cutting holes in steel gate post for hinge bolts

[spursjingles]

Seems like an electric drill is the way to go. I don't know of any other practical way.

With a holesaw in the correct diameter. Do it all the time. Draw a vertical line using a level to be precise and space accordingly. Measures diameter of pole and repeat holesaw from other side. I use a sheet of posterboard to wrap around the post to check horizontal level.

 

[k0ua]

With a holesaw in the correct diameter. Do it all the time. Draw a vertical line using a level to be precise and space accordingly. Measures diameter of pole and repeat holesaw from other side. I use a sheet of posterboard to wrap around the post to check horizontal level.

Thats cheating! (actually that is using your head.)

 

[spursjingles]

Thats cheating! (actually that is using your head.)

Lol bi metal holesaw. Use at low speed setting best. "I came to drill holes and chew gum, and I'm all out of gum."

 

[bspeedy]

I cant believe we have 43(counting mine) posts on how to drill a hole in thin walled pipe for a bolt.

Indeed. Gotta love the interwebs...

 

[Sodo]

For materials 1/4" or less thick Hougen makes RotaCut Sheet Metal Hole Cutter with arbors that will fit in a 3/8" or 1/2" drill chuck. These have triple flats on the arbor to enable use of cutters up to 3/4" in diameter.

Easiest drilling is this Blair Rotabroach kit. I believe it's made by Hougen. With these hole-cutters
a 5/8" hole is effortless with a battery-powered drill.

Blair Rotobroach SAE Master Kit with 16 Sizes $163

16 sizes from 1/4" to 3/4". Perfectly round holes, plus 15 other sizes. It can easily become your favorite new tool.

 

[California]

What is the easiest way to make holes in a steel gate post to install hinge bolts (that go all the way through the post)? I don't have a cutting torch. Is it possible to drill the holes? The gate post is made of 2 7/8" steel tubing. Thanks.

Bob

Ok we actually did this when we fenced the orchard last summer. A double gate at the driveway and three single gates along the back.

The gateposts are oil well casing, heavy (feel like 100 lbs each) and I think tempered. We used a portable compressor and air drills. First time I've used an air drill - and it's wonderful! You can control torque precisely with the trigger and better yet, release the trigger and it stops instantly. So it can't kick you around.

That steel was tough. Pilot holes weren't too bad but we dulled 5/8 bits so fast that my friend's dad spent the whole time sitting at my bench grinder feeding us freshly ground bits. One was new from Ace hardware, cost me some $18 when I went there mid-morning for it so we could keep the project moving. We rotated among a few 5/8 bits, spent some time waiting because the dad couldn't sharpen and deliver bits as fast as we dulled them. We weren't smoking them, but cutting at low rpm with a continuous chip spiraling off like a lathe. And well lubricated. For me I wrapped one arm around the post and gave the drill all the pressure I could give it. Ran the throttle wide open forcing the drill so hard that it was just above stall speed. I didn't have any problem with the breakthrough kicking me. My buddy backed off at breakthrough and the drill often screwed itself into the hole. I liked my way better.

Note running an air drill just above stall won't hurt it like an electric motor.

Moral of the story - if needed rent a portable compressor and air drill. Skip the sprained arm part of the project.

 

[TomSeller]

Easiest drilling is this Blair Rotabroach kit. I believe it's made by Hougen. With these hole-cutters
a 5/8" hole is effortless with a battery-powered drill.

Blair Rotobroach SAE Master Kit with 16 Sizes $163

16 sizes from 1/4" to 3/4". Perfectly round holes, plus 15 other sizes. It can easily become your favorite new tool.

Very interesting tool kit. That would be nice to have.

 

[dragoneggs]

Safer way is good quality hole saw predrill 1/4 hole replace hole saw drill with smooth rod. Not as much grabbing and cuts at slower speed.

Good tip.

Just as the bit is about to break through drive a tapered punch in to finish the hole and a large percent of the wrist twisting will be avoided.

Another one.

Line up your .375 H&H magnum rifle, pull trigger. Use 3/8 bolts. Be sure and wear safety goggles.

Not so sure but I like it.

I cant believe we have 43(counting mine) posts on how to drill a hole in thin walled pipe for a bolt.

That's why I love this site!

Ahh, but I'm sure the number of responses would have been fewer if the OP had asked how to build a nuclear power generator.

Hey... don't sell us short!

 

[k0ua]

Very interesting tool kit. That would be nice to have.

No kidding.. I would love to have that. :drool:

 

[beowulf]

This is what I have used successfully for years to make holes in steel pipes (usually 4" pipe) for half inch or 3/4 inch dia hinge bolts. You need to drill the initial hole with a regular bit and then open up the diameter (going from each side of the pipe, i.e., widening each smaller hole) to whatever you need with one of these. They have worked for me extremely well. And they are on sale from time to time for, I think, $8.99, and then with the 20% coupon. . . well, a real bargain.

Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Bit Set 3 Pc