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#1
07/24/2004, 09:05 PM
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Tool for drilling holes for 4" fans.
Hi Everyone:
I'm building a knew 4-bulb VHO canopy for my 29 gallan tank and I want to use 4" fans on the ends. What is the best tool to use to cut out the holes for the 4" fans. I was thinking about using a door knob drill bit but the hole it makes is still way too small for the fans. Any recommendations or suggstions would be greatly appreciated. |
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#2
07/24/2004, 09:35 PM
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why not cut a square and mount your fan flush with the surface?
__________________
Mike |
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#3
07/24/2004, 09:36 PM
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You won't find a 'clean' hole cutter that will make the precise hole you need, I believe.
There are two options open to you: 1) Buy an 'adjustable hole cutter' - I've seen them on the shelf but never risked buying one. You can set it it any hole size. The one I saw looked flimsy. Not sure I'm comfortable with the whole idea. 2) Use a spinning saw to cut it out, ie. a Dremel tool. A jigsaw will work as well. Trace the hole out on the wood and then cut it out as carefully as possible. If you're using a jigsaw (or even as low-tech as a hacksaw blade minus the saw :P), you'll need to drill a hole first to get the blade in - just be sure that the outer rim of the hole you drill is still within the circle you're cutting so you don't get a 'bite' mark when all is said and done.
__________________
Remember: safety last when you ain't got no money. -- Damon Wayans |
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#8
07/24/2004, 10:59 PM
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I use a dremmel tool with a small drill bit and drill about 75 small holes around the perimeter of the hole I want. Then I take a hammer and hit out the center. I then use my dremmel with a sanding bit to clean the whole up a bit. I cut all 4 of my fan holes like this as well as a hole I needed for a bulkhead.
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#10
07/24/2004, 11:04 PM
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I'd use a router with a pattern bit and find some sort of 4" circle, ie paint can, jar, whatever is 4" to use as a guide.
That's just what I would do....there are a hundred different ways to do it depending on what tools you have. What tools do you have? |
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#13
07/24/2004, 11:14 PM
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Thanks jjmg and all the rest of you guys for the fantastic ideas. All I have on hand is a craftsman electric drill and serveral common drill bits. A hole saw sounds like the most economical way to go.
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#15
07/25/2004, 09:12 AM
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I also used the hole saw.. it was something like 4 3/8" or something. Only thing that I didn't like about it was that it cost me $30 at Lowe's.. I couldn't find one any cheaper locally. But it cut a nice clean hole... just got to get a good grip on the drill because sometimes it would catch a tooth on the wood in one spot and it would pull real hard. My durn black&decker drill could hardly punch through my pine canopy... just had to do it slow.
my half cents Cordell |
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#16
07/25/2004, 10:30 AM
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I have one of these kits. Has a 4-inch hole saw. $2.99 can't be beat!
 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36222 |
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#17
07/25/2004, 09:46 PM
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what about a roto-zip?
__________________
"courage is not the absence of fear - it is the presence of fear and the abillity to carry on" |
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#18
07/27/2004, 12:56 AM
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use the HF hole saw set (for a few bucks they work great a few times....
or buy a "jasper jig" for your router. Bill |
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#19
07/27/2004, 08:07 AM
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Buy a 43/8 hole saw, set your drill at high torque not high speed and start your pilot bit through the material. as the pilot bit goes through the back side stop, and start the same process from the other side using the pilot hole as a guide. That way you dont have a lot of tear out as the saw blade goes through. I would not recomend using a cheap kit if at all possible. Spend the money on one by a decent company like greenlee and have it forever. Just my two cents.
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