Best hand tool for cutting speaker holes bigger ?-gctid385995

[Guest]

I want to replace my 4.5 inch audiovox speakers that came with my 1998 Ciera. Whats the best hand tool for cutting the holes bigger in the fiberglass ? Does it cut easy or does it take a long time ?

Any suggetstions on what speakers gave decent bass ?

[Guest]

The best thing I have found is a round hole saw for an electric drill. Run it backwards first to score the fiberglass, then just go through it. Make sure there is enough room behind the hole for your particular speakers. Cuts easy, makes a big mess, dulls your saw.

[Guest]

A 6-1/2 inch hole saw ?

[Guest]

The speakers you buy will have a template or directions inside the box that will indicate the size hole that particular speaker will require. That is the size hole saw you use.

[Guest]

I already have 4.5 inch holes where the old speakers were. I want to make them 6.5 inches. I didn't think the hole saw would work without the drill bit holding it centered ?

[talman]

if you can center it. A dremel cuts through FB like butter, but makes a lot of dust.

[Guest]

PIPER1 wrote:
I already have 4.5 inch holes where the old speakers were. I want to make them 6.5 inches. I didn't think the hole saw would work without the drill bit holding it centered ?

There is a special drill bit looking tool for the Dremel that cuts sideways and works great for enlarging holes. New holes are fine with hole saws but not once you have a existing hole.

[JimMc]

A Rotozip works well. Messy

A Dremel Tool works well. Messy It's basically the same as a Rotozip. The Rotozip is heavier duty.

A Saber saw will work but you need to hold it down FIRMLY. I would use a blade that cuts on the down stroke to avoid chipping the gell coat. Messy

The only way you could use a hole saw would be to install a patch across the hole so that you can create a new center hole. For this big of a hole I don't recommend it.

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I would use a rotozip. Don't push for speed. Let the tool do the work. You want about a 1/4" of the bit below the backside of the fiberglass. If you are cutting 1/4" fiberglass it will go fast. If you are cutting glass with a plywood core it will be slow going.

When using the Rotozip hang on and keep it under control. You want to move such that the rotation has the leading edge as the cutting edge. So if the tool is rotating clockwise you move around the opening you want to cut clockwise also.

If you are cutting cored fiberglass be sure to seal the core before you install the speakers. I would seal the coring with epoxy.

[bhawes]

You can use a larger hole saw over an existing smaller hole. Using the larger hole saw, cut through, say, a 1/4" piece of plywood. You now have a template to quide your over your smaller hole. Now cut your template to match the area that you have to work with. Tape it securely in place (it doesn't have to be centred, if that doesn't work for you), and gently start your new hole. It will not take much effort to get through your gel coat. Slow and steady, and as previously mentioned, start the hole saw turning in reverse.

[driz]

You can even simply take a drill and drill a lot of holes in your circle and just connect the dots with a hack saw blade if you don't have a dremel then file it to fit. Definitely old school but every now and then that's what your'e stuck with. FWIW an air or electric die grinder will do everything a dremel do and a lot faster in the bargain. Just make sure of what's behind that panel:sorrow: before you get to cutting..... if you want to keep the dust mess down have a vaccum wand running under the area you are cutting. It should suck in most of the loose dust.

[captharv]

saber saw?

[Guest]

iF you are cutting new holes I agree the best way is the correct size hole saw. I also had some that I went from a 6.5 speaker to an 8. The best easiest way to guarantee is to cut the hole in a piece of plywood the correct size. Then center it screw it over the hole you need bigger. By doing this the is no way when using your rotozip to can get away from you and causing a lot of extra work.

[Guest]

Outlaw32 wrote:
iF you are cutting new holes I agree the best way is the correct size hole saw. I also had some that I went from a 6.5 speaker to an 8. The best easiest way to guarantee is to cut the hole in a piece of plywood the correct size. Then center it screw it over the hole you need bigger. By doing this the is no way when using your rotozip to can get away from you and causing a lot of extra work.

Actually at that point you could just go ahead and use the hole saw ?

[MidnightSun]

Not exactly easy find a really large hole saw sometimes and they do get rather pricey when they get that big. I had to install two 8 inchers in Midnight years back and the roto zip was perfect. You can really reduce the mess by having a helper follow you with a shop vac while you cut. Trace the outline with a black marker and let her rip. Just be careful if you have never used this before as they tend to take off to one side so you do need a strong, steady hand.

[driz]

A hole saw that big might be a smart move if you are a dealer. For the rest of us though you are just throwing a lot of money at a simple problem. Secondly you won't find a "cheap" hole saw that big when all you need is a cheap one for that type job and I doubt you will find it at Lowes or HD so you'll likely have to go to a plumbing supply ect .and pay the long dollar. After your speakers are cut then what can you do with the thing? The answer is pretty much nothing but sell it on ebay or trip over the thing until it eventually gets lost or tossed. I'm betting offhand that a saw that big will cost around 30 bucks, probably more which isn't such a good investment for a couple of holes that don't have to be all that perfect.