budget hole cutters

[condeesteso]

Please does anyone have any experience with low-cost hole cutters - i just need something to cut about 10 holes in desk-tops through 18mm birch ply - around 100mm dia to take cable grommets. Any advice appreciated... this is not my usual line of work :lol:

 

[Dangermouse]

hi Douglas
I've used cheapo hole cutters a fair bit and if you dont want something that will last a life time then they are ok.

 

[jhwbigley]

Buy a cheap hole saw, use it to drill out the 100 mm hole out in some MDF, then use it with a router and top bearing bit to cut the holes. A lot cleaner than a hole cutter and probably quicker too.

JH

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If the cut out bit is not being used for anything, I'd have thought a good, fine blade in a jigsaw would be quicker and cleaner than a holesaw.

 

[Dangermouse]

If the cut out bit is not being used for anything, I'd have thought a good, fine blade in a jigsaw would be quicker and cleaner than a holesaw.

Actually , no it wouldn't. Trying to cut a perfectly round hole with a hand held jigsaw is a nightmare. I've tried it. :shock:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've not had a problem cutting quite clean holes with a jigsaw, but I've yet to cut a clean one with a holesaw. I wouldn't try it on a smaller diameter than that, though, and it would depend on the hole not being too close to the edge of the board.

 

[JakeS]

I've had no problems getting results easily decent enough for that kind of grommet with a cheap holesaw set simply by drilling part-way through from one side, as close to half-way as possible, then finishing the hole from the other side. The mess nearly always comes when the cutter pushes through the far side of the material, so if you avoid doing that, it's generally fine.

That said, I've never cut anything so wide as 100mm - generally 50-60mm has been good enough. It's wide enough to get a plug through, that's usually the important thing!



(And that said, the MDF-and-bearing-guided-router approach is probably a nicer answer in the long run!)

 

[Paul Chapman]

If you have a router, you could make up a false base like this one http://www.wealdentool.eu/rf_tips/rf_tips_04.html

Costs next to nothing and works really well for cutting small diameter holes.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[foxhunter]

I used this method to make recesses for clock inserts.
You may think this is over the top but worth a try. Choose a suitable diameter jig and router bit and get your offset right. You will need a jig with a hole and a removable disc the same size with a 6mm hole on the centre. I only have this in a Word.docx format. If you are interested pm me and I will send the full explanation. This will enable you to place the holes precisely where you want them.

Brian

 

[condeesteso]

Brilliant everyone, many thanks. I am wary of the jigsaw route as one small error will write off a big desktop (and it looks to me those grommets don't give much margin for error either). But I hadn't thought of the router approach. Brian - pm sent.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Buy a cheap hole saw, use it to drill out the 100 mm hole out in some MDF, then use it with a router and top bearing bit to cut the holes. A lot cleaner than a hole cutter and probably quicker too.

JH

Neat. Gets round all the scuffing and burning issues with holesaws.