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of Home Improvements

*Hole Saw*

Spade bits are the tool of choice for
 drilling holes up to about 1-1/4 in. in diameter for running electrical wiring and other uses.

A hole saw is needed for big holes for locksets or plumbing pipes.A hole saw is a steel cylinder with saw teeth cut into the top edge. Hole saws don't cut as quickly as large boring bits. (photo2) I find that using a hammer drill with a hole saw makes cutting the hole a lot easier. Cutting clean holes with hole saws requires a little skill and patience.

Mount the correct-size hole saw in the arbor. If your hole saw has an adjustable center bit, make sure it protrudes past the toothed edge of the saw about 3/8 in. . If the center bit has a flat spot on its shank, align this with the setscrew. Then tighten the setscrew to secure the bit.

Finally, tighten the hole saw in the chuck of your drill. Cordless drills won't have enough power unless they're 18 volts or larger.

To enlarge an existing hole simply attach/clamp a piece of wood to the back of the hole. You may have to extend the length of the center bit. Start the center bit in the wood and drill the hole in the usual fashion.

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