Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on June 7, 2009 at 4:31am

A forstner bit works well for a sound hole in a cigar box. Don't know about circles in tin.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on June 7, 2009 at 5:03am

These can work and will go through light tin, copper, etc. I use Frostner bits. scroll saw, coping saw and jig saw. Tin snips, there are blades for coping saws for cutting metal.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on June 7, 2009 at 9:15am

I have a drill press, and I use a rather cheap hole saw set I got from Harbor Freight for only four bucks. Seems to work great.
Forstner bits are a bit pricey in larger sizes, but they do cut nice, clean holes.

I would not recommend the typical spade-type woodworking bits for thin material; my first attempt to do so resulted in some really ragged holes.

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Permalink Reply by Delta Blues Classics - JStoltz on June 7, 2009 at 10:41am

Forstner bit is the first choice, next best would be a hole saw that you put in your drill(like the ones for putting locksets in doors), then maybe a dremel tool with a router attachment and a spiral cut bit. As Mark said, I wouldn't use a spade type hole boring bit because there is too much chance of tearing the box to bits or at the least you'll end up with an elongated, non-circular hole. If you're using a hand drill, the hole saw is the best choice in my opinion. One like this:

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Permalink Reply by Bill Powell on April 22, 2013 at 11:46am

Old thread but it answered my questions. Thanks gentlefolk.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 22, 2013 at 1:59pm

:-D

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on April 23, 2013 at 1:40am

OOOh!! For that rustic look!!  :-)

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 23, 2013 at 2:13am

;-)

 

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on April 23, 2013 at 2:36am

Saw a photo on here where somebody was using a squirrel to chew rustic looking sound holes.Believe their charges are very reasonable,they'll work for peanuts       SORRY!!!

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Permalink Reply by Bill Powell on April 23, 2013 at 3:03am

A 12 gauge would be just about right for the 3/4-inch grommet style, 20 gauge for 5/8.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on April 23, 2013 at 3:05am

Hadn't seen Dave Lynas's current photos when I wrote the previous reply.Had only seen the squirrels at work

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