Cutting Stainless Steel

[Feralbilly]

I have been given a stainless steel laundry tub that I am going to install in my workshop.
I already have H&C water connections in the workshop (blanked off at present).

I am intending to fit a mixer tap in the corner of the wash tub. Can anyone give me some pointers in cutting a hole approx. 35 mm diameter in the top of the tub.

My first thought was a hole saw, but they all appear to be made for wood and I doubt if a standard hole saw would look at stainless steel

Regards

Bill

[Pulse]

G'day Bill, I posted about this a few months ago. I ended up buying a 35mm screw punch from Reece plumbing. It is a rothenberg product, costs about $70. Nice clean hole too.

Cheers Pulse

[Feralbilly]

Thanks Pulse. Will try around our local plumbing suppliers but it may have to wait until next time I am in Cairns (BIG City)

Bill

[Vernonv]

Hi Bill,
I did exactly the same thing on my laundry sink (actually I put in two holes - one for the mixer and one for the washing machine drain).

I used a "tank cutter" or at least that what I know it as. You should be able to get it from most hardware stores.

I used it on a slow speed with cutting paste. Make sure you cut perpendicular to the surface and you will be fine.

[journeyman Mick]

Bill,
I used a 35mm hole saw on mine (see it here: http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=39434 scroll down to post 11 ) Used a fair bit of pressure and some lubricant and was through in a few minutes. The SS I was cutting through is considerably thicker than a domestic kitchen or laundry sink so you won't have any problems. You'll get a cleaner cut with one of the purpose made punches or you could take it to the shed where the sinks are kept at Cairns Hardware and ask nicely for them to punch the hole for you.

Mick

[Feralbilly]

Many thanks Guys.

Will try a hole saw or , if I can get one here, a tank cutter.

I don't go down to Cairns too often, it is an hour and a quarter each way.

Bill

[journeyman Mick]

Bill,
there's a sheetmetal shop in Atherton that might be able to cut the hole, or perhaps Tablelands Hardware (part of Cairns Hardware). Most places that sell sinks have the punch as sinks are usually supplied without the holes punched so thet they don't need to carry stock in both right and left hand.

Mick

[Cliff Rogers]

You could also try McLaren Engineering.

[Pulse]

I took a photo of the screw punch and the disc it spits out....

Cheers
Pulse

[Feralbilly]

Have found a tank cutter and will give it a try when I get the actual tap.
The tank cutter looks a useful tool. Thanks for the help guys.

Bill

[Feralbilly]

Hi Guys.
Just thought that I would let you know that I have had success using the tank cutter in spite of the printing on the packet "only for use in a drill press, do NOT use in a hand held power tool".
However, I did find that the cutting tool suppled with it was too soft and I replaced it with a piece of HSS Tool Steel that I had laying around, nicely sharpened to a cutting point.
Thanks again Guys

Bill