Holes...how to cut 'em

[Terence Lynock]

If you want nice clean holes with no tearing even in the softest of Balsa and Depron buy a set of diamond edge hole saws used for cutting holes in tiles, they last for ever and are easily cleaned by soaking in thinners or just burn any resin build up with a torch then scratch brush them.

[SDF]

You do realise Diamond is a form of carbon and will burn quite nicely. I would suggest keeping them away from the torch unless you want to buy some more.

A (probably) cheaper alternative is a bit of brass tube sharpened at the end with knife.

[Terence Lynock]

Found that diamond hole saws will go through 1/4'' Birch ply no problems, tends to burn a little bit but by lifting the hole saw and clearing the dust it works fine, I use them mainly for popping access holes in bulkheads, lightening holes in sheet components and stuff like that.

I didnt mean you should heat the saw up too hot,just play the flame over the edge to burn off resin which can then be wire brushed to get the cutting edge clean, they should be able to stand up to quite a bit of heat as they are made for cutting through ceramic tiles with no water cooling.

[Charles Smitheman]

Interesting.

Being a cheapskate I use old 35 mhz tx aerial sections shapened with a stanley knife. You can use them in the cordless drill if you are careful not to overtighten the chuck.

For a larger hole I used the solder together straight plumbing fittings from b&Q,

[pensioners1938]

Screwfix sell Forstner Drill bit set for £6:89. They cut clean holes.

15, 20, 25, 30 and 35mm bits with 8mm shank.

[Ernie]

A set of small hole punches don't cost much. You do need a solid hardwood base to get a good job ernie

[Nev]

Excellent tip. £1.98 from ebay, free delivery.

Ok mine was in a bench drill to keep it nice and square but best round hole I've ever cut.

not guaranteeing its cutting ability through granite but balsa, cant fault it.

Nev.

[Matt Jones]

What you want is a set of Brian Gaskin Soft Bores.........

[ben goodfellow 1]

gaskin cutters , now where would i get them , been looking for a set.

[Trevor Rushton]

Ben, you can get them from Avicraft in Bromley, they may not be shown on their website but I bought mine from the shop.

Trevor

[ben goodfellow 1]

oh good ill have to have a look. thanks

[Stevo]

+1 for Gaskin cutters - Iv'e even used mine in ply and foam! However those diamond tile cutters look worth a shot!

[AJ]

The diamond cutters work well but note there is no centering bit so can sometimes be difficult to position accurately. I find they are best used in a drill press.

A.