metalworkers help p...
 

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[Closed] metalworkers help pls ..what hole saw bit for drilling Rims would be best?

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got the pillar drill now need the holesaw bit. I'll be after something around
30mm diameter but there seem to be various options incl tooth size /compound etc. Can anyone advise please to what will do a good job . need to drill approx 60 holes through double walled large marge rims.
should i use lube? fast or slow speed? Is one bit likely to do the whole job ? ( no pun intended!) any other tips?
thanks in advance
Bill


 
Posted : 10/04/2017 10:52 am
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Starett cutters are pretty much the industry standard. Decent enough quality for the price. More tooth count is better for a nice finish, less teeth is quicker. Any hardened steel will go through aluminium ok. Only problem is getting bits of ally stuck in the teeth. These will need regular cleaning out. That said, I'd use a step drill. Much better for holes in thin metal. Stays central and the right size more than a hole saw. If you get one that is 30mm on the biggest step then it'll work well for a double wall.

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Posted : 10/04/2017 10:57 am
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Agreed a step drill will give a neater hole.


 
Posted : 10/04/2017 11:04 am
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Excellent advice.
lube and speed?


 
Posted : 10/04/2017 11:29 am
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lube and speed?

My kind of party!!


 
Posted : 10/04/2017 11:51 am
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I used a Bosch hole saw, any HSS saw should do.

Doesn't leave a neat hole but a quick once over with a file tidies up any burrs. Not sure which would be quicker, waiting for a stepped drill to work upto 30mm or filing down the rough edges.

Use cutting lube, and lots of it. It's only aluminium but they're big holes and it gets hot very quickly without it (shortly followed by your saw jamming and/or going blunt).


 
Posted : 10/04/2017 12:22 pm
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good point re the stepped drill needing to cut it all away.
borrowed a pillar drill but sadly just found that because it's 2 built up wheels the spokes get in the way so i'll have to resort to a hand drill.


 
Posted : 10/04/2017 1:17 pm
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Bought a starret hole saw and did the job fairly quickly . Outside as loads of swarf . The holes were actually fairly good with little burring. The hole saw however needed care in use as the first lost teeth within 2 holes as a result of getting snagged. ordered another and same thing happened but carried on and completed job with half the teeth missing but cut fine.


 
Posted : 19/04/2017 11:46 am