Whats the best way to cut clean holes in the top of a tupperware tote?

[RonSwanson]

Trying to make a new prop. box... would like as smooth and as round as possible. Can fake it with a box cutter and some patience but its never perfectly round or smooth....

I have seen people post about step bits but the hole I want to end up with is 2 1/4" for little next pots and I can't find any step bits that big, and they're like $65....

My GF said something about a hot knife? Don't know if they carry them anywhere locally and am not opposed to buying online but if there is a solution I could go with today, I'd be all over it.

Any advice fellow growtards?

 

[raven1290]

Hole saw, 2.25" $8 http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ecodZ5yc1v/R-202256377/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=hole+saw&storeId=10051
Happy Growing

 

[nick88]

Yep, just went and bought a 2in hole saw at Home depot, 8 bucks

 

[leadtrimmer1]

Take a knife and put it on the stove (ghetto style and maybe messy) or just find a VERY sharp knife

 

[hotrodharley]

I make all my hydro units. Have settled on 5 gallon units as everything works much faster/easier/better than the big totes. My hole saws are the best investment I have made for them. A 4.75" and 1.25". Net pot holes with the larger unit and inspection holes with the smaller. Makes building a DWC bucket a very quick job. Knives cut hands quicker than tote lids.

 

[RonSwanson]

Wow thanks for all the responses everyone!

I am totally going to go get one of those hole saws; I have one similar to that but it must be for wood or something because it does not have the central drill part, and it is just all teeth all the way around... just chews the plastic up horribly bad. I can see how with the bit/guide of this setup and the less teeth would make it really easy though.

Thanks again people!

 

[raven1290]

The central drill bit known as a mandrel definitly makes it a lot easier to get a clean straight through hole. All hole saws are for wood/plastic un less it's a diamond edged one which is used for glass/tile and metal.
A single mandrel can be puchased and interchanged with a number of different size hole saws as well.

 

[RonSwanson]

As an old boss of mine used to say: you learn something new every day despite yourself.

 

[hotrodharley]

The central drill bit known as a mandrel definitly makes it a lot easier to get a clean straight through hole. All hole saws are for wood/plastic un less it's a diamond edged one which is used for glass/tile and metal.
A single mandrel can be puchased and interchanged with a number of different size hole saws as well.

Mine has a central mandrel with a set screw so the pilot bit can be adjusted for length. Then the mandrel itself is threaded (male) with each hole saw being threaded (female) so it is a matter of simply leaving the bit/mandrel in the chuck and screwing each size hole saw on or off. Also, with plastics or very soft metals, you get less burring by running the drill/saw in reverse and keeping the pressure on the saw. It cuts through fairly quickly and the shavings are few. It also will not bind and surprise or hurt you or your work by being in reverse.

 

[Kiande]

I was picking up some materials for mine today. Got a 3 inch hole saw @ HD for 14.95. The 5 inch was 41 bucks though :O Add it to my to-buy list.

 

[furrycnorm]

Try a cheap soldering iron. Just plug it in and when its hot you can make a nice clean hole in the top with no sharp edges. Works like a charm.

 

[melungeonman]

I used a fat nail and a hammer. set the thing on a board and popped some holes in it been pretty good for the last few years.

 

[Aeropuff]

Try a cheap soldering iron. Just plug it in and when its hot you can make a nice clean hole in the top with no sharp edges. Works like a charm.

Great idea, Ill try it. I generally like to use my drill bit, get great results with it, but they only go up to a certain size. I used my hole saw a few times but the plastic lid I was using kept cracking. I will look into the soldering iron method, hopefully it works! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Mechmike]

I build custom hydro setups for sale locally and found that the best tool for cutting perfectly clean holes in plastic is an adjustable hole cutter. Here's a picture of one. I use a cutter just like the one in the picture to cut holes in vinyl fence post to create a system like the General Hydroponics AeroFlow (with a few improvements). I've also used it with nice results on softer polyethylene tote lids.

 

[Malevolence]

Hobby knife.

 

[hotrodharley]

If those without tools are going to buy one cutter then Mechmike's suggestion is the best. It can be adjusted to cut holes of any size. I cringe at the knife suggestions. 17 years of working ER makes me shy of cutting anything this shape and of this material. Plus I have done it and the hole edges are uneven allowing water to slip past and keep the deck messy.

 

[Malevolence]

My holes are smooth, circular, and light proof, but if you can't cut a circle with an exacto knife without injuring yourself, then by all means find some other way or have an adult do it for you.

 

[jrainman]

Just go buy a cheep compass to mark your radius and a cheep pair of Tin snips red or green handle not yellow handle, they cut plastic like BUTTA perfectly smooth. why all the power tools on Plastic its not like your cutting wood.

 

[raven1290]

If those without tools are going to buy one cutter then Mechmike's suggestion is the best. It can be adjusted to cut holes of any size. I cringe at the knife suggestions. 17 years of working ER makes me shy of cutting anything this shape and of this material. Plus I have done it and the hole edges are uneven allowing water to slip past and keep the deck messy.

Not that it bothers me, but how do you get away with working ER and tokeing, don't they do random drug testing? Also I agree with you about the knife comment and I've got the scars to prove it.

Malevolence, nobody is saying you can't cut a hole with a knife without injuring ourselves, were just just saying it's much safer to use other more appropriate tools.

 

[RonSwanson]

Hey thanks for all the replys guys! Mechmike would love to see some of your custom hydro stuff as I think my next setup is going to be some crazy thing I make myself.