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[tonyH]

I'm looking to cut a series of 30 to 40off 6 or 7mm holes in thin (<1mm) steel sheet. Using a "normal" drill or even a stepped one could probably rip the work-piece. I've looked for options and one possibility is via RS from a firm called Rotabroach. Has anyone experience of the type or any alternative?
Thanks
TonyH

[Andyn]

Personally I prefer a step drill for such things, but depending on your project I may be able to help you out, I have access to CNC punches and lasers

[tonyH]

Thanks for the offer Andy! It's the usual "warship" porthole situation and since I just happen to smoke mini Hamlets that come in tins I think I might plate the hull using the tin from the 40 or so tins I have saved "just in case they're useful". It's early days at present but if OK by you I'll not forget.Again many thanks
Tony
 

[warspite]

Some have mentioned using brass rod to punch a hole in place, though no idea what effect a brass tube being hit behind through 1 mm steel is like.


the tube would have to be sharpened so the outside is the cutting edge and the inside tapered back, maybe by several brass tubes one inside the other would give it some rigidity and maybe apiece outside, the punch would have to be exactly positioned and vertical whilst on a solid surface - just a thought

[chas]

Hi Tony, can you drill undersize, then use a tapered round file in a drill to get to the 6 mms you need? A bit of tape around the file would mark the depth needed.

[tonyH]

Sadly, since the holes follow the curved sweep of the deck line along about a metre, any height variation would be spotted.....guaranteed! That said, the plan is to cut the plates so the verticals are all parallel and the depth of each is about 10mm too much, drilling the holes, then only soft soldering them together with a 1.5mm overlap, using a 1mm ply full length template. Hopefully I can then spot the wrong'uns  and discard before trimming to the template.It's probably long winded but (a) it's free and (b) I use the stuff for gun shields etc because it's nice and scaleish at 1:100 and easy to work with.