Favorite Cutting Tool or Method

[Training Wheels]

I'll never buy another Ridgid tool. Bought into their "lifetime guarantee". Never got a thing. Ended up throwing everything out.

[svinshallah]

Another +1 for Front Panel Express. I've used their custom panels on 4 different boats. You can't make panels yourself for less cost unless your time is cheap.

[Bleemus]

One word. Fein.

[S/V Antares]

Quick tip....Most small round gauges are 52mm or 2-1/16". If you have a 2" hole saw squeeze it in a vise to make it a bit oval....It will clear the chips easier and make a perfect hole for most gauges.

[Cotemar]

The Ryobi 18V One+ Multi-Tool did the trick for me this weekend to cut a new opening in a cabinet.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by S/V Antares

Quick tip....Most small round gauges are 52mm or 2-1/16". If you have a 2" hole saw squeeze it in a vise to make it a bit oval....It will clear the chips easier and make a perfect hole for most gauges.

Or get a 2-1/16" hole saw.
➥ ROBOT WARNING - at the Test Equipment Depot

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Suijin

The Fein Multimaster is the king of multi-tools. Nothing else even comes close. I replaced 9 port lights bedded in 5200, using other multi-tools for the first half of them. Someone lent me a Fein, and after a few hours of using it I went out and bought one and sold my two other multi-tools on eBay.

The thing is a powerful beast, but precise.

That said, if I have a rectangular cutout, I have a Rigid compact router that I will grab first, tacking guides on the center/waste piece of the cutout (and then a straightedge and squeeze clamps for the last cut). If I'm going to cut square opening in something, it's going to look good, even if it gets covered up. Downside is the amount of sawdust cutting with a router is epic lol.

Ohman... I remember your portlight thread... Still induces the cold sweats to any reader...

And you ain't kidding about the dust production from the handheld routers! Fairly mind boggling... But I do love 'em...

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Or get a 2-1/16" hole saw.
➥ ROBOT WARNING - at the Test Equipment Depot

If he has a good one all he needs is the blade. The mandrel is one size fits all and is the expense. I, kind of, can't imagine an egg shaped hole saw. Then again I've never tried it.