On Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:59:07 -0800, Artemus wrote:

"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...
I've got a little 3oz fuel tank (model airplane) made out of thin
tinplate (a Dole Pineapple Chunk can, actually). So, maybe about 10 or
15mil, with corrugations.

I need to drill a 1/2" diameter hole in it, to solder in a fitting. I
know that if I use a regular 1/2" twist drill I'll just rip out big
hunks of tin -- so that's a no-go.

This is a last-minute rework to get me to a contest this weekend, and
I've spent out the modeling budget this month. So I'd like to be able
to do it with tools I have in the shop rather than spending time or
money I don't have to order something, or even nip around to Horror
Freight.

I have a nice stepped drill that goes up to 1/2 inch, but it's longer
than the tank. I may just go ahead and drill through and patch up the
far end -- but if there's a better solution, I'm open to suggestions.

--
My liberal friends think I'm a conservative kook. My conservative
friends think I'm a liberal kook. Why am I not happy that they have
found common ground?

Tim Wescott, Communications, Control, Circuits & Software
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Can you solder the fitting on first and then drill thru it? Art

Almost, but not quite.

It's a brass ring with 40TPI threads, about 0.4" inner diameter, to clear
a clunk weight. (This is like, way gonzo from a model airplane
standpoint. But the contest is THIS WEEKEND, and neither the weather nor
my work schedule are going to allow test flights. So, I do something
that may or may not work, and I may or may not have a spare plane on
Saturday).

--
My liberal friends think I'm a conservative kook.
My conservative friends think I'm a liberal kook.
Why am I not happy that they have found common ground?

Tim Wescott, Communications, Control, Circuits & Software
http://www.wescottdesign.com