Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet which I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter

They work nicely in aluminum, I have used them to cut 5" round hole in 1/2"
aluminum for my transom scuppers. They cut better with cutting fluid,
kerosene is ideal but any oil will do.
"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on
my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one
myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet which
I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter

Hi

"habbi" skrev i en meddelelse
...
They work nicely in aluminum, I have used them to cut 5" round hole in
1/2"
aluminum for my transom scuppers. They cut better with cutting fluid,
kerosene is ideal but any oil will do.

Spirit , ------ Alkohol , is even better..
P.C.

Thanks very much, I will give it a try over the next few days.
regards to all
Peter
"P.C." wrote in message
. ..
Hi

"habbi" skrev i en meddelelse
...
They work nicely in aluminum, I have used them to cut 5" round hole in
1/2"
aluminum for my transom scuppers. They cut better with cutting fluid,
kerosene is ideal but any oil will do.

Spirit , ------ Alkohol , is even better..
P.C.

It will work best if you cut your holes using a drill press with a
peice of wood for backing and well clamped

Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet which I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter

Thanks Drew, I have a bench pillar drill so will use that.
Peter
"Drew Dalgleish" wrote in message
...
It will work best if you cut your holes using a drill press with a
peice of wood for backing and well clamped

Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on
my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one
myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet
which I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium
please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated
even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter

Hole saws are used on aluminum every day in industry...for custom work.
For the few holes you're cutting, you won't need any lubricant. Just
make sure your pilot bit is in tight, the set screws tend to rattle
loose. Good luck.

John Smith wrote:
Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet which I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter

John Smith writes:

snip
I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet which I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.

Hole saw will do a good job if you keep the following in mind:

1) Keep drill press RPM low, no more than 200 RPM.

2) Make sure work piece is properly clamped to the drill press table.

You can cut these holes dry, no lube req'd.

Lew

You should use lube Ally tends to stick to the cutting teeth on hole saws.
Bri
"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on
my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one
myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet which
I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter

thanks to all for the advice
Peter
"brian clode" wrote in message
...
You should use lube Ally tends to stick to the cutting teeth on hole saws.
Bri
"John Smith" wrote in message
...
Hi Folks,
I am now at the stage of needing to install the dashboard instruments on
my
boat rebuild. I have a choice of buying a custom panel or making one
myself
which is the preferred choice. I have a piece of 4mm aluminium sheet
which
I
would like to use. Can anyone advise me on cutting circular holes in the
stuff. I have a 'Hole saw' set which describes its self as 'Bi-metal' It
works fine in wood and plastic. has anyone tried them on aluminium
please?
Most of the holes will be for 2" instruments although there is a larger
Tacho which is approx 3.5 inches. any suggestions will be appreciated
even
if they are of 'The don't even think about it' variety.
many thanks
Peter