4-inch Hole Saw
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
Harbor Freight currently has a set of hole saws on sale for $5 to $6 bucks (maybe it was $2.99). Anyway, the set includes a 4-inch hole saw which while may be of poor quality, should work fine for cutting access holes in gourds. Sure beats the $17.99 price that I saw at Home Depot last night.
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
Is that only for the hole saw? I looked at Harbor Freight this weekend for one but the cheap one you had to buy the drill bit too to attach the holesaw to your drill.
I ended getting a set from Northern Tool for 12.00 + 7.00 ship.
I ended getting a set from Northern Tool for 12.00 + 7.00 ship.
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
I visited their web site (I apologize for making the initial post on the fly). It's item 36222-OVGA. The set includes 2 1/2, 3, 3 1/2, 4 and 5-inch hole saws, 3/8-inch mandrel, 6.1 mm bit, drive plate, hex wrench and case for $6.49. As I said, don't know about the quality but should be able to cut through gourds.
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
Wished I would have seen that.
I ended up getting 158852 at Northern Tool.
I ended up getting 158852 at Northern Tool.
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eyeamtheman
- Posts: 633
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
- Location: Quitman, La
- Martin Colony History: Super colony
As you said, the quality may not be good, but it'll work I'm sure. I simply trace around the access port I plan to install, and cut it out with my jigsaw.....works great.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
Johnny
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roblrich
Got my 4 1/4" hole saw at Lowes with bit for $27. It is a high quality one, but the only reason I paid so much at the time was because it was the only one in that size. The S&K access ports (when you finally get them shipped to you) screw right in very tight.
But with having a high quality hole saw, I can kick it around and throw it when I get mad and frustrated, which is quite often.
But with having a high quality hole saw, I can kick it around and throw it when I get mad and frustrated, which is quite often.
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
Picked up a set of hole saws at Harbor Freight last night. I was originally right, only $2.99 for the set of 5. They look to be ok. Also picked up an 18 volt non-name cordless drill for $18.99 (before a 20% off coupon that I recieved in the mail) and a dremel like tool and 60 piece accessory set for $7.99. I'll be able to cut all of my Martin holes and dress them up with the dremel like tool. Even if the drill only lasts a year I don't see how I can go wrong.
Life is good in CNY!!
Life is good in CNY!!
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
Picked up a set of hole saws at Harbor Freight last night. I was originally right, only $2.99 for the set of 5. They look to be ok. Also picked up an 18 volt non-name cordless drill for $18.99 (before a 20% off coupon that I received in the mail) and a dremel like tool and 60 piece accessory set for $7.99. I'll be able to cut all of my Martin holes and dress them up with the dremel like tool. Even if the drill only lasts a year I don't see how I can go wrong.
Life is good in CNY!!
Life is good in CNY!!
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Joe Zorn
Looks like it's back to Harbor Freight. Thanks for the tip.
For any tool person who has never been to this store, bring your checkbook. You ain't getting out of there with nothing in your hand, I promise.
For any tool person who has never been to this store, bring your checkbook. You ain't getting out of there with nothing in your hand, I promise.
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Joe Zorn
Looks like it's back to Harbor Freight. Thanks for the tip.
For any tool person who has never been to this store, bring your checkbook. You ain't getting out of there with nothing in your hand, I promise.
For any tool person who has never been to this store, bring your checkbook. You ain't getting out of there with nothing in your hand, I promise.
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Joe Zorn
Looks like it's back to that store. Thanks for the tip.
For any tool person who has never been to this store, bring your checkbook. You ain't getting out of there with nothing in your hand, I promise.
For any tool person who has never been to this store, bring your checkbook. You ain't getting out of there with nothing in your hand, I promise.
I've been buying tooling from harbor freight for years. Unless you are going to cut something hard they will last for a LONG time. Most of there stuff is made for home use and not for construction/industrial use. Most of it's made in China (like about everything else).
