Are you having trouble cutting fan holes?

Thor · 03-18-2002, 04:02 PM

What you want is a "Trepanning Cutter" or "Tank Cutter". This is a tool with a pilot drill, which fits in a pillar drill. An arm is connected at a right angle to this drill and a slideable cutter blade is on this arm in parallel with the pilot drill. This cutter will do ANY fan hole size, as it is adjustable and cuts perfect round holes (no jaggies at all). Here is one found in the UK. You should be able to find a supplier fairly easy in the U.S.

http://diytools.com/productTypes/9.asp?Guide=9

superart · 03-24-2002, 01:57 PM

Whats wrong with just useing a hole saw atachment on a drill?

Thor · 03-24-2002, 04:44 PM

A tank cutter has a variable radius, so the one tool does any size and its a lot neater (and cheaper), I've used both and I know which I prefer but if you do use one, the panel you are cutting, has to be firmly clamped to the bench.

superart · 03-25-2002, 05:12 PM

Ive never seen one of these. i would be interested in seing one. the link you posted is broken.

Thor · 04-07-2002, 04:08 PM

Sorry about the link Superart, I've amended the first posting. Heres a piccy of it.

http://diytools.com/productTypes/9.asp?Guide=9

superart · 04-08-2002, 07:36 PM

im just seeing a red X, but i think i know what you mean.

Is this what you mean:

Thor · 04-09-2002, 12:54 PM

Yep, that's exactly what I was referring to, thanks.

superart · 04-09-2002, 06:08 PM

how long does it take to cut a hole with one of those?

Thor · 04-10-2002, 06:12 PM

Drill the pilot hole first, securely clamp the panel down and drill slowly letting the blade do the work, if you force it too fast it will catch, use plenty of cutting oil. Should take no longer than a couple of minutes. In the UK they are priced about £14, for you in the States should be about $20.

Note: It is very important when using this tool that the electric drill is mounted in a stand (or pillar drill). You need to be drilling at a right angle to the panel surface, so you cut through the panel evenly.

superart · 04-10-2002, 06:42 PM

Ho do i keep the part that goes into the pilot hole from slipping?

Thor · 04-10-2002, 06:50 PM

It wont slip, the centre part of this tool sits in the pilot hole and is the anchor for the cutter blade revolving around it.

superart · 04-10-2002, 08:24 PM

OK, i getit, like a compas

Thor · 04-11-2002, 01:29 PM

Yep, that's right.

Haddy · 04-15-2002, 12:38 AM

my dremel rocks ur lil drill press stuff....thank god for molding =D

Thor · 05-03-2002, 01:46 PM

I've got a Dremel now but theres no way this can come close to the perfect round hole a tank cutter cuts.

MeltMan · 05-04-2002, 10:52 AM

thanks for the heads up. I bet next time i buy one of those to cut perfect holes

03-18-2002, 04:02 PM	#1
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	Are you having trouble cutting fan holes? What you want is a "Trepanning Cutter" or "Tank Cutter". This is a tool with a pilot drill, which fits in a pillar drill. An arm is connected at a right angle to this drill and a slideable cutter blade is on this arm in parallel with the pilot drill. This cutter will do ANY fan hole size, as it is adjustable and cuts perfect round holes (no jaggies at all). Here is one found in the UK. You should be able to find a supplier fairly easy in the U.S. http://diytools.com/productTypes/9.asp?Guide=9 __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1) Last edited by Thor; 04-10-2002 at 06:40 PM.

03-24-2002, 01:57 PM	#2
superart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: FL Posts: 787	Whats wrong with just useing a hole saw atachment on a drill? __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure youv'e done anything at all. Looking to buy/trade for used Deep Fryer and Vacume Pack Sealer.

03-24-2002, 04:44 PM	#3
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	A tank cutter has a variable radius, so the one tool does any size and its a lot neater (and cheaper), I've used both and I know which I prefer but if you do use one, the panel you are cutting, has to be firmly clamped to the bench. __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1) Last edited by Thor; 03-24-2002 at 04:47 PM.

03-25-2002, 05:12 PM	#4
superart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: FL Posts: 787	Ive never seen one of these. i would be interested in seing one. the link you posted is broken. __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure youv'e done anything at all. Looking to buy/trade for used Deep Fryer and Vacume Pack Sealer.

04-07-2002, 04:08 PM	#5
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	Sorry about the link Superart, I've amended the first posting. Heres a piccy of it. http://diytools.com/productTypes/9.asp?Guide=9 __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1) Last edited by Thor; 04-10-2002 at 06:41 PM.

04-08-2002, 07:36 PM	#6
superart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: FL Posts: 787	im just seeing a red X, but i think i know what you mean. Is this what you mean: __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure youv'e done anything at all. Looking to buy/trade for used Deep Fryer and Vacume Pack Sealer.

04-09-2002, 12:54 PM	#7
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	Yep, that's exactly what I was referring to, thanks. __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1)

04-09-2002, 06:08 PM	#8
superart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: FL Posts: 787	how long does it take to cut a hole with one of those? __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure youv'e done anything at all. Looking to buy/trade for used Deep Fryer and Vacume Pack Sealer.

04-10-2002, 06:12 PM	#9
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	Drill the pilot hole first, securely clamp the panel down and drill slowly letting the blade do the work, if you force it too fast it will catch, use plenty of cutting oil. Should take no longer than a couple of minutes. In the UK they are priced about £14, for you in the States should be about $20. Note: It is very important when using this tool that the electric drill is mounted in a stand (or pillar drill). You need to be drilling at a right angle to the panel surface, so you cut through the panel evenly. __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1) Last edited by Thor; 04-10-2002 at 06:27 PM.

04-10-2002, 06:42 PM	#10
superart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: FL Posts: 787	Ho do i keep the part that goes into the pilot hole from slipping? __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure youv'e done anything at all. Looking to buy/trade for used Deep Fryer and Vacume Pack Sealer.

04-10-2002, 06:50 PM	#11
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	It wont slip, the centre part of this tool sits in the pilot hole and is the anchor for the cutter blade revolving around it. __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1)

04-10-2002, 08:24 PM	#12
superart Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: FL Posts: 787	OK, i getit, like a compas __________________ When you do things right, people won't be sure youv'e done anything at all. Looking to buy/trade for used Deep Fryer and Vacume Pack Sealer.

04-11-2002, 01:29 PM	#13
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	Yep, that's right. __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1)

04-15-2002, 12:38 AM	#14
Haddy Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 434	my dremel rocks ur lil drill press stuff....thank god for molding =D

05-03-2002, 01:46 PM	#15
Thor Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 11	I've got a Dremel now but theres no way this can come close to the perfect round hole a tank cutter cuts. __________________ "I like the yellow ones" (Thor- Stargate SG-1)

05-04-2002, 10:52 AM	#16
MeltMan Cooling Savant Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: KS Posts: 374	thanks for the heads up. I bet next time i buy one of those to cut perfect holes __________________ MeltMan Lurker Supreme!

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