How can I slot holes?

[Concrete B]

I need to make some slotted holes for a bracket. If I cannot find something to retrofit, I'll make it myself.

All I've got so far is drilling a series of holes and trimming out the excess. Is there any better ways? I don't have a punch or mill.

 

[bobadame]

What is the bracket made out of. How thick is it? Do you have a file?

 

[mdbeck1]

Drill a hole the appropriate size in each end and cut the slots between with a die grinder.

OR

Drill several holes of the same size and use a file to smooth out the slots.

On thin metal you can use a woodworkers scroll saw and metal blades.

 

[Concrete B]

Its a custom mount so I can adjust a chain. It'll be at least 1/8th inch, no more than 1/4, steel

 

[hunter1151]

Lay em out with Dykem and drill holes on both ends and file to the lines........done it a million times before I had a mill. The whole time you are doing this you are thinking, I gotta find me a mill. Great motivator!!

 

[iajonesy]

Find somebody with a vertical mill. They could do the job in 5 minutes or less.

Mike

 

[larry_g]

Here is where your location is good. If your near bring it over and I'll mill it for you. I'm near Salem. You could even post it to me.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[MP&C]

Home made fuel tank strap holders, drilled four holes and die-grindered the rest:

 

[gorilla]

All the above methods will work well. If it's a long slot you can weld your bracket up from multiple pieces to form the slot.

 

[mooseracing]

Home made fuel tank strap holders, drilled four holes and die-grindered the rest:

Yep, pick up a set of carbide burrs, lots of uses.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd be drilling holes and using a carbide too.

 

[lonestarky]

Can't offer any suggestions that anyone else hasn't already offered. Layout fluid and a burr would be the way to go, IMHO.

 

[klhitman]

Drill a hole the appropriate size in each end and cut the slots between with a die grinder.

OR

Drill several holes of the same size and use a file to smooth out the slots.

On thin metal you can use a woodworkers scroll saw and metal blades.

X2 on the drill and die grinder. i have done that a few times

 

[ZTFab]

I drill holes but then use my Jig saw with some Bosch metal cutting blades and clean up with a rat-tail file.

These are 7/16" x 1" slots cut in 3/8" Cold Rolled Steel.

 

[mdbeck1]

I drill holes but then use my Jig saw with some Bosch metal cutting blades and clean up with a rat-tail file.

These are 7/16" x 1" slots cut in 3/8" Cold Rolled Steel.

If you hadn't told us I'd have thought you used a milling machine. You spent a lot of time getting those right.

Looks GREAT!

 

[Rocklim]

I drill holes but then use my Jig saw with some Bosch metal cutting blades and clean up with a rat-tail file.

These are 7/16" x 1" slots cut in 3/8" Cold Rolled Steel.

Mind to share what is the brand of Cordless Jigsaw ?

 

[NASTYZEN]

Jig saws are a blessing aren't they.

 

[bluebolt]

Mind to share what is the brand of Cordless Jigsaw ?

That's a Craftsman 19.2 volt one. You can see the "Diehard" on the battery.

 

[machine_punk]

+1 on the Bosch metal cutting blades...they ROCK. Not too expensive, but great quality.

 

[ZTFab]

If you hadn't told us I'd have thought you used a milling machine. You spent a lot of time getting those right.

Looks GREAT!

Thanks!

Mind to share what is the brand of Cordless Jigsaw ?

That's a Craftsman 19.2 volt one. You can see the "Diehard" on the battery.

bluebolt is correct, it is a Craftsman 19.2. Great little jig saw for the money.

...and yes, jig saws are great...especially with the Bosch blades.

 

[NUTTSGT]

So, how long does it take to cut something like that with a jig saw ? Plenty of cutting oil too I suppose ?

 

[Concrete B]

All the above methods will work well. If it's a long slot you can weld your bracket up from multiple pieces to form the slot.

I went with this for speed/ease factor. It didn't need to look great, but it doesn't look bad at all.

feel free to keep discussing. Theres some good ideas here. If I had to do something nicer, the jigsaw thing would work well.

 

[ZTFab]

So, how long does it take to cut something like that with a jig saw ? Plenty of cutting oil too I suppose ?

Actually just a few seconds for each side. Much faster for me than using a carbide burr.

Like Hunter1151 described, I use Dykem layout fluid and scribe my lines, center punch for the holes, drill holes, use jig saw, clean up with a file.

I do use cutting wax on the blades.