Recommendations on ways to drill 1-3/4" holes

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 10:11 pm

I'm getting set to build some little mounts to hold accessories (like lights, dust pickups, etc) on the way tubes on my SS Mark V - need to put some 1-3/4" holes in some pieces of 2x4 'white' wood in one case and 3/4" plywood in another case. I have no decent hole saws or forstner bits to do the job so I thinking of just hauling off and buying something (most likely a forstner) to do the job.

And, yes, I know I could use my saber saw, my bandsaw, etc to so the job - but I would just like to have a nice round hole to start off with.

So any suggestions? Intend on using it with the SS so speed will be only as low as I can crank the SS.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:08 pm

bobgroh wrote:I'm getting set to build some little mounts to hold accessories (like lights, dust pickups, etc) on the way tubes on my SS Mark V - need to put some 1-3/4" holes in some pieces of 2x4 'white' wood in one case and 3/4" plywood in another case. I have no decent hole saws or forstner bits to do the job so I thinking of just hauling off and buying something (most likely a forstner) to do the job.

And, yes, I know I could use my saber saw, my bandsaw, etc to so the job - but I would just like to have a nice round hole to start off with.

So any suggestions? Intend on using it with the SS so speed will be only as low as I can crank the SS.

I purchased a Hole Saw to do it, Rockler has an 8 piece kit on sale this week for $24.99 or you can get just a 1 3/4 or 1 7/8 (depending on Mark 5 model) for < $10 at Ace Hardware.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:17 pm

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?pq=hole+saw&hl=en&cp=1&gs_id=25&xhr=t&q=adjustable+hole+saw&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1639&bih=1035&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=8718700074214214033&sa=X&ei=tLsbTrvKK8uRgQeI-J3ACQ&sqi=2&ved=0CFIQ8gIwAA

I have one of these(made by 'Skil' many decades ago) that are quite handy. 'infinitely' adjustable size within the limits.

I used it last week!

swampgator · Post by **swampgator** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:55 pm

This set was on sale recently for about $40. Good bits. The two times I've used them they have been excellent and their max speed is 850 rpm. The old Mk V mininum speed is 750 according to my book.

A key hole saw will work very well also for your project.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:15 am

I made a template using a piece of hard board and a compass. After finishing that one the hard way, I now do them using the template and a router.

NO additional financial investment.

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:13 am

I used a holesaw to make the same mounts you described. You can drill a sawdust relief hole to help clear the sawdust: http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip031010ws.html

Sincerely,

Ron309753

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:29 am

Forstner bits make a nice smooth cut. Holesaws make a roughish cut.

Forstner bits drill out the wood, requiring some good power. Holesaws take less power because they only cut a ring.

Forstner bits cost more than holesaws, usually.

Holesaws require you to pry out the wood plug, which can be entertaining sometimes. Forstner bits have no such issue.

For the job you're describing, I'd probably buy a decent arbor and the holesaw. Then I'd have the arbor and could get other holesaws for other jobs in the future.

tryinhard · Post by **tryinhard** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:10 pm

I have used adjustable hole cutters like this even on 2 x 4's (clamp the piece to the table, cut half-way then flip the piece over). I think the max speed indicated is 500 RPM, but I have not had any problems running on Slow.

This option has lots of different diameters for future projects already built in.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:03 pm

Mike
I have those cutters also. You have to be careful with them cuz that cutter bar has a tendency to become invisible when it is spinning!!:eek:
Bill V

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:17 pm

Thanks for all the thoughts and ruminations. After pondering and doing a lot of price checking and looking around the web (and Ace Hardware and Home Depot), I have decided to just haul off and buy a 1-3/4" Forstner bit. I can get one for anywhere between $9 and $40 - as you can imagine the $9 one's are a bit suspect on quality. I need to order a gift from Amazon and I can get a Freud bit for about $17 (good reviews) so I am going that route. Woodcraft has a set of 7 on sale for $12 (1" and down) and I might pop for that also.

I might mention that my son-in-law loaned me his set of Forstner bits and, frankly, they are pretty bad! So, yes, you can really get skunked in this stuff!

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