Mill in the Bay Area

[awesomeissquid]

Anyone in the Bay Area (CA) have access to a mill? Trying to make some 3/4” holes in a couple pieces of mild steel for a project on the cruiser. All the machine shops in the area want ~$200 which is a bit outside what I was hoping to spend.

 

[MongooseGA]

How thick is the material?

 

[awesomeissquid]

1/2" thick

 

[MongooseGA]

Depending on the size of the work, I'd find someone with a CNC plasma table. It would take me about 2 minutes to do those cuts on my table.

 

[awesomeissquid]

I like that idea. Just need to find someone willing to do it without charging a minimum rate. Most of the shops I spoke with want to change a 1 hr minimum.

 

[MechE30]

Drill bits are cheap

 

[kevgentile]

Depending on the number of holes needed an hour shop rate is quite fair considering setup time, etc.

Buy a drill press of CL or FBMP and a few boring bits and go at it.

 

[GTV]

Send Cut Send

 

[MongooseGA]

Drill bits are cheap

Depending on the number of holes needed an hour shop rate is quite fair considering setup time, etc.

Buy a drill press of CL or FBMP and a few boring bits and go at it.

Send Cut Send

Also good options. Would a nice step bit do what you're looking for?

 

[awesomeissquid]

Agreed, all good options. I have a drill press, but it’s lowest speed is 600rpm which I think would burn up some regular bits pretty fast. I did find that Norseman makes a carbide tipped hole saw which they recommend speeds of 500-800rpm for the required size.

I was also thinking of a step bit to do the work. I need to see what size they max out at. Since the material is 1/2” thick, I would probably be going completely through with the bit and not able to stop at a certain step.

Going to do some more research today. Might have found a local community education shop willing to do it. Sounds like they might have a CNC plasma cutter and a mill.

 

[kevgentile]

It's been a few years but I've used a bit like this on both an upright mill and a drill press, works well.

 

[awesomeissquid]

It's been a few years but I've used a bit like this on both an upright mill and a drill press, works well.

View attachment 3513589

Is that an annular cutter? I think I was looking at those but was worried about snapping it if I have too much movement in my drill press spindle.

 

[kevgentile]

Is that an annular cutter? I think I was looking at those but was worried about snapping it if I have too much movement in my drill press spindle.

You are correct. I didn't have any issues but if I remember back I wasn't cutting thru 1/2" plate.
Could be worth a shot, depending on cost of course. If just knocking out a few holes a 1/2" bit will work, just get some cooling spray.
Windsor has some stuff we use in our machine room but I'm sure even wd40 will do.

 

[MongooseGA]

Try to find a local guy here: Langmuir Systems Forum - https://forum.langmuirsystems.com/

I'd probably charge you a case of beer to do it if I was nearby.