[John]

It takes a 5/8" holesaw. A high dollar carbide tipped cutter isn't necessary. The name brand bi-metal ones work well. Taiwan special ones do not. You should remove the pilot drill bit in the hole saw as it is not necessary. The hole saw will pilot on the stud. One only needs to cut down about 1/16" of an inch or so to cut off the upset on the stud. A drill press makes this job easier but a hand drill will work. The studs may still need to be pressed out or persuaded out with a hammer. Be careful to not bend the hub when doing this by backing it up with some material around the stud being removed.

With regard to the tool available from the vendors, it will work for few studs. To replace all four drums, 20 studs, it is not made of a hardened steel for lasting use.

When pressing the stud to upset the shoulder, it takes approximately 22-24 tons of pressure. The stud must be backed up with some support such as a piece of pipe cut to fit. A 20 ton Harbor Freight press will not do the job. It takes a press good for 30 tons or more. Do not exceed the 24 ton limit as you may crack the drum with too much pressure. If too little pressure is used, the stud will be loose in the hub and drum.

If you are replacing the studs in a steel drum, be aware of the fact that most studs available today are for the thicker cast drums and are too long at the shoulder for the thinner steel drums. For the steel drums, you must find the older studs made for the steel drums only.