drilling into cast iron pipe

[flyfto]

i am making new waste pipe for my sink and it has to be connected to exising cast iron pipe.

what is the best way too do this, ie is it ok drilling through cast iron ????
or will i replace the cast iron pipe with a plastic waste pipe ?????

 

[oilman]

Use a hole saw, drilling through cast iron is a doddle.

 

[doitall]

try and get the correct cutting oil, and under no circumstances allow the blade to get hot as it will case harden the cast

 

[Jasonb]

You do not lubricate cast iron drill it dry as the graphite contained in the iron makes it self lubricating. Case hardening is also a completely different process, work hardening is the phrase you are after but unlikely with CI.

Make sure you use a good quality holesaw not ome of the cheap multi sets.

Jason

 

[JPH/01]

drilling cast iron is fine as long as the chrome content is low , use a slow speed on the drill.

 

[Nige F]

You do not lubricate cast iron drill it dry as the graphite contained in the iron makes it self lubricating. Case hardening is also a completely different process, work hardening is the phrase you are after but unlikely with CI.

Make sure you use a good quality holesaw not ome of the cheap multi sets.

Jason

Well said, you old metallurgist Starrett Holesaws are the canine testes

 

[TicklyT]

There may be a thin relatively hard 'skin' of chilled iron on the surface of cast iron. That's an artefact of the casting process. Once you have broken through that, cast iron usually cuts easily.

If you want to get the best life from the hole saw, a cutting speed of about 60 - 80 feet per minute is usually considered about right for cast iron. That's about 120 - 160 RPM for a 2" saw.

 

[Dan Robinson]

What's that on me 18v Dewalt them .

 

[oilman]

two revs a second. Use a stopwatch