Cut 2" hole in steel?

[Tony]

Rather than chain drilling, will this do it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50mm-2-Inch-BI-METALLIC-HOLESAW-Free-Delivery-/150798553098

I need to make a 2" hole to weld a 2" bsp nipple over, and it probably could be used for 2 1/4 bsp immersion holes too?

[kamaangir]

How thick and hard is your steel?

[Tony]

Probably 2mm, and not tried drilling it so not sure how hard.  It's a tank though so not expecting it to be particularly tough.  I have cutting compound that I use for pipe threading to assist with the cut.

[Head Womble]

How thick and hard is your steel?

It probably depends if it's first thing in the morning or not,

Or he's been picking up a new bio storage tank from a minor celeb,

Or if he's been doing a pump search on ebay.

[orange vito]

Yes it will work but lots of lubricant.....i use those cutters alot for my electrical and plumbing work.
I used 1 to cut an immersion boss in a 205 drum with great success although they do get a tad warm if you go in dry!!

[kamaangir]

How thick and hard is your steel?

It probably depends if it's first thing in the morning or not,

Or he's been picking up a new bio storage tank from a minor celeb,

Or if he's been doing a pump search on ebay.

Trust you to lower the tone!

Any way he probably wants to lube it up before attempting the hole!

[therecklessengineer]

I've used (abused!) those cutters going through 35mm steel plate. Slow going, but lots of pressure and lube and it'll do it.

Just don't spin it too fast - a battery drill on the 'screw' speed is plenty fast enough. Any faster and you'll just melt the tips on the cutter.

[oakwoodtv]

It will probably do the job use the slowest speed on your drill with a good cutting oil
motor oil will not do as it contains ante friction additives   
I always buy starrett hole saws cost a bit more but they last a long time
it just depends how many holes you you need to cut good tools are cheaper in the long run   

Richard

[Tony]

It won't need to do many cuts.  I have proper cutting compound, Trefolex - it's very good stuff.  So, sounds like slow and steady is the way to do it?  Can't be any slower than chain drilling lots of holes and filing.

[Jamesrl]

Plasma cutter.

Fantastic for the job.

[Tony]

Yeah I bet...

[therecklessengineer]

Well if we're going for ridiculous options, then a CNC laser/waterjet cutter would probably be the best thing.

However, for the cost, you can't really beat a hole saw.

[Rotary-Motion]

theres no guide drill in the center?

[julesandtash]

Well if we're going for ridiculous options, then a CNC laser/waterjet cutter would probably be the best thing.

However, for the cost, you can't really beat a hole saw.

Jim's is not really a ridiculous option though - plasma cutters are quite easy to come by these days. We know Jim has one as it was a very popular toy at the BBB. I can see that it would make cutting a two inch hole in virtually anything a very easy job

[Tony]

theres no guide drill in the center?

Yes there will be - those cutters fit a standard arbor (the centre drill bit).  I have such a thing already.