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Put GP Plybead on porch ceiling. Put it right over recessed cans figuring it’d be easier to cut the holes later than to measure and cut and hope it all fit while handling the 4 x 8’s on the ground. Time has come to pay the piper. What’s the best way to cut this stuff w/o cutting the cans? A 7″ hole saw can’t be found. Can’t find a rotozip bit that works in this stuff. A jigsaw would probably cut through the can supports. I misplaced my light saber. Having a total mental block over the best way to cut the holes w/o damaging the cans. Advice? Thanks.
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This may take awhile. To get an easy answer, that is. And please don't take this wrong. I can honestly say I don't know of anyone that would have gone about it the same way. Unless of course they were using remodel cans. I would suppose the rotozip would work. Wear some goggles, it'll be a mess. Best of luck. Maybe cut the jigsaw blade to just long of the deep plunge. I spose you know the exact center. And get a downward cut jigsaw blade. Best of luck again.
*Flush cutting bit in a router?JonC
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Didn't take it wrong. Normally I don't do it that way either. Gotta try everything once. :) Influenced partly by the sheetrockers, who that day were rotozipping after hanging, and by trying to hang it all in the only day that week I had my helper. Figured I could cut it later alone. We did mark them all carefully. Might very well try the broken blade thing.
*Another good idea. I knew there was a tool slipping my mind--too many long hours to think of everything. Thanks!
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Greenlee electric has a 6 3/8 hole saw for cutting in cans. Just hang on tight
David
*watch out for the shortened jig saw blade thing. I'm envisioning several long trails of holes punched in the surface of your sheets. I hate that.
*I still can't figure out why the rotozip didn't work... you can't zip through that stuff like sheetrock, but it still seems like a safe, easily controlled approach to the job. Zippedly, Steve
*roto-zip does have special spiral cutters for different materials.. incl.. plywoodpractise...
*Get the 1/4" fast-cut bit for the Roto-zip. Hope you haven't lost the 1/4" collet for the little beast, but you can get a new one at the Depot. Also works better than the little bits for cutting door and window openings in drywall and doesn't break as easily. Great for cutting Dow board around window and door openings when sheathing.Or a 1/4" self-piloting plunge trimmer bit for a small router or laminate trimmer.
*Jim,Just don't ever do that again.........OK?Ed. Williams
*right.... let the FNG do it .. so you can point out to him what a great idea it seemed at the time...ah, yes.. no good deed goes unpunished...or.. the law of unintended consequences strikes again..why me, lord ?
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The (new) spiral bit we tried would catch the grain of the ply and jerk w/ a life of its own in the direction of its own choosing. Even bent the bit. And we've used a few tools over the years. We just assumed that it was meant for hardboard or other ungrained wood products. Can do fine w/ the tool in gypsum and durock, but not had luck in plywood. Will check out another store for better bit selection than my regular.
*What, did I say it was me that did this? Oh, ha ha ha. It was a friend, no, a guy at the neighboring job site. Yeah, that's it--it was them. (Whew, close call.)
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Though you've probably got it licked by now, how 'bout this. Take the biggest holesaw in your quiver and cut out (what you've got marked as) the center of the can. Peek inside, then take your tape and find the can. Transfer the measurements, add for the thickness of the can + clearance, drill a starter hole and with jigsaw in non-orbital and reasonable RPM make the cut.
*Just this week cut some square holes in GP Plybead, and also cut some holes in drywall for cans...lets combine the technology! Use the Roto-Zip "Wood" cutting bit, and get the circle cutting attachment. A few practice holes will get the exact size needed. Remember to use the "Wood" cutting bit, cause if ya force the drywall bit, or the bit that lets ya follow the utility boxes, you'll have to pour a cup of water into the wall so the burning embers don't cause a fire that keeps ya up all nite....see recent Roto-Zip postings! Circle cutter, and wood bit. Jeff
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Put GP Plybead on porch ceiling. Put it right over recessed cans figuring it'd be easier to cut the holes later than to measure and cut and hope it all fit while handling the 4 x 8's on the ground. Time has come to pay the piper. What's the best way to cut this stuff w/o cutting the cans? A 7" hole saw can't be found. Can't find a rotozip bit that works in this stuff. A jigsaw would probably cut through the can supports. I misplaced my light saber. Having a total mental block over the best way to cut the holes w/o damaging the cans. Advice? Thanks.
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Epilog
Tried several things today. The best turned out to be the router w/ a rabbetting bit that put the cut just beyond the edge of the can while rolling the bearing on the inside of the can. Actually was _very_ easy to do and this way of putting up the ceiling was, all in all, at least as easy as the alternatives. Thanks for the suggestions.