Cutting hole in stainless steel

Geronimoe

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Hiya all, wondering if someone can point me to a tool to do this, i have a customer who has just spent £1100 squids on a blanco stainless steel sink and wants me to cut a 26mm hole in it to install another tap.

Not to clued up on cutting ss except i know it will harden if it gets hot and also discolour to a bluish tinge so would rather not use a hole saw but a hole punch to be on the safe side

I have seen the qmax hole punches but not sure if they will be up to doing this job so looking for any other quality punches peeps know about.

Cheers Geronimoe
 
Get a GOOD QUALITY hole cutter AND a tube of soluble oil.
Take it steady and slow; keep the soluble oil on the cut at all times, Don't use just water.
 
Hiya all, wondering if someone can point me to a tool to do this, i have a customer who has just spent £1100 squids on a blanco stainless steel sink and wants me to cut a 26mm hole in it to install another tap.

Not to clued up on cutting ss except i know it will harden if it gets hot and also discolour to a bluish tinge so would rather not use a hole saw but a hole punch to be on the safe side

I have seen the qmax hole punches but not sure if they will be up to doing this job so looking for any other quality punches peeps know about.

Cheers Geronimoe

Use oil, you have to use oil if you decide to drill, light oil (WD-40) is no good, it must be 3-1 oil or similar. You are taking a risk if you just use water, in fact you will probably kill the bit. And as already said, drill slowly. Either way it is best to drill first then punch.

I have just done Google and seen this:
http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electrical-lighting/green-lee-slug-o-buster-knockout-26290.html

Maybe of some use.
 
thanx for all the good tips, i think i will go with the hole punch as this should give a good clean hole but having probs sourcing one which will be up to the job in the uk.

I have seen the qmax hole punches but not sure if they will cut stainless steel?????
Just a note the sink is 18/20 guage
 
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I would NOT use any sort of punch.
It is actually easier to drill the hole when the sink is in place and fixed.
Eliminates the risk of moving.

It will take about 10 minutes.
 
Geronimoe

Are there any specialist machining shops near you? They may charge you for cutting the hole but it may be less than paying for a tool you may never use again. Specialist racing firms are a good idea as I am sure that they use this material all the time.

Best of luck.


Mick1961
 
The hole punches support the metal from both sides, you drill a small hole first then screw the cutter head and support body through the hole and tighten with a allen key until it cuts through the material.

PS: sink is already installed so not wanting to remove and transport prepared to pay whatever it costs then invoice customer.
 
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