I need to cut this squarish hole out of this 1/8″ steel plate and the best tool I’ve got to do it with is a 4 1/2″ cut wheel. The white square in the picture is 1 sq in so you can see how my big cut wheel isn’t quite nimble enough for the job. If I drilled the corners is there any kind of jig saw blade that would do it? Or maybe some kind of oscillating tool blade? I’ve got an oscillator but I haven’t used it to cut metal yet.
Replies
Drill out the center with a 1" bit then file the corners.
Drill it anywhere with a bit wider than the metal cutting jigsaw blade that you can easily purchase at any hardware store. A 1" drill bit and a drill press and some really good clamping power maybe. A 1" bit will want to turn your piece of steel into a spinning guillotine! A 3/8" bit could do the same actually so you do want it clamped down or in a vise.
Find your local friendly machine shop and pay cash?
Lots of good advice there. As I like to keep my body fluids inside I'll take special care securing the piece.
What I do is as much about doing it as it is getting it done, so I do it.