what tool to use for 3/8" hole in 16 gauge

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I have about five hundred holes to put in 16 gauge sheet metal the holes will be no deeper than 2 inches from any one edge need help as I really don't want to drill all of these.  Thanks for all your help.J
Reply:Try one of these. http://www.mcmaster.com/#sheet-metal-punches/=9h3lje
Reply:A cheaper way, but more work  is a step drill like these. http://www.mcmaster.com/#sheet-metal-punches/=9h3lje
Reply:Originally Posted by skidoorev9I have about five hundred holes to put in 16 gauge sheet metal the holes will be no deeper than 2 inches from any one edge need help as I really don't want to drill all of these.  Thanks for all your help.J
Reply:Hello skidoorev9, see if any of the rental yards in your area have one of these little beauties, they might just fit the bill for your project. http://www.hougen.com/punch_pro/punch_pro_index.htmlbest regards, Allanaevald
Reply:how about a air punch HF has them Attached Images
Reply:What about sending it out to someone with a cnc plasma or water jet? I would think that the time saved would be well worth it.Ken
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonHougen roto broach cutters are wholly time and cost effective for whatyou plan. 1 cutter set at proper SFPM, plus some cutting oil, will lastthe 500 holes....I've had ones go 1,000.
Reply:What they said
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500Throw a piece of .010" stainless shim between two pieces of steel and they don't even last one hole
Reply:Thanks to all who replied decided to go with the water jet approach was dreading this part of the job just made more since to send it out to someone to take care of it.  I hate to do that as I'm sure most of us do but sometimes we have to admit to ourselves that we cant do it all especially when time is money.Thanks again J
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello skidoorev9, see if any of the rental yards in your area have one of these little beauties, they might just fit the bill for your project. http://www.hougen.com/punch_pro/punch_pro_index.htmlbest regards, Allan
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33After a couple hours of dreaming of this cool new technology, I just had to stop, put in a call to my local Airgas and ask them how much do these things cost.  They didn't call back with the price before the end of the day, but I have a feeling my hole punching fantasy will be shattered once I get the price.
Reply:.   What tool to use for 3/8" hole in 16 gauge?
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThere is a BROKEN Hougen punch on ebay for $987
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelson....apparently that's a Hougen Mag base drill. You're not talking apples for apples, just throwing out a red herring.The small slug cutter set retails at Airgas for around $75 for 3/8 thru 3/4", with mandrel,for 1/4" thickness range.A US cobalt drill set will cost more than that.If one wishes they can order just the mandrel and a cutter or twofrom a Hougen distributor....for around $25. I think the last small size cuttersI bought that way were around $9.
Reply:http://roperwhitney.com/punching/punching.cfm Those hand punches are fairly reasonable used.  There are also clones, I think HF sell on thought don't know the throat size.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireDidn't mean to throw any kind of red herring. I thought these looked pretty cool, went to ebay to see what a used one might go for. About fainted. I was thinking of these hydraulic punches: http://www.hougen.com/punch_pro/punch_pro_index.htmlIt's this model: http://www.hougen.com/punch_pro/75002-2/75002-2.htmlThis it the auction, I didn't make it up, maybe the seller is asking too much, no clue.http://cgi.ebay.com/Hougen-Hole-Punc...item3a5d859472So can you use the mandrel and cutter without the punch tool?Update: Just found one on Amazon $2575http://www.amazon.com/Hougen-75002-5.../dp/B003M5IT6C
Reply:Harbor freight has regular punch for $11 or deep throat punch for $25,16 gauge limit on regular punch and 20 gauge limit on deep throat,deep throat is 3 1/4" depth but you can get name brand for less than $100Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:Originally Posted by skidoorev9Thanks to all who replied decided to go with the water jet approach was dreading this part of the job just made more since to send it out to someone to take care of it.  I hate to do that as I'm sure most of us do but sometimes we have to admit to ourselves that we cant do it all especially when time is money.Thanks again J
Reply:I've got a Roper Whitney No. 5 Jr hand punch that works very well. Although it doesn't go up to 3/8". They do sell a larger hand punch but only goes up to a 7/32" hole for it. Although they will sell custom sizes based on customer needs.http://www.vansantent.com/Hand_punch.htm
Reply:skidoorev9,I know you said you didn't want to drill, but for 500 holes in 16 ga. mild, I'd strongly consider learning to grind a sheet metal point on a twist drill, and have at it in the drill press.  This point is similar to a woodworkers brad point drill, and produces a round hole in even the thinnest sheet metal.  Damn near as good as a rotabroach for a 3/8 hole.  If ground correctly it will remove a slug, no burr on the entry side and slight burr on exit (if sharp).RegardsBob