8 replies to this topic

[Old Bob]

Any recommendations for hole cutters please? Needed for a set of new metal dash panels so looking at switch holes (I can probably drill those) plus the usual 52mm holes for instruments and a larger one which will probably be around 100mm for the rev counter.

Thanks all.......

Bob

[Ocado Man]

What about this set?

http://www.cbsonline...e_Saw_Set_HOLES

or this?

http://www.cbsonline...e_Cutter_CIRCUT

Edited by Ocado Man, 19 September 2012 - 03:40 PM.

[Big_Adam]

Go with the 16blade kit, them kits ain't bad, work well on wood and aluminium.

They will utterly shred themselves on steel.

[Old Bob]

Thanks Guys,

I was intending to do the dash sections and support boxes in steel - probably only 20 or 22 gauge - so I could weld brackets and captive nuts but perhaps I will have to think about alloy.

Cheers,

Bob

[Big_Adam]

You'll want some Starite (I think) high speed steel ones for metal. This will mark metal, so you could just chain drill and file afterwards if you wanted.

[Ethel]

Get a tank cutter and keep the speed down.

Or use ally 'n this stuff http://www.ebay.co.u...6#ht_2635wt_756 - shop around just the first I found.

You can also get textured plastics. How about chatting up someone with a laser cutter - ask a teenager lots of schools have 'em.

[dklawson]

I have a different suggestion.

Hole saws cut great in wood but tend to wobble and runout on metal leaving rough edges with bad scratches around the hole entrance. The trammel type cutter with the single cutter and a pilot drill can work well but only if you keep the length of the exposed cutter to a minimum to avoid chatter and only if you can perform this work on a drill press (pillar drill in the U.K.?) or a milling machine. Single point cutters are an accident waiting to happen when used in hand held power tools.

So my advice is to mask off the surface where you want the hole(s). Use your compass or template to draw on the masking where you want to cut the circles. In the MIDDLE of those circles drill a pilot hole using a Step Drill Bit

Once you have the pilot hole in the center, use a Jig Saw or Air Saw to cut to the perimeter of the circle you drew. Fininsh the edges with a Half Round File then remove the masking. Yes, it is more steps but in the end you will have a well cut gauge hole without damage to the surrounding surfaces.

Edited by dklawson, 20 September 2012 - 12:17 PM.

[Big_Adam]

Never had a problem with a hole saw on alu, but I did always use a pillar drill for it.

Just as long as you bolt it all together tight, was fine. Used it on 1/4inch street signs ... that I obtained legally.

edit

Or theses, these work well on steel http://www.go4produc...utter-25MM.html

As long as its FLAT steel.

Edited by Big_Adam, 20 September 2012 - 12:32 PM.

[Old Bob]

I know I answered this yesterday but the post has disapeared! But thanks everyone - looks like I will be using a jig-saw and finishing off with a file.

Regards,

Bob