Using a variable speed drill, I have had success using a hole saw
without the guide bid, especially in a drill that has an attachment that
turns it into a mini drill press (arm near chuck, two guide rods, base
plate that rods can be adjusted through for angled drilling and with a
dowel/pipe centering notch, and adjustable depth stop).  The thing with
hole saws is they are meant to drill through the hole but, because of
the cup design, are limited to the depth of the sides.  If you have
access to both sides and you use a pilot guide that will go all the way
through even though the saw itself will not, running back through the
other side using the pilot bit hole as a guide usually gets a fairly
closely aligned hole.  If you can't get all the way through, you will
have to try to break the hole the saw cut out.  Depending on the wood,
grain, etc. it may be done with more or less success.



Hammarberg, Eric wrote:

> Yes, used with a drill. Just so we are on the same page, the set up
> usually includes a 3/16” drill bit (which acts like a pilot guiding the
> drilling so the large diameter “saw” does not “walk” around) with a
> mandrel that can accept a hole saw which is a cup-shaped piece with
> teeth along the cutting edge. I think the 5/8” plug cutter was not big
> enough for what you needed PLUS a plug cutter can be unwieldy with a
> hand drill. It is usually recommended to use a drill press for plug
> cutting. I have also cut plugs by hand but would not want to study the
> wood or preserve the finish with this method.
>
>
>
> Eric Hammarberg
> Director of Preservation
> Vice President
> Thornton-Tomasetti Group
> LZA Technology Division
> 641 Avenue of the Americas
> New York, NY 10011
> Telephone: 917.661.8160
> Fax: 917.661.8161
> Mobile: 917.439.3537
> email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> From: John Callan [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 12:08 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [BP] Plug Cutter?
>
>
>
> Eric,
>
>
>
> 1" Hole saw?  Would this be like a circle cutter?  Used with a drill?
> Cores from rotted wood is exactly the kind of result I'm after.  Perhaps
> my 5/8" plug cutter just wasn't big enough!?
>
>
>
> -jc
>
>
>
> On Oct 7, 2005, at 10:17 AM, Hammarberg, Eric wrote:
>
>
>
> We have used a 1-inch diameter hole saw to take cores from rotted window
> sills. That worked fine.
>
>
>
> Eric Hammarberg
> Director of Preservation
> Vice President
> Thornton-Tomasetti Group
> LZA Technology Division
> 641 Avenue of the Americas
> New York, NY 10011
> Telephone: 917.661.8160
> Fax: 917.661.8161
> Mobile: 917.439.3537
> email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> From: John Callan [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 10:55 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [BP] Plug Cutter?
>
>
>
> I used a plug-cutter bit on my drill, hoping to take a nice clean piece
> out of a log that would keep the finish layers intact.  It didn't work.
> The first several rotations destroyed the finishes.  Nice hole, but not
> what I was after.  Yes, I can and have taken samples with pocket knife.
> I'm sure a scalpel would work marvelously.  But, I was so hoping for
> something neat, tidy and uniform.
>
>
>
> So, is it the wrong tool? Wrong speed? Or lack of skill with the tool?
>
>
>
> -jc
>
>
>
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