The Home Machinist!

No, an actual good quality, hardly used, floor standing drill press. I'll check the motor power, speeds, model on Friday, stay tuned

ok thanks.

ok cheers

OK, I'll see how I get on with the other approaches. to clarify will these Rotabroach cutters fit on a pillar drill?
Appreciated
Thanks.

I contacted a fabricator in UK, price £250-£350 for a single chassis but if ordered 10 or more the price would come down.

Prototype with view, to small scale production, small one man business. Not thinking of CNC plasma cutting etc

I have a couple of suitable UK version of the hole punches, but only available 16-50mm.

I intend to lay it out flat then hole it, the pillar drill has a large enough throat.

The one thing none of us has thought to ask
How many holes?
What positional accuracy?
What diametrical accuracy?

Something like this.
Thanks.

Aside from the step drill NP317 mentions there are also rotabroaches, basically smaller versions of annular cutters. Step drills and rotabroaches have been my go to for making small holes in thin materials. https://www.blairequipment.com/rotabroach-cutters I've had a quick Google of Rotabroach cutt...

OK, does anyone have experience of using a hole saw in 3mm steel, does a galvanized coating make steel even harder? Any tips on using a hole saw in intended application?
Appreciated, thanks

Will a step drill provide good results in 3mm galvanized steel sheet? I don't need to drill out a pilot hole? Do I use cutting fluid, paste with a step drill?
Thanks.