Type of drill to get?

[pc1966]

We agonised for ages over getting WiFi from the main building to a garage 50 metres away, but he came up with a mast on the main building and a receiver on the garage roof...we tweaked it for hours to get the best signal, then local lads kicked footballs against the garage mast and sent it askew...and it still works fine!
Variety...the spice of life!...and galvy band is your friend!

Sometimes radio is great, other time not! Running some outdoor CAT-5 cable, or fibre, is going to be faster and more reliable, but not always practical or cost-effective.

 

[nicebutdim]

I get that punches will operate within much tighter confines than a hole saw, but surely a pilot hole still needs to be drilled?

In really tight spots I'll use a less than powerful angle drill.

I'm still tempted to buy a few punches in common sizes...

 

[rewireIT]

He couldn't get his drill and hole saw anywhere near

How exactly do you use them? The only ones i've been able to find on youtube use something that looks like a drill so comparable in size

 

[pc1966]

I get that punches will operate within much tighter confines than a hole saw, but surely a pilot hole still needs to be drilled?

Yes, you need a pilot hole and for smaller sizes that may not be any more of a savings than a small drill & hole saw access. For larger sizes, like 51mm for large bushes, or cable glands, it is a space saving.

Sometimes you have an existing hole or knock-out that is not the wanted size but will do for pilot hole.

 

[pc1966]

How exactly do you use them? The only ones i've been able to find on youtube use something that looks like a drill so comparable in size

The cup part goes on one side of the sheet, the die part other side, and then you tighten the through-bolt until the die is pulled through.

 

[rewireIT]

The cup part goes on one side of the sheet, the die part other side, and then you tighten the through-bolt until the die is pulled through.

Tighten it with what? I need to see one of these in action i can't picture how they're used. I've seen the milwaukee ones that use a gun type thing but not the manual ones

 

[pc1966]

Tighten it with what? I need to see one of these in action i can't picture how they're used. I've seen the milwaukee ones that use a gun type thing but not the manual ones

Are you thinking of a cone/step drill, or a hole punch?

The cone/step drills are used just like a drill but as you push further in it gets larger.

 

[pc1966]

Here is a hole punch in parts, dashed line where the metal sheet would be:

 

[pc1966]

That punch is small, 14.5mm, just one I had laying around my flat.

 

[pirate]

Couldn't use CAT5 or fibre as we had to cross ground not owned by us, otherwise that would have been preferable, @pc1966.
I see your punch has a nice big nut for tightening, which means you can use a ratchet and socket. My old ones were like that but recent ones are tightened by hex-wrench, which is not as good, imho.

 

[pc1966]

My old ones were like that but recent ones are tightened by hex-wrench, which is not as good, imho.

You could change the bolts for hex-head ones, though often Alla bolts are in higher tensile steel (10.9 or 12.9, not the common 8.8)

Or get a set like this:

Magnusson 1/2" Drive Hex Bit Socket Rail 6 Pieces - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Precision-ground hardened tool-grade chrome vanadium steel for extra strength and durability. Chamfered lead-in sockets for easy placement onto drive tools and fasteners. Supplied on a steel rail for easy storage. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in...

www.screwfix.com

 

[loz2754]

Are you thinking of a cone/step drill, or a hole punch?

The cone/step drills are used just like a drill but as you push further in it gets larger.

The eye-wateringly expensive Milwaukee knockout punch kit is an amazing tool for anyone punching a lot of holes.

 

[telectrix]

The eye-wateringly expensive Milwaukee knockout punch kit is an amazing tool for anyone punching a lot of holes.

there's a simile for that, but it would get me a ban.

 

[pc1966]

Just took a look at the M18HKP-501CA kit for the princely sum of £1,079 and it looks really smart.

Alas, I don't get as much opportunity to punch holes as I might like, so my money is better spent elsewhere. On beer, for example, to cry in to...

 

[pirate]

Thanks @pc1966, that looks like a good set of hex sockets. I do have hex bits, but then you have to put them in an adaptor for a socket, which makes it a bit unwieldy, a bit wobbly, and of course increases the height when you want to go low profile. However, I'll probably get that set anyway.
I must have dozens of "sets" of assorted bits, sockets, security bits...I really must stop buying stuff!
(Clearly...I won't!)