Square holes?

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Aug 28, 2005 | 10:29 PM

#16

Madathlon

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From: Shasta Lake, Ca.

I work with SS all the time.. You will need special bits to drill thru it and lots of patence. SS is really tough stuff but last forever.. And AX said.. drill and pull the heads thru is about the best way next to a punch. If you try to file it you will never get anywhere, The everyday shop file just wont touch the stuff

Aug 28, 2005 | 10:45 PM

#17

bobj49f2

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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

I build industrial control systems for a living and as I mentioned before, I occationally have to build systems with stainless steel enclosures. First, I do not use a step drill, I have burned up a couple of $35 stip drills. If I need to punch a hole in SS I use a normal small high speed drill then use a lager drill the size of the draw stud of my punch. They are cheap and if I burn one up, big deal. If I need a large hole, like 3" or larger, I use a hole saw and run it a low speed, no oil. It works every time.

As for electical punches, they are expensive if you buy anything other than the standard conduit sizes from 1/2" to 2". The square ones are not cheap at any size. I am sure there aren't any made small enough that can punch the size hole needed.

Just my two cents,

Bob

Aug 29, 2005 | 11:16 AM

#18

ferguson777

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Ax,

Why the heck were you drilling a 2" hole in a SS dog dish? All you had to do was turn it upside down and it would empty..............

Aug 29, 2005 | 11:21 AM

#19

Jag Red 54

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From: Valley Center, CA

Ed, Please report back on how you solve the problem. I'm sure that others will be running into the same situation in the future. Personnaly, I'm likeing the idea about sending them to a pro with one of the old rails as a guide. He'll prob stack and drill them all at once and then put corners on those holes!

Good luck, Jag

Aug 29, 2005 | 11:58 AM

#20

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferguson777

Ax,

Why the heck were you drilling a 2" hole in a SS dog dish? All you had to do was turn it upside down and it would empty..............

LOL! Actually I was making a cover to go over my AC/heater hoses where they exit the firewall.

Aug 29, 2005 | 06:51 PM

#21

imlowr2

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From: Santa Clarita

Quote:

Originally Posted by AXracer

LOL! Actually I was making a cover to go over my AC/heater hoses where they exit the firewall.

Ax, with a dog dish?????? I'd love to see pics of that one. No doubt it will be a first. LOL...

Jag- I going to check out this sheet metal place and I post my findings and costs when I find out. I kinda like the idea AX had of drilling the holes a little larger and letting the wood bite into the carriage bolts. I prefer the square holes which would be more santitary and easier to install. So I'll probably go that route.

Ed

Aug 29, 2005 | 06:55 PM

#22

AXracer

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From: Durham NC

It looks really good actually, much better than the ugly 3" rubber grommet and the tarlike goop that covers the sensor. Matches my polished SS brake booster on the other side. I'll be out of town for a couple weeks at our national championship race so pictures will have to wait until I get back.

Last edited by AXracer; Aug 29, 2005 at 06:57 PM.

Aug 30, 2005 | 10:03 AM

#23

bobbytnm

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

Getting a shop to punch the holes shouldn't be too bad, especially if you have them all laid out where all they have to do is run them through the punch. It would probably take them longer to get eh punch and die set up in teh punch tan to actually do the work. I used to work in a fab shop and can still have access to the machinery if I take an ice chest of frosties to share with the boss, it sure makes things nice and easy when I need a slotted hole in something

Good luck with it
Bobby