I need to cut three 80mm dia. holes in a 40mm thick Oak worktop, to accommodate cable tidy grommets. These kind of things:

I’ve got quite a decent, powerful router; could I use a hole cutting bit in it

or is there a better/safer way of achieving a neat cut?

Any brands or tips welcome.

Thanks in advance, folks.

I’d just use the cutter in a drill and take it easy.

Edit- I thought you had the hole cutter already. I’d buy a decent quality one and probably cut from both sides as it won’t go through 40mm in one cut.

Cut a hole in a scrap of MDF with the hole saw in a drill then g clamp that to the work top. Draw round it. Cut 5mm inside the line with a jigsaw. Use a router with a bearing and follow route from the MDF. Safe and neat

Cut a hole in a scrap of MDF with the hole saw in a drill then g clamp that to the work top. Draw round it. Cut 5mm inside the line with a jigsaw. Use a router with a bearing and follow route from the MDF. Safe and neat

Brilliant! I’ve got all the kit to do that as well!

Nice one, Nick.

You would be fine with a hole cutter as per pic if you took it easy, had a big drill and don’t mind the smoke. A Tct hole cutter would go through like butter – this from a recent convert 😉

Just make sure you cover the smoke alarms 😉

Tct hole cutter? Is that a brand?

I don’t mind buying a new hole cutter, or router bit, but can’t really afford a new large drill.

Used a hole cutter in mine to start the sink cutout with a standard cordless drill. Worked fine. Just go steady so you don’t get any scorch marks.

Tct hole cutter? Is that a brand?

Tungsten carbide tipped hole cutter, lumps of tungsten brazed onto the teeth of the hole saw.

https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/cutting-tools/carbide-tipped/product/p/KEN0507800K

I cut fifty two 122mm holes in oak with a Starrett Hole saw and a bog standard drill driver the other week so you would be fine just cutting three. A decent bi-metal bit will be fine – get TCT is you like but I don’t think I’ve ever managed to blunt a Bi-metal one

Make sure you back the saw off frequently to clear the debris from the cut and it’ll be fine

9 replies and nobody has said he needs a Festool yet…
Tsk.. 🙄

9 replies and nobody has said he needs a Festool yet…
Tsk..

I know. I was hoping for better.

For three holes the hole cutter is the right call. Take your time and go from both sides, watch out for drifting away from a vertical position in the drill.

If you’re not going to see the hole when it’s cut thankfully it doesn’t matter if it looks a bit crappy. If it was me I’d want it looking good anyway so I’d use a template and a straight cut router bit with an appropriate collet. Cut 5-8mm on each pass until you’re through. That’s how my joiner cut my 40mm oak worktop and it’s the most controlled and least risky way. It’s quite a small hole to use a jigsaw.