How To Cut A 3 4 Inch Hole In Sheet Metal

Put your ink to the use and mark the hole center.

How to cut a 3 4 inch hole in sheet metal.

At first locate the center of the whole. Metal cutting hole saws are typically available in 3 4 inch to 6 inches in size and. Hot metal chips will fly. In this video we show you the best and safest way to cut a round hole into a can or rectangular duct.

For large holes a hole saw gets the job done cleanly and quickly. Use a scrap of plywood as a backer for the hole saw s pilot bit and to protect your work surface. It may not be an obvious choice but fitted with the right blade a circular saw is a great metal cutting tool. The instructions of my aprilaire 600 humidifier ask to drill a 3 4 inch hole into the sheet metal to install the control unit.

Then grip the saw with both hands and push the blade through the metal to cut it. Like twist bits hole saws chuck right into your drill and will cut through thin gauge sheet metals like aluminum and steel. Thick using a ferrous metal cutting blade. Start by taping both sides of the sheet metal directly over the line you want to cut and clamp the metal to a work station so it doesn t move.

Now it s time to use that center punch. I don t even have a drill bit that big. Then create a pilot hole within the penciled circle using a power drill. You ll need a drill sheet metal snips a start collar.

You can cut mild steel up to about 3 8 in. This will create dimples in the sheet. If your project requires cutting a hole in the center of sheet metal draw it on the metal as you would any other cut line. For thin sheets of metal you can use tin snips to cut through it.

Cut metal with your circular saw. In contrast to how twist and step drill bits operate hole saws work by cutting out the edges of an opening. In our test it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter.