Need to drill a hole...

[HiTechTed]

Guys, I need to drill a 1 1/8" hole in 4 pieces of 3/8" thick mild steel. I don't have a plasma cutter or a torch...all I have is a good drill press.

What would you use to do this job with given my lack of equipment? I've looked around here and there are no bits that large for sale anywhere that I've seen, but would a step drill do it? I have drilled up to 3/4" holes around here but I've never had to do one this size and I was wondering what would be best to use in my situation.

Thanks!

 

[Egon]

Hole saw??

 

[Grateful11]

A good quality holesaw will do it in dril press.

 

[BHD]

ENCO and MSC sells bits that large, I would step drill drill a 1/2" go to 3/4" and so on untill I got the size I wanted,

Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

MSC Industrial Supply Co. | Find Power Tools, Hand Tools, Machine Tools & More

 

[moored4]

Guys, I need to drill a 1 1/8" hole in 4 pieces of 3/8" thick mild steel. I don't have a plasma cutter or a torch...all I have is a good drill press.

What would you use to do this job with given my lack of equipment? I've looked around here and there are no bits that large for sale anywhere that I've seen, but would a step drill do it? I have drilled up to 3/4" holes around here but I've never had to do one this size and I was wondering what would be best to use in my situation.

Thanks!

If your thinking of doing this with a torch then I will assum it dosent have to be percise! A whole saw will work but if you need a tight tolarance ( metal to metal fit) then take it to a fab shop and have them do it. :thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

ENCO and MSC sells bits that large, I would step drill drill a 1/2" go to 3/4" and so on untill I got the size I wanted,

Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

MSC Industrial Supply Co. | Find Power Tools, Hand Tools, Machine Tools & More

Stepping is a good strategy to be able to drill a big hole without a good drillpress. With a good press it isnt needed tho and can destabilize the process. Grabbing and orbital chatter can be a big issue. The drill point pushing against solid metal is most stable. For drilling 1-1/8 in a good press Id go max 1/4" for the pilot hole ... plenty of lube and speed under 100rpm.
larry

 

[sldva00]

I've drilled 7/8" holes through 3/8" steel using bi-metal hole saw with no problems. Like SPYDERLK said, go slow and use lubricating oil. A 1-1/8" hole wouldn't be a probem.


Milwaukee 1-1/8 in. Bi-Metal Hole Saw 49-56-9663

 

[HiTechTed]

I've never used a hole saw for anything other than wood and never even considered it for this job. I've just never ran into a situation where I needed to put a hole this size in metal so my knowledge of it is a bit limited! So then I just need a bi-metal hole saw with an arbor and bit and I'm good, right?

 

[SPYDERLK]

Frequent and diligent chip clearing. Do a hole in a piece of scrap hardwood and use it to guide the start cut.
larry

 

[Grateful11]

Stepping is a good strategy to be able to drill a big hole without a good drillpress. With a good press it isnt needed tho and can destabilize the process. Grabbing and orbital chatter can be a big issue. The drill point pushing against solid metal is most stable. For drilling 1-1/8 in a good press Id go max 1/4" for the pilot hole ... plenty of lube and speed under 100rpm.
larry

It sounds like you're a fairly experienced Machinist. I've got almost 30 years in myself. Your suggestion is spot on, a pilot drill slightly larger than the web of the drill :thumbsup:

 

[Willl]

So then I just need a bi-metal hole saw with an arbor and bit and I'm good, right?

And some cutting lube.

But if your drill press don't turn slow enough, game will be over in short time.

 

[HCJtractor]

I've done bunches of holes in the last week in 1/2" plate. Holes from 3/4" to
1 1/2". I use the standard bi metal hole saw and a drill press going slow with lube. It works just fine with tolerances close enough for tractor work. The carbide tipped hole saws are even better, and much faster, but they cost about $30 to $40 each so I find the bi metal a better alternative.

 

[Giesetraveler]

Guys, I need to drill a 1 1/8" hole in 4 pieces of 3/8" thick mild steel. I don't have a plasma cutter or a torch...all I have is a good drill press.

What would you use to do this job with given my lack of equipment? I've looked around here and there are no bits that large for sale anywhere that I've seen, but would a step drill do it? I have drilled up to 3/4" holes around here but I've never had to do one this size and I was wondering what would be best to use in my situation.

Thanks!

Try Langford Tool in Minneapolis,MN they have 1 inch and i-1/4"
Your tal;king about $65 for the big one. They can order a1-1/8"
Give Ben a call. I've used these folks numerous times and they are an old time Family shop that is great to work with.
Good luck!
John

Langford Tool & Drill Co. / Mason-Cutters
1125 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
612-332-8571 * 800-342-6228 * Fax 612-332-9137

 

[Short Game]

I once thought hole saws were only for wood. I could not believe how well a good one can cut steel.

 

[paulwestski]

I agree with everyone on the hole saw and lots of lube.

 

[HiTechTed]

Thanks everybody for the tips, this is just what I needed to know!

 

[Redneck in training]

Google annular drill bit or cutter. They cost more but are more precise. Or have it punched in a machine shop.
Don't know if 3/8 is too thick for this tool:
Sheet Metal Punch and Flare Tools

 

[sparc]

Hougen Mag drill with a rota broach (angular) cutter
would be nice but I doubt you have one of those around.

hole saw I tihnk is your best bet since you have a limited number of holes. Might get by with one bit, but wouldn't hurt to have a backup with you. You could always return it if you didn't need the second bit.

 

[sparc]

Hougen Mag drill with a rota broach (angular) cutter
would be nice but I doubt you have one of those around.

hole saw I think is your best bet since you have a limited number of holes. Might get by with one bit, but wouldn't hurt to have a backup with you. You could always return it if you didn't need the second bit.

 

[HiTechTed]

Hougen Mag drill with a rota broach (angular) cutter
would be nice but I doubt you have one of those around.

hole saw I think is your best bet since you have a limited number of holes. Might get by with one bit, but wouldn't hurt to have a backup with you. You could always return it if you didn't need the second bit.

Yeah that -really- would be nice! But you're right, I don't have one. For as few projects as I have, it probably wouldn't pay for itself in my hands, but that is a super piece of equipment.

My drill press only goes down to 250 rpm set up from the factory. But, the triple pulley on the motor can be flipped over. I should have taken a picture, but long story short after I do that it will make the motor to drive pulleys both the largest size (instead of small motor pulley to large drive pulley) which should slow it down quite a bit.