DIYbanter - View Single Post - How to cut two 2 1/4" holes in vinyl soffit?

Pete C.

dpb wrote:

wrote:
I need to cut two 2 1/4" holes in a vinyl vent type soffit. The
holes will be next to each other for 2" PVC pipe to run through. The
soffit vent material is not flat. It's flat for a few inches then has
about a 1/2 dip, then flat again, etc. Any ideas on how to proceed?
It's at the top of the second story too, so access is only from a
ladder. Best thing I could come up with so far is a hole saw?
Also, I figure the back up plan if I screw up the holes is to cut a
square opening with a key hole saw and then find a piece of the same
vinyl soffit, cut the holes in that piece on the ground, then glue it
over the cut opening.

Any other ideas?

Hole saw work fine for the vinyl; question is what's behind it or is it
all there is at that point? If'en there's anything nearby to tack it
to, I'd predrill the holes in a piece of 3/8 or 1/2 ply and use it as
guide to avoid possibility of the holesaw grabbing an edge and yanking
me while I'm on the ladder.

Second this, I had the same idea. A guide template of plywood will keep
the hole saw on track, even if it looses it's center pilot. A piece of
ply long enough to span two rafters/joists should allow you to secure it
with a couple screws.

Depending on the particular vinyl, some is quite easily cut w/ sharp
utility knife. And, of course, if you happen to have it in the kit, the
Greenlee punch works as well as for sheet metal (altho it's mighty
pricey if you don't have )...

The punches also require access to both sides of the material. Someone
would be needed in the attic to reach the pilot hole and screw the punch
onto the drive stud.