Sheet metal hole saw?

Just a Six?? · 11-01-2008, 11:18 AM

I have some thin sheet metal that I need to cut 2 nice round holes into maybe 7/8-1" round each. I did 2 of them today with drill bits, then Dremmel stones etc but it takes a 1/2 hour & isnt that great looking. Not bad but rather a nice clean cut. I know they have Hole saws for wood but what about thin sheet metal? Are they sold at Napa or Home Depot?

87bigcut · 11-01-2008, 11:27 AM

Yes you can get bi-metal hole saws at lowes, home depot, etc. I am not sure how clean you are looking for these round holes to be, but with thin sheet metal make sure the work piece is clamped to something securely, or the hole saw could tear it up bad. Depending on the thickness the hole may not be that clean, you will have to do some grinding to make it really nice.

Worth a shot,
Joe

stevemon · 11-01-2008, 11:29 AM

A Uni-Bit would do that. They go up to 1" I believe. Most hardware stores or Sears have them.
FWIW, electricians use a knock out punch. (don't bother to google that unless you're into UFC fighting) I don't know what those cost but probably more than unibits and those are much more versitile.

87bigcut · 11-01-2008, 11:30 AM

Ahh, I forgot about those punches. A good punch will make a very clean hole, much cleaner than a hole saw. I will invest in a good set someday, but they aren't cheap. Then again, unibits aren't very cheap either. All depends on what the holes are getting cut in and for what purpose I guess.

Joe

stevemon · 11-01-2008, 11:58 AM

$50 for a 1" Irvan-Smith, Inc : Hole Punch - 1 in KO [IS1-HP-1000] - $50.00

Just a Six?? · 11-01-2008, 01:37 PM

Well its for a dual pump hangar & the Walbro socks are bigger than the ATR bracket holes. For $50 I'll spend another 1/2 hour with some drill bits & the dremmel.

Never heard of a uni-bit before? Thanks!

OK. Checked out Uni Bits & they arent too bad price wise. See what they have in the parts section? They will do what I need easily.

BuickGN Boosted · 11-01-2008, 07:32 PM

Uni-bits rule! Only way to go.

One bit and you can do many different sizes of holes.

earlbrown · 11-01-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuickGN Boosted

Uni-bits rule! Only way to go.

One bit and you can do many different sizes of holes.

Plus they deburr the hole for you.

gbsean · 11-01-2008, 08:46 PM

Unibit by IRWIN Industrial Tools

are the best...but it depends on thickness of material....if you do not mind wasting some $$ I have used wood hole saws in a pinch before I bought a Dewalt set of bi-metal hole saw blades....

TG6 · 11-01-2008, 09:18 PM

The Stepper bits are nice. Harbor junk has them on the cheap. I think they have a two piece kit for under 20.00. They work fine for the first 10 light duty projects.....
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Sizes: 3/16" to 7/8" Twelve Step Bit (3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1 /2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8"); 1/4" to 1-3/8" Eleven Step Bit (1/4", 25/64", 35/64", 1 1/16", 13/16", 7/8", 1", 1-1/8", 1-7/32", 1-1/4", 1-3/8")

KWIKR 1 · 11-02-2008, 05:49 AM

David you can get the "step drills" from Princess Auto fairly cheap .

PRINCESS AUTO

Just a Six?? · 11-02-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KWIKR 1

David you can get the "step drills" from Princess Auto fairly cheap .

PRINCESS AUTO

I did another plate this AM but its thin steel that could maybe rust?

I polished it real quick so its shiny. Think it will rust in the gas tank? Better to go find a peice of Aluminum?

Also I bet Brafasco has the the uni bits & hole saws.

11-01-2008, 11:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Just a Six?? OK! Who Farted Again?? Join Date: May 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,458	Sheet metal hole saw? I have some thin sheet metal that I need to cut 2 nice round holes into maybe 7/8-1" round each. I did 2 of them today with drill bits, then Dremmel stones etc but it takes a 1/2 hour & isnt that great looking. Not bad but rather a nice clean cut. I know they have Hole saws for wood but what about thin sheet metal? Are they sold at Napa or Home Depot? __________________ 87 LTD. Purchased May 88 Doeskin leather, coach lites, moonroof & carpeted trunk. No Factory Hood Ornament! Special order by the VP of GM Canada! Not another like it! Lots of Go Fast goodies! 11.5 is as Fast as I go! Thats what the track told me! It's a Small World, but I wouldn't want to Paint It!! BPG Member #2040

11-01-2008, 11:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
87bigcut Free Door Removal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Port Crane, NY Posts: 1,686	Yes you can get bi-metal hole saws at lowes, home depot, etc. I am not sure how clean you are looking for these round holes to be, but with thin sheet metal make sure the work piece is clamped to something securely, or the hole saw could tear it up bad. Depending on the thickness the hole may not be that clean, you will have to do some grinding to make it really nice. Worth a shot, Joe __________________ 87 cutlass, used to be buick powered. Going to an LS based engine with an 88mm.

