Holes in 1/4 steel


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Old 08-15-16, 06:16 AM
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Holes in 1/4 steel

What would be the best option for cutting one inch diameter holes in 1/4 steel. Brother-in-law needs to cut about 240 so drilling is not a very good option. Any tools or ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
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Old 08-15-16, 06:28 AM
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Old 08-15-16, 06:29 AM
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This procedure would call for laser or water jet cutting. He should contact a metal working shop and contract it out. Many small shops might squeeze it in among their other jobs or during a slow day.
 
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Old 08-15-16, 07:21 AM
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Thanks, I will let him know. It is in a structure on his land/farm so he will have to have them come to him.
 
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Old 08-15-16, 07:28 AM
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For the amount of holes he needs/wants it would be better and cheaper to have the part fabricated then brought to his farm. A few holes could be cut with a torch or hand plasma but 240 really calls for a robot. Many/most sheet metal and welding fabrication shops have at least a plasma or laser and could easily cut the 240 holes. And with 240 holes doing it in a shop with the proper machine will be much cheaper than the many hours it would take in the field.

Cheapest will be to have a plasma do the work. The holes will be a little rougher and the sheet will need a grinder to remove the slag/burrs. A laser is more expensive but makes very clean holes that likely will not need any cleanup. The most expensive option will be a water jet. It can make very clean holes but it is slow compared to the other tools. A water jet also leaves the greatest draft angles on the cut so if the sides of the hole need to be straight it's not as good as a laser.
 
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Old 08-16-16, 10:02 AM
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What is being drilled?
Do the holes have to be precise?

It might be possible to rent a drill with a magnetic mount.
 
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Old 08-17-16, 07:37 AM
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What exactly is it he's trying to build that he needs that many holes?
 
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Old 08-17-16, 07:41 AM
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I was wondering the same thing.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 12:17 PM
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He is going into the chicken business and needs to cut them to add some siding to the houses. I really do not know the specifics as I have not see it yet. He lives about 4 hours away. I will be going down at some point.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 12:22 PM
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1/4 steel plate is big over kill for something like that.
 
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Old 08-18-16, 12:51 PM
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1/4" thick steel for the side of a chicken coup??? I was guessing radiator/engine guards for some logging machinery.
 
luckky voted this post useful.
 

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