Hole saw question...

[dndcollect]

I need to make a hole for the fan of the power supply on a pc. I am a tool newbie

What exactly is a hole saw? Is it a bit that you attached to the end of your drill?

If so, is there one that is recomended as well as a drill?

[NiteWalker]

A hole saw is indeed a kind of drill bit. Are you asking for a drill recommendation? If so, go with a good corded model. It'll handle the bigger holes better.

[jasonbar]

Hole saw: http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&hl=en&q=hole%20saw

It has 3 parts:
1 - the hole saw itself--make sure you get one w/ teeth for wood (vs. an abrasive grit)
2 - the pilot drill bit--makes the hole saw go straight
3 - the holder thingie that holds the hole saw to the pilot drill & has a round or hex shank to go into your drill chuck


It's a bear--requires lots of torque & pressure--run your drill in low gear.

Whenever I use a hole saw on wood (especially crumbly particle board), I start cutting on the face that will be visible (on the outside), because I put so much pressure on the saw to get through the wood that it inevitably busts through when I get through, splintering the backside of the wood panel.  A drill press allows much better control to prevent this.

-Jason

[ChadTower]

Just clamp a sacrificial piece to the back to avoid breakthru.

[jasonbar]

Good idea--duh on me.  It hasn't been an issue for the work I've been doing (only 1 side needed to be pretty), but I'll remember that for the future--is it obvious when you've broken through the first piece?  (I don't want to have to go further than I have to when using a hole saw--it's tiring, especially when using my dull old 1-1/8 saw for buttons...)

Thanks,
-J

[Kaytrim]

I don't want to have to go further than I have to when using a hole saw--it's tiring, especially when using my dull old 1-1/8 saw for buttons...)

Thanks,
-J

If you have a file you might be able to sharpen the blade a bit.  The other option is to ditch the hole saw and get a spade bit.  Those are easier to sharpen and work better in MDF.

Kaytrim

[jasonbar]

Thanks--have we derailed the original post enough yet?  :]

Hypothetically speaking, if I were to file the teeth on the hole saw, which edge(s) would I file?

I say it's hypothetical b/c I bet I'd rather just go out & buy a new hole saw than spend the time filing this one...(it's been abused by making control panel button holes on steel panels w/out using any cutting fluid, way back in 1993/1994 on my first JAMMA cabinet, so I'm due to replace it anyway...)

Ah, I hadn't thought of a spade bit--good idea--I *should* be all done w/ my woodworking on this project, but that's another good tip to file away for future use.

-Jason

[Kaytrim]

I have a set of bi-metal hole saws and when I need to sharpen one I file the 'top' side of the tooth.  I consider the 'top' side to be the side that faces the cutting surface. 

I don't think we have derailed the topic at all.  This is all about cutting holes in MDF the typical material used for construction.  And if you are cutting a lot of holes you need to know how to maintain your saw.   As to the fact that the original post was about cutting a hole for a fan then a hole saw is ideal.  If you are cutting a hole for a button or joystick then I'd use a spade bit.  You make more holes of the 1 1/8" size then the 2-3" holes for fans.

btw When cutting a hole in MDF with a hole saw I typically 'bounce' the blade in and out as I am drilling.  This allows the MDF dust to evacuate the cut and not clog up the teeth so much.  Also use a slow speed.  These two tips will save your hole saw from unnecessary wear and tear from burning your way through.  I also keep an old toothbrush handy to clean the gunk from the hole saw when necessary.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[DarkBubble]

3 - the holder thingie that holds the hole saw to the pilot drill & has a round or hex shank to go into your drill chuck

The holder thingie is called an arbor.  There are multiple sizes of these.  For smaller sizes, they'll simply screw onto the arbor.  Larger arbors usually have a spring-loaded part that has two pegs that will slide up into two holes on holesaws of 1-1/4" to 6".

[BradC]

I was considering getting a hole-saw to cut button holes, but the tip about using a spade bit seems much better. I think I will go with one of those instead.

[knave]

Right after I bought a few spade bits on sale at my local HW store, I ran across a hole saw kit at harbor freight for like 2.99.  I picked one of those up as well.  Seems like it would handle cutting button holes just fine and it probably would work for aluminum too.

It's nice to have both.

[Mrjamma]

Hole saw: http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&hl=en&q=hole%20saw

It has 3 parts:
1 - the hole saw itself--make sure you get one w/ teeth for wood (vs. an abrasive grit)
2 - the pilot drill bit--makes the hole saw go straight
3 - the holder thingie that holds the hole saw to the pilot drill & has a round or hex shank to go into your drill chuck

-Jason

Item 3 "the holder thingie" its called a MANDREL

[csa3d]

I was considering getting a hole-saw to cut button holes, but the tip about using a spade bit seems much better. I think I will go with one of those instead.

I was told way back when to go for a fostner bit for button holes, and that worked out really well.  Might consider that also.  It seems to have more blade technology then the standard spade bit.  That being said, it was also more expensive.

-csa

[BradC]

That post was from back in June of last year. I kended up using the spade bit, and it was a pain in the arse. For my next panel, I think I am going to go with a fostner.