Terence Lynock Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDF Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terence Lynock Posted April 14, 2013 Author Share Posted April 14, 2013 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Smitheman Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 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, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensioners1938 Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 Screwfix sell Forstner Drill bit set for £6:89. They cut clean holes. 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35mm bits with 8mm shank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 A set of small hole punches don't cost much. You do need a solid hardwood base to get a good job ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nev Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Jones Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 What you want is a set of Brian Gaskin Soft Bores......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 gaskin cutters , now where would i get them , been looking for a set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted May 10, 2014 Share Posted May 10, 2014 oh good ill have to have a look. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 +1 for Gaskin cutters - Iv'e even used mine in ply and foam! However those diamond tile cutters look worth a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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