How to clean or grind curvy holes?

admin

What do you guys use to grind and smooth holes you made with a hole cutter or with a plasma?....circular and curved holes where a plain electric grinder won't work. Filing it by hand is just a pita especially if it's 31/6" thick
Reply:Die grinderEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Die grinder with carbide bur to remove holesaw and plas cutting marks and then a die grinder with a drum shaped flap wheel to smooth to a shine.
Reply:Yep,I can see where filing a 31/6" thick hole (5.17") would be a real PITA.The methods recommended above will work well with a hole in 3/16" material.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:An air file would be an option too.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:We use a Dynabrade Dynafile for hard to access profiles and holes.TurkeyLincoln Idealarc 250Millermatic 250Miller Synchrowave 250 Miller Synchrowave 350Thermal Arc PlasmaHH140Miller Diversion
Reply:Amen to carbide burrs, for starters on edge finishing.For finer edge finishing, I've used sanding drums, tapered and straight sanding rolls, plus flap wheels. The coarse zirconia grits really cut.http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1240887883http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1240887904http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1240887917http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1240887927 Attached ImagesBlackbird
Reply:Use a Die Grinder. Makita is a good brand, btw.Midwest Metal ProductsMetal Wire Forming Fan Guards Delta-Larm
Reply:Die grinder or an air file work for me.Bruce The Welding ChefLincoln Weld-Pack 3200 NORWELD StickStanford Hill Farm
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIYep,I can see where filing a 31/6" thick hole (5.17") would be a real PITA.The methods recommended above will work well with a hole in 3/16" material.
Reply:dynafiles or drum sanders, and die grinders for what the other 2 wont take care of.With some practice a worn flap wheel will actually do a decent job if the hole is big enough.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I have a grinding stone that fits on my grinders (9" or 4.5") that is tapered and does a nice job on holes. It works better on the 4.5" because it spins faster, on the 9" it tries to vibrate too much. Got it at my LWS. Don't think it will work on anything smaller than a 1" hole though.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:these are what I use. Attached Images
Reply:I like to buy the cheapo $10-$20 die grinders from Wal-mart or Menards.  I don't feel bad for throwing them away when they die that way, but I have yet to have one die.  One of them is prolly 10yrs old and the other is about 3yrs old.  They both get used almost daily and I don't oil them very often either.I watched a guy at work break two snap-on die grinders that he paid about $100 for.  I had to laugh and say I told you so.
Reply:I use an end grinder with either a carbide, or a flap wheel depending on what needs to be done.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:depending how big your hole is .. use a cone stone
Reply:You know with the title i really wondered if this was "work safe"
Reply:Originally Posted by Atomik777You know with the title i really wondered if this was "work safe"
Reply:Originally Posted by fishstickhahaI bought one of these on ebay. It didn't work very good. It got dull within a minute and it didn't really do anything...$20 down the drain
Reply:ya can't spin the carbide burs too fast or they will chip and throw sparks or turn blue,  then you're fooked.
Reply:You bought a carbide burr or some rotary file? The carbides don't hardly "get dull" working with conventional metals. You might chip all the teeth off a carbide, but get dull, no.  What are you running it in?
Reply:I bet it was a rotary file and not carbide. Rotary files don't work worth crap on anything substantial. Carbide all the way.
Reply:If you have to grind them, turn around and walk away, for cleaning, baby wipes work good.Miller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:I do a lousy job of cutting circles.  I MEAN LOUSY!!!!!!!These guys are what I use to keep from embarrassing myself Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:From this............ to this in a few minutesAnd nobody's the wiserI never could do a good job cutting round holes, and probably never will.  I had a guy tell me to switch to a Victor torch with a longer preheat flame, and I'd be able to see what I'm doing better.  I thanked him for his advice, soaked my head in the toilet, and decided to live with the fact that I ain't a round kinda dudeI can't even walk in a circle without messin' up!!!!!! Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/BTW,,,,,,,,, The little burr thingies suck unless you have all day.  On a drilled hole, or a hole cut with an annular cutter, just hit the top with a grinder to get rid of the sharp edges where the drill/cutter punched thru.  Rat tail file if you're picky"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammBTW,,,,,,,,, The little burr thingies suck unless you have all day.  On a drilled hole, or a hole cut with an annular cutter, just hit the top with a grinder to get rid of the sharp edges where the drill/cutter punched thru.  Rat tail file if you're picky
Reply:I probably used the wrong type at too high a speed.  Dulled them in seconds.  Probably HSS.  Don't believe they work too well in a high speed air tool.  I dunno?I probably need to switch to carbide.Thanks Sandy"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Here's another thing for you torch-round-holed-challenged guys like me.  I made these up a long time back, before I switched to annular cutters.  Just a template that is sized so that you can clamp it onto the plate, run the torch around the inside, and come up with a relatively nice hole.If you're an idiot, ya have to figure ways to smart yourself up Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI probably used the wrong type at too high a speed.  Dulled them in seconds.  Probably HSS.  Don't believe they work too well in a high speed air tool.  I dunno?I probably need to switch to carbide.Thanks Sandy
Reply:Originally Posted by GreyhorseI have a grinding stone that fits on my grinders (9" or 4.5") that is tapered and does a nice job on holes. It works better on the 4.5" because it spins faster, on the 9" it tries to vibrate too much. Got it at my LWS. Don't think it will work on anything smaller than a 1" hole though.
Reply:Thats what I'm looking for...where can you get these? The stone grinders I have for the die grinder...only turns into dustI played with the carbide burr some more..it still does what it supposed to do. Although, I could already notice that its wearing out. I just had to take my time...it seems to work better in slower speed. I guess I expected too much from the lil guy...comparing it to how fast a 4.5" grinder can do its job. It just takes too long. The round flap disc doesnt work great either.Heres what I'm trying to grind - a 3/16" plate on my truck's bumper...used a plasma to cut the hole. I just want it to look clean and not hacked up.
Reply:I'm probably one of the worst welders on the board, so I need goodies to dress it up a littleHere's the stuff that I use.  Available at my LWS on the shelf always.You may have to request it where you live.I think the "types" are an industry standard though Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/