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Posted by Bob F on September 28, 2007, 10:23 pm
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I need to cut a 3 1/2" diameter hole in .030" stainless sheet. I have a pretty
good collection of tools, but nothing specifically for stainless. Can anyone
suggest a cost effective way of doing this?
Bob
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Posted by Ernie Leimkuhler on September 29, 2007, 1:11 am
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> I need to cut a 3 1/2" diameter hole in .030" stainless sheet. I have a
> pretty
> good collection of tools, but nothing specifically for stainless. Can anyone
> suggest a cost effective way of doing this?
>
> Bob
The cheapest solution is a hole saw in a REALLLLLLLY slow drill, and
flood coolant.
The faster solution is to use a plasma cutter, either rent or borrow one.
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Posted by Bob F on September 29, 2007, 8:03 pm
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>
>> I need to cut a 3 1/2" diameter hole in .030" stainless sheet. I have a
>> pretty
>> good collection of tools, but nothing specifically for stainless. Can anyone
>> suggest a cost effective way of doing this?
>>
>> Bob
>
> The cheapest solution is a hole saw in a REALLLLLLLY slow drill, and
> flood coolant.
So, like my drill press at the lowest speed pulleys?
Work in a pan of oil?
Will the hole saw survive this?
>
> The faster solution is to use a plasma cutter, either rent or borrow one.
That's probably less of an option.
Bob
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Posted by mkzero on October 2, 2007, 1:14 am
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> The cheapest solution is a hole saw in a REALLLLLLLY slow drill, and
> flood coolant.
there are also inexpensive adjustable hole cutters that can mount
either HSS or TCT (carbide) blades.
http://www.holesaws.com.cn/products/holesaws/adjustable/adjustable.htm
just make sure you get your rpm more or less right.
APPROXIMATE CUTTING SPEEDS (SFPM)
H.S.S. Tooling Carbide Tooling
Aluminum 400 1000
Brass 300 800
Cast Iron 80 350
Steel - Mild 100 450
Steel - Carbon 60 300
Steel - Stainless 40 200
rpm = C.S. x 3.82 / dia.
you'll have to deburr the backside of the hole, but this is a more
elegant solution vs chaindrill and grind.
-bonus is the guarantee of circularity and the ability to repeat the
procedure if you set up a jig for yourself (sorry, its the machinist
in me talking)
-draw backs: using a HSS cutter(s) in stainless, the rpm is about
44....I don't know of a drillpress that goes that low. so you'll
probably cook the HSS tips after a couple of holes. the beauty is
that you can just re-grind them. carbide tipped tooling will run
aprox. 220 rpm, and will last much longer(just make sure you clamp
the piece adequately. sheet metal is want to chatter. chatter causes
vibration and shock; the enemies of carbide tooling. it'll just flake/
chip if you're not careful)
hope it gives you another option.
cheers,
-m
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Posted by Bill Marrs on September 29, 2007, 3:18 pm
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>I need to cut a 3 1/2" diameter hole in .030" stainless sheet. I have a
>pretty good collection of tools, but nothing specifically for stainless.
>Can anyone suggest a cost effective way of doing this?
>
> Bob
Exactly 3.5 inches, or kinda-sorta close? You might check with your local
electrician and see if they have a 3" (pipe size, 3 1/2 OD) Greenlee
panel punch.
Just one hole? Chain drill it and grab the die grinder?
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> pretty
> good collection of tools, but nothing specifically for stainless. Can anyone
> suggest a cost effective way of doing this?
>
> Bob