Cutting and Drilling Stainless

[Graham]

Hi,

 

How do you cut and put screw holes in stainless steel? We currently have a "normal" guillotine that we use to cut the 24"x12" ali sheets but obviously this won't cut stainless. The only things I've seen that will do the job are massive and cost thousands. Money aside, chopping a 100mm x 50mm (or smaller) plate on these wouldn't be easy! Is there something similar to the ali guillotines that will chop stainless?

 

Also, can someone point me in the right direction for a countersink drill bit for stainless too? I've got normal drill bits to make the holes but can't countersink them.

 

Not an easy thing to work with!

 

Thanks in advance.

[StevenB]

I spoke to mastergrave earlier in the year about cutting stainless.

They told me that they don't do it themselves, but get another specialist company on their road to cut all their stainless for them. Clearly a bugger of a job!

Use normal engine oil as a lubricant was the advice also.

[kastanza]

Use normal engine oil as a lubricant was the advice .

 

you old romantic you

[Graham]

Thanks,

 

Yeah it's a right pain to cut. Gravograph don't cut it either. We have a couple of people that can do it but I don't really feel it worth phoning them up to cut the odd small plate from time to time and it would be handy to be able to chop it in house but it's not easy to do.

[kobblers]

Didn't any of the guys you spoke to know you could use a mitre saw with the right kind of blade?

 

When I was still doing carpentry I had an Evolution Rage which worked a damn treat

 

http://www.evolutionpowertools.com/uk/b ... e3s300.php

 

The normal mitre saw is great for cutting medium to small pieces and can also be used to bevel the edges. If you want to cut much bigger pieces then the sliding mitre saw can be used for that although you should always take care to support any large pieces so they aren't wobbling about.

 

My advice and I would take it seriously as I know what I"m on about with this machine is to make small wooden holder jigs for your smaller pieces when cutting them or you risk your fingers being dragged in, plus any metal you're cutting gets bloody hot.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Rick.

[kobblers]

Didn't any of the guys you spoke to know you could use a mitre saw with the right kind of blade?

 

When I was still doing carpentry I had an Evolution Rage which worked a damn treat

 

http://www.evolutionpowertools.com/uk/b ... e3s300.php

 

The normal mitre saw is great for cutting medium to small pieces and can also be used to bevel the edges. If you want to cut much bigger pieces then the sliding mitre saw can be used for that although you should always take care to support any large pieces so they aren't wobbling about.

 

My advice and I would take it seriously as I know what I"m on about with this machine is to make small wooden holder jigs for your smaller pieces when cutting them or you risk your fingers being dragged in, plus any metal you're cutting gets bloody hot.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Rick.

 

If you want your machine to pay for itself offer a cutting service to the trade as obviously our so called suppliers aren't very helpful

 

Rick.

[kobblers]

I forgot about the countersink:

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/countersink-h ... haft/11311

 

As Steven says, use oil as a cutting aid. These things are best used with a drill press if you want consistency.

 

 

Rick.

[k4mrc]

How do you cut and put screw holes in stainless steel? We currently have a "normal" guillotine that we use to cut the 24"x12" ali sheets but obviously this won't cut stainless. The only things I've seen that will do the job are massive and cost thousands. Money aside, chopping a 100mm x 50mm (or smaller) plate on these wouldn't be easy! Is there something similar to the ali guillotines that will chop stainless?

 

imho (for what its worth) Just order the size with holes etc from either Mastergrave or Pantograph services - whoever does them and charge accordingly, if you start getting in equipment, will cost a small fortune and I cannot see you making money

[Graham]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Will drop into Screwfix in the next day or so and pick up that countersink, thanks. Will use the oil, we use it for drilling normal holes first. Guess it's sticking to others for cutting it for now. After all my research into it I was just hoping someone here would say "Oh yeah, we use ......" Always good to get the opinions of poeple that actually do the work rather than wholesalers. I'm not sure I'm ready to risk the mitre saw, may look into it though, I'm sure we've got one kicking around somewhere. Does look a bit risky, I may offer the idea up to someone else first

[hibsjo(SCO)]

i get all my stainless cut to size by engravamet

i drill all my holes on bench drill using carbide cutters using trefolex

carry on!