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[JamesV6CDX]

I need to chop a 70mm hole in the rear quarter panel of my MV6 

They're £50 to buy, and it'll only get used once, would any kind member consider lending me one for an afternoon? 

[bigegg]

you could buy one, then re-sell it if you get no offers. 

I did that with a JCB once. Made enough profit to pay for the diesel and delivery.

I have a sheet metal cutter, but it only does 50mm diameter. 

[TheBoy]

Try Sassanach, I believe he has one, and not a million miles from you...

[Andy B]

How about a hole saw? They're nothing like as expensive, I have various sizes .. 2 1/2"(64mm) 3"(76mm) but not 70mm, you'd just have to be very careful though when you're cutting on a curve in such thin steel.

[Nick W]

A single point tank cutter will do a reasonable job in sheet metal, as long as you can secure the centre adequately.
Cheap too.

[Andy B]

A single point tank cutter will do a reasonable job in sheet metal, as long as you can secure the centre adequately.
Cheap too.

I've never used one, but would it work in an application like this when the sheet isn't flat?  :-/ :-/ An interupted cut on a lathe or miller can cause problems.

[Bent valve]

As said, use a hole saw. You will need a 70mm starret hole saw and and an arbor to suit. both available from your local engineers merchants. no problem cutting through curved panels if you take your time

[Andy B]

.... no problem cutting through curved panels if you take your time

Depends how experienced you are are with a drill & hole saw. Slowest speed possible. 

[Nick W]

A single point tank cutter will do a reasonable job in sheet metal, as long as you can secure the centre adequately.
Cheap too.

I've never used one, but would it work in an application like this when the sheet isn't flat?  :-/ :-/ An interupted cut on a lathe or miller can cause problems.

 

Likely to be better than a hole saw, especially if done freehand like on a car. I've never had much luck with holesaws on sheetmetal, and they also need the centre drill located securely.

[Andy B]

A single point tank cutter will do a reasonable job in sheet metal, as long as you can secure the centre adequately.
Cheap too.

I've never used one, but would it work in an application like this when the sheet isn't flat?  :-/ :-/ An interupted cut on a lathe or miller can cause problems.

 

Likely to be better than a hole saw, especially if done freehand like on a car. I've never had much luck with holesaws on sheetmetal, and they also need the centre drill located securely.

Are we talking about the same thing? :-? The centre of it is located by the 6mm hole it's just drilled.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_saw

[Andy H]

I bought one of these sets to allow me to cut largish holes.



http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-holesaw-set-15-pc/93131

As mentioned above a holesaw needs a good pilot hole otherwise it will snatch when it breaks through. If I was cutting a hole in flat sheet I would clamp it to a block of wood to give the pilot drill something to bite into. Not sure if that would work with a curved/painted body panel though :-/

[Andy B]

..... If I was cutting a hole in flat sheet I would clamp it to a block of wood to give the pilot drill something to bite into. Not sure if that would work with a curved/painted body panel though :-/

That'd be some G clamp to go over a rear wing! 

[Lazydocker]

I wouldn't cut any metal panel with a hole saw... If I can get hold of Teilo tomorrow I'll see how he's fixed for a loan

[Bent valve]

I wouldn't cut any metal panel with a hole saw... If I can get hold of Teilo tomorrow I'll see how he's fixed for a loan

I have cut literally hundreds of thin gauge metal panels with hole saws with no problems. Thats what they are for

[Lazydocker]

I wouldn't cut any metal panel with a hole saw... If I can get hold of Teilo tomorrow I'll see how he's fixed for a loan

I have cut literally hundreds of thin gauge metal panels with hole saws with no problems. Thats what they are for

Should have worded that better... I wouldn't cut any metal body panel with a hole saw