Fiberglass Hole Saw (How to Use a Hole Saw in Fiberglass)
Cutting holes is easy. Doing it right is another thing. When it comes to fiberglass you can use a hole saw to cut your hole. You can also use a jigsaw. They do make hole saws to cut fiberglass and that would be the best tool to use as long as you use a carbide-tipped saw.
One tip that should help you in this task is to take a 3/16th drill bit and drill the pilot hole first. Then use a hole saw with a 3/16ths smooth rod in the center. This should prevent any binding as you drill through fiberglass. Take it slow and steady as well.
To learn more about using a hole saw on fiberglass just continue to read our article. It gets you the information you need to know about so you can do a great job on your next hole cutting project.
Using a Hole Saw in Fiberglass 101
Can You Use a Hole Saw On Fiberglass?
This should not be a problem. The major issue you will face will be that there will be a lot of dust. It would be best to wear a mask as you cut to avoid breathing any of the particles in.
Usually, you should drill your pilot hole first. This will minimize any binding that may take place when the center bit reaches the other side of the fiberglass piece. Some people have suggested that you place some masking tape over the area where you are cutting.
They say that this helps keep the edges smoother. The main issue you have to worry about is tilting the drill or what is called cocking the drill. This action tends to bind the drill bit into the fiberglass and send your drill flying off in another direction.
If you go slow and steady, you should be able to avoid any problems when you break through to the other side. Just do not go too slow or you won’t cut the fiberglass very well or very quickly.
Fiberglass is not as tough to cut as some people think. There are a lot of other materials that are tougher and riskier to cut than this material.
Can You Use a Hammer Drill For Hole Saws Through Fiberglass?
Fiberglass is not one of the recommended materials where you should use a hammer drill. This drill is designed to put holes into really tough materials like brick, concrete, stones, ceramics, and more.
The hammer action probably will make the surface look a lot worse and weaken it somewhat. Fiberglass has a gel-like surface and even regular drill bits tend to chip off bits and pieces of this surface. A hammer drill would make this chipping bigger and a lot worse.
They say not to use a hammer drill on marble and granite because the hammer action can cause cracks in those very tough materials. Fiberglass may not be strong enough to handle that hammer action and you can create cracks or breaks also.
You also need to know how to handle a hammer drill. Improper use can create a lot of damage, make the hole larger than it should be, and other risks. There is a lot of power in one of these drills as they are designed to tackle very tough surfaces.
If in doubt, avoid the hammer drill and use a regular one. That way you are sure to get a nice smooth hole.
What Type Of Hole Saw For Fiberglass?
The best hole saw for fiberglass would be the one whose blade edge is tipped with carbide steel. Carbide tipped edges last a lot longer than hardened steel edges or high-speed steel edges and make sure your holes are cut properly.
Even with the carbide tip, you will need to use an arbor and a pilot hole drill nit to get the right hole size. Plus, these tips will work on plastic, laminate, aluminum, and more surfaces.
You might be able to use a diamond-tipped blade as it is good for materials like reinforced plastic, Kevlar, and those materials with a high silicone content among others. These blades last twice as long as carbide-tipped ones giving long-lasting cutting power.
Like the carbide-tipped option, you will still need an arbor and a pilot drill bit to get a nice clean hole. Then there is the carbide grit tip hole saw blade. It is designed to handle ceramics, masonry as well as fiberglass.
The setup is the same and you will need an arbor and pilot drill bit as well. Then there are hole saw blades designed for fiberglass and plastic sheets. Not sure how tough they are or how long they will last but they will cut a nice clean hole for you.
An arbor and pilot drill bit are also required here.
Best Hole Saw For Fiberglass
If we are talking brand names, then you will want the brand that puts quality above all else. One thing you do not need is to have a low-quality drill bit trying to cut through fiberglass.
It doesn’t matter what tip they place on the hole saw, if the blade is low quality then you may not get the results you are looking for. So make sure you get a good brand that takes pride in tier work.
If you are talking about the blade edge then there are two of the few we mentioned in the previous section that stand out. Both the diamond and carbide grit-edged hole saws are said to be the best for cutting fiberglass.
The reason they get this recommendation is that the grit style of edge for both materials grinds the fiberglass smoothly. The teeth style of the hole saw tends to tear the fiberglass as it cuts.
