Hole saws drilling through 1/4 steel

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Hello to all.  I need some info on hole saws being able to drill through steel. the reason i ask this is i made a wood burner over the winter and i would like to add a few holes so it can get enough air to burn the wood better i was thinking of putting 4  1 1/4  holes in 1/4 steel plate.I was thinking of using my dewalt corded drill. any info or advice on this would be great thanks.Millermatic 211 with mvp plugs miller titanium series welding helmetstihl chain saws 8 ft welding table
Reply:I use hole saws in steel alot.it is tricky with a hand drill to keep them from grabbing. I like my right angle drill. Buy good bimetal saws and predrill the pilot.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:use the drill you got that turns the slowest.    keep coolant on where your drilling, wd-40 if nothing else
Reply:Yup. Slow and Cool or da saw loses teeth.
Reply:Lenox has bimetal hole saws, but they have a grade above with carbides on the  teeth. I also predrill the 1/4 pilot. I had trouble snapping the pilot bit while drilling and again while cutting the hole. I now predrill a pilot hole and I have replaced my pilot with a 1/4" grade 8 bolt that I sawed the head off of and rounded the other end on a grinder, makes an excellent very durable pilot shaft."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotLenox has bimetal hole saws, but they have a grade above with carbides on the  teeth. I also predrill the 1/4 pilot. I had trouble snapping the pilot bit while drilling and again while cutting the hole. I now predrill a pilot hole and I have replaced my pilot with a 1/4" grade 8 bolt that I sawed the head off of and rounded the other end on a grinder, makes an excellent very durable pilot shaft.
Reply:Also start cleaning your chips out and off everything a couple times once you get half way through the 1/4 plate.    mmmm Kolot, that sounds like a good pilot shaft.      I'm going to have to make some for myself.   That should be able to w/stand all kinds of abuse.
Reply:Pre-drill the pilot is very good advice...... If your using a 1-1/8" or smaller I put a fender washer over the pilot bit that way when it goes through the hole saw don't grab it just spins the washer....
Reply:After you get the groove started, stop and drill a couple 1/4 inch holes (12 and 6 o'clock) so they intersect the groove, but don't go outside the groove.  They will give the chips somewhere to go.Dynasty 300DXSmith He/Ar gas mixerMM350PHobart Handler 120Smith LW7, MW5, AW1A
Reply:Originally Posted by 4sfedAfter you get the groove started, stop and drill a couple 1/4 inch holes (12 and 6 o'clock) so they intersect the groove, but don't go outside the groove.  They will give the chips somewhere to go.
Reply:stihl, I'm an electrical contractor by trade and I have used hole saws hundreds of times.  The above advice is good.  Along with the fender washer I put "ductseal" inside the saw blade.  This will melt a little at a time and lubricates the blade as it cuts the hole.  Duckseal is a putty we in my trade use to close holes in siding, etc.  It is weather proof and is pliable in above freezing weather.  If you use this you do not need cutting fluid, tho the cutting fluid is the better route but we go with what is on the truck most times.  Bob
Reply:Thanks for all great advice on this up coming project. I will be trying all your ideas once i get home from work cant wait thanks.Millermatic 211 with mvp plugs miller titanium series welding helmetstihl chain saws 8 ft welding table
Reply:one thing i learned on hole saws is the harder you try to push on them the more prone they are to grab on you, if you have a saw that is good and sharp put "some" pressure on it and let it do the cutting, with oil of course . i learned this the hard way after getting the s*** knocked out of me a few times  . and buy good hole saws they are worth it . good luck.. chris
Reply:They make tungsten carbide hole saws specifically for drilling metal, but pricey so I by lennox
Reply:Originally Posted by ct from shawnee . . . and buy good hole saws they are worth it . good luck.. chris