How to cut a 4" round hole in soffit - no hole saw.

[DerbyDad03]

I need to cut a 4" round hole in a soffit, from underneath, while
standing on a ladder. The soffit is not horizontal, it slants upward
from the gutter towards the house.

We may have some access to the soffit from above, perhaps enough to
drive a screw through with a right angle drill to locate the position
on the outside, but I don't think I have enough room to get a jig saw
in there.

My guess is that it will all have to be done from the ladder. I don't
want to spend upwards of $45 for a 4" hole saw and arbor for this one
hole, so I'm looking for creative suggestions from this fine group.

I'm think that I don't want to use a router, upside down, while
standing on a 28' ladder. I'm not even sure a jig saw will be that
easy to use.

The hole will be covered with the cover shown at the link below, so it
doesn't have to be perfect, I just need to feed (and attach) a 4"
aluminum elbow to the hole.

http://cdn.oneprojectcloser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/DSC_0135.jpg

Maybe just a series of holes drilled in a circular pattern will be
good enough, but I'd prefer soemthing a bit neater.

Suggestions?

[Smitty Two]

In article
<20eb18c7-c876-4a84...@w3g2000yqe.googlegroups.com>,

My suggestion is a cheaper hole saw, since it's a one-off project:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200518624_200518624

Standing on a 28' ladder, working overhead on a slanted surface, I'd not
risk my neck trying to save a couple of dollars by using the wrong tool.
So even if it was $45, I'd pony up.

[dpb]

On 10/1/2012 9:32 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
...

> My guess is that it will all have to be done from the ladder. I don't

> want to spend upwards of $45 for a 4" hole saw and arbor...

Surely you already have a holesaw arbor???

The 4" holesaw shouldn't be but $15 or so even at the local Ace; if you
have a HF it's probably half of that or less...a 3-piece set of large
sizes is $20 or there's bound to be a bargain-tool bin around various
outlets...

Of course, the few pilot holes and a keyhole saw works...or a small trim
router wouldn't be too hard to handle or even one of the multi-tools.

--

[DerbyDad03]

On Oct 1, 10:42 am, Smitty Two <notpublici...@cox.net> wrote:
> In article
> <20eb18c7-c876-4a84-8184-97b8ac2e4...@w3g2000yqe.googlegroups.com>,

> So even if it was $45, I'd pony up.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Project is tonight...no time order any tools.

[DerbyDad03]

Actually, I don't have a hole saw arbor. The very few round holes I've
needed to cut have always been small enough that no arbor was needed.
However, a friend has a hole saw kit that goes up to 3 1/2". Maybe I
could use his arbor and just buy the 4" holesaw. Are arbors brand-
specific or generic?

I do however have a set of keyhole saws so I'll bring those along.

Thanks!

[Jon Danniken]

If it's going to be covered by a plate or cover of some type (and it
would need to be unless you want to make another post asking about how
to get rid of pests from the attic), a circular drill pattern would
work, but I'd just spend the $15 at HF and buy the set of hole saws.

Jon

[Bill]

> I don't want to spend upwards of $45 for a 4" hole saw

> and arbor for this one hole...
>


If you are going to do the work yourself, you need
to use the RIGHT tools!

I would also rent some scaffolding and NOT stand on
a ladder to do this work*. Medical bills can be
a LOT more expensive that what you would save
not using the correct tools.

*What happens when the hole saw gets stuck and
the electric drill starts to turn your body in
a circle? (While standing on a ladder.)

[DerbyDad03]

On Oct 1, 11:07 am, Jon Danniken <jonSPAMdanni...@yaSMPAhoo.com>
wrote:

> Jon- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

The HF near me has a set in stock. I'll pick it up this afternoon. $12
w/coupon.

Thanks!

[dpb]

On 10/1/2012 10:01 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
...

> Actually, I don't have a hole saw arbor. The very few round holes I've
> needed to cut have always been small enough that no arbor was needed.
> However, a friend has a hole saw kit that goes up to 3 1/2". Maybe I
> could use his arbor and just buy the 4" holesaw. Are arbors brand-
> specific or generic?

