Which hole saw for cutting plastic?

HappyHippyDad

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• Nov 1, 2012

• #1

Hi,

Just wondered the best way to cut 20mm holes in plastic (adaptable boxes, some PIR's etc etc). I've done a little research and a hole saw seems best although a cone shaped drill bit might also be ok? Starrett seems to be the best but I was wondering if its worth trying to get away with something cheaper? I've seen these Makita ones which state they cut through plastic and I've always thought of Makita as pretty good quality:

So, expensive Starrett or the cheaper Makita, or something completely different?



Thanks all...

 

Resu

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• Nov 1, 2012

• #2

We have the Starett set and it's excellent. But for all your going to use the hole saw for you'd be as we'll buying the cheaper one. Should cut the plastic no bother.

 

jaydee81

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• Nov 1, 2012

• #3

Personally use lenox hole saws easy plug removal and use the snap back arbour takes away the pain or changing hole saw sizes check out lenoxtools.com not the cheapest tho

 

HandySparks

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• Nov 1, 2012

• #4

I have a variety of Bosch Progressor hole saws:
Bosch Progressor Holesaw 79mm | Screwfix.com

The attraction of these is the easy way they fit to the arbour. Available in all the usual sizes.

For plastic boxes however, the hole saw can be hard to control as the soft plastic can allow the teeth to grab and the pilot drill to "pull" somewhat, ie the hole may not end up exactly where you intended, although usually not by much.

I tend to use one of these for medium sized holes in plastic, a stepped cutter:
Sealey Sheet Metal Cutter Step Drill Bit 4-30mm AK4732 | eBay

or, as you mention, a cone cut:
Cone Cutters

 

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A

Adam W

• Nov 1, 2012

• #5

I use a starett holesaw. Does the job. I got it from the wholesalers as something of an impulse buy - you know, when they ask you if you want anything else?
No idea how much it cost - it went on the company's account.

 

G

Guest55

• Nov 1, 2012

• #6

starrett last the longest , pure and simple

 

M

MarkieSparkie

• Nov 1, 2012

• #7

Hole saws are fine for cutting holes in plastic (or metal) where the hole size required is a standard hole saw diameter. Where the hole diameter is not a convenient hole saw size, then a powered cone cutter or a hand tapered reamer is invaluable. Personally I opt for the later solution, drilling the hole the nearest hole saw under-size and then either fine tuning the final diameter with a tapered reamer or file.

 

B

bigbaddave

• Nov 1, 2012

• #8

I Prefer the step drill bits, Perfect for CU and plastic back boxes

 

Hawk81

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• Nov 1, 2012

• #9

Starret smooth cut are by far the best bar none

 

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SirKit Breaker

• Nov 1, 2012

• #10

I have an Aldi holesaw kit. Cost about a fiver a few years ago, and still does the business, dont use it much these days, but i have lost count of the amount of holes i have cut with the 20mm one, in steel, plastic and plaster, and it is still sharper than me.

 

OP

HappyHippyDad

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• Nov 2, 2012

• #11

Cheers for all the advice guys.

It sounds like the Makita would be fine for my needs at the moment. If I had the cash I'd like to buy the Cone cutter, Starrett, Sealy stepped bit and the Makita and try them all out, but I'll wait until I've built up my business and earnt my first million :smile5:

 

P

pennywise

• Nov 3, 2012

• #12

Another for step cutters, then you don't have to spend hours with a terminal driver popping out the center of the hole you've just made with the hole saw

 

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rmc86uk

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• Nov 3, 2012

• #13

It's only about 3 quid for a Starrett holesaw. A lot of older guys say there not as good as they used to be but in my opinion they are still the best. I've got a Halls cone cut for making existing holes bigger i.e 16mm to 20mm etc.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

O

Octopus

• Nov 3, 2012

• #14

If you need 20mm holes in plastic adaptable boxes I'd be buying Wiska boxes with them in place already!

 

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YoungBart

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• Nov 4, 2012

• #15

I use Bosch Powerchange, They get through plastic and thin metals with no problems, But that said the pilot drills for them are made out eggshell and arent cheap to replace. But If all your drilling is plastic I'd get a cone cutter, theyr'e great.