The Dude
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2010
- Location
- Portland, OR
I need to put some countersunk holes in a sheet of laser-cut carbon steel (14 or 12 gauge). Ideally this would be an alloy, likely 4130 but it may also be non-alloy cold rolled. I will likely have the holes pre-cut for #10 flat-head wood screws, there will be around 30 total. Question:
1. Is it "easy enough" to countersink holes in 4130 alloy?
2. Is there an effect of "hardening" from the later cutting? Since drilling is easier than countersinking, I'm thinking I could:
*entirely pre-cut the main diameter (about 0.19" dia)
*cut it smaller, say about 0.10" and then drill out to remove the heat-effected area and then make it easier to countersink?
*not pre-cut any holes at all (the positioning of the holes isn't really an issue), just drill out then countersink.
I've had a bit of experience in the past and, overall, my "memory" is that countersinking holes in alloy steel is tough with a cordless drill (it's a large sheet) but the holes were first laser-cut so maybe that had a further effect on it?
Thanks,
The Dude
1. Is it "easy enough" to countersink holes in 4130 alloy?
2. Is there an effect of "hardening" from the later cutting? Since drilling is easier than countersinking, I'm thinking I could:
*entirely pre-cut the main diameter (about 0.19" dia)
*cut it smaller, say about 0.10" and then drill out to remove the heat-effected area and then make it easier to countersink?
*not pre-cut any holes at all (the positioning of the holes isn't really an issue), just drill out then countersink.
I've had a bit of experience in the past and, overall, my "memory" is that countersinking holes in alloy steel is tough with a cordless drill (it's a large sheet) but the holes were first laser-cut so maybe that had a further effect on it?
Thanks,
The Dude