...

That haven't ever had need for holesaw seems most unusual but guess
everybody has done different stuff...

Anyway, the inexpensive arbors are standard w/ some exceptions--in all
likelihood his will work.

One thing since apparently you've not used one before--a large diameter
holesaw can exert a _LOT_ of torque and on a ladder it's going to be
pretty spooky as well...whatever you do, be prepared to let go; don't
even think of locking the power level...

Drill a few practice holes on the ground first (and trying one overhead
wouldn't be a bad idea, either) to get a feel; you may change your mind
and go back to the holes and keyhole saw after you do...

--

[Jim Elbrecht]

On Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:31:57 -0500, dpb <no...@non.net> wrote:

>On 10/1/2012 10:01 AM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
>...
>
>> Actually, I don't have a hole saw arbor. The very few round holes I've
>> needed to cut have always been small enough that no arbor was needed.
>> However, a friend has a hole saw kit that goes up to 3 1/2". Maybe I
>> could use his arbor and just buy the 4" holesaw. Are arbors brand-
>> specific or generic?
>
>...
>
>That haven't ever had need for holesaw seems most unusual but guess
>everybody has done different stuff...
>
>Anyway, the inexpensive arbors are standard w/ some exceptions--in all
>likelihood his will work.

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion-- I was just in my hole saw drawer
the other day and I have 4 arbors.

-snip-

>Drill a few practice holes on the ground first (and trying one overhead
>wouldn't be a bad idea, either) to get a feel; you may change your mind
>and go back to the holes and keyhole saw after you do...

Amen-- and drill that hole all the way through the same material as
the soffit-- and do it at a slight angle like you're liable to have
off the ladder.

Take it slow. . . .

Jim

[Atila Iskander]

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message
news:20eb18c7-c876-4a84...@w3g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...

Call your local tool rental places to see who can rent you a 4" hole saw

[Atila Iskander]

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message
news:20eb18c7-c876-4a84...@w3g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...
>
>

> Suggestions?

<http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202717398/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=holse+saw+kit&storeId=10051>

$13 for a kit includes 4"

[Atila Iskander]

"Bill" <Nomail...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.2ad35584c...@news.individual.net...

>>
> *What happens when the hole saw gets stuck and
> the electric drill starts to turn your body in
> a circle? (While standing on a ladder.)
>

Back off the pressure and take my finger off the trigger is what I do
Works every time.

[DerbyDad03]

On Oct 1, 12:41 pm, "Atila Iskander" <Atilla.Iskan...@live.com> wrote:
> "DerbyDad03" <teamarr...@eznet.net> wrote in message
>
> news:20eb18c7-c876-4a84...@w3g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > Suggestions?
>
> <http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202717398/h_d2/ProductDisplay...>

>
> $13 for a kit includes 4"

$12 at HF. Just picked up a set...and got a free flashlight!. Thanks.

[DerbyDad03]

I guess I should have said what I said differently. I've used large
hole saws before, but I've always been able to use someone else's.
I've not needed them often enough to buy one. In this instance, we
have to get the job done tonight and I have not been able to put my
hands on anything larger then 3 1/2" with such short notice.

Anyway, I just picked up the $15 set at HF for $12.

[Stormin Mormon]

Holesaw cheaper than ambulance ride, and six weeks off the job?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Smitty Two" <notpub...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:notpublicinfo-268...@news.eternal-september.org...

[Stormin Mormon]

Hole saw cheaper than ambulance. Call the local hardware stores, and see if
you can rent one. But, that one will probably be dull.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message
news:20eb18c7-c876-4a84...@w3g2000yqe.googlegroups.com...

[Stormin Mormon]

Wobble the drill around, a lot. This will make the drilling easier, and also
make the saw cut wider. So, the wood plug comes out a lot easier.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Jim Elbrecht" <elbr...@email.com> wrote in message
news:fgfj681i6lhog3qq3...@4ax.com...

[Stormin Mormon]

Hope it actually drills. I've had HF hole saws which were useless.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message

news:a0c9dd63-7ee4-4ecc...@10g2000vbu.googlegroups.com...

