Cutting Large Holes in thick steel

**bobneumann** · May 20, 2021, 07:20 PM

**jdurand** · May 21, 2021, 05:30 PM

I went through a bunch of several name brands that all stripped the threads on that screw-in arbor. I finally removed the pins from one and put bolts through and tightened well.

These were 4-1/4" saws.

**madokie** · May 21, 2021, 10:45 PM

good vid,, i worked in the machine shop at a plant that made tilted gravel shaker units,we made the sides from 3/8-3/4 plate,, we clamped them together and tack welded them..then used starett hole saws ,, we never drilled a chip hole in the side,,most chips came out in long strings, we just pulled out the hole saw,an blew out any remaing chips and kept on sawing,,ran the radial arm drill press lowest it would go 60 RPM.. i think,,good vid but it ran over 10 min and u did not mention your RPM u ran at, so heres your Sam Kinison award,,,OOOOOH,OH,OOH,OOH,OOOOOH,OOH,OOH ,OOOOOH !!!!!

**Wildwilly** · May 29, 2021, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by madokie

good vid,, i worked in the machine shop at a plant that made tilted gravel shaker units,we made the sides from 3/8-3/4 plate,, we clamped them together and tack welded them..then used starett hole saws ,, we never drilled a chip hole in the side,,most chips came out in long strings, we just pulled out the hole saw,an blew out any remaing chips and kept on sawing,,ran the radial arm drill press lowest it would go 60 RPM.. i think,,good vid but it ran over 10 min and u did not mention your RPM u ran at, so heres your Sam Kinison award,,,OOOOOH,OH,OOH,OOH,OOOOOH,OOH,OOH ,OOOOOH !!!!!

I’m with you....longwinded & not enough REAL info.

**mdhatter3** · May 22, 2021, 04:08 AM

Hate to burst someone’s bubble but this short cut has been around for a long time.

**Thunderbelch** · May 22, 2021, 07:02 AM

That's an excellent tip that many of us have never seen before! Just ignore the toxic negative comments.

**rgsparber** · May 23, 2021, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by mdhatter3

Hate to burst someone’s bubble but this short cut has been around for a long time.

It is new to me so MUCH appreciated. I'm off to my shop to try it out.

Rick

**rgsparber** · May 25, 2021, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by rgsparber

It is new to me so MUCH appreciated. I'm off to my shop to try it out.

Rick

I tried this technique in my shop and it worked perfectly. I've been using hole saws for many decades and only now have learned this correct technique! Of equal value is to think about where the material held in the gullets goes as I use saw blades like this. It is a valuable insight.

Thanks Bob.

Rick

**rgsparber** · May 25, 2021, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by mdhatter3

Hate to burst someone’s bubble but this short cut has been around for a long time.

There is a vast difference between an idea being "around a long time" and being known by a given person. Many times I have struggled with a problem because I didn't know the key words to use to search for the solution. I do often struggle with problems because I make do rather than even try to find a solution. This is especially true when I'm focused on solving one problem and do not want to be distracted by another.

I would love to see a list of machining tricks that have been around a long time.

Rick

**1960 Starliner** · May 25, 2021, 08:30 AM

It's easy to say that a particular way of doing something " has been around for a long time ", but I'm sure that each of us DO NOT have the same circle of knowledgeable friends, nor do we all read or view the same information available. Therefore, it is unlikely that someone who " knows " a particular method or shortcut will be common knowledge to everyone. To assume so is just plain stupidity.