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All-In [49333]
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I need to cut an 7" circle in the top of the main trunk duct in basement. tips?
May 2, 2024, 12:41 PM
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I'm moving a floor vent in our master bath to enlarge our shower whilest converting from a fiberglass 1-piece to a tile shower. Accessible in basement, but tight. Sheet metal trunk runs across the middle of the bedroom/bathroom wing, next to the bearer. On one side of the bearer, joints are on 16" centers, and on the side I'm going in from, 12" centers. So there there a joist in the way on the other side due to spacing. Also on the side I'm going in from are 2- pvc 3" pipes for gas furnace intake & exhaust. And some wiring. See pic.
So, tight. My space to cut the 7" (I think, hard to measure with all the sealing tape) hole is 10 1/2" wide between the joints, 9 1/4" high, duct is 16 1/2" wide.
I've got a Dremel 4000 kit, which has a right angle adapter, and a tungsten carbide cutter bit. I also have the circle cutting jig attachment, but can't use it cause too tall. Thinking I'll cut a square of the insulation off as large as possible, leaving enough to tape to when reinstalling. Then draw a circle, maybe using a cardboard template. Drill a starter hole, cut out circle with Dremel. Maybe use a mirror to see what I'm doing.
Solid advice, humorous remarks, and prayers are welcome. The hole in the floor for the vent will be much easier. I don't think I can hire somebody with the capability to do this, but it's a small, PIA job.
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Hall of Famer [23080]
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Re: I need to cut an 7" circle in the top of the main trunk duct in basement. tips?
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May 2, 2024, 12:53 PM
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Are you replacing any bathroom floor tile? If so, drill from the top-down instead of bottom-up.
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All-In [49333]
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yes, which is why the hole for the floor vent will be easier. But that's an idea
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May 2, 2024, 1:01 PM
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the trunk is not accessible from the bathroom, there's an interior wall and the bedroom above it.
But now that you mention it, I could go up from the bottom of the duct, cut the hole in the top, then patch over the hole in the bottom of the duct. Probably way easier.
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All-In [46957]
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All-In [49333]
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well now, that's nice.***
May 2, 2024, 1:03 PM
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All-In [46957]
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One thing I've learned, just buy the tool instead of trying to make something
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May 2, 2024, 1:13 PM
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work.
You'll probably end up needing it later in life for something else anyways.
BTW I have a mallet nailer for sale if you're putting in hardwood
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All-In [49333]
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particularly if I'm going up from the bottom of the duct. Then I could use
May 2, 2024, 1:18 PM
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that hole saw with my drill. Don't think a Dremel would power a 7" hole saw.
And no freakin way I'll ever crawl around on my knees and operate a mallet nailer.
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Oculus Spirit [81555]
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Its on a round duct, isn't it?
May 2, 2024, 2:33 PM
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That's gonna end up being a lot bigger than a 7" hole, and it won't be a hole..it will be an oval. A BIG oval. Bigger than your ductwork, unless you get inventive about wrapping the duct around your now oval.
You don't need a 7" hole anyway. I'd use some tin snips.
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All-In [49333]
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Oculus Spirit [75936]
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Well ####, we are thinking alike and that worries me every time.
May 2, 2024, 1:26 PM
[ in reply to Re: I need to cut an 7" circle in the top of the main trunk duct in basement. tips? ] |
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Unless you are listening to Turnpike or Tyler Childers or something.
Also I doubt you actaully learned to just "buy the tool." From you that sounds like answering one of those job personality screening by saying "I love working with teams of people on challenging projects."
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Oculus Spirit [75936]
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Hall of Famer [24438]
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Re: I need to cut an 7" circle in the top of the main trunk duct in basement. tips?
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May 2, 2024, 1:29 PM
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Draw circle, poke hole enough to get tin snips in and then cut the hole out with the snips
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Hall of Famer [24438]
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Re: I need to cut an 7" circle in the top of the main trunk duct in basement. tips?
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May 2, 2024, 1:31 PM
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Unless it's too tight of a space to cut
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All-In [49333]
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not enough space to cut from top w/ tin snips.
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May 2, 2024, 2:23 PM
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after looking at it in detail to post, the way is to go up from the bottom of the duct. Room to use hole saw with drill for the top hole to attach duct, easier to attach the collar the flex duct hooks to from the inside. I can cut a decent size hole on the bottom w/snips or jig saw, and just patch it when I'm done.
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Hall of Famer [24438]
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Re: not enough space to cut from top w/ tin snips.
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May 2, 2024, 2:39 PM
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That should work. Be safe - easy to get cut around that stuff.
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All-In [49333]
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tile guy is coming back in next day or two to measure
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May 2, 2024, 3:00 PM
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master bedroom for new floor in there too. Not sure what the time frame is for starting to work, so I want to be on top of this little bit that's my responsibility.
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Replies: 15
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