Back Yard Mechanic needs to Drill 7/8" Hole

[powerstroke444e]

I tack weld a washer that is smaller than I need and drill a 3/16 hole to start for the plasma cutter and circle the hole I did about 20 of these in my grapple I just built and then welded a bushing in most of the holes or weld the pipe I used, but for the cylinder pins I touched them up with grinder. I I have been known to use hole saw to mark lines to cut with plasma

 

[R W]

A COLE DRILL would do the job using a reduced shank bit, they often come up on Ebay and are usually reasonably priced.
I purchased one about 12 months ago and wished I had of owned one years ago.

 

[BrentD]

Just a quick note on the windshield washer fluid: It is flammable, and burns with an almost clear flame so it's almost impossible to see when it's burning.

 

[BayouMan]

Just a quick note on the windshield washer fluid: It is flammable, and burns with an almost clear flame so it's almost impossible to see when it's burning.

Brent,
I was wondering about this while I was using the fluid. All I noticed was an occassional wisp of smoke. Might have been burning and I didn't know it! I believe windshield washer fluid has some Ethanol in it, which would certainly be flammable.

Mike

 

[captaincrab55]

Just a quick note on the windshield washer fluid: It is flammable, and burns with an almost clear flame so it's almost impossible to see when it's burning.

Does that go for the summer mix too?? I can understand that heavy duty mix for melting ice being nasty... Wonder what it does to paint???

 

[ndnman]

For holes that do not need to be a percise size but you would still like them perfectly round, try this.
I get a big store-bought flat washer and use it as a guide for my torch. In your case a 1 1/4 inch one would be probably good. (you have to account for the torch tip thickness too. Measure the hole in the washer and subtract one thickness of the entire torch tip and that will tell you what size your torch-cut hole will be) I use a vice grip clamp to clamp the washer above where the hole is desired, but first place 3/8 inch nuts under it as shims. Two will work. Start in the center with a blow-hole and then travel to the edge and follow around the inside of the washer with the edge of the torch tip. I have done this so many times that I keep a selection of washers dedicated for this purpose. They look like they were drilled. THE TORCH TIP MUST BE CLEAN FOR QUALITY HOLES. Assuming everything is at hand, I could cut all the holes on this project before the second one was drilled.
You can also use the same method with the outside of the washer for rounded corners on things, but that's a whole other story.

 

[BrentD]

Does that go for the summer mix too?? I can understand that heavy duty mix for melting ice being nasty... Wonder what it does to paint???

My only experience is with the blue stuff. A fellow Tesla Coiler fired up a medium sized coil in his garage thinking he had all the flammable liquids outside. It arced over to a bottle of the blue washer fluid sitting nearby, burned a hole in the bottle and ignited the leaking fluid. Bad part was he didn't realize the rapidly growing puddle from the ruptured bottle was actually burning until he went to mop it up and caught the mop on fire. He swears up and down there was no visible flame and no smoke from the burning liquid, but when the mop lit up he figured out where the fire was real quick. Fortunately he had a fire extinguisher handy and managed to catch it before it ran under his workbench.

 

[ragkar]

Use a step drill bit. HF sells them cheaply.

 

[jenkinsph]

ndnman, that is a good idea to try out,

 

[bjr]

I gotta know. did you actually use this motor? 1/17 Hp. did with gear reduction allow you to drill heavy steel? bjr