4 3/4 holesaw

[inkfx]

So I went to Lowes but they don't seem to carry this size. They only had 4 1/4 and 5 inches. Plus those metal cutting bits were like $50. Could these be ordered from the net? I don't really want to spend that money if I don't have to. I'm not sure what store to try next.

[thideras]

So I went to Lowes but they don't seem to carry this size. They only had 4 1/4 and 5 inches. Plus those metal cutting bits were like $50. Could these be ordered from the net? I don't really want to spend that money if I don't have to. I'm not sure what store to try next.Check out eBay. I had someone bookmarked there that sold all sizes of those things...and for way cheaper than I could find in any store. Can't provide a link (don't even think I'm allowed), but a quick search should turn someone up. :bday:

[inkfx]

I've never used eBay before but if that is my only option I will check it out. Thanks for the quick reply.

[Moto7451]

I picked up one on ebay as well. If that fails they do make adjustable hole cutters that look kind of like a drawing compass.

[inkfx]

Could you link me to one of those?

[Viol8ted]

I picked up one on ebay as well. If that fails they do make adjustable hole cutters that look kind of like a drawing compass.

I tried one of these on a steel door. Was a horrible experiance. Ruined the door. :( :(

[downer]

If you have access to a dremel and a CD (a cd is a perfect size for a 120mm fan), you could use that method. Takes more patience, but I've done it that way.

[inkfx]

The only tool I have that I could use for cutting would be this drill.

[smokie mcpott]

i bought a blackndecker rotary tool from walmart for about 25 bucks, and a package of cutting discs for about 5 dollars

i use a CD to draw an outline
then the rotary tool with a cutting disc on it to make the hole...

[inkfx]

I'll have to check that out. My dad is going to ask at work tomorrow if anyone has a holesaw we could borrow. If not that Black n Decker may be my only hope.

[Diggrr]

Like this? -- http://www.directron.com/t019438in.html

You don't really want a 4 3/4" saw.
120mm = roughly 4.72"
The 120mm dimension is the outside of the fan's frame, so the hole should be a tad bit smaller. A 4 3/4" holesaw will cut a hole that's larger than the fan by a little.

The perfect hole for a fan is actually a square with rounded corners that exactly matches the opening of the fan's frame, but this is good enough. Or it's at least small enough to be tweaked with a file or a dremel to be the perfect shape.

Don't forget to get the saw arbor as well (sold seperately). That's the part that has both the stud for the drill chuck to grab onto, and the center hole drill (which keeps it from skidding out of control).

And yeah, by the time you buy a hole saw and arbor, you've exceeded the price of a dremel...you decide.

[Diggrr]

Oh, a good alternate store for cheap holesaws/kits is Harbor Freight.
A lot of their tools are super cheap (price and quality wise), but the holesaws should hold up to quite a few case holes if you use an oil to lubricate them properly (required in my mind).

[Fushyuguru]

I second the harbor freight, however I've found you end up mar'ing up the case alot of the time when using large hole saws without a drill press (don't know if that was your plan).

If you don't have a drill press, I always got great results with a dremel and fiberglass reinforced cutoffs. Plan to go through a few, especially on a high quality hard anodized alum case.

- Draw your hole.
- Score inside the mark with dremel.
- Continue scoreing out a 1/8" channel inside of your marking.
- Take your time and cut through near the inside of the line.
- Sand or file out remaining.
- Admire perfect cut.

[maxfly]

^^^i agree.a drill press makes things a lot easier.
the only way i was able to get a nice clean cut with a holesaw was to run it in reverse.i ran it as slow as i could and it turned out very nicely.it takes a very long time using this method but it works(20-30 mins literally).otherwise the holesaw tore the crap out of the metal.

[JLK03F150]

A 4 1/2" holesaw makes great openings for 120mm fans. I got one from Lowes.

[Fushyuguru]

^^^i agree.a drill press makes things a lot easier.
the only way i was able to get a nice clean cut with a holesaw was to run it in reverse.i ran it as slow as i could and it turned out very nicely.it takes a very long time using this method but it works(20-30 mins literally).otherwise the holesaw tore the crap out of the metal.

Problem is most hole saws you find are made for wood not metal. You want small teeth that are lined up, not the larger skewed teeth that are designed to self clean when ripping through wood.

[JLK03F150]

Hit the teeth with a little oil & this saw will cut metal just fine.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=204994-28303-34072-72A&lpage=none

[Moto7451]

I tried one of these on a steel door. Was a horrible experiance. Ruined the door. :( :(


Which one? I've used hole saws with great success on all sorts of materials. Controlling the RPM is important. I've never used the latter type I mentioned (they're expensive and I'm cheap at times).

[eternaljammer]

Which one? I've used hole saws with great success on all sorts of materials. Controlling the RPM is important. I've never used the latter type I mentioned (they're expensive and I'm cheap at times).
sounds like me.:beer:

[Iron Hawk]

when using a hole saw, cut from the inside. And cover the outer surface of the case with masking tape, this will prevent it from getting scratched. I have used the bi-metal blades with great success. they will scratch the heck out of the surface they are cutting into, but the bottom side will be clean and professional. This is why I recommend you cut from the inside. Use Oil on steel, WD-40 or water(with a water soluble oil, preferably) on aluminum, milk/cream on copper. Ive been a machinist for a number of years and the best advice i can give you is to practice on a scrap of the same material when available. Getting to know your tool[s] is important.

[Xenocide]

I tried one of these on a steel door. Was a horrible experiance. Ruined the door. :( :(

It called a fly wheel, and it ruined the door because its meant for wood.