Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

[19Scout77]

I just found a local steel place that will cut me 12"x18" 3/8" thick AR500 plates with two 1/2" holes for $42 each.

They use a BIG ASS press/shear to cut the plates and punch the holes. Anyone aware of a limitations or problems with this method? TIA.

 

[AlabamaShooter]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

There shouldn't be any problems, this is straight from my resident stamping expert. Id see if someone could use a water jet, either way your good.

 

[Disturbed]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

I would like to see the size of those shears.

 

[ashland]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

That's a very good price. A friend of mine shot a hole through my AR500 using a 6.5 X 300 WSM. Emailed the company and they told me it was rated up to 3,200 fps. I didn't know this. I chronoed this round at 3,800. The steel was at 100 when he shot the hole through it.

 

[Big Dog Steel]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

I had no idea that was even possible with this stuff. I can't even imagine how big that press would have to be, or how screwed up the blades would be after cutting a few parts out.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: osuarchitect</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had no idea that was even possible with this stuff. I can't even imagine how big that press would have to be, or how screwed up the blades would be after cutting a few parts out. </div></div>

I know they are punching the holes, and I believe they are using a shear to make the cuts. I think this is one of the machines.

 

[Austincqc]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

Those machines are pretty amazing. I saw one of the Aluminum molding machines dump molten aluminum into a mold, then pop out the finished product in about 2 minutes. Pretty insane.

I've never seen somebody shoot through one that was fairly new. Any pics?

 

[ashland]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

I'll work on the photos. I made him quit after that one shot. The bullet was an 85 gr. Sierra Varminter HP. Never thought it would make it through AR500.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ashland</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's a very good price. A friend of mine shot a hole through my AR500 using a 6.5 X 300 WSM. Emailed the company and they told me it was rated up to 3,200 fps. I didn't know this. I chronoed this round at 3,800. The steel was at 100 when he shot the hole through it. </div></div>

Your piece of steel was also 3/8"?

 

[SScott]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just found a local steel place that will cut me 12"x18" 3/8" thick AR500 plates with two 1/2" holes for $42 each.

They use a BIG ASS press/shear to cut the plates and punch the holes. Anyone aware of a limitations or problems with this method? TIA. </div></div>
If he was able to shear it with that machine posted I would highly doubt it was AR500 plate,(that machine looks to be about a 1/2" cap. mild steel machine). generally those plates are ink marked and some will have a dark scale or be primed, either way it will be labeled as such.
Most of the high tensile steels are flame cut or water jet cut, I have used alot of T-1's and such in the transport trailer industry, we cut it with torch or the flat stock, with a 180 ton Iron worker. As a side note, the T-1 strips that went into the construction of trailers was flame cut from 48' sheets.
SScott

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

Scott- The plates have not yet been cut. I know they have a shear that'll handle 1" mild, I have no idea how that compares to AR. It is a REALLY substantial yard--but more of a steel supply, than fabricator and I know they do not have a water jet. They can certainly flame cut--although I prefer not. I know they have a few big saws and a plasma table as well.

In case you are interested.

http://www.josephfazzioinc.com/servfacpics.html

 

[metalguy]

Re: Punching Holes through 3/8" AR500

Water jet is the way to go. I use one on a regular basis, and with it, there is no heat effected zone, so it will not change the hardness of the plete. Shearing may cause some distortion. The holes can be water-jetted as well.------Metalguy