How to Cut Perfect Holes in Wood

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You might have a couple of choices whenever you want to cut a gap. What you select depends upon how huge you want the diameter, how clear you want the cut, and the way a lot you need to spend. Listed here are four of the most typical strategies to cut good holes in wood

One of many easiest strategies for slicing a gap any measurement is to use a jigsaw. The disadvantage right here is that the noticed can drift when you are slicing and getting an ideal circle is almost inconceivable. And whereas the outcome is perhaps ok relying on what you"re building, in this video I would like to concentrate on strategies that may produce an ideal circle.

Cutting holes with a Jigsaw is an easy technique…

…however it’s virtually inconceivable to make completely spherical holes.

Spade bits

A spade bit has two slicing edges and a middle level.

The least costly technique is a spade or paddle bit. These are principally used in tough construction tasks the place the standard of the cut isn’t important, say drilling holes in wall studs to run electrical wire. That stated, you could be stunned how clear they may cut holes in strong lumber so long as you drill slowly and use a backer board. The truth is, the cuts I get with them typically rival the standard of a Forstner bit.

A spade bit can cut a reasonably clear gap in strong lumber…

…and plywood.

One disadvantage to spade bits it that they aren’t out there for making giant holes. I feel the most important diameter I usually see is 1 ½”. However a set of spade bits is reasonable and price having in the store.

Forstner Bits

A Forstner bit makes clear cuts with flat bottoms.

An enormous bounce in high quality is the Forstner bit. These are undoubtedly the only option for woodworking tasks. They bore tremendous clear cuts with minimal tear-out. Since they produce a flat backside, they"re additionally helpful in the event you solely want to drill by means of partway by way of a board. And you will discover them in bigger diameters than spade bits: I’ve seen them up to four” and you may in all probability discover even greater ones.

Use slower speeds in your drill for greater bits.

In fact the most important disadvantage to Forstner bits is their value. Relying on what model you purchase, they are often very costly. I like to recommend getting a multi-bit package. I purchased a set at Costco for $50 over 15 years in the past and nonetheless get nice outcomes. And I simply noticed this 14 piece set on Amazon for rather less than $50. In case you are a weekend woodworker, an reasonably priced set will work nice.

A set of Forstner bits

Gap Saws

Gap saws in quite a lot of diameters.

Gap saws can be found in even bigger diameters than Forstner bits and they could be a little cheaper. In contrast to spade and Forstner bits, they cut out plugs relatively than bore holes.

Somewhat than boring by means of wood like the opposite bits…

…gap saws take away spherical plugs.

As with the spade and Forstner bits, you"ll have one of the best outcomes utilizing a drill press. In case you don’t have one, ensure to clamp your workpiece down. Will probably be inconceivable to maintain it by hand. Drill slowly elevating the noticed up and down to filter out the sawdust. If it stops chopping, examine to see if the tooth are clogged.

In case you don’t have a drill press, ensure to clamp your work piece down.

Circle-Cutting Router Jig

All three of the earlier methods depend on having to purchase a particular bit or noticed for every measurement gap you want to cut. This could get expensive. And what should you want to cut a very giant gap, say 10” in diameter? All you want is one device: a router. This can be a good way to cut small or giant holes. The primary disadvantage is that the setup time takes longer than the opposite strategies.

A circle chopping jig on your router will produce spherical holes any measurement.

How to make a circle-chopping jig for a router

1. Take away the bottom of your router.


2. Connect a scrap of plywood to the bottom.


3. Insert a straight bit


4. Measure the radius of the opening you want.


5. Mark your radius distance from the bit to some extent on the plywood base.


6. Drill a screw into this level and screw this into your workpiece and a scrap backer board.


7. Drop the router into your workpiece and rotate it across the screw to cut the opening.

Substitute your router’s base with a strip of plywood.

Drilling a gap the place the pivot level can be.

After screwing the bottom to your workpiece, drop the router into the wood and began revolving across the screw.

Like all the things else in woodworking, there are alternatives for each activity. These are my favourite methods to cut good holes in wood. Principally I would like to emphasize that you could accomplish nearly any woodworking aim with modest instruments. My recommendation is all the time to purchase a brand new device or improve what you could have solely once you merely can’t accomplish one thing with what you might have.