A tube problem

[modeng2000]

I need to make a 2" circular hole right through a piece of 2 1/2" 16swg copper tube, in one side and out the other.
However I can't decide the best way to do this.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

John

[lancelot]

Hello John,
I have used this method on a few occasions,
make a piece of fairly hard wood to fit the interior of the tube, set tube up in clamps or vice, bore 1/4'' diam. hole through full diam.of the tube [copper and wood] then mount an ''ENOX'' cutter or hole saw of the size you need and using the 1/4'' hole as a guide slowly cut from both sides of the tube, the wood will help give a clean and steady cut.
This should work for you,
All the best for now,
John.

[modeng2000]

John,

Thanks for your suggestion. I now realise I can cut the hole that way but had not thought of it. My ideas were going along the line of rotary table and a milling cutter.
I tend to get too deep into the problem.

John

[modeng2000]

Hello john,

I have tried to find out what an "ENOX" cutter might be but so far have no real idea what it might look like.
Any chance of a description or a web link please?

John

[lancelot]

Hello John,
hmmmm, ...difficult one to describe without a photo, I will try anyhow,...visualise a cutter for 2'' holes....a steel tube of abot 2 1/2'' -3'' long, with one end having cutting teeth like a hacksaw...the other end is partially closed off, and fitted with a drill bit which is normally about 1/4''.
''ENOX''is just the makers name for a more professional make of cutter.
If you go to an outlet like B&Q and ask to see their range of HOLE SAWS for cutting openings in metal plate, there is quite a big range of them. try this web site...www.plumbworld.co.uk
All the best and hope this helps,
John

[modeng2000]

Hi John,

Now I know just what you mean.
I didn't recognise the name.

John