Cutting through diamond plate/ installing propane line

[mngundog]

I have to cut through the diamond plate of my Yetti wheel house to install a propane line, any advice on what to do or not to do would be appreciated. It will be in the nose of the house and within the bottom 18" of the house, coming into a bench area.

[Gordie]

I would go to the hardware store and get a grommet and after you dill the hole install that it will guard against cuts and abrasion wear on the propane line.

Drill a smaller pilot hole first then up size your drill bit or depending on the size of the hole you can use a hole saw on a drill.

[mngundog]

Thanks, it looks like my hole size will need to be about 1 1/4" (big buddy fitting), largest metal bit I have right now is 5/8 inch. I don't know if the it would be best to go with a plain metal bit or a hole bit, I haven't cut through a lot of metal before.

[Gordie]

I would go with the hole saw and remember to keep even steady pressure on the bit. let the hole saw do the work. aluminum is easy to work with but if you force it you will get the aluminum to hot and it will gauld up on the teeth on the hole saw.

[expl]

Slow and steady with a hole saw bit and you will be fine.Dont go wide open with the drill.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Take is slow and easy and don't be afraid to dump a little oil on the hole saw.

[Hawg]

Use a step drill bit. It'll be clean and won't buckle or look nasty.

[Chad Holst]

There is no need for any fancy bits or anything other than a standard metal drill bit.

If you are getting something JUST for this project..then +1 on the step drill, thats what they are made for and they will eat this plate up very easy.

We just cut, drilled and formed a ton of Diamond plate and the stuff cuts and drills very well. For cutting use a standard blade in your normal saw 40+ tooth (table saw, circle saw, mitor saw, jig saw) and for drilling use a normal drill made for metal, if you dont have a metal drill bit, you can use a wood bit, but you will need to punch a hole in the plate with a nail first. Aluminum is softer that many hard woods. The only issue is getting the hole started, so a metal bit is better.

Just make sure you have eye protection. Dont mess with metal shavings. If cutting, use ear protection as is can get loud.

[Pleasant]

if you would use a Mr. Heater Hose with Regulator and Quick Disconnect, you would not have to drill such a large hole, just an idea.

[mngundog]

Thanks for all the advice, I got it cut last night. I unscrewed the hose from the regulator and got by with a smaller hole.