drilling steel pipe - help please !
drilling steel pipe - help please !
(OP)
Tomorrow I need to drill approx 20 x 2 1/2" (63mm) diameter holes through the side of a 18" diameter steel pipe.
The holes are to take pins. I have thought of two ways to do this -
a) magnetic base type clamp on drill with a 2 1/2" cutter.
this would be the ideal way but the pipe grade is x52 steel , i think it will be to tough for the drill at that large diameter. steel thickness is 7/8"
or b) flame cut the holes and weld in machined bushes. A bit more work by the sounds of it having to machine all the bushes.
any ideas on how heavy going it would be drilling it?
i once drilled similar sized holes through 1/2" sa 516-70 and it bluntened the new cutter immediately. i dont think x52 is quite as tough as boiler steel though.
any help would be very gratefully received. thanks neville
The holes are to take pins. I have thought of two ways to do this -
a) magnetic base type clamp on drill with a 2 1/2" cutter.
this would be the ideal way but the pipe grade is x52 steel , i think it will be to tough for the drill at that large diameter. steel thickness is 7/8"
or b) flame cut the holes and weld in machined bushes. A bit more work by the sounds of it having to machine all the bushes.
any ideas on how heavy going it would be drilling it?
i once drilled similar sized holes through 1/2" sa 516-70 and it bluntened the new cutter immediately. i dont think x52 is quite as tough as boiler steel though.
any help would be very gratefully received. thanks neville





RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
Precision flame cutting with a jig is possible with everything thing depending on type hole and the precision needed.
htt
You can rent these machines and just purchase the cutters.
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
The pilot hole can be something like 1/2 diameter, center punch the pipe OD at the desired location. This will ensure the drill doesn't skip, wander off location.
Just a thought.
Kenneth J Hueston, PEng
Principal
Sturni-Hueston Engineering Inc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
I know x52 is a high yield, perhaps not as high as 516-70 boiler plate, but i am concerned that i could waste over $1000 of cutters and a lot of time. we are doing the job outside so dont have a radial drill, that would have been ideal!
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
Regards,
Cory
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
http://www.phalco.com/mirageMachines.htm
Here is the company that makes the tools that Phalco has.
Look at model DD1632
http://www.mirage-machines.co.uk/drills.htm
RE: drilling steel pipe - help please !
So what was your final solution? How did it work?
Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091