If I need a quality drill bit I by dewalt, 5 times the price, but 5 times the hardness! At work I drill in stainless steel. The cheap bits don't even scratch it. I have also figured out high speed bits means just fast enough to see metal flaking off the bit. (has nothing to do with cutting gourds, but I needed something to talk about)
I use to buy the best portable power tools, there OK if you use them every day. If not, the expensive batteries will go dead. A good example is dewalt batteries for 18V drill $89 bucks a piece. At that price you can replace alot of the cheaper equipment and their batteries are 1/3 the price. And besides is a chinese knock off not made to dewalt standards.
I don't think natural or plastic gourds will wear out that hole saw.
If I need a quality drill bit I by dewalt, 5 times the price, but 5 times the hardness! At work I drill in stainless steel. The cheap bits don't even scratch it. I have also figured out high speed bits means just fast enough to see metal flaking off the bit. (has nothing to do with cutting gourds, but I needed something to talk about)
I use to buy the best portable power tools, there OK if you use them every day. If not, the expensive batteries will go dead. A good example is dewalt batteries for 18V drill $89 bucks a piece. At that price you can replace alot of the cheaper equipment and their batteries are 1/3 the price. And besides is a chinese knock off not made to dewalt standards.
I don't think natural or plastic gourds will wear out that hole saw.
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Joe Zorn
Hi RC.
I completely agree about the HF tools. I've owned an angle grinders, an 18v circle saw, a cutout tool, small 3/8th hand drill, a 4x6 belt sander, and other HF power tools, and numerous other minor attachments, bits, blades, etc. I have never been dissatisfied with their performance, for the price paid.
I actually did use the little circle saw for about two years, as a pipe cutter in my Satellite Installation Van. I probably used it a couple of times a week for various duties. It only lasted about two years, and even then, I sold it at garage sale for 10 bucks! The battery was getting weak, and the new version of battery did not fit the charger that came with the old saw.
I took oneidalaker's advice, and bought both sets of saws he recommended. For less than 10 bucks, I have hole saws that fit almost all sized from 3/4" to 5". 13 or 14 saws in all. At these prices, I can buy a new saw kit every time I need a new to.
Also took my own advice, and bought another 12" rotating storage unit for the feeding trays.
I completely agree about the HF tools. I've owned an angle grinders, an 18v circle saw, a cutout tool, small 3/8th hand drill, a 4x6 belt sander, and other HF power tools, and numerous other minor attachments, bits, blades, etc. I have never been dissatisfied with their performance, for the price paid.
I actually did use the little circle saw for about two years, as a pipe cutter in my Satellite Installation Van. I probably used it a couple of times a week for various duties. It only lasted about two years, and even then, I sold it at garage sale for 10 bucks! The battery was getting weak, and the new version of battery did not fit the charger that came with the old saw.
I took oneidalaker's advice, and bought both sets of saws he recommended. For less than 10 bucks, I have hole saws that fit almost all sized from 3/4" to 5". 13 or 14 saws in all. At these prices, I can buy a new saw kit every time I need a new to.
Also took my own advice, and bought another 12" rotating storage unit for the feeding trays.
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
When I go to HF, I always end up buying too many things, the prices are so good, I keep thinking that "I could use that someday", when I really had no business buying it...I am like a kid in a candy store..
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Joe Zorn
Okay, I have a report on the 13 pc hole saw kit that oneidalaker recommended.
I wish I could say it was a good report, but it's not too bad, and maybe with this update, others can save some wear and tear on the kit, yourself, and the electric drill used.
Understanding that the 4" hole saw is a really big one, some precautions must be taken when using it.
The first problem I ran across was that the pilot drill in the set is not a really great one...on the dull side, even for wood. So, you start the drill bit in, and it goes in REAL SLOW. When it finally does break through the board you are drilling, the saw then SLAMS down to the wood surface, setting quickly in the wood, and wanting to stop. Which means your elbows, wrists, and fingers take a real jolt!
I drilled 12 holes to mount my access ports. In the first eight, this happened every time. On the 9th one I decided to predrill the pilot with another bit, then use the hole saw kit's drill bit to continue the work. Worked great.
