the square hole cutter (punch) for the 86 type electrical box, is a three-eighths inch shank, steel punch tool designed to eliminate one of the most difficult aspects of electrical installation, producing rectangular holes in walls for wall outlets and switches. The square hole cutter has been specifically designed to create the same rectangle holes as the standard 86 type electrical box used in many residential and commercial wiring jobs. As such, there is no longer a need for the use of a saw to manually cut out these holes, chisels to remove excess drywall material, nor multiple random drill holes.
Using a high-speed oscillation or rotation, the punch creates a clean and accurate edge on all sides of the opening, insuring the electrical box fits tightly against the wall with no extra space at any point. In addition to aesthetics, a proper fit is important structurally to insure the box does not move due to repeated insertion and removal of plugs.
The punch is constructed of heavy duty high carbon steel, making it suitable for the abrasive nature of drywall, plaster and thin wooden panels. Additionally, the 3/8-inch shank is a common size that can fit securely into almost any standard power drill or impact driver that will provide sufficient torque to push the cutting ends through the material with ease. Typically the punch contains four cutting edges arranged around each other so they strike the material at the same time to provide sharp corners and straight edges. This is a major improvement over traditional methods where obtaining sharp corners typically required additional clean up with a hand tool.
For electricians and contractors alike, the punch represents a giant step forward in productivity. Using this tool will allow you to quickly install dozens of electrical boxes per day without suffering from physical fatigue from manual cutting.
A significant benefit of using a dedicated square hole punch is the decrease in dust and debris. Since the punch removes a single, solid line along the entire edge of the box shape, much less air borne particle matter is generated than would be if using a drywall saw or a reciprocating blade. As such, this product is well-suited for renovations being performed in occupied homes or for projects in areas where cleanliness is a concern.
Additionally, by including a stop on the punch that limits how deep the cutting end may penetrate the wall cavity, users have a method of protection for any wires, pipes or insulation that may be hidden in the wall. If the cutting end were allowed to plunge too deeply into the cavity and potentially damaging these items could occur. Therefore, not only does the punch help protect the hidden components from damage and but it also protects potential future repairs that could be costly and hazardous.
Another factor contributing to the success is the ergonomic design of the punch. When focusing the force created by the drill onto a geometrically defined area of the punch and users can exert greater control over the location of the hole. With regard to levelness, 86-type boxes require extremely accurate leveling in order to achieve a professional-looking finished product. A punch will enable you to mark the wall just once, then make the cut knowing that when completed, it will be perfectly aligned.
The steel teeth on punches are frequently induction-hardened and can endure hundreds of cuts before losing their sharpness. Also, since there is an empty center portion to the punch, users can simply pull away and discard any drywall removed during punching operations. This "pull-out" function maintains maximum speed throughout successive applications.
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