where to find a good hole cutter

[Ginny C]

I'm looking for a good hole cutter. On the Clay Times website, Bill Gilder recommends "the most efficient hole cutter," a single tool, like an awl, with 2 sharp flanges on a tapered blade. It looks like you can make any size hole with this, by stopping at any point on the blade, and the clay would be easily removed, since it does not go inside a tube, as most hole cutters do. BUT THE SITE SAYS THE $12 ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE!) Does anyone know where this tool IS available??

 

 

Ginny Clark, Fort Wayne, IN

[TypicalGirl]

Ginny -

http://www.bigceramicstore.com/Supplies/Kempertools/kemper_holecutters.htm

 

bottom of the page.

I have one of these and its handy, but lots of times I prefer an actual hollow one.

There are some non-tuby kinds at ChineseClayArt.com

[bciskepottery]

I use a set of cheap drill bits -- they twist into leatherhard very well and you get a variety of sizes.

[icyone]

I just googled and found this... I seem to be able to go all the way to checkout so I assume it's not the same place you visited.

 

http://www.baileypot...Gildertools.htm

 

Hole Cutter

Here is what Bill has to say:

"The most efficient hole-cutting tool you'll ever use! The no-clog design makes hole-cutting quick and easy. Cut holes from 1/16" to 1/2" in diameter - with one tool. Extra-sharp blade edges cut through leather-hard clay cleanly, without excessive sanding to follow. Touch the tool point at the center of the hole to be cut. Add a slight pressure and twist to produce the perfect hole! Use the small end of the tapered handle to counter-sink and smooth hole edges. Cut hole patterns in colanders and sieves, garlic jars, potpourri pots, candle lamps, teapots and more..."

 

 

 

Hardwood tapered handle is 2-1/2" in length, metal cutting blade is 2-3/4" in length

 

 

 

C-098-07

Cutter Tool $12.00

 

 

[Pres]

I'm looking for a good hole cutter. On the Clay Times website, Bill Gilder recommends "the most efficient hole cutter," a single tool, like an awl, with 2 sharp flanges on a tapered blade. It looks like you can make any size hole with this, by stopping at any point on the blade, and the clay would be easily removed, since it does not go inside a tube, as most hole cutters do. BUT THE SITE SAYS THE $12 ITEM IS NOT AVAILABLE!) Does anyone know where this tool IS available??

 

 

Ginny Clark, Fort Wayne, IN

 

 

I have used the Gilder type tool and love it. However many time you want an odd shaped hole, and in this case the local hobby supply store will help a lot. They have assorted metal tubing that comes in a variety of round and square shapes. Cutting the tubing with a hack saw at an angle will give you some really nice hole cutters that will last you a long time. I often use two sizes together-one smaller than the actual cutter to push out the plug. Square ones of these work really well for windows in slab houses or thrown projects where patterns of square holes are desired.

[~janie]

Re: I have used the Gilder type tool and love it. However many time you want an odd shaped hole, and in this case the local hobby supply store will help a lot. They have assorted metal tubing that comes in a variety of round and square shapes. Cutting the tubing with a hack saw at an angle will give you some really nice hole cutters that will last you a long time. I often use two sizes together-one smaller than the actual cutter to push out the plug. Square ones of these work really well for windows in slab houses or thrown projects where patterns of square holes are desired.

 

I use tubing like this a lot, and I like that I have a good servicable tool that will last a long time. I usually cut a spot from the side of the tubing, starting about 1" from the bottom. I just trim the side of the tubing off, leaving a hole in the side of the tube. I will make this opening about 1" long. I can use it to push clay from the cutter easily with a wooden skewer. It keeps the tubing from clogging up, and is an easy solution to that problem.

[Benhim]

I used to use drill bits which work fairly well when the clay is hard leather hard. I like the thick straws you can get from the Bubble Tea places. They're durable, but they are usually quite large. For teapot strainer holes I use a smaller thick plastic straw. Any tough straw that is designed for drinking a frozen drink or milk shake. Freezing the straw also helps to stiffen the plastic long enough to get some holes punched in a pot.

[MichaelP]

Van Gilder Hole Cutter

 

http://www.vangilderpottery.com/_p/prd12/1286265301/product/hole-cutter

 

http://www.theceramicshop.com/product/1739/Hole-Cutter-Van-Gilder/?gclid=CLXcou-XgtECFQgOaQodzx0GDQ

 

http://www.clay-king.com/pottery_tools/van_gilder_tools.html

 

P.S. I know it's an old thread, but I hope the updated links may be helpful for someone besides myself.

[Mark C.]

I have many hole cutters-all brass-you can make your own very easy as Pres says at any hardware or bobbie store from brass tubbing.

Kemper makes a set of different diameters as well.

[What?]

Bullet casings. For the cheap homemade tool.

[Callie Beller Diesel]

+1 for a set of drill bits.

[Sputty]

.

[Rex Johnson]

 

 

I have used the Gilder type tool and love it. However many time you want an odd shaped hole, and in this case the local hobby supply store will help a lot. They have assorted metal tubing that comes in a variety of round and square shapes. Cutting the tubing with a hack saw at an angle will give you some really nice hole cutters that will last you a long time. I often use two sizes together-one smaller than the actual cutter to push out the plug. Square ones of these work really well for windows in slab houses or thrown projects where patterns of square holes are desired.

 

 

This ^^^

Copper tubing in various sizes cut at an angle is the same as is sold in ceramics outfits.