Hole Cutters, The Basics
However, there are some jobs for which you need to know more than just the basics, jobs which you will need to use unfamiliar tools for.
And if you decide to do these jobs yourself, it is wise to get some information from a professional before you begin.
You may realise during the discussion that actually, you are not the DIY expert you thought you were and you would prefer to get a qualified tradesman to do the job.
This normally saves you time, money and stress because it can be terrible when a DIY job goes wrong and you end up getting someone in to finish the task anyway.
And when you have a job that needs a hole cutter, you should definitely get some advice.
A hole cutter, otherwise known as a hole saw, is used to make large diameter holes in wooden, metal, concrete, glass and stone surfaces, as well as others.
They come in two types, blade tipped saws and diamond tipped cutting edges.
The diamond tipped edges are mostly used to cut through masonry as they make the job quick and easy, however, they are very expensive to buy so if you will only be using a hole cutter for general DIY, you may as well hire one from a local tool shop.
The metal blade tipped hole cutters are much cheaper and are better to cut through wood and metal surfaces.
They come in a number of different widths to suit most hole sizes and are more popular with DIY enthusiasts.
The mechanics of a hole saw are extremely similar to a normal drill.
The large circular cap is actually just a large drill bit and it is guided into position and kept steady by a pilot bit.
This is then attached to a drill with an arbour.
This keeps the hole cutter firmly in place and prevents any sliding around on the surface of what you are cutting.
If you did not use the pilot bit and the arbour, it would be very dangerous to use the tool.
If they have experience with using drills then a DIY enthusiast may find using a hole saw within their comfort zone, however, if you are new to tools, it would be advisable to ask an expert to create any holes that you need.
They may be for electrical purposes, such as fitting plug sockets, or a plumbing job like putting new taps in a bath.
Remember, only do what you feel comfortable with and always stay safe when you are working with tools.