Someone asks about this every 6 months or so. Im asking again to see whats available and what really works.

I have a job where we are using sonance visual performance speakers. Some of the "brackets" were not installed so i have to cut them out. Sheet rock. Job site is still in the dusty stage so now is the time to do it. What are you using? Where can i get it?

I also have about 20 in-ceiling speakers on the porches/decks. Looks like 2" of MDF. Could be real wood but its up high and i havent looked at it closely. Been working on the lighting this week. There is a 4" hole in the center of each one. Since most of the large hole saw tools require the center point to guide it i have to block out the hole with 2"X2" to get a solid surface for the center point. Before i bother blocking all of them up... Is there a tool that compensates for this? Maybe lets you attach it at each end of a center hole ?

So something like this but with the ability to attach the two "flanges" to the drywall? Seems like it would be expensive to have the flanges stay put while the rest of the saw spins. Worth a shot.



Thanks

take a piece of .080 or so aluminum 6 inches square and drill a hole in the center the size of your pilot bit. Then drill 2-4 holes at the outside edge of the plate to secure it to the ceiling. center the hole there you want the speaker and cut away. if you extend the pilot bit as far as possible you will avoid egging out your hole in the aluminum.You could use steel but aluminum is easier to work with. I have one of these [Link: lsdinc.com] but mostly use it in wood,mdf situations. Order a couple of spare blade sets.

I have been using one like the lsd one, and now the lsd one, for almost 10yrs and I will say that it is the best $150 I spent. I'm on my third one, first lsd one. The first one I dropped off a ladder and the second one the counter weight loosened a little, smacked the plastic "support" and broke it. If and when the one I have now breaks I will get another.

+1 for the LSD cutter. i have one and the dust pan is great. i had one like you pictured above and it will do the job, but the dust is horrible and gets everywhere.
the LSD one is easy to use and works great, but it only cuts on one side so keep the drill perfectly perpendicular to the cutting surface to keep it from grabbing and possibly cutting outside of the hole. I have only used it on drywall.

I have used the LSD cutter for years. My only complaint is the dust it leaves on the ceiling. On painted flat ceilings it is sometimes hard to make it look like you were not there. And as one of my trainees learned, if you don't tighten it well the cutter will go to max width and you will have to call the drywaller back in.

Rotozip with the circle cutter. The LSD hole saw is a real pain

+3 on the LSD cuter

I have used the rotozip but it creates lots of dust

I just wish someone would make standard hole saws and be done with it

+4 LSD.

There is also one made by a company called holepro.
It's a dual blade design which I liked better than my LSD hole cutter.

+1 on holepro. Use it all the time. Interchanging blades. Have use it to cut drywall, wood, cement board. Pretty easy to use. Nice case.

[Link: holepro.com]

THREAD HIJACK
What is the most common size hole you need?

I use a rotozip with this

[Link: pro-team.com]

No drop clothes and ZERO dust. EVery truck should have a high quality dustless vac IMHO

Oex, while that works, its alot harder than just getting out a hole pro, dumping the "remains" and moving on to the next.

Whatever size is of the common speaker you install.

I have put wide painters tape on the ceiling where the "bowl" is in order to keep the dust from being a problem. Wiping the dust makes it worse you have to blow it with canned air. I vacuumed it once and that was BAD.

I'll have to look at the holepro. Maybe Dave will get my LSD one.