5 amp drill powerful enough to spin a 4.5" holesaw through 2 mm of steel?

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Jmmsbnd007

Diamond Member
May 29, 2002
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For casemodding...
Link
Could that drill or it's keyless chuck variety have any trouble spinning a 4.5" holesaw or smaller through sheet metal in a computer case? I nearly killed my old 3 amp craftsman 3/8" drill with a 3" (80mm) holesaw. That was sad. I'm looking for the power to chew through steel at a reasonable price. Thanks. PS, know of any drill stand-like attachments that could be used to turn a drill into a mini drill press?
 
R

RGN

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
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Yeah it should do it - maybe slow going... A newish hole saw would be a plus.
 
J

Jmmsbnd007

Diamond Member
May 29, 2002
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Originally posted by: RGN
Yeah it should do it - maybe slow going... A newish hole saw would be a plus.
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Yeah, it'll have sharp teeth. I'm reading a review on it's keyless chuck brother, sounds like it has no problem. I like skil in general, they're cheap, from what I read have good reviews, and I love my jigsaw.
 
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Msatan666

Senior member
Oct 10, 1999
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Buy some beer for an electrician friend and maybe he will let you borrow one of these:Greenlee Hydraulic Punch Kit
Punches super clean holes from 1/2" to 2" trade sizes with the dies in this kit and up to 4" trade size if you have the lager dies
 
K

KMurphy

Golden Member
May 16, 2000
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Beware of those keyless chuck drills. They work fine for a while, but eventually the chucking mechanism loses its hold and any round bits will start slipping. It may take years, depending on useage or abuse. Something to consider if you want it to stay in your toolbox a while.
 
BillGates

BillGates

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2001
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Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
Should be OK. Take it slow and use some oil or alcohol for cooling.
Click to expand...

Alcohol is probably not the best idea for cooling.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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The Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Hole Shooter could be had at Sears for about $130.00. I think they'll still price match Internet prices.

I'm not too keen on keyless chucks, either. I second the recommendation for cutting oil. Run it slow to preserve the set in the teeth of the saw. That's where a 1/2" drill excels. Lots of grunt even at low RPM.
 
J

Jmmsbnd007

Diamond Member
May 29, 2002
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Originally posted by: Ornery
The Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Hole Shooter could be had at Sears for about $130.00. I think they'll still price match Internet prices.

I'm not too keen on keyless chucks, either. I second the recommendation for cutting oil. Run it slow to preserve the set in the teeth of the saw. That's where a 1/2" drill excels. Lots of grunt even at low RPM.
Click to expand...
$130 = way too much. Home depot and lowes both did not have that skil. They did have this though: Crap & Decker
It does have .5 more amps... but it doesn't seem very good...
 
J

Jmmsbnd007

Diamond Member
May 29, 2002
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Ok, walmart has the skil for $55. Should I go with the 5 amp skil or the 5.5 amp B&D? Which has more torque?
 
Evadman

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: Jmmsbnd007
Originally posted by: Ornery
The Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Hole Shooter could be had at Sears for about $130.00. I think they'll still price match Internet prices.

I'm not too keen on keyless chucks, either. I second the recommendation for cutting oil. Run it slow to preserve the set in the teeth of the saw. That's where a 1/2" drill excels. Lots of grunt even at low RPM.
Click to expand...
$130 = way too much. Home depot and lowes both did not have that skil. They did have this though: Crap & Decker
It does have .5 more amps... but it doesn't seem very good...
Click to expand...

FYI: Black and Decker, Dewalt, and Firestorm are all made by Black and Decker.
 
J

Jmmsbnd007

Diamond Member
May 29, 2002
3,286
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Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: Jmmsbnd007
Originally posted by: Ornery
The Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Hole Shooter could be had at Sears for about $130.00. I think they'll still price match Internet prices.

I'm not too keen on keyless chucks, either. I second the recommendation for cutting oil. Run it slow to preserve the set in the teeth of the saw. That's where a 1/2" drill excels. Lots of grunt even at low RPM.
Click to expand...
$130 = way too much. Home depot and lowes both did not have that skil. They did have this though: Crap & Decker
It does have .5 more amps... but it doesn't seem very good...
Click to expand...

FYI: Black and Decker, Dewalt, and Firestorm are all made by Black and Decker.
Click to expand...
I knew that, but thanks anyway :p Which one of those would you recommend?
 
L

Lvis

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: Ornery
The Milwaukee 1/2" Magnum Hole Shooter could be had at Sears for about $130.00. I think they'll still price match Internet prices.

I'm not too keen on keyless chucks, either. I second the recommendation for cutting oil. Run it slow to preserve the set in the teeth of the saw. That's where a 1/2" drill excels. Lots of grunt even at low RPM.
Click to expand...

We use these at the boatyard I work at. They are bullet proof. If you want/need a half inch drill, this is probably the best you can get. At work they rarely get used for anything but holesaw work, most often in fiberglass. Cutting holes in boats is hard on a drill. Fiberglass dust is really hard on electric motors. We have three in the yard, and I've NEVER seen one of them in the "needs repair" box.
 
C

compudog

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2001
5,782
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Originally posted by: Msatan666
Buy some beer for an electrician friend and maybe he will let you borrow one of these:Greenlee Hydraulic Punch Kit Punches super clean holes from 1/2" to 2" trade sizes with the dies in this kit and up to 4" trade size if you have the lager dies
Click to expand...

This is the way to do it if you are going to be doing a lot of modding. You don't need to go with the hydraulic version though. You can get a manual style where you turn the punch through the die with a wrench or ratchet. You will still need to drill a center hole through the sheet metal (to accept the 1/2" stud).

Good Luck!
 
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