Best way to cut 40mm diameter holes in metal clad boards

[NDG Elecs]

Hi folks,

Will be fitting first AMD3 board later this week. Using the Wiska spring tails kit on it. What is best way to drill a 40mm hole through the casing? I have cone drill bits up to 30mm and also have Bosch power change holesaws.

I found the cone drills much better in the past when drilling through Wylex switchfuse casings. I struggled with the holesaws in the past; found the teeth wear away quickly and it is harder to stop the holesaw wandering about a bit and knacking the case.

Opinions please!

Thanks, Neil

 

[telectrix]

holesaw on slow speed with lube.

 

[NDG Elecs]

holesaw on slow speed with lube.

Sounds kinky! Cheers Tel. Cutting paste=lube??

 

[telectrix]

lard...

 

[HandySparks]

Q-Max cutters are good if the steel's not too thick.

Q.max Sheet Metal Hole Punch 40mm | Rapid Online

Thrust race helps. Not sure if this one will suit the 40mm.
Q.Max Thrust Race For Punches | Rapid Online

 

[M-Ty]

A chassis punch.

 

[NDG Elecs]

lard...

Does that mean I can deep fry my chips in cutting paste then!!

Cheers Handy, never thought of punching it out. Will have to check thickness of the casing, so might be an option.

 

[shanky887614]

Hi folks,

Will be fitting first AMD3 board later this week. Using the Wiska spring tails kit on it. What is best way to drill a 40mm hole through the casing? I have cone drill bits up to 30mm and also have Bosch power change holesaws.

I found the cone drills much better in the past when drilling through Wylex switchfuse casings. I struggled with the holesaws in the past; found the teeth wear away quickly and it is harder to stop the holesaw wandering about a bit and knacking the case.

Opinions please!

Thanks, Neil

ive seen some 51mm step cutters which might work if punching it is impractical

 

[Bobster]

I'd go for the punch option personally.

 

[rapparee]

Sounds kinky! Cheers Tel. Cutting paste=lube??

Rocol RTD Compound 50g Tube

Rocol

 

[Darkwood]

Holesaws most definately, there is a learning curve to using them and the issues you have all come down to incorrect technique, my holesaws last many years becasue I treat them good and ensure they are well lubed, when your centre bit breaks through its good to learn the feel and sound of the drill to ease off slightly ready for the drill to break through, this stops you crashing the teeth into the solid surface with either damages them or snags of you have a slight angle then you end up with the pilot bit been wrenched into a nice kink.

Try judging for yourself on standard speed bit into metal when they are just about to break through then control it without your bit crahing through with all your body pressure against it... you'll pick it up quickly then you can use the holesaws and make them last.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Or drill the pilot hole 1st then screw your holesaw on to the arbor, bit of lube and and on a slow speed cut through, jobs a gooden.

 

[Breeze]

Klauke speed punch

 

[Leesparkykent]

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EjRsAWclia0[/video]

These look good Armeg LDX hole cutter.

 

[shanky887614]

Or drill the pilot hole 1st then screw your holesaw on to the arbor, bit of lube and and on a slow speed cut through, jobs a gooden.

or use a 6.5mm pilot bit like everyone else

 

[Leesparkykent]

Deleted

 

[Leesparkykent]

or use a 6.5mm pilot bit like everyone else

What do you mean? I was following on from darkwoods post (the post above mine) where he mentions "crashing the teeth into the solid surface with either damages them or snags of you have a slight angle then you end up with the pilot bit been wrenched into a nice kink".

 

[shanky887614]

What do you mean? I was following on from darkwoods post (the post above mine) where he mentions "crashing the teeth into the solid surface with either damages them or snags of you have a slight angle then you end up with the pilot bit been wrenched into a nice kink".

what i meant is you shouldn't really be drilling the pilot hole with the arbor, its only a grub screw holding it in place

 

[Leesparkykent]

what i meant is you shouldn't really be drilling the pilot hole with the arbor, its only a grub screw holding it in place

Oh, Ive never really had any trouble with using the arbor and pilot bit, with or without the holesaw attached to drill the pilot hole.

 

[telectrix]

problem is that by using the pilot bit all the time, it goes blunt and then more force is needed to get it through the metal. i find using a 5mm tungsten bit first saves the pilot bit from wearing.