Holesaw

[woodie]

I need to make reasonably clean holes in Minerit HD. It's a 10mm thick cement board. I have a few 1" and 1.5" holes to cut. There's one 5" I'll need to cut too. I'd prefer to buy something that I can use on future projects as well.  Having said that, it seems like carbide tipped are the most versatile (concrete, brick, wood, etc). Any suggestions on brands?

Has anyone used Blue Boar hole saws?

 

[Alan m]

for these kind of construction jobs (hard materials and rough sites) i would use cheap ones and save thegood ones of when you need them .
my local aldi store sells small sets every now and then.
i find them great for those kind of jobs as if i break a bit or hit conctete etc  i am not to worried. i hit concrete with a brand new good 100mm holesaw a while back . i was pure sickened
aldi sell carbide sets as well. i am sure you could find a set like that in a big brick and morter store.
the good ones will be dear but will last a long time

i would probably just use a mini grinder and diamond blade for the 5" hole

 

[woodie]

The Minerit will be the final wall surface so it has to be a pretty clean hole. Otherwise I would just use a carbide tipped jigsaw blade and call it good. These 4x8 panels are quite pricey too so there's no room for error. I would hate to spend $20 on a hole saw that might only be good for one or two uses if it's possible I could've spent $40 on one that's more durable and versatile.

 

[Holzhacker]

i don't count on hole saws lasting no matter what i pay for them. i've found the cheap ones suck but are ok for rough work, pipe holes etc. The pricier ones are better and make cleaner holes overall. my experience is that they work great until that one use when you hit something or run it too hot, then its junk.
For clean holes i use the full rim grit style over the multi sectional style.
Cover the area to drill with blue tape, predrill the center hole with a slightly smaller bit, drill slow and steady to start a good finished surface ring. once subsurface whiz on through. i would recommend using a cordless or low power drill for this. it's much easier to control and keep from torquing out. pulling out a big bosch or milwaukee could get you into serious trouble if the drill goes hog wild.
you may also want to look at what type of patching material will work with this product if you have issues, thinset, gray epoxy, etc.
if can trims are something like that will go over the holes i wouldn't sweat it too much. you can buy 5' hole saws

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

I have the Bosch multi construction holesaws. They are the best I have ever used

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I need to make reasonably clean holes in Minerit HD. It's a 10mm thick cement board. I have a few 1" and 1.5" holes to cut. There's one 5" I'll need to cut too. I'd prefer to buy something that I can use on future projects as well.  Having said that, it seems like carbide tipped are the most versatile (concrete, brick, wood, etc). Any suggestions on brands?

Has anyone used Blue Boar hole saws?

It's fiber cement board.  You'll absolutely need a carbide or diamond hole saw.  HSS will just burn up.  You'll just have to bite the bullet and either buy the individual hole saws or buy a set that includes the sizes you need.  If the 5" hole doesn't have to be perfect, consider drilling a bunch of smaller holes within the circumference of the 5" circle with one of the smaller hole saws or an appropriate drill bit.

 

[JeromeM]

I need to make reasonably clean holes in Minerit HD. It's a 10mm thick cement board. I have a few 1" and 1.5" holes to cut. There's one 5" I'll need to cut too. I'd prefer to buy something that I can use on future projects as well.  Having said that, it seems like carbide tipped are the most versatile (concrete, brick, wood, etc). Any suggestions on brands?

Has anyone used Blue Boar hole saws?

For the 5" there is a diamond hole saw for $20 + shipping http://richontools.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6&products_id=104