Any Tips on Using a Hole Saw?

[deerslayer]

I'm about to try making some blow holes with a hole saw. Is there anything important I need to know before I give it a try?

 

[Mr N8]

1. Plug it in.

2. Clamp down the case side, or hold on tight!

 

[weezie]

Definately clamp down whatever you're working. Take your time and apply even pressure.

 

[sbw]

Here's a tip for ya, if you are cutting a hole in a spot where the pilot drill won't be in metal(i.e. in an existing fan hole or grill area). First use the hole saw to cut a hole in a scrap of 3/4" plywood or board. Then clamp that to your case. Drill away! This will keep the holesaw from "walking" all over the place if you have no place for the pilot drill.

 

[Lizardman]

drill the center hole first with a smaller drill bit. That always makes it nice and easy, so the center drill can fine a striaght path.

 

[THUGSROOK]

screw the panel to some wood ~ thru the area youre cutting out of course

using the drill in reverse can help and is a little safer.

dont try to apply pressure, let the speed of the drill do the work for you.

gluck

 

[Drewpy]

Originally posted by: Lizardman
drill the center hole first with a smaller drill bit. That always makes it nice and easy, so the center drill can fine a striaght path.

You don't need to pre-drill. Use a centre-punch to mark the centre of the hole. However the best suggestion is to use a scrap wood guide as mentioned by sbw (4th post) along with centre-punching.

My final tip would be to use a SHARP bit on the arbor. A sharp bit will cut much cleaner and quicker, in addition to not "walking" over the surface.

DO NOT drill in reverse. All it will do is over heat your hole saw, and cause you to have less control over the hole saw. Both of which are not really ideal when playing with power tools.

 

[Dan]

Not to belabor the obvious, but be sure you wear safety glasses/goggles while making your cuts.

 

[deerslayer]

What about the hole saw itself? It's not actually mine, i'm borrowing it from my brother. But are there different types for wood/metal? I asked him if it was ok to use it with metal and he said it was, so i'm assuming that it's fine.

I cut a couple holes yesterday, one as a practice hole, and the other in a cheap case. They turned out pretty good, except that I didn't line up the screw holes right

 

[mechBgon]

More RPM is not necessarily better either.

 

[deerslayer]

I was using my brother's Makita hammer drill. Dunno how many RPM it is. It would be a lot easier if I had a drill press!

I would like to put an exhaust fan in the top panel as well, since heat rises, I figured that would be a good place to put an exhaust fan. Correct?

 

[THUGSROOK]

correct

 

[1luckymf]

Low RPM's and a bit of cutting oil to keep your bit sharp..this should extend the life of bit.