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Which holesaw?
coozer - 17/5/10 at 12:02 PM

I need to cut some biggish holes in 3 & 6mm steel plate.

Say 2" up to 5"... in the past I would use the drill and file method but theres too many to do atm, I'm looking for something better, but still cheap!

Any ideas??

LG,
Steve

RichardK - 17/5/10 at 12:08 PM

I have a bi metal hole cutting set again if you want a borrow, how many do you need to do?

I'll have a measure tonight as I know I knackered one but can't remeber which size.

Cheers

Rich

AdamR - 17/5/10 at 12:09 PM

A set of decent HSS holesaws should be fine for this. Though I've not tried anything as big as 5", I've had good success going through 5mm mild steel up to 3". Only advice is to avoid the super cheap £10-a-set holesaws, and to use plenty of cutting lube.

[Edited on 17/5/10 by AdamR]

tegwin - 17/5/10 at 12:16 PM

Axminster sell some really good HSS hole saws...

I had no problems using a 4" cutter on 3mm Mild Steel plate... just make sure its well cooled!

You do need a BIG drill to be able to turn it though!

britishtrident - 17/5/10 at 12:24 PM

I find the orange ones B&Q sell are fine for 60mm holes in steel, --- slow speed lots of coolant.

2cv - 17/5/10 at 12:26 PM

I would just add that the job must be well clamped down, rotating speed of holesaw set as per instructions and use a pillar or pedestal drill not a hand drill!!

russbost - 17/5/10 at 12:30 PM

"not a hand drill!!"
I would definitely second that! I'm sure some of you remember why!!!

If you have to use a hand drill then very slow speed & a clutched drill - don't ever use it above chest height!

It's healed reallly well now BTW as any of you who saw me at Stoneleigh will have seen!

tony-devon - 17/5/10 at 12:58 PM

the bosch cobalt range are superb, I use them a lot, but not 100% certain if they go as big as you require

quick release with hex drive, the trick with holesaws is slow and well lubricated, take your time

I used a 1" holesaw and put 4 holes through 1" plate with it, still going strong

I would certainly reccomend them, I get them from screwfix

Tipster69 - 17/5/10 at 01:45 PM

b**&dy hell. Just read your post on the accident. That's a stark warning to all.

Hope you are making a good recovery.

quote:
Originally posted by russbost
"not a hand drill!!"
I would definitely second that! I'm sure some of you remember why!!!

If you have to use a hand drill then very slow speed & a clutched drill - don't ever use it above chest height!

It's healed reallly well now BTW as any of you who saw me at Stoneleigh will have seen!

gavin174 - 17/5/10 at 02:59 PM

yeah Russ was really lucky!!

if he was young and good looking would have been alot worse!!!

russbost - 17/5/10 at 06:45 PM

Gavin, if I looked like you I'd probably have kept going with the holesaw & gone for a complete face transplant!!!