Plus, the grit style is said to provide more cutting power as it makes smoother holes. Some of these diamond or carbide grit style hole saws come with up to 10 blades making sure you can get the hole you need.
Fine Tooth Hole Saw For Fiberglass
There is some good news here. This type of hole saw comes with a variety of different tipped blades. You are not going to lose out on the cutting power of diamonds or carbide when you go to this hole saw option.
You can get a fine tooth hole saw with a diamond grit edge or with carbide-tipped teeth. The choice is up to you. Both edges are strong, can cut fiberglass well and you should be done before you know it.
One reason you use a pilot drill bit or even pre-drill a hole in the center of the spot you are going to cut is that the dust usually has nowhere to go. With nowhere to go your hole saw gets clogged with dust. The hole should alleviate that problem.
Another option you can use would be the high tooth count hole saw blade. it is another name for the fine tooth blade and you may not see the latter label when you go shopping. You may see a high tooth count instead.
If you can’t find the fine tooth hole saw blade make sure to go with the blade that has the highest tooth count. That would be the best solution when cutting into fiberglass.
How To Use a Hole Saw In Fiberglass
Here are some steps to follow to help you cut a good hole when working with fiberglass:
1. Dent the fiberglass- use a single point chisel or awl to put a little dent in the spot you are going to drill your pilot hole. This will help prevent the drill bit from slipping.
2. Let the bit do the work- when drilling the pilot or other hole, do not put pressure on your drill. Let the bit do the work and use a slow speed to prevent chipping
3. Keep the drill straight- as you are drilling your hole make sure to keep the drill perpendicular to the fiberglass. Like the pilot hole, let the bit do the work, do not apply pressure, and take your time. This is not like drilling metal or wood.
4. Slow & steady wins the race- there is no advantage to going fast. Drill slowly but not too slowly and do not have the drill speed too fast either.
Some people recommend that you drill a chamfer-edged hole first before using your hole saw. This will help guide your hole saw but you be the judge and determine if you need this step or not.
Drilling Fiberglass With a Hole Saw
The recommendation is that you take your time. Going too fast may chip or tear the fiberglass outside of the hole’s edge ruining the look of the material. However, you do not want to go at a very slow speed either as then the teeth do not cut very well.
You have to be careful when cutting fiberglass as there are hazards you have to watch out for. One hazard will be the dust that the saw creates as it cuts. That dust can either clog your hole saw or it can be sent into the air where you can breathe it in.
Make sure to wear a mask when cutting to protect your lungs. Also, wear goggles to protect your eyes. You may not like wearing safety equipment but this is one time you need to do it.
Also, it is possible to use masking tape to help cut down on any rough edges. Just cover the area you want to drill and let the masking tape stop any chipping. Drilling a hole in fiberglass is not any more difficult than drilling holes in other construction materials.
You just have to be more careful as fiberglass can be tough but it can also be fragile at the same time.
Some Hole Saw Fiberglass FAQs
1. Do you require a special drill bit for fiberglass?
Some people recommend a high-speed steel drill it and claim that material is the best for fiberglass. However, a diamond and carbide grit or a carbide-tipped edge is better than high-speed steel and lasts longer.
2. What is the best tool to cut fiberglass?
This depends on what type of cut you are making. For linear or straight-line cuts a circular saw is the best saw to use. You just have to make sure you have the right blade.
For holes, a hole saw is best but you can also use a jigsaw if you do not have a hole saw in your lineup of tools.
3. Is cutting fiberglass dangerous?
The dust is what you need to worry about. As it gets blown into the air it can come in contact with your skin or gets inhaled. When those things happen you can feel irritation or pain. You have to watch your eyes, as well as the dust, which can be very fine.
When cutting fiberglass, make sure to wear long sleeves, a dust mask, and eye goggles to stay safe.
4. What kind of saw blade to cut fiberglass?
The best blade to get is the one with the highest tooth count possible. But that is not the only top-notch blade to use. A diamond or carbide grit saw blade is also a very good option and makes smoother holes.
Some Final Words
Cutting a hole in fiberglass is not like cutting a hole in wood or metal. It takes more time and you have to use the right blade. More things can go wrong when cutting fiberglass than when cutting those other materials.
Then take your time. Cutting fiberglass should not be seen as a race. Going slower helps you get a better cut and a smoother edge inside the hole. it also helps avoid chipping.
