Author Topic: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet  (Read 21257 times)

Offline doubleboost

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Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« on: September 11, 2012, 04:56:57 PM »
Hi
Lads
I have been wanting to make a storage rack for R8 collets for some time
I had thought about using wood (but i just dont like the stuff)
Settled in some 1.4 mm aluminium
This was cut to size and bent to fit in a metal drawer
Marked out to give 30 holes
I made a simple hole cutter from some shiney bits of steel i had found under the bench
The pictures tell the story
The studding is 10mm the finished holes 23mm
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4286.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4285.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4283.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4281.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4282.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4287.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
Finished job much better than those red plastic tubes
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4290.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
John

Offline John Rudd

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2012, 04:59:26 PM »
Nice job and well executed..... :bow:

Looks simialr to the Qmax chassis punches that were around in the 70's.. ( I think they are still available? )
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Offline doubleboost

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2012, 05:01:56 PM »
Basically a home made copy
Great for aluminium
Would need to be hardend for steel
John

Offline krv3000

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2012, 06:47:31 PM »
well dun john

Offline sparky961

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2012, 09:42:50 PM »
It looks like those holes came out nice and cleanly.  I wouldn't have realized that you could get such nice results with that method.

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2012, 03:53:48 AM »
Oh! I like that method John!  :clap: :clap:

Beautiful finished product too.....  :thumbup:

David D
David.

Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!

Offline Bluechip

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2012, 04:30:30 AM »
Nice job and well executed..... :bow:

Looks simialr to the Qmax chassis punches that were around in the 70's.. ( I think they are still available? )
Yes John, still around. Bought a 5/8" about a year ago. I have about 12 of them. No soddin' 5/8" size though.
How is it you seem to have every size except the one you need ...
I felt sure I should have one. IIRC it was for B7G valve bases ...
 
Dave BC
 
I have a few modest talents. Knowing what I'm doing isn't one of them.

Offline AdeV

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2012, 06:47:45 AM »

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/john970s0/IMG_4286.jpgCutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet


Tidy work there John... that die - did you cut it on the lathe with an interrupted cut, or on the mill with a large cutter, or some other method?

Thanks for showing  :thumbup:
Cheers!
Ade.
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Location: Wallasey, Merseyside. A long way from anywhere.
Occasionally: Zhengzhou, China. An even longer way from anywhere...

Offline doubleboost

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2012, 07:12:46 AM »
Hi
Ade
I turned the die to be a good fit in the sleve then just put it in the vice and milled the end with a big cutter
A bit dress up with a file
John

Offline DaveH

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Re: Cutting Big Holes In Thin Sheet
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2012, 02:44:05 PM »
John,
Nicely done  :thumbup: :clap: :bow:
 :beer:
DaveH
(Ex Leicester, Thurmaston, Ashby De La Zouch.)