Ok, this may sound a little simplistic, but search " 3" hole saw ". Milwaukee tools makes a pretty good hole saw. I do believe they go to 6 inches. Hope this helps.

Jay

 

Yes. And not to encourage y'all to Home Depot, but the Milwaukee set is on sale as a door buster for like $20 (I think) and you'll get multiple bits and sizes.

 

Just be careful big hole saws can hurt you if I they get away from you.

 

The simplest is a hole saw.
http://www.amazon.com/Hole-pieces-Mandrels-Install-Plate/dp/B001OC1958

I also used to have an adjustable auger bit like this: http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-44202-Lockhead-8-Inch-Adjustable/dp/B00004YO6I

I've done similar things to what you did when I couldn't find mine, and it's a long drive to the hardware store or they weren't open because of a holiday etc. A keyhole saw can work. A coping saw can work. A saber saw can work. A Sawzall can work.

But multiple holes will make less of a draft and spread out the air coming in more...

 

If only there was a saw made in the shape of a hole. Like a saw made for hole-ing. A hole saw or something.
Or a sharpie marker trace and a jig saw.

 

>If only there was a saw made in the shape of a hole.

You mean like this?

>>The simplest is a hole saw.
http://www.amazon.com/Hole-pieces-Ma.../dp/B001OC1958

 

You mean like this?

I was kidding

It's kind of funny to me that Beepro went through the trouble of making the hole, taking pics, uploading, making a post... but never googled how to cut a perfect circle in wood?

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...ect+circle+in+wood&aqs=chrome.0.0l6.4057j0j8&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Big hole saws bind easy. When I installed a vent fan in my bathroom up and through the attic then out the side of the house. Required a 4 1/4" hole and cut through a lot of different layers vinyl siding, sheeting, etc. It's like you're in a fight with the drill.

 

Sharpie to draw circle, 1/2" bit to drill starter hole, sabre saw to cut hole. Fairly fast even for me.

 

Keep a strong arm and let the drill kick away from you when you're using a hole cutter

 

make whatever size hole you want!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziGiTTqboEc

 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/hom....com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a7656/the-best-tools-for-drilling-big-holes/

 

Thx for this...I didn't know about self feed bits. I like to use the bigger hole saws in a press whenever possible.

 

Self feed bits have their own set of problems. They self feed! Can be near impossible to back off in a hurry when needed. They just keep on going. I'm using a Milwaukee right angle drill most of the time and the gearing on these doesn't stop rotation on a dime. If you hit a nail or knot or some such event, it can sucker punch you and leave you with bloody knuckles, especially on large diameter holes. Beware.

 

I love my Selfeed bits ... I think my largest is about 2 5/8" (the one I use to cut a hole thru my log walls for 2" conduit). They're great for deep stuff where a hole saw would have to be taken out so you can chisel out the plug. The shavings from a Selfeed are great smoker fuel, and the hole is really clean.

However ... Barry is right, these things want to keep on going. And if they hit a nail, you just made a mess of a very expensive tool.

 

Barry, don't you have a Beesource.com intern who's job description is includes self feeding bits?

 

That would be a good litmus test for sure!

 

I just pull out my 3" hole saw. If its an odd size I don't have a hole saw for, I pull out the fly-cutter. That thing is scary, though ... a pair of rods sticking out to grab loose clothing or smack you if you are careless.

 

Now I'm really confused. I thought is was a mason jar feeder hole. But then I noticed the hole is on the bottom of the nuc. What's the hole for?

 

What's the hole for?

Beetle trap?

 

Hole saw is the way to go. Get the deepest gullet you can. Many hole saws are designed for thinner sheet metal. If you try to cut deeper than the gullet the saw dust can't clear the hole. when this happens the teeth start to heat up and you can ruin the tool in a hurry.
Also, you get a much nicer hole by cutting halfway through the sheet and then finishing the cut from the other side.

 

For any hole, but especially the jigsaw route, my hardware store carries sanding "flap wheels". These are made of many flaps of sandpaper on a drill mandrel, and offer a way to quickly smooth the rough edges of holes. I always keep a few sizes in the drawer with the hole saws.

I mention this because some poor bee may make it her life's work to chew down any rough edges or splinters.

 

I thought about using my 3" hole saw to make the bottom a "semi" screened bottom board to help with ventilation, and to allow some trash and mites to drop.