Cutting holes for recessed lights in QuietRock...

[JDLee2020]

Hello

I need to cut holes for recessed lights in regular sheetrock and QuietRock. The QuietRock (QR) product I'm using is a 5/8" soundproofing drywall that consists of a layer of drywall and a layer of a material very similar to cement backer board.

It seems that using your X-200 or X-305 with the tungsten carbide blades would work well for this application. I have two questions:

1. Even though the lights I'm going to install now are just 5" and 6", I would like to have the ability to cut much larger holes that the X-305 offers. Other than losing a 1/4" on the minimum end of the capacity, is there a disadvantage to buying the X-305? Is it harder to work with for holes 8" and under?

2. What type of drill would you recommend I use with the QuietRock? I have a few cordless 18v and 24v drills, but I could also use a corded drill. What speed setting should I use on the drill? Is faster better?

Thanks!

[holepro]

The BT-002 tungsten carbide blades will cut through Quietrock though the expected life of the blades will be less than when cutting standard gypsum board.

The X-305 differs primarily from the X-200 in that it has a longer bar for the blade holders and requires a larger diameter shield. The shield on the X-305 has an outside diameter of 14" (355mm) while the X-200 shield has an outside diameter of 11-1/4" (285mm).

All 8" ceiling speakers require a large cutout up to 11" in diameter and for this the X-305 is well suited. The new Atlantic Technology 6" speakers take a 11" cutout for installation and so the trend is toward larger holes so the back-box can be inserted along with the speaker and saving quite a bit of time.

[JDLee2020]

Thanks, Holepro.

And my second question about the drill. Will a 24v cordless do? Or should I go corded? Should I set the drill to low or high speed (if it has a setting)?

Thanks,
Lee

[JDLee2020]

As to the drill and speed?

[holepro]

For a 5-6" hole through Quietrock I would expect that a 24 volt drill used at its low speed and high torque setting would be able to cut the holes. There are several versions of Quietrock, some with an aluminum sheet sandwiched between the two layers of gypsum and others with a vinyl sheet at the core, so the amount of torque required to cut it will vary greatly.

Usually with a material such as this it is best to use the lowest speed possible without stalling the drill. This lets the blades do the cutting will minimizing the load on the drill's bearings. If it has two or three gear reduction settings then use the setting that provides the lowest gearing and most drill torque.

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