Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

I have a nice sheet of brushed stainless steel off a new dishwasher. It is about 1/8" thick. I would like to take my old plastic dash panels and use them for templates. Question is, what can I cut the holes with for the gauges?

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

certain types of Stainless are very tough,,, although a hole saw might work, for the best results you should probably have a machine shop put them on a milling machine and bore out the holes

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

We use all carbide tooling, hole saw may work if you use plenty of oil to keep it lubricated.



Cougarman

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

main thing to remember is to turn SLOWLY. Slow enough you can count the revs.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

A guy I work with has a brother in law who purchased a water jet (a water fed torch) He cut out a harley davidson logo on a 1/2" copper for me. It runs off a computer program that he made. I think he just copied the picture as a jpeg and made changes from there. Should work great for this application.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Milwaukee hole saws in a drill press using cutting oil. You can use clay from Wal Mart's flower section to make a dam to keep the oil in the cut.

120 feet per minute is the cutting speed you need to hit. Stainless is softer than mild steel and it is very susceptible to galling at incorrect cutting speeds. If you're doing 2 5/8" gauges, the cutting speed is going to be 175 RPM. Take diameter x pi and divide cutting speed (1440 ipm) by that number for RPM. Use the same figure for sawing.

Too slow and the cutter will fill up with chips galled to the teeth, too fast and you'll smoke the blade.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Um, what was that dishwasher? An industrial unit? If not, then the ss must be thinner than 1/8. Anyways, I've used hole saws successfully in the past. Turn them very slow and flood the surface with oil. Try to pump the oil into the teeth.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Doesnt your wife get mad when you strip her appliances for boat parts? :drink:

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Be sure to lay it on a piece of wood and cut thru into the wood. This will reduce the bellmouthing and keep it from grabbing when it breaks thru.

Waterjet is definitely a cool unit, but you should expect to pay about a buck for each 2 inches of linear cut. Most places have a $75 minimum on their waterjet for retail customers.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

I can laser etch stainless if you need to add any text or logo's to your finished panels. :eureka: ;)

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

water jet or
laser cutter or
CNC router table or
mill

if you want to do it right.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

The bezels cover a pretty good size area over the hole, so if they are slightly burred or rough, it shouldn't matter much. I would use a carbide hole saw with your stainless stock supported on a piece of wood.
The hole doesn't have to be perfect, it won't be seen.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

what ever you do,, don't work harden the metal,, if you do, you will be S.O.L unless you have a carbide cutter.. keep the revs low and keep the tool cutting..

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Very true, I think what Chris means in laymans terms is, apply enough force to cut, dont let the teeth drag and slide on the surface. Right Chris?

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

yah,, Stainless is very easily work hardened,, once that happens it's near impossible to drill or cut without carbide or diamond,, and even then you will most likely ruin the tool cutting it..

Personally I hate machining SS.. I would rather make the panels out of aluminum and have them engraved and hard anodized a cool color to match the boat..

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Mild Thunder,
STOP!!!

Kitchen appliences use 316 stainless. It's gummy when you cut it and you'll probably f' it up using garage methods. Laser, waterjet, EDM work well, depending on the thikness of stock. You can use carbide cutters but you'll need to hold the part well with a backer. You'll also need to chuck your cutter well so you don't get chatter.

Good luck!

Fionn

Puder pic up your phone mo' fo'!!!

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

holy lord he lives!!!!!! leave a VM if ya call!!!!!!!!!

i'll give ya a buzz later on tonight.

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

GO ALUMINUM and have it anodized.. :cool:

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

I'm with Cris on the aluminum thing. Best thing is 1/8 alum plate, cnc router cut it, powder coat then lazer etch lettering. Sweeeet!

Re: Tool to cut Stainless Dash panels
 

Puder yo're funny man!!! Yep, been down.... I feel like a one-legged man in an azz kicking contest. Call or I'll call you bro'. Thank the lord it's sunny and warm here and I think summer is in.