Cutting large diameter holes

RogerChris · Post by **RogerChris** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:04 pm

I need to cut a 65mm diameter hole in the top of a chipboard wall unit (to fit a light). Is a Core Drill Bit the correct device to use? If so, how do these fit on to an electric drill. The Screwfix Armeg TCT Core Drill Bit specifies "use with arbors and pilot drill". What is an arbor?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:11 pm

Hi,

No you do not use a core drill you need an hole saw, like this-

The bit that screws into the middle of the holesaw is the arbour

here is a link to one that is 64mm- http://www.screwfix.com/prods/15553/Dri ... lesaw-64mm

Not sure if you can get a 65mm one, but I am sure someone will sell them

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:28 pm

ITS London have them at a sensible price....

http://www.itslondon.co.uk/SearchResult ... hole%20saw

And is a toolstore that a few of the members use.

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:27 pm

If it's just for a one-off job, you could buy a cheapo hole saw set of 5 or 6 saws in the set, and they are complete with arbor and pilot drill!

Wood Magnet · Post by **Wood Magnet** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:53 am

For 65mm you could use a jigsaw.

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:41 am

Before I had a hole saw, i marked out the circle, drilled a series of holes all along the line, and then used a padsaw to "join the dots" - did the job

Trickydickie · Post by **Trickydickie** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:12 pm

If you use a hole saw, ( they sell them at wickes in different sizes)http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/500584

Clamp a piece of scrap wood bigger then the hole to the underside of the cabinet so when you break through you dont chip the cabinet and leave a nasty chipped hole....

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:18 pm

Trickydickie wrote:If you use a hole saw, ( they sell them at wickes in different sizes)http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/500584

Clamp a piece of scrap wood bigger then the hole to the underside of the cabinet so when you break through you dont chip the cabinet and leave a nasty chipped hole....

Good Catch on that

Also what you can do, is once the pilot drill comes though, you can then drill up from inside so the hole saw teeth will score the surface and this should stop the splintering also