Hole saw for stainless steel recommendation pls

[simonfraser]

64 and 114 mm
Through 2mm SS plate

What is going to do the job best ?

 

[GHA]

After struggling with hole saws I've gone over to marking the hole then lots of small holes just inside the circumference then finish off with a jig saw and a bit of a file to tidy up.

 

[rogerthebodger]

64 and 114 mm
Through 2mm SS plate

What is going to do the job best ?

I use bi metal hole saws like these. Slow speed either a hand drill or pillar drill.

https://www.starrett.co.uk/shop/power_tool_accessories/holesaws/fastcut/?item_id=AX5150

Don't use carbide as any chatter will break the carbide teeth.

 

[VicS]

64 and 114 mm
Through 2mm SS plate

What is going to do the job best ?

64 mm is a size in which conventional hole saws are available ... but you will of course also need the arbor onto which it fits.

114 mm should be doable with a jigsaw and a suitable metal cutting blade and the appropriate lubricant.

 

[wrr]

I agree with the above. A bi-metal hole saw from a reputable manufacturer, scrap plywood supporting the stainless if possible, ideally a pillar drill or a low speed heavy electrical drill and plenty of cutting oil have worked for me many times.

 

[andsarkit]

I have had success with TCT holesaws in small sizes (20,25mm) using plenty of cutting fluid. Larger TCT holesaws will be very expensive and you will need a heavy duty pillar drill.
Good quality jigsaw blades will work fine in 2mm stainless with lots of cutting fluid although as mentioned above you may need to drill some holes to re-align the blade for the smaller 64mm hole.

 

[DownWest]

Stay away from Silverline and other cheepies. Starrett etc work fine, but your problem is a slow drill. I used a pillar drill and added a back belt reduction to get the rpm down to about 250. I needed around 60off 50mm holes in 6mm SS
Lots of lube and pressure. Too fast and the saws won't last one hole. I tried a Silverline once and even at the correct speed, it didn't even mark the metal before the teeth dissapeared...

Slow typing.... But if only one or two, then jigsaw as above and file or grinding stone in a hand drill

 

[coopec]

Slow typing.... But if only one or two, then jigsaw as above and file or grinding stone in a hand drill

That is precisely what I would do.......

But as I have a 15cu ft/min compressor I invested in an el cheapo die grinder off eBay and that makes short work of enlarging holes. (I think the electric version (Dremmel?) is not to expensive and is a handy tool in a workshop)

 

[TSB240]

For that size of hole and stainless you want a punch and die set and either a hand hydraulic puller or a rechargeable electric puller. This is the easiest way to get a clean smart cut in stainless for that diameter. Hire shops and or a friendly instrumentation or control panel builder will have this sort of equipment.

 

[coopec]

For that size of hole and stainless you want a punch and die set and either a hand hydraulic puller or a rechargeable electric puller. This is the easiest way to get a clean smart cut in stainless for that diameter. Hire shops and or a friendly instrumentation or control panel builder will have this sort of equipment.

I didn't know what a punch and die set was until now.
If he was trying to cut a hole into his ss fuel tank he'd have a problem?

 

[simonfraser]

Tnx all, hole for a winlass needed to be 10mm bigger

Some one lend me an electric Bosch saw, wow, that sorted it.
Filed the lumpy bits, done.

Owe him a blade and a beer

 

[TSB240]

I didn't know what a punch and die set was until now.
If he was trying to cut a hole into his ss fuel tank he'd have a problem?

Is that what the Op is doing I must have missed something in his post then?


"64 and 114 mm
Through 2mm SS PLATE

What is going to do the job best ? "

I have to make similar sized holes in stainless plate very often. Drilling and sawing would take me hours and cost me a fortune in the swear box every time I had to sharpen a drill or replace a jig saw or holesaw...

Punch is the best for the job every time for any hole above 12mm! Puller shaft is 12mm dia!

 

[simonfraser]

Yeh would have been happy to take it to a shop, but stuck under the deck so that was not an option.
The builder has fitted a SS plate under the whole forward bow corner, at least it is not going to pull out

 

[Daverw]

In thin ss I would use a hand nibbler, does not work harden and would only take a short time to cut

 

[lw395]

I've used one of these on thin stainless:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Adjustab...757136&hash=item56bc34d6de:g:6I0AAOSwNUlcB6WQ

You can get similar with carbide tips.

 

[Norman_E]

This type will do it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14-65mm-...283&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
I cut 50mm holes for level gauges in my 2mm stainless grey water tanks using a cheap battery drill on low speed and a carbide tipped holesaw. Without a pillar drill the technique is to start off with the holesaw flat against the surface, but once the cut is started rock the drill slightly first one way then another so that all the pressure is applied to one tooth at a time.

P.S. To stop the waste pieces falling into the tanks I stopped drilling once the drill had broken through at least half way round and levered the waste piece out (upwards) with a screwdriver.