How to Cut Circles in Steel

Hole cutters work in conjunction with a hand held drill.

In many professional and industrial applications, a plasma cutter is used to cut circles in steel. At home, cutting circles in steel and other sheet metals is often achieved using a lathe or hand held saw while the metal is sandwiched between wood. This process can be very dangerous, however. The risk of metal flying from the work area is significant, and little can be done to prevent this possibility. Purpose-made hole cutters make this process much less dangerous -- and is a better choice for novices. If you do not cut enough steel or other sheet metals to justify purchasing a cutter, the process is best left to a professional.

Things You'll Need

• Metal hole cutter
• Drill

Instructions

1. Adjust the knobs and slide the diameter hole along the cutter to set the diameter required. Attach your drill to the bit in the center hole of the cutter. Press the trigger and drill a pivot hole in the metal.

2. Remove the drill and bit and insert the pivot pin that comes with the cutter. This should slip into the center hole.

3. Place the drill onto the diameter hole on the cutter and press the trigger to begin cutting. Turn the cutter manually as you cut and continue until the diameter has been cut. Lift up on the cutter to remove the metal.

References

• Snappy: Multi-cut Hole Cutter
• "Machine Shop Trade Secrets"; James Harvey; 2005