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My first boss in Phoenix told me to always use a 4-inch hole saw for door contacts, but after cracking three frames in a row, I switched to a 3-inch.
Now I'm curious, what's your go-to method for installing those surface-mount contacts on old wooden doors without causing damage?
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wyatt_sullivan406mo ago
Lindagreen has the right idea with the pilot hole and masking tape. I always drill a small guide hole first, then use a sharp 3-inch hole saw at a low speed on the drill. The key is to pull the saw back out once or twice to clear the wood chips, which keeps it from binding and splitting the frame. Letting the tool do the work is way better than pushing hard.
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pat_perry4mo ago
Pilot hole and tape is fine for soft pine or MDF, but try that on oak or maple and you will still get tearout. Low speed is a must, but I have had better luck with a forstner bit than a hole saw for clean holes. Hole saws tend to grab and wander even with a pilot if the wood is dense. The real issue is people using dull bits and blaming the wood. Sharp tools fix most of these problems before they start. Is your hole saw actually sharp or just new?
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lindagreen6mo ago
Oh man, that's rough. I saw a tip online about using a sharp spade bit and going real slow, letting the bit do the work instead of forcing it. They said to drill a small pilot hole first to guide it, and maybe even put some masking tape over the spot to keep the wood from splintering.
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