Hole saw for ceramic on metal?

[Exonautic]

So I have been having an issue lately. One that could be solved by a 1/4 hole saw bit. But I can't find metal hole saw bits that small. But I am able to find the diamond tipped ones that are used for the ceramics in that size. So is this something I can do? I'm only cutting into aluminum and I have to use a hole saw, drilling out the whole thing has proven itself not to be an option. Or can someone link me a <1/4" metal hole saw bit.

 

[kev74]

The diamond will work, but will be s-l-o-w!

McMaster Carr has 1/4" hole saws.

McMaster-Carr

Why can't you use a regular drill bit?

 

[Deplorable Me]

Lubricant. Look for a water based oil for aluminum .

 

[Tisto]

For the life of me I can't figure out exactly what you're attempting to do, but it sounds like you want a 1/4" hole in a piece of aluminum, and for some reason you can't use a regular drill bit. Have I got that right ? How 'bout this then : carbide burr. You can get a cone shaped carbide burr ( or a diamond burr for that matter ) and create the hole with it. More information would help a great deal. Magic Tap for aluminum will help assure that the machining is pretty. You can buy all of those things at a Fastenall store near you, although they are never the least expensive place.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Second the questions on "what the heck is the project so we can give you a bunch of bubba answers until the forum pros show up."

 

[tony]

There is a lot of knowledge here. You should tell us WTF you are trying to do... If you really want help.

Maybe TANNERITE in the form of a shaped charge.

or perhaps shoot a hole in, 6 mm will be a little undersize and 6.5 mm a little over...

 

[Exonautic]

Lol. My mag release on an AR lower got all fucked up. The catch is hardened steel but the button is soft aluminum. So I'm trying to drill a hole around the catch to get it out. This is what I get for trying to use a different model mag lock.

 

[tony]

Hmmmm... have you tried to depress the button fully and unscrew the latch? Maybe some pics would help come up with a plan???

 

[Exonautic]

Hmmmm...

? If you're trying to insinuate anything here, know I built the lower from a stripped one and I put the maglock in myself to begin with. If I was trying to break any laws I would have just done it from the start.

 

[Tisto]

I think maybe THERMITE is the answer to your problems.


Or, you could just cut the catch from the left side of the receiver. It will destroy the catch, but they are only a few $, and going at it from the right side is likely to damage the receiver.

When you say it's messed up, what do you mean, exactly ? How is it messed up ?

 

[tony]

I would never insinuate, not that kind of guy. I would just say it. "Hmmmm"... is me thinking.

 

[Toecutter]

From what im gathering you are trying to drill the threaded end of the mag button to remove the catch . You can drill hard steel , just drill the threaded end out as if you were to drill a broken bolt. A drill press would make this easier.

 

[togmaster]

Lowers are cheap. Just buy another one.

 

[Exonautic]

Lowers are cheap. Just buy another one.

Already did. This is my attempt to get this one up and running again.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Already did. This is my attempt to get this one up and running again.

Waste not, want not. Can you post a picture?

 

[meketrefe]

Very hard to provide dexent advice without a good description and pics. If you get a carbide mill bit it will cut through anything. Go slowly with oil to cool it.

 

[Depick]

Get a tungsten or cobalt drill bit. They’re a little more expensive but are made for drilling hardened steel. Can you cut the shaft of the mag release from the inside with a dremel ?

 

[Exonautic]

Get a tungsten or cobalt drill bit. They’re a little more expensive but are made for drilling hardened steel. Can you cut the shaft of the mag release from the inside with a dremel ?

Can't find a small enough one to do the job without damaging the lower. And the cobaot bit is what I've been using. It barely left a scratch on the mag catch. And I broke off a ti bit where the pin is so it has not been fun.


I just left for PA for 3 gun tomorrow, I'll post a picture tomorrow night when I get home to give y'all an idea of what I'm working with.

 

[cgrutt]

They make small hole saw bits for drilling out sheet metal for tack welds I have a set. Believe they run smaller than 1/4 and go up to about 1/2. Not sure what they are called.

 

[Toecutter]

What lock is it . maybe if people could see it we can get a better idea.

 

[cgrutt]

This is what I'm talking about this set is expensive I think you can find them cheaper. Called Spotweld cutter. They do work awesome on sheetmetal assuming aluminum would be fine.

Colbalt Spot Weld Cutter kit 1/4 5/16 3/8 1/2

ETA those look solid but they make them in a hole saw version with pilot pointer or bit that look like this (these are 3/8 they come smaller)

EW Spot Weld Cutter Kit

 

[Toecutter]

This is what I'm talking about this set is expensive I think you can find them cheaper. Called Spotweld cutter. They do work awesome on sheetmetal assuming aluminum would be fine.

Colbalt Spot Weld Cutter kit 1/4 5/16 3/8 1/2

ETA those look solid but they make them in a hole saw version with pilot pointer or bit that look like this (these are 3/8 they come smaller)

EW Spot Weld Cutter Kit

I dont think this will work for him,i believe he is trying to cut a circle in the aluminum around the hardened catch screw.

 

[Exonautic]

I dont think this will work for him,i believe he is trying to cut a circle in the aluminum around the hardened catch screw.

Correct. It's a bg mag lock. So one small set screw that decided it wasn't gonna let me change it, rather just strip itself out. I really gummed it up at this point by breaking of a bit into where the screw was.

 

[Toecutter]

Could the button be pushed in and a hacksaw blade used to cut the shaft from the other side.

 

[GUNSICK]

Drill out the mag catch side not the button.

 

[togmaster]

Drill out the mag catch side not the button.

Someone knows what they are doing.

 

[Exonautic]

Drill out the mag catch side not the button.

Right over the shaft of the catch right?

 

[Exonautic]

Drill out the mag catch side not the button.

I know this is the better way to do it, but when I first set out on this i was trying to preserve the catch itself since it's cerakoted to match the gun. At this point idc so this is my next step

To add, I did get a bit tunnel visioned with going from the button side.

 

[dsdmmat]

Correct. It's a bg mag lock. So one small set screw that decided it wasn't gonna let me change it, rather just strip itself out. I really gummed it up at this point by breaking of a bit into where the screw was.

With this information, You are going to need to go through the mag catch side or you are going to F up your lower. If you had not broken the bit you could have gotten away with a left hand twist drill bit to walk it out.

 

[meketrefe]

Again hard to say abt it seems to me you dont want a drill bit. What you need is a quality mill bit that slowly will cut throug anything. The key is to have a good start and the work bolted on so it will not walk and cut/damage parts you dont want to damage.
Run it slowly and use cutting oil.