But by that time, more damage was done. The second problem was that the cheap little SKIL electric drill I used suffered. The bearings began to really rattle. That's how hard that 4" saw slammed into the wood.
The third problem was that the saw kit had a little piece that fits on the arbor of the drill bit, and as two pins that fit the holes in the saw. That little piece ejected both pins and waswallowed out at the oblong arbor hole in the saw blade.
All this could have been prevented by simply predrilling the pilot hole.
I was able to finish all 12 holes, but it was an effort to coax the little drill-arbor unit to do.
AS far as the blade, I think it will drill out a hundred holes, if you ask it to.
Another solution would be to use a different drill-arbor unit from one of your heavier hole saw units, if it will fit. The drill bit would be sharper and the pins in the arbor will stand up to the hammering that the one did not.
Still not complaining. For 7 bucks, I drill out 12 - 4" holes. Sure beats the 17.95 I paid for the 4-1/8 saw I bought a while back, and was just a hair too big.
I wish I could say it was a good report, but it's not too bad, and maybe with this update, others can save some wear and tear on the kit, yourself, and the electric drill used.
Understanding that the 4" hole saw is a really big one, some precautions must be taken when using it.
The first problem I ran across was that the pilot drill in the set is not a really great one...on the dull side, even for wood. So, you start the drill bit in, and it goes in REAL SLOW. When it finally does break through the board you are drilling, the saw then SLAMS down to the wood surface, setting quickly in the wood, and wanting to stop. Which means your elbows, wrists, and fingers take a real jolt!
I drilled 12 holes to mount my access ports. In the first eight, this happened every time. On the 9th one I decided to predrill the pilot with another bit, then use the hole saw kit's drill bit to continue the work. Worked great.
But by that time, more damage was done. The second problem was that the cheap little SKIL electric drill I used suffered. The bearings began to really rattle. That's how hard that 4" saw slammed into the wood.
The third problem was that the saw kit had a little piece that fits on the arbor of the drill bit, and as two pins that fit the holes in the saw. That little piece ejected both pins and waswallowed out at the oblong arbor hole in the saw blade.
All this could have been prevented by simply predrilling the pilot hole.
I was able to finish all 12 holes, but it was an effort to coax the little drill-arbor unit to do.
AS far as the blade, I think it will drill out a hundred holes, if you ask it to.
Another solution would be to use a different drill-arbor unit from one of your heavier hole saw units, if it will fit. The drill bit would be sharper and the pins in the arbor will stand up to the hammering that the one did not.
Still not complaining. For 7 bucks, I drill out 12 - 4" holes. Sure beats the 17.95 I paid for the 4-1/8 saw I bought a while back, and was just a hair too big.
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
Joe, sorry about the hole saw not holding up. I haven't tried mine yet and will follow your advise when I do. Good thing that I only need to drill 8 holes. I did try the dremel type tool for taking the rough edges off of some holes I drilled into a Trio that I modified. The dremel type tool performed in a satisfactory manner. I also checked out the 18v rechargable drill and found a problem. The battery needs a 5 hour charge and can be overcharged. This means that I'll need to use a timer (which I fortunately have) when I charge the battery.
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Joe Zorn
oneidalaker
It's a good little saw kit, if the precautions are taken as described. I thank you for recommending it. The round saw blade was never the problem, but the dull drill bit that I had to put a little extra pressure on to get it through the wood. That extra pressure was impossible to ease off when the drill bit finally busted through.
RC, no this is not Dewalt quality, but then, I wasn't trying to drill through stainless steel, either. It was very old (75 years), dry recycled cypress, about 3/8 inch thick. Should not have been that slow in drilling.
It's a good little saw kit, if the precautions are taken as described. I thank you for recommending it. The round saw blade was never the problem, but the dull drill bit that I had to put a little extra pressure on to get it through the wood. That extra pressure was impossible to ease off when the drill bit finally busted through.
RC, no this is not Dewalt quality, but then, I wasn't trying to drill through stainless steel, either. It was very old (75 years), dry recycled cypress, about 3/8 inch thick. Should not have been that slow in drilling.