Garage door “vault” lock – How to drill a 3/4″ hole?
I have a small garage and just installed a garage door opener for its 8′ w by 7′ tall 4-section standard insulated metal-sheathed door. There is no door in case the electric fails/opener breaks down. So I bought a cable release lock that you place in the front of the door. With a key, you turn it and then pull the cylinder out…which pulls the cable to release the door from the chain carrier so you can lift it open.
I say all that just to ask how to drill the required 3/4″ hole through the metal/insulation door panel. I have a 3/4″ hole saw as part of a hole saw kit, but I wonder if that is the correct tool to use on the door panel. The only other option I can think of is to start with a small 1/4″ bit, increasing in size til I get to 3/4″…if I can find a drill bit that large!
So what’s the answer? I don’t want to chew up the door until I know what I’m using will work. The metal seems an awfully thick gauge, and I’ve never used a hole saw on anything but wood before.
I have spade bits, but I didn’t think they would work on this steel door without destroying both them and the door? It is definitely steel sheathed, not aluminum and it was very hard drilling into it for screws for the opener. I’m thinking that wouldn’t work well????
Use a spade bit. You can get it in that measurment and it will make a clean hole.
The spade bit should tell you right away how it will handle. the center tip will be the first to penetrate. So you should be able to determine how the bit will work without damaging the bit or door.
There a two different styles of “holesaw” the heavier duty easily will go through the garage door I used them many a time to drill the required hole for 2″ connectors in bumpers.
Sheet metal on garage doors is actually very thin. A spade type or a hole saw will work, even if it is made for wood. Just start slowly and carefully. You can buy 3/4 steel bits but they aren’t cheap. You are better useing a spade bit and throwing it away.