  There was no need to use a saddle valve.  You could consider getting another type filter or follow mrrosema's instructions.