creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The
metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
"Jim Reed" wrote in message ... I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. I guess it could be done with a broach and a press, if all the holes are within 2" of the edge. If you have access to both sides when it's installed it might be easier to use some type of round head bolt with a recessed Torx or allen head so that it can be held while tightening. |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
Just drill a 1/4" hole and use a 1/4" square file to finish the hole.
JR Dweller in the cellar Jim Reed wrote: I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. -- -------------------------------------------------------------- Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes Doubt yourself, and the real world will eat you alive The world doesn't revolve around you, it revolves around me No skeletons in the closet; just decomposing corpses -------------------------------------------------------------- Dependence is Vulnerability: -------------------------------------------------------------- "Open the Pod Bay Doors please, Hal" "I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.." |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
"Jim Reed" wrote in message ... I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. Jim, If it's equipment that needs to be in the field tomorrow, and will spend the rest of its days in the barn, then a slightly oversized hole will become squared when you cinch the bolt tight. Of course, you may have considered and rejected this method, also. If it's a restoration project, or has to be "just so" you could try a Greenlee chassis punch, a nibbler (Google it) or a square file and a cool refreshing beverage. If clearance is really tight, you might look at garage door bolts, which are like carriage bolts without the dome on the head. Home centers have 'em in the garage door section, not nuts and bolts. Good luck! "Chip" in Columbus |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
Jim Reed wrote:
I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. How many, to what tolerance? What's the budget like? 1) Prick punch, center punch, pilot drill then 17/64 drill. Create corners with 3 corner file. 2) CNC Plasma torch 3) Water jet 4) Laser 5) Plunge EDM 6) Machine and harden a 0.27" square punch and matching die shoe. Load into your arbor press and pop them out. Use lubricant and wear eye protection. 7) Drill and square broach --Winston |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
Jim Reed wrote:
I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. These would have been punched originally. It is certainly possible to get one of those Whitney hand punches about the size of bolt cutters, and order a 1/4" square punch and die set from Cleveland Steel Tool or the like. I'd punch the holes anyway (drilling sheet is a real bummer) even if you only have a round punch, punch 'em a little big and just pull the bolts through. GWE |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
Jim Reed wrote:
I am in the midst of fixing some farm machinery with new sheetmetal. The metal I am using is 14 gauge, and the proximity to moving parts requires carriage head bolts. The previous metal used 1/4" carriage head bolts, and I would like to do the same. I don't have any idea how to create the square holes. Each piece of metal is roughly 3 feet by 2 feet, and the holes will be within 2 inches of one side of the metal. Any help would be appreciated. How about a bolt like a lugbolt on a car? A short splined section up near the flat head that is pressed into a round hole. -- Gary Brady Austin, TX www.powdercoatoven.4t.com |
creating (square) carriage head bolt holes
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:54 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter