I do not have my catalog handy, do those drill bits (Watts drills) for
square holes go as large as 2"?
--
wf.

Ken Sterling wrote:

Gentlemen,
Hope you are fine wherever you may be.

I have a job which came my way which calls for making 2"x2" square
holes in 3/4 inch aluminum plate.
I am a construction worker, carpenter, with access to a heavy
mill-drill machine and a small home shop size band saw. I have to make
24 of these square holes in separate 5" x 6" x 3/4" sections. The
tolerances are not tight. + or - .01 inches is ok.

My question is what is the best way to do this? From what I can see
there are three choices.

1. Layout the square, drill a 5/8 hole, put a hacksaw blade through
and start hacking away. Finish off
using an end mill. Of course I might need a new set of arms when I'm
done. i need a new brain already!

2. Due the same but weld the bandsaw blade through each plate and cut
using the band saw before
finishing with the mill.

3. Drill out a square shape formed by a series of holes using a 1/4"
drill bit and finishing with the mill.

My 3 ideas might suggest to you that I have little experience with
machining metal. And that would be
quite true. So I would appreciate your suggestions.


Thanks,
Rich
You may want to make a template, then use (since you are a woodworker)
a hefty router with the proper bit (carbide tipped) and run the router
around the inside of the template, increasing depth over 3 or 4
passes. A router *will* cut the aluminum and 3/4 depth isn't all that
much. HTH
Ken