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Cutting holes in metal- which tool??
Jumpy Guy - 12/6/06 at 01:10 PM

I need to cut some holes in this alli plate.

i have a hole saw set, and also the two part metal punches, but i need a specific size.

is there some tool, that I can set to any size, to cut this hole?

Panning tool? dont know if i made that up!

David Jenkins - 12/6/06 at 01:15 PM

How thick is the metal? How big a hole?

I used one of these from ScrewFix, which is fine for thin sheet.

Rather scary to use, unless in a drill press!

David

PS: Did you mean 'trepanning'? 'cos that's what this is!

[Edited on 12/6/06 by David Jenkins]

Jumpy Guy - 12/6/06 at 01:23 PM

thats exactly what i thought i meant!!
Ta!

James - 12/6/06 at 01:33 PM

I did it by chain drilling loads of 2mm holes. It's boring as hell!
I would bet myself to do another 20 holes at a time! It's tiring so (like many things) best to change hands at 100!

Then I just used a good half-round file to tidy it up.

Worked fine for all the wishbone bodywork holes and stuff and also ok in GRP.

Cheers,
James

Peteff - 12/6/06 at 01:34 PM

I think you meant, it was close though They tend to snatch so be careful with them.

David Jenkins - 12/6/06 at 01:37 PM

Yes - apart from a bench drill, you need to either (a) clamp the sheet so it can't spin, or if you can't - (b) set things up so it doesn't matter if it spins!

Best to clamp everything up, as you want to have your hands well away from that tool when it's working...

David

[Edited on 12/6/06 by David Jenkins]

Mad Dave - 12/6/06 at 01:38 PM

I bought a load of cone cut and step drills from this place when they were in based in Sheffield.

http://www.gjhalltools.com/index2.html

They might have what you are looking for and can be ordered through MG Fixings in Chesterfield

Dave

marc n - 12/6/06 at 02:04 PM

q mex cutters are good

here

can be found on ebay sometimes too at a lot less and they come in lots of sizes

best regards

marc



[Edited on 12/6/06 by marc n]

David Jenkins - 12/6/06 at 02:13 PM

Q-max are good - mine got me out of a difficult hole-cutting job on Saturday - but they are horribly expensive. A complete tool for every size hole - great if you're a professional and can justify that expense, but too dear for one-off holes!

David

Browser - 12/6/06 at 05:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jumpy Guy
I need to cut some holes in this alli plate.

i have a hole saw set, and also the two part metal punches, but i need a specific size.

is there some tool, that I can set to any size, to cut this hole?

Panning tool? dont know if i made that up!


Cars looking good Alan!
D'you mean plate or sheet? In other words, 'ow thick is it? If it's plate, don't use a fly cutter/tank cutter, you'd be better off wi' an 'olesaw in a pillar drill. If it's sheet you can use a fly cutter, holesaw, conical drill, chain drill etc. What diameter hole d'you need to cut?

Liam - 12/6/06 at 05:24 PM

Cant beat a good old jigsaw and a steady hand. I done all me wishbone holes that way.

Liam

John Bonnett - 17/6/06 at 10:45 AM

Hole saws are available up to sizes in excess of 120mm and if they are HSS can be used on stainless steel 16swg sheet and on 1/4" m/s plate. It is important as has been said to use a pillar drill or drill press and make sure the job is well clamped. Also use the rotational speed specified for the size hole saw and the material, and use plenty of lubricant. If the panel is in position on the car so that it is impossible to use a pillar drill, I would not use a hole saw unless it was a very small one.

To digress slightly, it is possible to make steel rings using two hole saws. Cut out the large o/d first and using the pilot hole bore out the centre. Again clamping is vitally important.