Trick question for you machinists...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Trick question for you machinists...
How can I cut a 4 inch diameter disk out of 16 gauge steel? The trick part is that I have to be able to do it with common tools in my garage or available at local stores. No Bridgeports available... 
Is there some sort of "old Indian trick"?
I've made one already the hard way - hack sawed a 32 sided figure out of the sheet, then ground down all the corners until I had a disk. Boy that was fun! I've also tried a 4 inch circular hole saw but that didn't work and it also leaves an unwanted hole in the center.
TIA...
Is there some sort of "old Indian trick"?I've made one already the hard way - hack sawed a 32 sided figure out of the sheet, then ground down all the corners until I had a disk. Boy that was fun! I've also tried a 4 inch circular hole saw but that didn't work and it also leaves an unwanted hole in the center.
TIA...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: 20,000 leagues under the sea
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
The metal hole saws can be had with a removeable center drill. But... you'll need a real steady hand to keep the saw centered. And... you probably already know this.... they are sold by the OD of the blade, not the ID.
I use these all of the time for cutting 16ga steel & 1/4" aluminum. They will "wander" if given the chance, and this causes the OD of the hole to be larger than the saw size. This is where a drill press comes in handy.
I also use nibblers, but you end up with a jagged edge.
My .01c
I use these all of the time for cutting 16ga steel & 1/4" aluminum. They will "wander" if given the chance, and this causes the OD of the hole to be larger than the saw size. This is where a drill press comes in handy.
I also use nibblers, but you end up with a jagged edge.
My .01c
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: glace bay nova scotia
tin snips will do the trick"not aviation snips",makita makes a #1 blade for metal, they are great for metal and will make a short radius if you take several runs at it.i cut an old oil take up for scrap with just one blade.the makita blade is called #1 that's it. best i've ever used.
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Instructor
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From: Hilton Va
If I was going to use a 4" hole saw, I would first use it to cut (with the drill bit in) a 4" hole in a piece of 3/4 in. piece of wood. You could either clamp or screw the piece of metal to the wood with the 4" hole. Then you could take the drill bit out of the center and the wooden hole would let you cut your hole without any propblem.
Last edited by carhound; Mar 11, 2005 at 04:41 PM.
Race Director
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by carhound
If I was going to use a 4" hole saw, I would first use it to cut (with the drill bit in) a 4" hole in a piece of 3/4 in. piece of wood. You could either clamp or screw the piece of metal to the wood with the 4" hole. Then you could take the drill bit out of the center and the wooden hole would let you cut your hole without any propblem.
good advice....wish i thought of it first
Race Director
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From: Forked River NJ
I have been selling saw blades for 20 years for Lenox. We are the #1 blade manufacter in the world. We have some of the jig saw blades that will cut thin gauge material that you want. Get a bimetal 24 tooth, or a 32 tooth for real fine metal. A trick I have used is to clamp the metal between to thin pieces of wood. This will keep the metal from jumping around and will give a smoother cut. You can easily cut a 4 inch radius with a jig saw blade. Lowes and Home Depot carry most of our products. Not sure on the fine tooth jig blades but give them a try.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by carhound
If I was going to use a 4" hole saw, I would first use it to cut (with the drill bit in) a 4" hole in a piece of 3/4 in. piece of wood. You could either clamp or screw the piece of metal to the wood with the 4" hole. Then you could take the drill bit out of the center and the wooden hole would let you cut your hole without any propblem.
