I just bought one of these and was wondering what the best speed was to get a good finish on steel sheet, do you run these fast or slow?

TIA Caber
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Really slow, cutting oil in moderation or it will burn

Mark,

Thanks

Caber

Glad you asked that - not because I knew the answer, but because I needed to know as well. I bought a set of those things, and haven't tried 'em out yet. Probably would have fried one before finding out myself...

if you bought one from screwfix, throw it in the bin now; you'd be lucky to do two 20 mm holes in 2 mm steel.

No need to ask how I found that out - in the end bought one made in UK, Sheffield(yes, some things are still made in UK) for > £ 20 and has done 10 times the holes and still going string.

(i.e. if you have paid less than £ 20, expect SF kwalitee).

yep, as usual you get what you pay for, and a bit of support for things made properly in this country never goes amiss!!

If my memory serves me correct, the cutting speed for mild steel is around 24m/minute.
So a 10mm hole would want a speed of 776rpm.
13mm hole would like 597rpm.
I would use the slower of the calculated figures if you are using a cone cutter. If the largest size you are making is 13mm, then use the 13mm cutting speed. I hope this makes sense?

Thanks for the responses, Owelly that is very useful! I managed to get the holes cut cleanly with a power drill on lowest speed!

Caber

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Originally posted by caber
Thanks for the responses, Owelly that is very useful! I managed to get the holes cut cleanly with a power drill on lowest speed!

Caber

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