I just discovered that the pole for my new umbrella doesn't fit the pre-drilled hole in my plastic lumber deck table. I'm looking for suggestions on how to neatly enlarge the hole since it will be visible when the pole is inserted. An even circle would also help keep the pole stable. Any tips would be appreciated!
3 Answers
A good way to enlarge that hole is to use a hole saw. Since there’s no material for the pilot drill to grab onto, you should take a scrap piece of plywood or a board and drill the hole saw through that first. Then, clamp the plywood under your table—this will guide the saw and keep it steady while you work.
It depends on how much you need to enlarge the hole. I suggest clamping a 2x4 to the underside of the table and using a hole saw. The 2x4 will stabilize the pilot drill bit, preventing the hole saw from wandering around. Here’s an example of what to use: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/49-22-4185. Just remember, you don’t have to get that exact tool, it’s just a reference for the type you need.
You can also stack hole saws to get the job done! Use one that fits the existing hole as a pilot to keep everything centered, and then use a larger one for the size you want. Many mandrels, especially from Milwaukee, are long enough to allow you to stack them like that.