large holes in ally

[naughtyboy]

need to cut 24 8" holes in 16g ally chequer plate.
whats best tool thats not going to break bank?

its for some feeder stands for mates greyhounds, he liked ones i made for my lurcher and saluki/whippet cross.

dont fancy chain drilling that many then filing them.

cheers

 

[pedrobedro]

The good old jigsaw with a metal blade and plenty of oil. Aluminium tends to wear cutting tools out without lubrication.

 

[brightspark]

The good old jigsaw with a metal blade and plenty of oil. Aluminium tends to wear cutting tools out without lubrication.

as said but dont use oil use parafin

 

[gordon stephenson]

Sounds like a pain!! Don't you know anybody/anywhere that can plasma cut them for cheap.

 

[Hitch]

Jigsaw is nice and simple and quick...but 24 holes is a fair bit....
A router with a template and suitable cutter would be easy, if a little noisey.

 

[Glyn]

24 holes with a jigsaw? Use ear protection! I'd be inclined to find someone with a plasma and guide, would only take minutes. Or even free hand and dress with a file. Maybe a ply template you could wizz the torch round (allowing for width of cutting tip) Did some ali chequer plate with mine not long back, nice clean cuts too.

 

[rikrobson]

why not get an 8" hole saw?

 

[brightspark]

why not get an 8" hole saw?

if u have a fat wallet u can get custom made ones that size and u need a good powerfull drill to pull it over .cutting ally the frictions unreal

 

[Robotstar5]

What about a trepanning tool?

 

[octo0072000]

6 inch one here tell him he has to have wippets because of the smaller holes

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HOLE-SAW-...Garden_PowerTools_SM&var=&hash=item3a6acf5ad5

here we are 8inch hole saw but forty quid 1 only on the bay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/starrett-...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item3a7eb66cbe

 

[nodeward]

i would trepan em if you have a drill press, takes a while but nice clean holes

 

[MrFluffy]

Tank cutter...
This is a good quality one that you can get your mate to pay for then reuse on zillions of other jobs. Last time I needed a big one I made it myself to suit the job...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Adjustabl...474?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4836ed5f92

 

[graffian]

The rate a jig saw with a wood blade goes through 16swg I wouldn't bother trying anything else.
I don't use coolant on things like that, it is messy.