putting holes in very thin stainless

[RWD3M]

Hi All,

This is probably not the right part of the Forum for this but I couldn't easily find the right place and if I put it here I know someone will tell me where to put it, metaphorically speaking!

I need to put some 4mm (5/32) holes in some very thin (0.5mm) and narrow (8mm) stainless steel. Jubilee clips to be precise. I've tried a hand drill and whilst it will put a hole through, it wont put it exactly where I want it (despite centre punching) and as it breaks through it mangles the clip.

In my head, I think I need a punch of some sorts. Any ideas/suggestions?

 

[Pete.]

I've punched holes in strip that thin with a wad punch but it ruins the punch. OK for one or two. You need a had backing block behind it.

Otherwise tighten the clip around a wooden dowel, put in vice, clamp to drill press and drill.

 

[Red'n'Black]

For a one-off, clamp it between two thicker pieces of scrap and drill through the whole sandwich.

 

[RWD3M]

I've punched holes in strip that thin with a wad punch but it ruins the punch. OK for one or two. You need a had backing block behind it.

Otherwise tighten the clip around a wooden dowel, put in vice, clamp to drill press and drill.

For a one-off, clamp it between two thicker pieces of scrap and drill through the whole sandwich.

I'm going to try both these options, thanks chaps!

 

[Brad93]

Hardwood dowel inside the jubilee Clip might work.

 

[Hood]

Bit of a rag on the spot you will be drilling often makes drilling thin stuff easier. The drill whips the rag round so just make sure it is a smallish piece.

 

[AKN]

Have you tried a step drill they’re my go to for thin stuff?

 

[Hood]

Vid showing the cloth method on sheet material.

 

[scottmk1]

We have a gasket punching table like this at work and it’s pretty good for doing things like you want to do.

 

[RWD3M]

Vid showing the cloth method on sheet material.

How the **** does that work?! (Rhetorical question BTW)

 

[gordon stephenson]

I have a whitney hand punch, Ideal for that job

 

[Kram]

Helical drills will grab so your best off using straight flute like a step drill.

Id start with a small centre drill. If hole accuracy is not too important I might open it to size with a carbide burr.

 

[8ob]

Why not make a small jig? Fit/clamp the jubilee to a bit of tube with stops and tack weld a bit of offset steel with the 4mm hole in it to the tube exactly where you want it. You would get precision and repeatability.

Bob

 

[RWD3M]

What would I do without this place?! (again, a rhetorical question! )

 

[RWD3M]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm going to stick with this as I only have 8 holes to drill and it seems to work rather well!

I intend to celebrate later

Cheers