cutting a hole in plywood

[guillimot]

I have boxed in pipework running floor to ceiling in a shower room - half inch ply on batons- I want to cut a couple of access holes say 12" x12".
What is the best cutting tool to use, I was thinking of a multi tool (oscillating) or would a jigsaw be OK.
I presume that a dremel would,t go to half inch depth with the cutting discs.
any help on this would be appreciated.

 

[Burnerman]

I'd go for a jigsaw with a fine blade, after drilling start and finish holes first......but are these access doors going to be visible later?
John

 

[guillimot]

hi john, thanks for that, will prob leave as access holes but may tile over and screw back in position later,

 

[pinenot]

I would go for a 4" hole saw if it's for hand access, and use a strip gasket with a lip to fill the gap when refitting, is this a soil stack the pipe box is covering and is the access to an inspection cover?

 

[guillimot]

this is to get access to pipework for a shower, I think that I may need a larger hole, i thought that something like the Bosche PMF 180e all rounder may be the right tool but have never seen one in action

 

[Burnerman]

One of my techniques for tiling over access panels is to drill the tile and secure it with two screws (with plastic caps) and then very lightly grout the tile.
If access is needed, then slit the grout with a stanley knife, screws out and the tile is removed.
Probably not the best for a drenched area but works well enough.
John

 

[big-all]

can you remove the boxing in ??
if not the tool you can use depends on the pipe position and distance from the cover
a hole saw for example will need around 12 clearance for the saw and up to 25mm for the arbour[center drill]

 

[jockscott]

However you cut this hole, be aware of the pipework behind. You wouldn't want to use a jigsaw, start cutting then realise your going through the pipes as well.