I'm trying to drill a 3/4-inch hole through Hardyboard siding on my house, but I'm not sure what the best tools to use are. Should I go with a diamond hole saw, or would a standard hole saw be adequate? Also, is it worth sharpening the standard hole saw afterwards? Any tips would be appreciated!
3 Answers
In my experience, unibit styles work quite well for drilling into Hardyboard, and they seem to hold up better than standard hole saws. And if you're using paddle bits, keep in mind they are also much easier to sharpen than regular hole saws. Just remember to drill a pilot hole first and then work your way up to the 3/4" bit.
You can use either a regular hole saw or a diamond hole saw. While a standard hole saw works fine and is quicker, just keep in mind it might dull after drilling just a few holes. Hardyboard isn’t as tough as concrete, so most bits can handle it pretty well, especially since it has a lot of cellulose fiber in the mix.
I've had success with paddle bits on Hardyboard. They might dull after making several holes, but you can get them for just a few bucks, so it's not a big deal for projects like bathroom remodels. Just be prepared to replace them if you’re drilling a lot of holes.