Drilling steel.

Eagleview · Feb 11, 2008

As i have done in the past . Scribe your circle with your plug as a guide . Use a 3/16 drill bit and drill holes just to the inside of the scribed line and as close as you can to each other. A hole that big will take 10-15 minutes to complete . knock the centre out . A quick cleanup of the hole and your ready to weld the plug in , the weld will cover any little notches without a sign of them being there . Almost impossible to create a spark especially if you use some soluble oil mixed with water whilst drilling . If you use a hole saw be sure to drill the pilot hole first . If you do'nt , when you learch forward when the hole saw drill breaks through the teeth on the saw will grab and you will brake the pilot drill every time .

Champy · Feb 14, 2008

So in a related question.....how would I drill a 1-1/4" hole in 1/4" steel plate that is covering my well opening? Simple hole saw? Also, this is out in the middle of a field with no power source. Will a portable drill have enough umph to cut this one hole?

THX

AlanB · Feb 14, 2008

Champy said:
So in a related question.....how would I drill a 1-1/4" hole in 1/4" steel plate that is covering my well opening? Simple hole saw? Also, this is out in the middle of a field with no power source. Will a portable drill have enough umph to cut this one hole?

THX

High quality new holesaw, and my 18V dewalt cordless or my 19v Craftsman and a couple batteries.

Take you longer to set up and get going then to do the actual drilling.

Hi quality, sharp (new) bi-metal bit will make it go easy.

Champy · Feb 14, 2008

Thanks Al. I did not want to pull the cover and bring it into town to drill. Safety issue leaving the well exposed, etc... Will give the battery packs a work out now.

Barneyhunts · Feb 17, 2008

AlanB said:
High quality new holesaw, and my 18V dewalt cordless or my 19v Craftsman and a couple batteries.

Take you longer to set up and get going then to do the actual drilling.

Hi quality, sharp (new) bi-metal bit will make it go easy.

Maybe a portable generator or an inverter for your tractor,truck, vehicle and an electric drill.