Drilling holes in flood tables

[Treetroit City]

I see most catalogs sell "step" drill bits for this purpose. Is there a reason to use these and not just use a hole saw bit?
Thanks in advance, don't want to screw up a new table.

 

[ThePizzaMan]

Re: Drilling holes in flood tables

Nope...hole saw will work fine. I use the botanicare fittings...but I am at work right now and dont remember what size hole saw u need. I will update later for u...so u can get your ebb and flow on asap

Sent from my LG-P509 using Tapatalk

 

[eyes]

a step bit is a cleaner hole then a hole saw. there are no burs or jagged edges that sometime happen with hole saws. besides u have a multi size bit in a step bit.

 

[WHAB]

It's a users preference. A step drill is several finish diameters in one bit. To step drill the conventional way would require changing the bit at least twice (pilot hole then finish diameter...it may be more drill bit changes, it depends)

Just remember, with the step drill YOU are the drill stop. IF it is the 3rd step you need to stop at it is YOU that does the stopping to get to your desired finished diameter hole size. IF you go one step too many you've blown the hole size and you can't replace the material that was removed.

Happy growing!

,
WHAB

 

[whatsyurprob]

Hello everyone.

I just drilled a 3/4 in. hole in my flood table using a step bit. Seems as though the fitting which is also 3/4 in. is too tight for the hole. Push as hard as I can while turning, but, I can't get the thread to start. What's the secret, sandpaper? This is frustrating.

 

[Dethclock]

I just drilled my 4x4 Botanicare table for Botanicare bulkhead(flood&drain)fittings and had to drill two 1.5" holes for it and the overflow.The flood& drain fitting uses a 1/2" hose & the overflow uses a 3/4" hose.If you use a 1.5" paddle bit($5)you can drill from the bottom and sand/file the holes.if you've already drilled a hole w/a step bit,DON'T TRY THIS!LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!I ended up buying a Ti step bit from the growshop for $25.nowhere else had one that big and close sizes were almost $100!

 

[Stonefree69]

I got a deal at Zoro tools and used a coupon code for the Hole Pro X-305 power hole cutter (paid about $100 but saved a ton):

This kit includes:

1. Patented Tri-Slot Shield, slots catch shavings to maintain visibility while cutting; also acts as a portable drill press

2. Multi-functional hole cutter for cutting 1 7/8" to 12" holes in ceilings, walls and floors. Cuts up to a "true" 12" hole not possible with 300mm hole saws claiming to cut 12" holes

3. Heavy duty carry case

4. Two hex wrenches

5. User replaceable blades: One tungsten carbide blade set (BT-002), One high speed steel (HSS) set (BH-002)

All I can say this tool is an investment as I've used it for A LOT of other things and they make SUPER CLEAN holes too! Also check my sig on making holes, maybe though some of those tools aren't for 3/4" holes.

 

[Pseudo]

buy a paddle bit and drill half way thru, flip item over and finish drilling from other side, keep bit level and rpms high, dont press hard, let the bit do the work, peace

 

[Treetroit City]

Had forgotten about this thread. I ended up using a paddle bit and it worked out fine.

 

[negative37dBA]

Hello everyone.

I just drilled a 3/4 in. hole in my flood table using a step bit. Seems as though the fitting which is also 3/4 in. is too tight for the hole. Push as hard as I can while turning, but, I can't get the thread to start. What's the secret, sandpaper? This is frustrating.

It may be a 3/4" fitting but it might have a larger outside diameter. Measure the OD of the fiting and then that will be the hole size you need.

 

[growshopfrank]

most hydro shops use hole saws with a piece of wood on the backside while drilling to ensure a clean cut. a machinists deburring tool helps get rid of the sharp edges

 

[ak-51]

I have fucked up too many things with paddle bits to ever want to use them again on anything but wood. Usually they would catch in the plastic and tear it up really bad. Using hole saws is much easier.

 

[Pseudo]

it aint rocket science, its just as easy to fuck it up with a holesaw if you dont know what your doing, you if practice on scraps you will be ok

 

[gioufis80]

I just drilled my 4x4 Botanicare table for Botanicare bulkhead(flood&drain)fittings and had to drill two 1.5" holes for it and the overflow.The flood& drain fitting uses a 1/2" hose & the overflow uses a 3/4" hose.If you use a 1.5" paddle bit($5)you can drill from the bottom and sand/file the holes.if you've already drilled a hole w/a step bit,DON'T TRY THIS!LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES!I ended up buying a Ti step bit from the growshop for $25.nowhere else had one that big and close sizes were almost $100!

When my hose is the same dimeter as the hole and it doesn't fit
for just a small difference I use a lighter to heat the end of the
hose a bit and then it plugs in easiliy.

 

[crisscross]

holesaw on a drill....spinning backwards not forward. Sometimes the teeth will catch going forward and fucks up the plastic. When going backwards it cuts just peachy.