cutting hole in stainless steel sink for soap dispenser?

Answer 1

Use a fine tooth hole saw drill bit for metal.

Answer 2

Stainless Steel Sink Soap Dispenser

Answer 3

People have mentioned the two way to do this. Details follow:
You can buy a hole saw, but it needs to be a high speed steel version because stainless is awfully tough. I've done the job this way, It takes a while, and you must keep the saw lubed so it won't overheat. Not really fun. The hole will come out a little rough, but fine for your dispenser.
The other method is using a knockout punch. You first drill a 3/8in hole. Then the two pieces of the punch are screwed together, one on top, one on the bottom of the sink. You tighten the bolt and it draws the two parts together. The hole will look as if it were factory made. This is the easier method. But the punch and drill may cost more than the hole saw.
If the sink isn't installed, you might check with a plumbing parts distributor. They will routinely add extra hole to sinks they sell. They may do this for you or tell you where you can get it done.
Hope this helps, and good luck. Charley

Answer 4

The hole punch made by Greenlee is best, but expensive. A cheaper tool is a uni-bit. It is a stepped drill bit, that comes in various sizes, and if you have a Harbor freight store close by, you can pick up a set of 3 different size bits, for about $15. Start by drilling a small 1/8" pilot hole, where you want the soap dispenser. Next insert the uni-bit into the hole, and let the bit do the work. As it spins, it enlarges the hole, slightly larger, as each step passes through the metal sink. Stop when the hole is large enough, and install your soap dispenser. Good luck!

Answer 5

I just did this same thing. I work in a sheet metal shop. I used a hand plasma torch, it's not a perfect circle but the flange hides the hole anyway. You got a friend or a neighbor with one?


If not call around to welding or sheet metal shops and see if they will do this for you. It took about 30 seconds.
You will have to draw the hole where you want it and they will probably afraid you will try to hang them for a new sink because the hole won't be pretty, But the flanges on your dispenser should hide it and give a pretty good margin for error. You can tell them as long as your dispenser fits and the hole is hidden, you don't care.

Drilling stainless is a B**CH!

Answer 6

There are two ways to do this 1. drill about a quarter inch hole and use a hand metal punch ( used in electronics's), or drill a hole and use a special bit you can get a Lowe's among other places, the bit is referred to as a "Christmas Tree Bit",as others have mentioned go slow and use a little oil to keep things from heating up.

Answer 7

If you haven't installed the sink yet take it to a sheet metal shop and have them do it, they have the right tools for the job. Steel is awfully hard on hole saws, so as mentioned before use a screw type hole shear.

Answer 8

Use either a hole saw, a "roto zip", or drill as big a hole as possible (without going over sized) and finish with a rotary grinder.
My recommendation, use a hole saw, deburr hole with a "burrwick"

Answer 9

there is tool that electricians use to pop holes in breake boxes ( that don't have pop outs ) you drill a hole & rachet it down & it cuts a hole....
but first remove / change your faucet you probabaly have 3 holes & are only using one... the faucet & supply lines can all go thru 1 hole, leaving the other (s ) for spray, d/w air gap ( a waste of time & money ), & soap dispenser - most come w/ 4 holes

Answer 10

use a good hole saw and lots of wd-40. not too fast on the drill.