Making downlight holes bigger

[EWebster]

Does anyone know of any tools/tricks to make a downlight hole larger neatly and quickly? Using a larger cutter just leaves a mess!

Cheers

Euan

 

[andyb]

Make a template with ply, plasterboard or something similar the size of your new hole, hold it firmly over the existing hole, (it's better if you have another pair of hands for this) and drill.

 

[EWebster]

Make a template with ply, plasterboard or something similar the size of your new hole, hold it firmly over the existing hole, (it's better if you have another pair of hands for this) and drill.

Good plan. I'll make a load out of plasterboard and do that, although lining it up with the original hole could be tricky!

 

[happygilmore]

a pad saw

 

[EWebster]

a pad saw

That's what I use just now, but being inherently lazy, was looking for a quick option

 

[Mr Brady]

If you're lucky you'll have the sort of holesaw mandrel that has enough thread to take two blades, if so then fitting the original sized blade inside the new one allows it to act like a pilot drill would, stopping the new blade from careering across the ceiling.

 

[tenheads]

If you're lucky you'll have the sort of holesaw mandrel that has enough thread to take two blades, if so then fitting the original sized blade inside the new one allows it to act like a pilot drill would, stopping the new blade from careering across the ceiling.

Thats the best way i know aswell

 

[Darkwood]

You could also try a piece of wood pushed up through the hole which extends past the hole by 2 or 3 inch either side, pull down on wood and screw through ceiling into wood at either end then use wood to drill pilot hole and enlargen hole.
Although padsaw is quicker this is good for lat/plaster ceilings where a padsaw can do more damage with lats snagging and snapping.
Down side is you need to patch up screw holes that held the wood in place after but this isnt a issue if deco follows.

 

[sparks1234]

There is a machine available for your drill which has a plastic dome on it with foam around the edge and an adjustable blade to cut the hole. never used one but some people swear by them....or was that swear at them..LOL

 

[Phil Mumford]

I use my teeth........

 

[pennywise]

I got one of these imported from america, once the dust catcher meets the ceiling it basically steady's the holesaw enough to let it cut without damaging the ceiling, it's at the bottom of the page on the pdf link.

http://www.starrett.com/download/189_pta_hole_saw_arbors.pdf

 

[Phil Mumford]

The OOPS arbor/holesaw setup is available in this country - just contact a Starret wholesaler or distributor.

 

[pennywise]

Not that one the one at the bottom of the link page.

 

[Phil Mumford]

The OOPS arbor ...... it does the job ??

 

[pennywise]

Looks like it would fare point, but with the dust catcher and arbor it kills two birds with one stone, cuts the bigger hole and stops mess being made.

 

[Gravid]

If you're lucky you'll have the sort of holesaw mandrel that has enough thread to take two blades, if so then fitting the original sized blade inside the new one allows it to act like a pilot drill would, stopping the new blade from careering across the ceiling.

Can't believe i've never been shown this or thought of it myself, great idea.

 

[sparks1234]

Can't believe i've never been shown this or thought of it myself, great idea.

us "OLD BOYS" know a trick or 2

 

[Steve1412]

Is there a gadget for making the holes smaller

 

[Ross Trician]

You can get a twin threaded "pilot" drill thing that you put in the hole instead of the pilot drill. you can then use the say 60mm hole saw as pilost drill and then the larger one sit slightly back to cut the new hole size.

These are available in RS, only few quid and very worth it, used em a few times.
Look in the hole saw section, dont know what they call them tho, sorry.
Ross.

 

[jimmyjazz]

Is there a gadget for making the holes smaller

Anusol

 

[andekoch]

There is a machine available for your drill which has a plastic dome on it with foam around the edge and an adjustable blade to cut the hole. never used one but some people swear by them....or was that swear at them..LOL

I use one of these, especially when holes need to be enlarged. Very useful especially if drilling from below.
Purpose sized holesaw is quicker but dont drill from below.

Is there a gadget for making the holes smaller

I think that is called a 'fill it up and start again'.