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11-26-2011, 06:27 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
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Cutting perfect hole-furnace exhaust in skin
I am not far from intalling my new suburban furnace into my 1960 overlander. I have to cut holes for the exhaust. I have a Dremel Trio but it can be tricky keeping a perfect line when cutting. What do you suggest I use to cut the perfect hole for my suburban furnace exhaust. I would like to use a sheet metal cutter, but I have read it is only recommended for a drill press. Can they be used on a hand drill?
Brian
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Brian & Adrienne
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11-26-2011, 06:32 AM
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#2
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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A hole saw would be best.
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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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11-26-2011, 07:25 AM
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#3
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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... or hand shears. It's just aluminum, so have no fear. Cut with confidence.
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11-26-2011, 07:47 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2003 22' International CCD
Kiln
, Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,779
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How big of a hole and is it a perfect round hole? If so I would use a hole saw. They have a centering bit that will keep it from drifting and place the hole right where you want it.
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Michael & Tina with Layla and Preston BZ The family has grown. 2003 22' INTERNATIONAL CCD
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11-26-2011, 11:48 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,335
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If the holes are too large for hole saws, I use a tank cutter:
Tank Cutters | Buy a Tank Cutter at THESITEBOX.COM
Nick.
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Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
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11-26-2011, 12:01 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
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Just do it. God hates a coward. Sal.
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
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11-26-2011, 12:05 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Currently Looking...
Jupiter
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,062
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They make a punch tool to install additional circuits in steel electrical boxes, basically two cups that rest on either side of metal with a threaded bolt to draw them together - drill a pilot hole, assemble cups and tighten and it cuts a perfect circle. However getting the right size may be a chore, or expensive, or both. Maybe a good tool rental shop could/would have sizes above three inches?
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS 3" PUNCH sells for $30 but I'm not sure if it includes the 3/4" arbor bolt, that maybe it is only an add-on piece to another set like the $25 1/2" to 1-1/4 manual set or the 1" to 2" hydraulic kit (HF Punch search here)
I got one of the small size kits from Greenlee on clearance ages ago and they come in handy!
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The days are short and the night is long and the stars go tumbling by.. . ~Airstream~
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11-26-2011, 12:27 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1959 17' Pacer
Long Beach
, California
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 920
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Yes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by noreen
Just do it. God hates a coward. Sal.
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So awesome. x2
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11-26-2011, 12:50 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,335
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noreen
Just do it. God hates a coward.
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When leading a particularly difficult section on a rock climb, I used to tell myself just that sort of message.
I then always fell off.
Now I know better.
Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
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11-26-2011, 01:34 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice
, California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
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A chassis punch is ideal for a clean cut, but expensive to buy. Fly cutters(tank cutters) are too radical for hand use on light materials. a sharp hole saw will work, but the drill in the center should be replaced by a plain mandrel after the pilot hole is drilled to prevent the pilot hole from elongating and enlarging as the saw cuts the outer diameter. Since the opening is  covered by a trim plate anyway, you could do a careful job with a sheet metal "nibbler" tool-good to own in its own right.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
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11-26-2011, 03:26 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
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Thanks guys for your advice. We have been very exact on everything we are doing. The trailer is looking really awesome. This one I don't want to screw up. I have used tin snips before and the dremel. I might be a little to concerned about the hole, but the trailer is looking really tight (slang for good).
Brian
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Brian & Adrienne
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11-26-2011, 03:55 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member 
1961 16' Bambi
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 134
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use hand shears. "wiss" makes them and they sell at a big box or a good hardware store. if you are right handed get the ones that leave the waste to the left of the blade. if left handed do the other. they are lefts and rights so less stress is on what you want to save. they also have a center cutter which stresses both sides. 3 colors for the handles. i am thinking red handles are for right handed use....
don
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brand...pound%20Action
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11-26-2011, 04:27 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Sault ste Marie
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 166
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Used a hole saw for mine, worked fine......Phil.
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11-26-2011, 11:19 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1969 27' Overlander
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 168
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Absolutely use a hole saw.
If you already have a smaller, or ragged hole, drill a template in a scrap piece of plywood. Then hold the plywood firmly over the aluminum, and drill the new hole through the hole in the plywood.
The plywood will prevent the hole saw from "skidding" around and you'll get an exact circle. You might need someone to help hold the plywood in place.
If you don't have the right sized hole-saw, go buy a set. You'll use them sooner or later. (Buy a good quality set.)
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Ed Glenn
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11-27-2011, 02:45 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1973 27' Overlander
Loganville
, Georgia
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,741
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I like the hole through the plywood. I think I will try that.
Brian
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Brian & Adrienne
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11-27-2011, 03:52 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
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Im sure youll do a neater job than the factory did on the holes for the sewer vents. Sal. 
__________________
Sal & Nora
Let us live so that when we die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mark Twain
AIR 42483
TAC N.J. 17
WBCCI 24740
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10-08-2013, 10:03 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member 
1975 Argosy 28
1975 Argosy 22
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Camrose
, Alberta
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 74
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drill a hole center and spiral out with snips. red counter clockwise or green clockwise. hole saw will leave a jagged cut and could jump. snips are safer
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