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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Tolga, Qld
    Posts
    49

    Default Cutting Stainless Steel

    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Newcastle/Tamworth
    Posts
    416

    Default

    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Tolga, Qld
    Posts
    49

    Default

    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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Armidale NSW
    Age
    53
    Posts
    299

    Default

    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.
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    Bill,
    I used a 35mm hole saw on mine (see it here: https://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
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Tolga, Qld
    Posts
    49

    Default

    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    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
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1

    Default

    You could also try McLaren Engineering.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Newcastle/Tamworth
    Posts
    416

    Default

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

    Cheers
    Pulse

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Tolga, Qld
    Posts
    49

    Default

    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

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Tolga, Qld
    Posts
    49

    Default

    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

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