Cutting exterior holes for venting...

[DeepSeaDan]

G'Day,

I have 3 holes to cut in my home's exterior walls; one for a gas fireplace vent; one for a bathroom exhaust fan & one for a range exhaust ( all part of finishing a walkout basement ).

I've seen some pretty skookum metal hole saws ( Rigid brand ) at Home Depot that look like they could do the job, but they are expensive ( $56.00 a pop ).

The only time I've made an exterior hole was for a main-floor gas fireplace vent. That time I drilled umpteen holes in a circle, then chiseled away the brick facia & sawed thru the wood - slow & tedious it was.

Anyone have a better way?

Thanks!

DSD

[pushkins]

G'Day, ????

Sounds like a fellow Aussie ?

The best way to do what you want to do is to buy the hole saws, Rigid, Lennox or the sort. I think you will need the 4" (maybe 4.5") hole saw.
I've seen people trying to drill and chisel out the holes, it's not a nice clean hole and takes much longer.
If you have three different sizes to cut then you might be better of buying the hole saw kit this will save you money.

[suemarkp]

But if you need to cut into brick, this is much tougher. You'll need carbide hole says which are even more expensive. I bought some cheap ones from Harbor Freight Tools -- a great way to buy a cheap carbide saw and then throw it away when done. But they don't have them above 3" from what I can see.

A 4.5" or larger carbide hole saw will be a bit pricey. Even the regular bi-metal ones will cost a bit in this size. Those are the way to go through wood or plaster, but a bi-metal one will burn up real quick in brick (I know, I tried it).

Also, a hole saw will only get you so deep (1.25" to 2" into brick). This isn't all the way through, but it is easier to chisel out when you've cut a nice perimeter groove all the way around. So you'll have to chip it out, and then cut in again to get all the way through brick (repeat as many times as required to get through).

[pushkins]

Or drill a small pilot hole all ther way though, that way you can hole saw from the inside and then know where exactly to start the saw from the exterior side.

[DeepSeaDan]

But if you need to cut into brick, this is much tougher. You'll need carbide hole says which are even more expensive. I bought some cheap ones from Harbor Freight Tools -- a great way to buy a cheap carbide saw and then throw it away when done. But they don't have them above 3" from what I can see.

A 4.5" or larger carbide hole saw will be a bit pricey. Even the regular bi-metal ones will cost a bit in this size. Those are the way to go through wood or plaster, but a bi-metal one will burn up real quick in brick (I know, I tried it).

Also, a hole saw will only get you so deep (1.25" to 2" into brick). This isn't all the way through, but it is easier to chisel out when you've cut a nice perimeter groove all the way around. So you'll have to chip it out, and then cut in again to get all the way through brick (repeat as many times as required to get through).


I've now heard you can rent a hilti-style tool ( skookum hammer drill ) with a kick-butt hole saw that'll chew thru brick right quick....

I think I'm in love!

Thanks to all,
DSD

[suemarkp]

See if the core drills are included. Most I've seen around here rent you the tool and sell you the hole saws. You get to keep the probably burnt up hole saw blades when you're done....