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?

On Jun 24, 10:45*am, 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?

If you make sure your center bit is long enough you can do this with a
hole saw. It's going to want to grab bad when the saw part hits the
material. Since it's plastic you can run the drill in reverse and
that will lessen the grabbing. You still want a good grip on the
drill. If you have scrap it wouldn't be a bad idea to try it there
first.

wrote in message
...
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?

Cordless drill, low speed and the hole saw. Go slow and use light pressure.
Spin out in your center hole or pushing too hard are your greatest perils.

Every other "dip" on the soffit has the locking channel which will be much
harder to cut then if you are in the center of a single board. If possible
avoid that.


--
Colbyt
Please come visit http://www.househomerepair.com

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.

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 )...

--

On Jun 24, 10:55*am, 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?

Nothing behind it but air. Which I guess is good, because there is
nothing else to drill through. But it's bad because the thin plastic
is gonna want to bend and get away from the hole saw.



*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.

The grabbing was my concern too. Nothing to easily tack onto for a
guide either.


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 )...

--

No punches. And the punch would need access from behind too, no? I
can't get my hand in there from the attic, though there is room for
the pipe to pass.

I also like the other suggestion to use a cordless drill with good
speed control to try to lessen the grabbing.

On Jun 24, 11:06*am, wrote:
On Jun 24, 10:55*am, 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?

Nothing behind it but air. *Which I guess is good, because there is
nothing else to drill through. * But it's bad because the thin plastic
is gonna want to bend and get away from the hole saw.

*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.

The grabbing was my concern too. *Nothing to easily tack onto for a
guide either.



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 )...

--

No punches. *And the punch would need access from behind too, no? * I
can't get my hand in there from the attic, though there is room for
the pipe to pass.

I also like the other suggestion to use a cordless drill with good
speed control to try to lessen the grabbing.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As I said once before, reverse the drill. A holesaw will cut plastic
when run backwards.

"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
...
On Jun 24, 11:06 am, wrote:
On Jun 24, 10:55 am, 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?

Nothing behind it but air. Which I guess is good, because there is
nothing else to drill through. But it's bad because the thin plastic
is gonna want to bend and get away from the hole saw.

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.

The grabbing was my concern too. Nothing to easily tack onto for a
guide either.



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 )...

--

No punches. And the punch would need access from behind too, no? I
can't get my hand in there from the attic, though there is room for
the pipe to pass.

I also like the other suggestion to use a cordless drill with good
speed control to try to lessen the grabbing.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As I said once before, reverse the drill. A holesaw will cut plastic
when run backwards.

============

Two votes for that idea. A hole saw run in reverse will even cut soft
materials like car door panel fabric or vinyl. It should do fine with the
plastic he's dealing with.

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.

On Jun 24, 9:45*am, 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?

A fine tooth hole saw or a hole saw made for tile wont knock you off
the ladder if it kicks.

wrote in message
...
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?


Find a food can that is 2 1/4 inch diameter. Cut out the top. Heat with
propane torch. the upper edge. Press against the soffit and melt through the
plastic. Leaves a smooth edge. WW

On Jun 24, 10:17*pm, "WW" wrote:
wrote in message

...

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?

Find a food can that is 2 1/4 inch diameter. Cut out the top. Heat with
propane torch. the upper edge. Press against the soffit and melt through the
plastic. Leaves a smooth edge. WW

That's an interesting possibility and worth a try. If it works, it
would be very simple. I think what I need to do next regardless of
the approach is find a piece of similar or identical soffit material
so I can do some experimenting.

Thanks for the idea.

wrote in message
...
On Jun 24, 10:17 pm, "WW" wrote:
wrote in message

...

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?

Find a food can that is 2 1/4 inch diameter. Cut out the top. Heat with
propane torch. the upper edge. Press against the soffit and melt through
the
plastic. Leaves a smooth edge. WW

That's an interesting possibility and worth a try. If it works, it
would be very simple. I think what I need to do next regardless of
the approach is find a piece of similar or identical soffit material
so I can do some experimenting.

Thanks for the idea.

===========

What's your co-pay for an emergency room visit? Do you need your hands to do
your job?

On Jun 25, 9:41*am, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
wrote in message

...
On Jun 24, 10:17 pm, "WW" wrote:





wrote in message

...

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?

Find a food can that is 2 1/4 inch diameter. Cut out the top. Heat with
propane torch. the upper edge. Press against the soffit and melt through
the
plastic. Leaves a smooth edge. WW

That's an interesting possibility and worth a try. * If it works, it
would be very simple. * I think what I need to do next regardless of
the approach is find a piece of similar or identical soffit material
so I can do some experimenting.

Thanks for the idea.

===========

What's your co-pay for an emergency room visit? Do you need your hands to do
your job?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What exactly is so dangerous about heating up the end of a tin can or
similar and using it to cut cut through the soffit as opposed to any
other method, eg hole saw? You have heard of gloves, haven't you?

wrote in message
...
On Jun 25, 9:41 am, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:
wrote in message

...
On Jun 24, 10:17 pm, "WW" wrote:





wrote in message

...

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?

Find a food can that is 2 1/4 inch diameter. Cut out the top. Heat with
propane torch. the upper edge. Press against the soffit and melt through
the
plastic. Leaves a smooth edge. WW

That's an interesting possibility and worth a try. If it works, it
would be very simple. I think what I need to do next regardless of
the approach is find a piece of similar or identical soffit material
so I can do some experimenting.

Thanks for the idea.

===========

What's your co-pay for an emergency room visit? Do you need your hands to
do
your job?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

What exactly is so dangerous about heating up the end of a tin can or
similar and using it to cut cut through the soffit as opposed to any
other method, eg hole saw? You have heard of gloves, haven't you?

=====================

Pish posh. It's a silly idea. Buy a Dremel tool if you don't have one.
Everyone should. Their web site's got a guide to which bits would work best
for your job. Home Despot or Lowe's both carry the bits.

wrote in message
...
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?


A Dremel tool would do the trick. Variable speed would be a good idea to
keep from melting the plastic. That can clog the cutting bit, or fling hot
goo onto your skin. It's got a way of landing only where your goggles do NOT
provide coverage.