Need to cut steel

[BLZN4FN]

I need to cut a 3 inch hole in 1/4 plate steel what would you use?
This is what I have. Drill press,anglegrinder,sabersaw. Do you think I can make any of these work. like maybe drill press with a hole saw?
Let me know what you think.

 

[yunit]

Drill Press with hole saw and cutting oil.

 

[cegusman]

What he said, just take your time.

 

[BLZN4FN]

Well I will give the drill press a try.
Let you know how it worked out

 

[velocitiii]

don't forget to oil that hole saw as you cut. cutting oil, valvoline, used motor oil, anything will do.

 

[afroman006]

I've never used oil with a hole saw, does it really help?

 

[TSGB]

Tons! They make special cutting lubricants. A bit of humble advice:

try not to use anything too flamable.

 

[cbbr]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one to learn this the hard way.

 

[rdn2blazer]

dont run your rpm too fast, you will dull the saw, yes on the oil too. about 100 rpm or slower, any faster and you will get some chatter which is hard on the saw teeth, let it cut, dont force it too hard.

 

[TJS]

Also make sure you clamp the part on the table. DO NOT HOLD it by hand.

T.J.
www.tjsperformance.com

 

[ntsqd]

If your drill press won't go slow enough to prevent chatter I would suggest the old fashioned way. Scribe a circle of the size of hole you need and drill a series of small holes all the way around the circle. Then you can easily cut out the center and file to shape and size. It is easy work, just time consuming.

 

[afroman006]

Ok I guess I'll use oil from now on. I've been just drilling dry with no problems yet but havent done a whole lot of holes. My press only goes down to 300 rpm, it works fine but I have to take it really easy or it will bind and the belt on the press will start sliping. And yes I agree clamping the part to the table is esential.