drilling stainless

[phil hair]

hi, got to install a new shower next week. to cover up the hole that will be left, they asked if i could put a piece of mirrored stainless in, have the shower attached to it, pipes coming through,ect.
i thought this was a great idea, until i reralisec drilling a small hole can be a,err, difficult, never mind a 25ish mm hole.
any tips out there?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

nice new hole saw and no lube unless its special stuff for ss and take your time

 

[Geyser]

You can get the cutters that screw/clamp together to make hole.

Like this one
Q.Max Sheet Metal Hole Punch 55mm : Tooled-Up.com

Probably depends on stainless thickness

 

[plumben]

As above nice sharp cutters and Ss cutting oil only, when stainless gets hot its impossible to drill so slow speed and don't let it get too hot

 

[lame plumber]

cobalt drills for pilot hole.

 

[REDSAW]

lazer cut it at sheet metal works

 

[Rckape]

I seem to remember that the Bosch progressor hole saws are suitable for stainless. The posh white ones that click in to the arbour.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

slow slow slow

 

[Roger Welton]

Cobalt bits, lube and take your time

 

[snowhead]

Did anyone mention SLOW????????

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Did anyone mention SLOW????????

very ^^^^^^^^ snail speed

 

[Roger Welton]

Article: Speeds and feeds for drilling and reaming stainless steels

 

[zzzjim]

Article: Speeds and feeds for drilling and reaming stainless steels

Cheers Roger , explains the many ways i have failed before .

Centre punch ..... Nooooooo

 

[phil hair]

is it worth getting a step drill as ive read on other sites?

 

[Radioman]

lazer cut it at sheet metal works

Or water jet cutting, beautiful finish and stress free

 

[Ric2013]

I've cut a 35mm hole in a sink using a Q-max punch. You need to drill a pilot hole first - I used my cordless drill and a sharp but cheap HSS twist drill. Obviously I must have gone slowly enough because I had no problem. I think I used oil or grease to lube drill bit.

 

[phil hair]

thanks everybody, did the job today, only broke 1 drill,pushing to hard on 3mm drill.
slow slow was the key, and the step drill :nono: it

thanks again