Metal in Los Angeles, and drilling round holes in round stock

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Hey ya' folks,Does anyone have a jig or an easy way to drill 3/4" holes in 3/4" pipe?  I was thinking of welding a piece of angle iron upside down to cradle the pipe...but that would only work at the drill press (which I suppose is an option).Also -- any preferred steel suppliers in far eastern Los Angeles county (near the 60 & 57 freeways)?  I'm usually only looking for small supplies or remnants.Thanks,Mark
Reply:You'll want to do this on the drill press.UA Local 598
Reply:That's what I was thinking...but after seeing the ingenuity of some of the members on this website, I figured I'd ask.Thanks!
Reply:Welcome there MJ.  Since this is in the intro forum and not in a more "technical forum" I'm gonna ask a couple questions....If you can figure out how to drill anthing other than a "round hole" pls post the pics.  And, if you drill a 3/4" hole in 3/4" round stock won't you be left with zero stock? Anyway, just messin around, I'm sure I'm not understanding something with your question.
Reply:Bobco metals on Alameda just south of the 10 has great prices on steel.  They carry remnants, I think, but I've only bought new stock from them.  Bobco Metalswww.bobcometal.com2000 South Alameda StreetLos Angeles, CA 90058(213) 748-5171Do you mean cutting through 3/4" pipe and creating a fishmouth cut for another pipe to meet it?  If it's just 90 degree joints, then a drill press and a drill press vise (or v-clamp) would be the way to go.  If you need angles, then you'll need something more.  How many are you making?Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Hey there CU -- nice to meet ya'     I suppose I'm not asking the right sort of question.  I'm looking to mate two pieces of pipe with similar diameter (sort of like on a bicycle).  I figure drilling the hole would be the best option for a good fit.As for drilling something other than a round hole.  Perhaps I misspoke.  But before I learned to pre-drill large holes, most of the holes I drilled were triangular (never noticed until my teacher pointed it out).  And then there is the "http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ReuleauxTriangle.html" Harry Watt square drill bit.  https://www.weldingweb.com/images/smilies/jester.gifBut back to my request for help -- how do the guys who make bicycles do it?Thanks again,Mark
Reply:Hi Jack,     Thanks for the recommendation.  I'm making about 20 cuts (I suppose fishmouth is the word I was looking for).  I suppose absent a mill, the 90-degree cuts will do.Thanks
Reply:Well, you won't make much of a bicycle with only 90-degree cuts.  Absent a mill, the tool to use is a tubing notcher.  And absent a large checking-account balance, the poor man's tubing notcher is the $49 Harbor Freight model, after you wait for it to go on sale for $39, and then use a 20% off coupon to get it down to $32.You use it in conjunction with a drill press, and it allows you to set a more-or-less accurate angle for your fishmouth cuts.Then you take the money you saved and buy a better bimetal hole saw blade.If you're poorer still, there are ways to use a cardboard tube, scissors, and a 4-1/2" angle grinder -- but it takes a fair amount of patience and practice.  Tricky on smaller-diameter stuff, too.I made my fence out of Bobco steel and used a HF notcher to add a swing set.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:HF -- Tubing notcher it is.  Nice little swingset you've got there.
Reply:I've had good luck with Schor Metals in Anaheim (near Kraemer and Orangethorpe).  Their prices are a little high (from what I hear) but their open half-day on Saturday and also sell Remnant or used material.Good luck!--KevinHobart Handler 140Lousy chop sawBig fire extinguisher"If I could keep my workbench from catching on fire I'd be un-stoppable!"
Reply:Here is a diffrent way to do fish mouths. http://www.wagnercompanies.com/Coped_Connectors.aspxIt is more welding but no milling.
Reply:Little larger than the pipe I have, but that sure would save some time and energy.  Thanks!