[Stormin Mormon]

Yourself, or next of kin, please tell us how the job went.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net>
wrote in message

news:b74a85b4-7dd8-4c52...@x14g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...

[Stormin Mormon]

I got some HF metal cutting hole saws -- totaly useless. You may do better
with one from HD or L.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message

news:2f06c65b-4a87-4ea9...@h4g2000yqk.googlegroups.com...

[Smitty Two]

In article <Ymkas.694$oc3...@fe20.iad>,

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Yourself, or next of kin, please tell us how the job went.
>

WTF is up with this idiotic trend of misusing "yourself" and "myself"
lately. This b.s. is even more annoying than the "where's it at" thing.

99.999% of y'all would *never* say "Myself went to get a cup of coffee"
so why the hell would you say "Myself and my friends went to get a cup
of coffee?" Is the whole world illiterate now?

[Smitty Two]

In article <Ymkas.694$oc3...@fe20.iad>,
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Yourself, or next of kin, please tell us how the job went.
>

I was going to pick on your choice of "yourself," but I guess I'll just
criticize your sentence structure instead.

[dadiOH]

Turn a router into a compass...

1. fasten a piece of ply to bottom, needs to extend more than 2" on one side

2. drive a nail thru the ply 2" from center

3. have at it

But since you don't want to use a router, draw a 4" circle with a regular
compass and cut it out with whatever. As you suggest, a series of holes
works just fine. Router is easier/faster though.



--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Maybe just ready for a change? Check it out...
http://www.floridaloghouse.net

[dpb]

On 10/1/2012 11:02 AM, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
...

> I wouldn't jump to that conclusion-- I was just in my hole saw drawer
> the other day and I have 4 arbors.

I've at least three and they're all interchangeable although not
identical...one has points for a driving hole but it's not difficult to
adapt to them...

As said, it depends but I'll risk that odds are good...anyway, if
borrows the neighbor's arbor and heads to the hardware store he'll
likely have no trouble.

Again of course it's always possible the neighbor has the oddball...

>...

--

[Ashton Crusher]

I've bought nested multi sized multi blade hole saws in the bargain
bins at various hardware and drug stores over the years. You remove
all of the nested saw blades but the size you need. Usually about $5.
Not sure it goes as big as 4" though, might only be 3 or 3.5

[DerbyDad03]

> Maybe just ready for a change?  Check it out...http://www.floridaloghouse.net- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

I like your suggestion, I've even used something similar in the past -
at ground level. ;-)

Issue here is I don't think I have enough room to use the extended
base on a full size router up in the limited width of the soffit.

Now that I have the 1" deep hole saw set from HF I'm hoping against
hope that there is enough room above the soffit to get the hole saw
started with the right angle attachment for my drill. We'll see.

I also bought new blades for my HF MF tool, so if all else fails, a
bunch of plunge cuts should do the trick.

Oh yeah, I'll be lighting the project with my HF 500W work lights. ;-)

[hr(bob) hofmann@att.net]

> > Maybe just ready for a change?  Check it out...http://www.floridaloghouse.net-Hide quoted text -

>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I like your suggestion, I've even used something similar in the past -
> at ground level. ;-)
>
> Issue here is I don't think I have enough room to use the extended
> base on a full size router up in the limited width of the soffit.
>
> Now that I have the 1" deep hole saw set from HF I'm hoping against
> hope that there is enough room above the soffit to get the hole saw
> started with the right angle attachment for my drill. We'll see.
>
> I also bought new blades for my HF MF tool, so if all else fails, a
> bunch of plunge cuts should do the trick.
>

> Oh yeah, I'll be lighting the project with my HF 500W work lights. ;-)- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

Send us the final debriefing, and a picture if you can get one after
dark with the HF light.

[Stormin Mormon]

Well, that's a bit interesting. Of course, I may
be totally wrong, and this is a chance to learn.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Smitty Two" <notpub...@cox.net> wrote in message

news:notpublicinfo-146...@news.eternal-september.org...

