Cutting Circles - Wood, Rubbermaid, metal

icabus

Active Member
When your cutting the holes into the resevoir or are that will hold the water after the watering period... What tools do you use to cut your holes?

I personally put my net pot face down on top of the lid then trace a circle around the top. I then manually draw a circle a few centimeters inside of that main circle.

I then Cut the circle using my Dremel stylus with a wierd circular cutt-off wheel. My lid circles are pretty ok but is there a better way?

Q: Is there a better way to cut circles on the lids?
Q: How do you cut yours? Tool, Method

Thanks!
 

LoudBlunts

Well-Known Member
aye man....

get yourself a drill

and a hole saw set/kit

they come with different sizes...

check lowes, home depot, target, walmart and the like
 

Alchemist

Active Member
I have a plastic growcab and I managed to cut perfect circles for it without expensive tools. I needed 4" holes for my ventilation ducts, so I took a 4" duct adapter and put it on the stove for a minute. I then pressed the hot 4" side into the plastic and it melted a perfect circular groove in the plastic to guide the razor blade through. Cut the hole with a box cutter. Perfect Circle, no fuss.
 

VictorVIcious

Well-Known Member
I agree drilling is easier, I think fostner bits are better than the hole saws, cleaner cut less deburring. Another way that has been mentioned is to use a small electric soldering iron to mark the hole which would be similar to what Alchemist is suggesting. VV
 

mal_crane

Well-Known Member
Definately get yourself a drill and hole saw to help out with the wood cutting. And for rubbermaid's I just use a regular box cutter. It seems to work just fine for me.

Haven't had to cut into any metal yet but I'm about to in the next couple days building a dresser grow. Any suggestions for cutting out socket holes into a metal reflector?
 

mal_crane

Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, I don't have boxes full of tools to use anymore, not until i'm able to put up a new workshop. The drill I got. Figure if I just drill out a few guide holes for each socket, a decent pair of tin snips should do the trick right? I was just hoping there was an easier method with limited tools.
 

VictorVIcious

Well-Known Member
Unfortunately, I don't have boxes full of tools to use anymore, not until i'm able to put up a new workshop. The drill I got. Figure if I just drill out a few guide holes for each socket, a decent pair of tin snips should do the trick right? I was just hoping there was an easier method with limited tools.
You can rent a Greenlee Knock-Out tool, made to punch holes for electrical installations. The big box stores will have thenm for sale but I think they are in the $70.00 range to buy, I would check Home Depot To see if they have them for rent. VV
 
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