Cutting the perfect circle...?

Not sure how thick your talking but have you tried a punch and die set?

This is one from TBI. Pretty nice set. Are cheaper ones on the market as well.

kcmat wrote:

Not sure how thick your talking but have you tried a punch and die set? This is one from TBI. Pretty nice set. Are cheaper ones on the market as well.

That's a nice punch and die set, but a little bit larger than what I'm used to using for 1/700 ships and such. I can go down to 0.018-inches with my Waldron sub-miniature punch and die set. Sadly, both the Waldron miniature and sub-miniature sets are only available through Roll Models now.

I can't remember what it is called but...

 You put this thing in a drill press, it has a drill bit in the center and a rotating arm with a cutting blade that is adjustable to make different diameter circles. Anyone know what I'm talking about...?

Is that not an expandable bit?

What about placing the material for cutting between two bits of wood, clamping it, using a small fine tooth HSS hole saw? You could used the pilot dill in the top bit of wood until the hole saw is "bedded", then remove the pilot & carry on through without it?

That's what I call mine (this is a pic off the web and NOT mine!):

For cutting thin brass I would use simple cutting shears. All the hole saws I've seen have pretty large centering bits, which would be overscale for the cymbols. Slow and steady cutting and clean up with a good file would be better.

Chassis cutter is the right term, but again the hole you have to drill would be oversized for cymbals. They DO work great on sheet metal, though!

Milairjunkie's idea of sandwiching the metal with wood to start with a standard hole saw sounds workable. I would still use rubber cement to anchor the metal, as you wouldn't be able to keep pressure on it once you cut through the top layer of wood. 

Man, I really appreciate the think-tank that is going on here. I am considering each and every suggestion. I'm looking around at inexpensive lathes; when I can prove to my wife that she could benefit from one as well, I'll call Model Expo or someone

Steve

If you're cutting something other than metal, try a product called "Circle Scissors".  Remember the old Spirograph toy that would let you draw all these cool designs?  Think about that...but with scissors instead of pens.

I got mine at Hobby Lobby for about $20.  It will cut circles up to about 8-inches at 1/16" increments.

Bgrigg wrote:

Chassis cutter is the right term, but again the hole you have to drill would be oversized for cymbals. They DO work great on sheet metal, though!   Milairjunkie's idea of sandwiching the metal with wood to start with a standard hole saw sounds workable. I would still use rubber cement to anchor the metal, as you wouldn't be able to keep pressure on it once you cut through the top layer of wood.

I've cut holes through soft metals without the use of the clamping screw that goes down the middle. I just lined them up and SMASHED with a rubber mallet. 

Or how about copper/steel tube of the correct diameter, with one end carefully sharpened.

Blooter the brass sheet with this - bingo,

or if you refer, wham the whole lot into a vice, & close the vice using it as a press - come to think about it, you could use a press, with the brass sitting on hardwood to preserve its edge.