[Stormin Mormon]

Hopefully, I won't do anything else stupid with?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Smitty Two" <notpub...@cox.net> wrote in message news:notpublicinfo-

[Stormin Mormon]

Please report back, but not yourself. You'z goys. (Brooklyn)

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"DerbyDad03" <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in message

news:bcecd207-d5e9-496b-baf1-

[DerbyDad03]

You would rent scaffolding to cut one hole? Having never rented
scaffolding, my guess is it would be cheaper/easier to just call a
contractor and have him/her cut the hole.

[DerbyDad03]

The final debriefing will have to wait.

Once we pulled back the insulation we found that there is not enough room
in the soffit area to use the 4” aluminum 90 that we were going to put in
there.

We're going to either have to find some flat ductwork that will fit down
into the soffit area or go out through the roof.

[Red Green]

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:7doas.26938$LS3....@fed12.iad:

Thanks for the comment Stormy. You aw-'ite.

[Joe Arpaio]

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:7doas.26938$LS3....@fed12.iad...

> Is the whole world illiterate now?

Prolly

[gregz]

Bill <Nomail...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I don't want to spend upwards of $45 for a 4" hole saw

>> and arbor for this one hole...
>>
>
>
> If you are going to do the work yourself, you need
> to use the RIGHT tools!
>
> I would also rent some scaffolding and NOT stand on
> a ladder to do this work*. Medical bills can be
> a LOT more expensive that what you would save
> not using the correct tools.
>
> *What happens when the hole saw gets stuck and
> the electric drill starts to turn your body in
> a circle? (While standing on a ladder.)

After falling backwards 4 foot off the ground, I would not even try doing
work at 28 feet.

Greg

[gregz]

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I got some HF metal cutting hole saws -- totaly useless. You may do better
> with one from HD or L.
>

I would think most metal cutting hole saws would be useless. But, my HF
hole saws have done me right through wood.

Greg

[Larry W]

Perhaps you can just cut a rectangular or any other convenient shape hole,
then cover it with a piece of wood that you've cut the hole in while on
the ground.


--
There is always an easy solution to every human problem -- neat,
plausible, and wrong." (H L Mencken)

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

[Chuck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i45_jQJYfY

This should do it though you might need to touch up the edges with a
wood rasp.

[Stormin Mormon]

A courteous reply on Usenet? There oughta be a law.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Red Green" <postm...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:XnsA0DFC13F6...@88.198.244.100...

"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:7doas.26938$LS3....@fed12.iad:

> Well, that's a bit interesting. Of course, I may
> be totally wrong, and this is a chance to learn.
>

[Stormin Mormon]

You tell em, Sherrif!

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Joe Arpaio" <joe.a...@invalid.void> wrote in message
news:506a2fa7$0$11872$c3e8da3$cc4f...@news.astraweb.com...

[DerbyDad03]

The problem is no longer about cutting the hole, now it's about
getting ductwork into the interior of the soffit.

The rafters come down at an angle (obviously) and the wood for the
soffit goes up a slightly less angle. The space between the rafters
and the "bottom" of the soffit on the inside is less than I need to
get any kind of elbow in there. I need to look for some flat ductwork
or have something made up.

I've got a good roofing contractor that I can talk to about it. I may
even have him do it and be done with the project.

[Bill]

In article <994195072370824073.403230teamarrows-
ezne...@nntp.aioe.org>, teama...@eznet.net says...

Yes and I would rent a bucket truck to saw off one branch of a tree if
that was the safe way to do it. Businesses will rent a man lift to
replace one burned out light bulb if they have a high ceiling lobby.

Workers also use PPE or "Personal Protective Equipment" to protect
themselves from being injured. Respirators when painting, eye
protection, ear protection, safety harnesses attached to ropes so if
they fall, the rope will hold them up, etc.

The general idea is to not get injured while working - even if drilling
"just one hole" or sawing "just one branch".

I know a guy who fell off a ladder and is now a paraplegic - rides
around in a wheel chair.

