DIY: Pipe Burners

Use a vise to secure the pipe while drilling.

Pipe burners are generally installed in the bottom of fireplaces, and attach at one end to the gas supply line via a steel coupling. Though pipe burners are available for purchase, homemade burners can be made from black-coated steel gas pipes that come factory threaded at both ends, in various lengths. Once the burner has been created, it is screwed into the fireplace's steel coupling. The size of the gas holes in the pipe will vary, depending on the size of the drill bit used.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Gas pipe
• Duct tape
• Vise
• Steel brush
• Threading compound and brush
• Steel end cap
• Pipe wrench
• Carpenter's pencil
• Center punch
• Hammer
• Power drill
• Steel drill bit
• Reamer

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Measure the fireplace or other area where the pipe burner will be used, using a tape measure. Purchase the correct length of gas pipe to fit that area.

2. Stick a strip of duct tape on each side of a section of steel gas pipe. Secure the pipe horizontally in a vise with the tape positioned against the vise jaws.

3. Brush around one threaded end of the gas pipe with a steel brush to remove all dirt. Apply threading compound around one threaded end of the gas pipe, using a small brush. Thread a steel end cap onto the pipe thread by hand. Tighten the cap in position with a pipe wrench.

4. Measure equidistant marks in a straight line along the top of the pipe, using the tape measure and a carpenter's pencil. Rest the tip of a center punch on one mark. Tap the top of the punch with a hammer to create an indentation on the pipe surface. Repeat this process at all pipe marks.

5. Insert a steel drill bit into a power drill's chuck. Rest the tip of the steel drill bit in one of the indentations. Carefully drill through the pipe. Drill slowly at first, then speed up when the bit starts biting into the pipe. Ensure that the tip of the bit does not start drilling into the opposite pipe wall. Drill through the pipe at all indentations in the same way.

6. Apply a reamer tip to each hole. Turn the reamer to remove all burrs. Remove the pipe from the vise, and pull off the duct tape from the sides of the pipe.

References

• "Home Improvement 1-2-3"; Christopher Cavanaugh; 1995
• RIP's D.I.Y.: HOW TO DRILL HOLES
• Extreme How-To: Working with Steel Pipe