Cutting neat notches in a stainless steel cooker hood chimney

[happysteve]

Eh up

Is it possible to cut a neat notch - say arch shaped, with the arch diameter about 25mm - in a stainless steel cooker hood chimney, without either making a mess of the chimney, or breaking/burning out tools, or both?

Special hole saw - or maybe regular holesaw used for steel - and cutting compound, on low speed? Jigsaw for the straight bits - is there a special blade? Speed setting? Compound? Clamp the steel either side with offcuts of timber, or it doesn't bend/flap about too much?

There will be 20mm galv conduit running horizontally behind the chimney (which recirculates filtered air back to the room, so a small gap around the conduit will be fine).

Advice on good cutting techniques appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[SagaCU29]

Eh up

Is it possible to cut a neat notch - say arch shaped, with the arch diameter about 25mm - in a stainless steel cooker hood chimney, without either making a mess of the chimney, or breaking/burning out tools, or both?

Special hole saw - or maybe regular holesaw used for steel - and cutting compound, on low speed? Jigsaw for the straight bits - is there a special blade? Speed setting? Compound? Clamp the steel either side with offcuts of timber, or it doesn't bend/flap about too much?

There will be 20mm galv conduit running horizontally behind the chimney (which recirculates filtered air back to the room, so a small gap around the conduit will be fine).

Advice on good cutting techniques appreciated.

Cheers!

Yes, mark it up take it off and find a sheet metal workshop that will do stainless.

 

[telectrix]

maybe a 25mm hole punch would be appropriate. then trim the straight bits with a multitool fitted with a metal cutter. burn ther cutter out, it's only a few squid.

 

[snowhead]

Step drill for the hole.
Tin snips / Aviation snips for the slot.

 

[telectrix]

Step drill for the hole.
Tin snips / Aviation snips for the slot.

good luck with step drill on stainless. hole punch will go through it like a knife through butter and not bend it (much),

 

[buzzlightyear]

I remember doing it once with a angle grinder boy it looked bad the only way off cutting steel is with a plasmer torch cutter.

 

[Strima]

Available in various shapes and sizes.

50124790 | Greenlee Punch and Die Tool | RS Components - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/punch-die-kits/4778779?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Hand_Tools_Whoop-_-Punch+&+Die+Combinations_Whoop+(2)-_-4778779&matchtype=&pla-341424870708&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0rr4BRCtARIsAB0_48MUoG6LXz4_tephGOpaRXKMKABYI_dTcWCY4gwqHYJzwZIi39Zba0MaAsC6EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[nicebutdim]

Nibbler.

Bit pricey to buy for a one off job though.

 

[happysteve]

A punch is a good shout, thanks Should have thought of that... in a former life I used one to make XLR patch panels (albeit on mild steel).

I've found an offcut of 1mm stainless sheet in the shed, I will tentatively experiment before unleashing my destructive powers on a client's kitchen furniture

Any further advice appreciated.

Thanks folks!

 

[telectrix]

taken from the RS description:

Legislation and Compliance
RoHS Status: Not Applicable
Statement of conformity
COO (Country of Origin): DE
Product Details
Special Size Hole Punches
Special size hole punches used to punch burr-free holes for switches and instruments in enclosures. Punch up to 3.0mm mild steel and up to 1.5mm stainless steel. (punching stainless steel reduces lifetime of punches)