Drilling 2" hole in 4" aluminum pole?

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Re: Drilling 2

Postby signalstand on Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:49 pm

some hole hawg bits have a place where you can use a small drill bit in the center that will hold it in place while the outer hole cuts the metal. Just go slow if you use one of these... Perhaps Tony could offer a pointer or 2???

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Re: Drilling 2

Postby DFWSignals89 on Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:14 am

Make sure you use a center punch to get a divit started for your pilot bit and just use a 2'' hole bit. Like others said, use tap oil or WD40 to keep it lubricated so it doesn't over heat and go slow. Be prepared to have the drill kick on you so make sure your holding the drill very steady and with a good grip. Its not fun and I have done it before in a 4'' steel pipe.

Good luck!
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby RunsWithCrouse-Hinds on Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:57 am

OK, so I'll go get a hole saw and try my luck, maybe a soon as this weekend...but I do have another question:

Do most cities typically try to thread the condulet's nipple into the pipe or put a nut on the inside, or do they just leave it "sitting" in the hole and rely on the cabinet to keep it in place? The reason I ask is I'm not sure how anyone could reach into these poles and put a nut on the nipple inside, especially since it's not a flat surface to begin with. I suppose it would be easier with a larger pole but many of those don't even have access doors, so I'm a little confused. Any thoughts?
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby Crunge98 on Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:51 am

Usually the poles come with a coupler welded on the pole for the controller and peds.

2 inch hole saw works perfect!
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby RunsWithCrouse-Hinds on Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:52 am

Crunge98 wrote:Usually the poles come with a coupler welded on the pole for the controller and peds.

2 inch hole saw works perfect!


Well, I don't think I'll be doing any aluminum welding, so I think I'll just rely on the conduit nut inside the cabinet to keep the condulet in place, and then just slip it into the hole in the pole. Then I'll just seal around it with some silicone. That way I can disassemble it easily when I move this setup to another place some day.
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby 2070 on Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:00 pm

RunsWithCrouse-Hinds wrote:
Crunge98 wrote:Usually the poles come with a coupler welded on the pole for the controller and peds.

2 inch hole saw works perfect!


Well, I don't think I'll be doing any aluminum welding, so I think I'll just rely on the conduit nut inside the cabinet to keep the condulet in place, and then just slip it into the hole in the pole. Then I'll just seal around it with some silicone. That way I can disassemble it easily when I move this setup to another place some day.


2" hole.

Then get a "Side of Pole" 1 1/2" mount hub and bolt/band it to the pole,

And then you know the rest...........
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby RunsWithCrouse-Hinds on Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:25 pm

2070 wrote:
RunsWithCrouse-Hinds wrote:
Crunge98 wrote:Usually the poles come with a coupler welded on the pole for the controller and peds.

2 inch hole saw works perfect!


Well, I don't think I'll be doing any aluminum welding, so I think I'll just rely on the conduit nut inside the cabinet to keep the condulet in place, and then just slip it into the hole in the pole. Then I'll just seal around it with some silicone. That way I can disassemble it easily when I move this setup to another place some day.


2" hole.

Then get a "Side of Pole" 1 1/2" mount hub and bolt/band it to the pole,

And then you know the rest...........


I get it! Unfortunately I'm out of hubs, I'd have to go get another one, then paint it...hmm...also I think my condulet is 2" so I'd have to reduce it. We'll see...good idea though!
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby 2070 on Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:02 pm

Well what do you know. If I put my name here, I do not have to sign it everytime.

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Re: Drilling 2

Postby RunsWithCrouse-Hinds on Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:21 pm



Very cool idea! I might have some trouble cramming all the wire though a 1-1/2" pipe though, but it's definitely a good backup idea.
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Re: Drilling 2

Postby TheHOODLUM on Thu Aug 01, 2013 3:12 pm

I found a small machine shop who put the conduit body hole in my post as well as drilling, tapping, and mounting the controller brackets. They charged me $225.00. My conduit body nipple just loosely sits in the hole in the post. I should have painted that nipple as it is starting to rust from the monsoon storms we had.
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