Best method for cutting stainless steel?

[bottlebomber]

Use one of these

http://www.mcmaster.com/#starting-drill-bits/=fbfgym

I know they have a countersink but just use the drill point of the bit.

These things go through stainless with ease.

Those center drills do work great, the #1 is a 1/8" shank I'm pretty sure. It would be much more rigid than a drill, but as soon as one of those makes it through its going to wallow out the hole with that chamfering edge. It could work though.

 

[Berniep]

Those center drills do work great, the #1 is a 1/8" shank I'm pretty sure. It would be much more rigid than a drill, but as soon as one of those makes it through its going to wallow out the hole with that chamfering edge. It could work though.

I never think of using my center drills for thin stuff but its a great idea.
I think thats the best bet.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

That's why I was asking about wall thickness. A diamond burr would be the tool for the job if it was just some tubing or something. Im not familiar with whats being worked on because I don't keg.

It is tubing, but I don't know the thickness.

About 1/16", 0.065?

 

[bottlebomber]

It is tubing, but I don't know the thickness.

About 1/16", 0.065?

You may be able to find a diamond grinding bt that would do the job nicely. It will be hard to have them only be 1/16" though, they will probably be more like 3/32 as many of these bits are cone shaped. Oh and I forgot to ask, are you using anything to spot/center punch your holes? Pretty much vital for drilling into a rounded surface. Also I can't remember if this has been asked before, but what is the function of the holes?

 

[Brew_Force]

A dremel with the metal cutting blade.

 

[bottlebomber]

A dremel with the metal cutting blade.

That's what I was thinking, a cut off wheel. I was wondering why they need to be holes instead of slots.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

That's what I was thinking, a cut off wheel. I was wondering why they need to be holes instead of slots.

+1, I did not even think of that, hmmmm.

 

[dmfa200]

Those center drills do work great, the #1 is a 1/8" shank I'm pretty sure. It would be much more rigid than a drill, but as soon as one of those makes it through its going to wallow out the hole with that chamfering edge. It could work though.

Don't go plunging down with your drill and you won't have that happen. Center drills cut through material easier than a drill bit, so you don't have to use excessive force. You'll feel the moment the center drill is about to cut through the tubing.
Then you just back off the pressure allowing just the drill point to make the hole.
If you have a drill press than it's even easier.

 

[corrales_305]

plasma cutter will give a nice cut for plate or thick stainless...and oxidation may occur but wire weel it or get sand paper and hit it for a bit. for a sanke spear a pipe cutter or hack saw with metal cutting blade should work well

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Those center drills do work great, the #1 is a 1/8" shank I'm pretty sure. It would be much more rigid than a drill, but as soon as one of those makes it through its going to wallow out the hole with that chamfering edge. It could work though.

I want 1/16" holes

 

[BOBrob]

+1, I did not even think of that, hmmmm.

Use your tube cutter & just rock it back and forth until you punch thru to make the slit, and to make it wider just go a bit deeper. I drilled a small piece of wood(1/2") and stuck the tubing thru the hole to hold it in the vise while I worked the cutter back and forth. The wood crushed holding the tubing , nice clean job. Cheers

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Bought a cobalt drill bit, cut through the stainless like buttah. Randall is all put together, can't wait to put it to use.

 

[mnhopfarmer]

the reason you dont use a hack saw in some cases with stainless steel is it work hardens easy, this means by cutting with the hack saw vigorously you heat up and harden just the edge of the cut. in a situation where you need to flair the tube it will crack or split. if you dont need to flair its fine. or you can just cut with the hack saw slowly in one direction only, this will cut it without work hardening.

 

[huntb]

You do realize that you are responding to a thread from almost two years ago right? BTW welcome to HBT!

 

[mnhopfarmer]

nope didnt pay attention, I was just looking for stainless cutting info, put my two cents in. its there for a future browser now.

 

[vikasshah]

Compair to hacksaw..u will get cleanest most accurate cut with cutting disk.

 

[kevink]

You do realize that you are responding to a thread from almost two years ago right? BTW welcome to HBT!

Nice warm welcome there.