Ladder injuries and ladder safety...
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/LadderSafety/default.asp

[Smitty Two]

In article
<73be289d-d7d1-4315...@h4g2000yqo.googlegroups.com>,

That's unusual. A project that blows past deadline, skyrockets over
budget, and requires a slew of engineering change orders.

[Smitty Two]

In article <MPG.2ad4a1329...@news.individual.net>,

Bill <Nomail...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Workers also use PPE or "Personal Protective Equipment" to protect
> themselves from being injured. Respirators when painting, eye
> protection, ear protection, safety harnesses attached to ropes so if
> they fall, the rope will hold them up, etc.

Michael Vick is wearing a kevlar vest to protect his ribs.

[Jon Danniken]

Yeah I heard that last night, and it puzzled me. Kevlar is very good
for stopping object penetration without the weight penalty, but what
kind of penetration is it intended to prevent when used as a ribcage
protector?

Jon

[Smitty Two]

In article <k4f49k$ill$1...@speranza.aioe.org>,

I assume it isn't to prevent penetration, but simply to distribute, over
a wider area, any shock from a blow to the ribs.

[denni...@gmail.com]

On Monday, October 1, 2012 1:45:12 PM UTC-4, Smitty Two wrote:
> WTF is up with this idiotic trend of misusing "yourself" and "myself"
> lately. This b.s. is even more annoying than the "where's it at" thing.

More annoying than, "my *whatever* needs replaced?"

It's, "needs replacING," or, "needs TO BE replaced," people.

Or, the interchangeable use of "there, their, and they're?"

> 99.999% of y'all would *never* say "Myself went to get a cup of coffee"
> so why the hell would you say "Myself and my friends went to get a cup

> of coffee?" Is the whole world illiterate now?

Yes.

[denni...@gmail.com]

On Monday, October 1, 2012 12:43:18 PM UTC-4, Atila Iskander wrote:
> Back off the pressure and take my finger off the trigger is what I do
> Works every time.

Let's say the drill is turning 600 RPM. That gives you 1/10 of a second to react, while standing on a ladder 28' in the air. Good luck with that.

[Harry K]

On Oct 2, 8:02 am, Smitty Two <notpublici...@cox.net> wrote:
> In article

> <73be289d-d7d1-4315-8bc0-8fb5d1425...@h4g2000yqo.googlegroups.com>,

Very unusual indeed... I have never had one of mine do that...since
the last one...and the one before that...and...

Harry K

[Harry K]

On Oct 2, 9:45 am, Smitty Two <notpublici...@cox.net> wrote:
> In article <k4f49k$il...@speranza.aioe.org>,

>  Jon Danniken <jonSPAMdanni...@yaSMPAhoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On 10/02/2012 08:19 AM, Smitty Two wrote:

> > > In article <MPG.2ad4a13299d26f46989...@news.individual.net>,

> > >   Bill <Nomailors...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > >> Workers also use PPE or "Personal Protective Equipment" to protect
> > >> themselves from being injured. Respirators when painting, eye
> > >> protection, ear protection, safety harnesses attached to ropes so if
> > >> they fall, the rope will hold them up, etc.
>
> > > Michael Vick is wearing a kevlar vest to protect his ribs.
>
> > Yeah I heard that last night, and it puzzled me.  Kevlar is very good
> > for stopping object penetration without the weight penalty, but what
> > kind of penetration is it intended to prevent when used as a ribcage
> > protector?
>
> > Jon
>
> I assume it isn't to prevent penetration, but simply to distribute, over
> a wider area, any shock from a blow to the ribs.

Or protect from dog bites.

Harry K

[Norminn]

Dog bites.

[DerbyDad03]

I like your answer better then his. ;-)

[Red Green]

"Joe Arpaio" <joe.a...@invalid.void> wrote in

news:506a2fa7$0$11872$c3e8da3$cc4f...@news.astraweb.com:

That one "word" says "I learned the Internet on a modem" in AOL 'rooms'".

[Kurt]

replying to Larry W, Kurt wrote:
Genius

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/how-to-cut-a-4-round-hole-in-soffit-no-hole-saw-715559-.htm