How to use a circle cutter (AKA FlyCutter)

[@kshred3043]

Thank you for this very clear and helpful video. I just purchased a cheap circle cutter for a one-off project. The instructions show the correct way to set up the blades, ie: oriented in the same direction . However it came assembled with the blades oriented in opposite directions which had me puzzled. You likely saved me a world of grief.

[@fishkingz1369]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I have been using the circle cutter incorrectly. You have describe with detail the proper way to use it. I appreciate it.

[@g-palloyd3600]

I’ve had one for years, just never used it.........now I know why! I thought you just set the diameter, stick it in drill press and cut away! Had no idea you had to make all those calculations/measurements! You may have saved me serious injury (or worse). First on “things to do today” list is to throw that darn thing away! Thanks!

[@TheBuildist]

Lol! I guess you can thank me for helping you to lighten your load, right?

[@g-palloyd3600]

@@TheBuildist yeah, kinda kidding, but there is more to it! Your vid a great help....thanks!

[@robertoswalt319]

Nice demo on setting up that hole cutter. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience

[@TheBuildist]

Thanks Robert! I appreciate it.

[@leo150125]

Thanks a lot mate. I was also using my hole cutter wrongly!! Luckily I just watched your video prior to tossing the tool into the bin. Thanks mate!

[@donf3739]

I was looking at these tools to drill a 1.35" hole in a plastic gas tank for a push-in mechanical gauge, but wasn't sure about the shapes of the cutters. Thanks for this very valuable information.

[@larryjohnson5597]

To much for me I just want to cut 5 holes 2 the same size and 2 the same size and 1 one size and then I’ll throw it away paid eight bucks for it at Harbor freight. Once I cut the five holes I’ll never use it again in my whole lifetime. All I want to know is what is the simplest and quickest way to adjust the cutters for somebody that’s not very smart.

[@5ymm]

Great tutorial. I used one of there when building my kitchen, worked beautifully on mdf and left a way cleaner hole than any hole saw I've used. I pre drilled the pilot hole through the mdf and well into a sacrificial piece of wood under it to keep it stable while using a battery operated drill. I regret not filming my first test that I did on a piece of cardboard that ended up getting torn into modern art and flung across the room.

[@hwfranjr]

So if I have a drill press it might be ok,but a hand drill you might loose your fingers,lol,no thanks.

[@clavicus]

Thank you I had no idea that's how this worked with a 'secondary' cleanup. I just figured they both cut in the same way.

[@ashokmoghe8035]

Your video made it clear how to setup the tool and the theory behind it. Thanks. Saved the video for future reference and also subscribed to your channel.

[@jaimenahman3889]

Thank you for the video. I've been setting up my fly cutter by the hit and miss method. Oh, my wife will probably not thank you for the suggestion that need a mill drill (but I will).

[@johngturner]

Word of the day: “curf” curf - 1 definition - noun. 1. curf, curfs -- an incision made by a cutting tool.

[@JARottenHeart]

Your video has been very helpful.

[@hwfranjr]

Seems great for working is ya got the press,

[@dantebbe]

You know, you might want to consider investing in a variety of tools. Working wonders with a swiss army knife is great and all, but your workshop could use a tool or two hanging on the wall.

[@TheBuildist]

You know what, now that you mention it, I Don't have enough tools! I'm going to have to get some....

[@johngturner]

😂😂

[@Taliesinson]

Nicely done! Now I know how to use mine!

[@dale1956ties]

I've had one of these for decades. Literally 30+ years but I've never used it. It just looked too dangerous to me and I never really needed a hole that a hole saw or forstner bit couldn't take care of. Now, I'll definitely keep the circle cutter in mind if the need should arise. That last bit with the saw blade as a modified cutter was genius as well. Thanks for sharing this inf.

[@mikedebany2904]

can i use without the pilot hole? I need small round discs without a hole.

[@TheBuildist]

It's possible, but tricky. You'll have to first cut a fullsize hole in a plate, say 1/4" or thicker steel, and then overlay that plate where you want to cut the discs. Then remove the pilot bit from the holesaw and do the same process as this video. The overlaid plate hole guides the holesaw. And the chip clearance hole will be drilled on the outside perimeter of the saw kerf instead of the inside.

[@johnswimcat]

This is engineering in wood

[@apsvend]

Thanks 😊 I just bought one at Home Depot 👍🏾

[@jm9841]

Fantastic tutorial. Helped us heaps cheers from down under.

[@Papa-gr2zi]

Thank you for posting. What rpm would you recommend for a 5” diameter hole? Thanks again!

[@TheBuildist]

I'm not sure. If there is a precise formula, I don't know it. On my machine I think it "felt good" around 250 rpm. That seemed to be fast enough that the chips flew clear and the tips cut clean, but not so fast that it seemed unsafe or unstable. My mill/drill is very stout and solid, and that's part of the decision as well. If it were in a smaller drillpress, I'd probably run it a bit slower. I wish I could be more precise, but I'd err on the side of caution: if it feels too fast for your comfort, then it is.

[@dirkpittcc]

What are you making that needs a hundred holes?

[@TheBuildist]

I made a display wall for my church with 100 bottles that are each lit with LED's from the bottom. It turned out really cool looking! The schedule was super-tight as I was going to be heading out of town, so no time to film it!

[@markkoons7488]

It's all easy when you know how, huh? Now I need to know where to get a similar fly cutter. Any suggestions? Also, what is the nomenclature of the sort of drill press you recommend? I've got a pair of not-so-good drill presses in my wood shop, one for wood, one for metal. An optimist friend is eager to buy the newer, flashier of these so I'm in the market for something to do really accurate work. Thank you.

[@TheBuildist]

As far as I can tell, no one is making them outside of China right now. Amazon carries one www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P3GBNVS as does harborfreight.com. www.harborfreight.com/carbide-tip-adjustable-circle-cutter-68117.html The drill press type of tool that I recommend is officially called a "round column mill". With the addition of a smooth-faced milling vise. It's officially made for steel. But I use it for wood all the time and love it. They are very heavy, but you want the biggest one that you can find. I've bought two of them used. One for $400 the other one for $250. But that was years apart and waiting for just the right bargain. To just go out and get one you'll pay $2,800 new and around $1,400 used. Hope this helps…

[@cyberspelunker1980]

Thanks, great video. Do you have any suggestions for cutting a circle so that a strip of wood remains in the center sortoff as a handle?

[@TheBuildist]

Do you mean something like a "do not enter" symbol? nothing comes to mind. But you could drill a hole and then do a larger counterbore from the backside. Then, looking from the front side, there would be a hole that has a shallow ring aka shallow rim. It would be easy to grip that ring/rim with your index finger.

[@Kufunklefec]

Why does my hole cutter only have one cutter holder?

[@TheBuildist]

Presuming you haven't lost one, I would suppose that you have one that is designed to cut the entire kerf with a single cutter. In that case the cutter would not make a slice in the material, but rather "dig a trench".

[@rodneykiemele4721]

Thanks, Great info

[@bozidarstosic3680]

Ok

[@brollin2flybrollin2fly49]

Unsafe

[@TheBuildist]

It will definitely hurt you if you misuse it.