11-01-2008, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
stevemon Hits or Cracks? Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mustang, Ok Posts: 4,691	A Uni-Bit would do that. They go up to 1" I believe. Most hardware stores or Sears have them. FWIW, electricians use a knock out punch. (don't bother to google that unless you're into UFC fighting) I don't know what those cost but probably more than unibits and those are much more versitile. __________________ stevemonroe@cox.net 1986 GN, 11.72 @ 115.48, stock turbo. Red 108 Chip (Now in my God sons care) 1989 TTA #10 of 1550, Sold 1967 Buick Spl. Dlx. (GS-ified) Sold 1957 Buick Special 4dr hdtp (sold) 1950 Special. Families 1st new Buick. Got the Bling Grill 2004 Ford Ranger Edge Ext Cab 2009 Toyota Rav4 Sport 4WD, V-6 2006 Sissy Motorscooter DIY Alcohol Injection 62 mm Throttle Bodys "For the most part, White bigots are no longer respected among Whites, and I look forward to the day that Black bigots are no longer respected among Blacks." Columnist Walter Williams Don't judge a man by his opinions, But by what his opinions have made him. - G.C. Lichtenberg

11-01-2008, 11:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
87bigcut Free Door Removal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Port Crane, NY Posts: 1,686	Ahh, I forgot about those punches. A good punch will make a very clean hole, much cleaner than a hole saw. I will invest in a good set someday, but they aren't cheap. Then again, unibits aren't very cheap either. All depends on what the holes are getting cut in and for what purpose I guess. Joe __________________ 87 cutlass, used to be buick powered. Going to an LS based engine with an 88mm.

11-01-2008, 11:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
stevemon Hits or Cracks? Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mustang, Ok Posts: 4,691	$50 for a 1" Irvan-Smith, Inc : Hole Punch - 1 in KO [IS1-HP-1000] - $50.00 __________________ stevemonroe@cox.net 1986 GN, 11.72 @ 115.48, stock turbo. Red 108 Chip (Now in my God sons care) 1989 TTA #10 of 1550, Sold 1967 Buick Spl. Dlx. (GS-ified) Sold 1957 Buick Special 4dr hdtp (sold) 1950 Special. Families 1st new Buick. Got the Bling Grill 2004 Ford Ranger Edge Ext Cab 2009 Toyota Rav4 Sport 4WD, V-6 2006 Sissy Motorscooter DIY Alcohol Injection 62 mm Throttle Bodys "For the most part, White bigots are no longer respected among Whites, and I look forward to the day that Black bigots are no longer respected among Blacks." Columnist Walter Williams Don't judge a man by his opinions, But by what his opinions have made him. - G.C. Lichtenberg

11-01-2008, 01:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Just a Six?? OK! Who Farted Again?? Join Date: May 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,458	Well its for a dual pump hangar & the Walbro socks are bigger than the ATR bracket holes. For $50 I'll spend another 1/2 hour with some drill bits & the dremmel. Never heard of a uni-bit before? Thanks! OK. Checked out Uni Bits & they arent too bad price wise. See what they have in the parts section? They will do what I need easily. __________________ 87 LTD. Purchased May 88 Doeskin leather, coach lites, moonroof & carpeted trunk. No Factory Hood Ornament! Special order by the VP of GM Canada! Not another like it! Lots of Go Fast goodies! 11.5 is as Fast as I go! Thats what the track told me! It's a Small World, but I wouldn't want to Paint It!! BPG Member #2040 Last edited by Just a Six??; 11-01-2008 at 02:24 PM.

11-01-2008, 07:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
BuickGN Boosted Owner-TR Custom Parts Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: North Haven, CT USA Posts: 1,043	Uni-bits rule! Only way to go. One bit and you can do many different sizes of holes. __________________ Mark Hueffman - Owner of TR Custom Parts 1987 GN - "Slightly Modified" mhueffman@snet.net

11-01-2008, 08:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
gbsean Not a Democrat any more.. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Flanders, N.J. Posts: 14,334	Unibit by IRWIN Industrial Tools are the best...but it depends on thickness of material....if you do not mind wasting some $$ I have used wood hole saws in a pinch before I bought a Dewalt set of bi-metal hole saw blades.... __________________ UPCOMING BPG EVENTS 2010 Stage 1 CONVENTION July 30,31 Aug 1 2010 2011 TTA T-Type T-PARTY July 29,30,31 2011 11.599 @ 119.91 with issues Sean Ryder Buick Performance Group Chairman www.buickperformancegroup.com http://www.magnabuick.com/ see thread for Engine Specs http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/wa...tml#post680751 happy now Rich

11-01-2008, 09:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
TG6 My Time To Shine Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Depression State - Michigan Posts: 346	The Stepper bits are nice. Harbor junk has them on the cheap. I think they have a two piece kit for under 20.00. They work fine for the first 10 light duty projects..... Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices Sizes: 3/16" to 7/8" Twelve Step Bit (3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1 /2", 9/16", 5/8", 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8"); 1/4" to 1-3/8" Eleven Step Bit (1/4", 25/64", 35/64", 1 1/16", 13/16", 7/8", 1", 1-1/8", 1-7/32", 1-1/4", 1-3/8") __________________ walk straight with a broken back.

11-02-2008, 05:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
KWIKR 1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Ontario Posts: 4,863	David you can get the "step drills" from Princess Auto fairly cheap . PRINCESS AUTO __________________ Post up your turbocharged engine bays : http://yellowbullet.com/forum/showth...light=injector

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1987 SHEET METAL PROBLEM 87GN	paulewalnuts	The Waiting Room	1	07-31-2007 06:19 PM
Sheet metal manifold	turbofabricator	The Waiting Room	15	01-24-2007 01:44 AM
If you've ever wanted a round metal part with a big hole in the center	Zap	The Waiting Room	19	12-07-2006 07:25 PM
Need a piece of sheet metal...	J Banning	Mid Atlantic Grand National Association (MAGNA)	17	07-13-2006 03:36 PM
sheet metal valve cover scam seller on ebay	87ttypewe4	Parts For Sale	3	05-08-2006 01:21 PM