Cutting Large Holes In Sheet Metal

In response to a question about h.

Cutting large holes in sheet metal.

How to cut a round hole in sheet metal. It is common practice to use a self starting step bit to form the. Don t say that you were thinking of holding that metal sheet with bare hands. The fracture region starts at the end of the burnish region and occupies most of the rest of the thickness of the cut with exception to the burr.

Tap your hammer to leave an indentation on the sheet metal. For large holes a hole saw gets the job done cleanly and quickly. I ve messed with trepanning tools abrasive wheels hole saws and all manner of other stuff for cutting large holes in sheet metal. Follow few steps step 1.

Use a scrap of plywood as a backer for the hole saw s pilot bit and to protect your work surface. Be that as it may here is a neat idea from flyboy accessories for cutting larger holes in sheet metal. This break will create the fracture region. Step bits can be used to make even larger holes typically 1 3 8 inch wide or smaller in sheet metal but do require pilot holes.

At first locate the center of the. In a well designed sheet metal cutting process the cracks should meet each other and form a continuous break. Place your sheet metal on your steel block and position your centre punch at a central point in your cut out design. Use clamps to hold the sheet.

Like twist bits hole saws chuck right into your drill and will cut through thin gauge sheet metals like aluminum and steel.