Hello, I need some assistance cutting a hole for a drain cover out of aluminum, can anybody help me? I would need this done by next week. Thanks for being excellent in!
I would be glad to help. I will be at the space tomorrow after the steam engine project in the machine shop (ends at three). A couple of questions:
- What size is the piece you need to cut the hole in? (Length, width, height)
- What size is the hole you need to drill
- Do you have the aluminum piece to be drilled?
I do not have the Aluminum, but if you can tell me where to purchase some or if you have some I could buy from you I would appreciate it. Specifications of forthcoming. Thanks 1 million
Metal suppliers on machine shop wiki page
Before arranging time to help drill hole, you really need to answer those first two questions. The answers will impact how/if I can help.
Several of the suppliers listed above are local and you can pick up the material today. Saturday after the steam session or Wednesday (before 7) will be the only two times I would be able to assist you, but you can probably find someone else if those times don’t work.
For now I will need a rounded plate and I have a template
Dimensions
H: 9.5 "
W 9.5"
D: 1/8"
Any assistance is appreciated.
So do you need 100 ? square holes made on that grid? If so, we don’t have the equipment available to make square holes, and you likely couldn’t purchase it in the time frame you want.
No I just need a plate, several or even no round holes are fine and I do not need them right away - just the cut and rounding. I will have the aluminum this afternoon. Thanks for the local sources.
Okay, I am getting confused. In your original post you said you needed help cutting a hole in an aluminum plate. Now it sounds like you talking about cutting the plate to size (which most of the suppliers I referenced would do for you, and rounding the corners.
I suggest you get the plate cut to size when you purchase it. As for rounding the corners, the tool needed is easy and straightforward to use. A metal file, several of which (including one specifically for aluminum) are available in the top draw of the black tool box next to the HAAS.
Use your existing piece as a template to scribe the rounded corners onto your new piece of aluminum, and file to that line. All four corners should be about 30 minutes of hand filing. When the vertical bandsaw gets a blade it can remove most of the material first, leaving only a few minutes to clean up with a file. If you want to wait for that tool.
The plate will be cut to size, then the corners will need to be rounded and a few holes cut. That’s it. I will need some help in how as I have only had HAAS training and little experience in working metals. Thanks again.