2 inch Holesaw recommendation?

Skylark

Skylark

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I’m planning to fit a Victron BMV712 to the house bank, currently reading the manual and the installation guide in preparation.

Not sure where to locate it; near the battery isolation switches (straightforward, but out of the way) or adjacent to the main instrument panel, depending upon rear access and cable routing. The instrument has Bluetooth connectivity to a phone so location isn’t really my main concern.

I’ll need to drill a 2 inch hole to hold the instrument in place. Something that I’m not particularly looking forward to!

I’ll probably avoid the multi cutter versions and go with fixed size plus arbour. Screwfix “Erbauer” is looking favourite but before buying and due to my lack of experience, I thought I’d ask for any recommendations? I’m happy to pay for something decent and less likely to leave me in tears if it all goes wrong ?

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi

I use a couple of different makes , Sandvik and Starrett of various sizes between 30mm and 150mm, both are bi-metallic so cut cleanly and both use the same drill fitting and never had any problems with either.
 
I’ve used Bosch multi material hole saws successfully for many years.......expensive as you have to buy the universal arbor drill but worth every penny for accurate holes in grp and wood
 
For years I've used Starrett and found them good, reliable tools on wood and fiberglass - not really suitable for stainless steel. More recently, I've tended to buy Bosch - easier to change sizes on the arbor, and can tackle stainless steel.

No experience of Erbauer, but agree with your rejection of the multi cutter types - cheap toys rather than tools

If your drill has a side handle, use it. Holesaws can snatch quite abruptly.
 
I have a makita 50mm hole saw bought for this very purpose. I can't imagine I paid more than £15 for it. The cutting through fibreglass was fast and easy with a 18v drill. I can't think of many more straight forward jobs on a boat.
 
Cutting the exact size may cause chipping of the gelcoat.
GRP is an excellent material for blunting saws.
You could consider using a drill, padsaw and either files, sandpaper or a drum sanding kit. The latter is very effective but the dust is messy.
 
Chipping isn't usually a problem if cut carefully with a nice shape hole saw (a good reason not to buy a chinese one for £2.50). Stick a bit of masking tape around the hole. In anycase though it doesn't matter due to the flange on the monitor itself.

One could argue, well what if the unit is ever removed, there will then be ugly chips around. That doesn't really hold up though considering you'd be left with a 50mm hole to fill anyway and need a 12:1 bevel before glassing, which would eliminate all the chips anyhow.
 
As there is no real need to see the dial on the device if you are using a smart phone with bluetooth. I fitted mine in an enclosure box within a convenient locker.
 
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Starrett 'oops' hole arbour, Wish I had known about this additional piece of kit a couple of years ago when I wanted to enlarge a hole in the bottom of a glass fibre sink unit.
 
A good sharp hole saw in careful low pressure and good drill speed will normal minimise break out on the other side but most times easy to just finish hole from the other side anyway, at least you've always got a centre hole, screw fix or tool station, initial cost is normally having to buy the mandrel as well
 
Shanty said:
For years I've used Starrett and found them good, reliable tools on wood and fiberglass - not really suitable for stainless steel. More recently, I've tended to buy Bosch - easier to change sizes on the arbor, and can tackle stainless steel.

No experience of Erbauer, but agree with your rejection of the multi cutter types - cheap toys rather than tools

If your drill has a side handle, use it. Holesaws can snatch quite abruptly.
Click to expand...

I second the caution regarding snatching. If you wobble a bit when drilling you can hurt your wrist with the sudden and unexpected twisting action. With care using these large hole saws is easy though.
 
Boathook said:
Normally cheaper at screwfix, who are owned by Kingfisher who own b&q as well as castarama? in the rest of Europe
Click to expand...
Yep, our local B&Q is Brico Depot part of Kingfisher. Erbauer is a recent addition to the range. Screwfix will deliver in EU, but you need to spend a bit of money for it to be included.
Prices are higher here than UK though. Bought a Titan 18v drill. £50 in UK, €90 odd here. Though the UK was an offer.
 
Shanty said:
For years I've used Starrett and found them good, reliable tools on wood and fiberglass - not really suitable for stainless steel.

If your drill has a side handle, use it. Holesaws can snatch quite abruptly.
Click to expand...

Starrett work OK in Stainless, but you need to do it slowly, with lots of lube. I made a railing with a 50mm top tube, required 50 odd 50mm holes in 6mm 304.
Re-jigged the pillar drill to halve it's slowest speed, down to the reccommended speed on the chart. IIRR used three hole saws for the job.
 
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