Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a portable hole cutting apparatus for cutting circular bolt holes in metal plate and the like is disclosed having a base, and a generally upright frame to which is attached a yoke carrying a pair of vertically spaced-apart bearings mounted for rotation in the yoke, and a vertically oriented elongated drive tube journaled for rotation in the bearings. A drive means such as a manual crank, or an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic motor is mounted on the frame and through a reduction gearbox and a chain or belt driving means drives a sprocket or pulley mounted on the top end of the drive tube by means of a chain or belt. Attached to the lower end of the rotatable drive tube is a bracket that rotates with the drive tube. A cutting torch is mounted on a holding bar which is slideably attached to the bracket for permitting the cutting torch to be positioned laterally for varying the radius of the circular holes to be cut.