Recommendation for hole saws

RonMiller

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Joined
Oct 17, 2009
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380
I do alot of cabinet installations and am tired of the performance of the Rigid hole saws I bought a few years ago. They're ok and clean out fairly well but they dull too easily. So, what better options are there? Most of what I'd be doing is drilling the backs of cabinets for plumbing lines and the occasional 2x4.
 
I'm not one for making a lot of big holes, but over the years I've formed an opinion ...

Anything that's "no-name diamond/carbide/tugsten/etc" ignore - they'll be rubbish.

Power tool branded sets of hole saws (and drill bits, etc) can be good or bad - they vary their suppliers based on price/profit.

Brands that are known for saw blades (Bahco, Sandvik, Lenox) tend to be ok.

From a use perspective, I could be running these things too fast, too slow - dunno, but my usage is at least consistent over the years.

... probably wait for a more intelligent response !
 
Bi-metal Milwaukee hole saws, Also used them for cutting through 1/4" mild steel I-beams with no problem.

John
 
I've used Milwaukee and Bosch with good success, but for cabinet work, nothing beats a Forstner bit for a clean cut.  If you're going to use a grommet, cleanness of cut is almost irrelevant, though. 

[smile]
 
Festoolfootstool said:
Guy Ashley said:
There was this thread a few weeks ago about storing hole saws in a systainer.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/putting-a-hole-saw-colection-in-a-sys/

The erstwhile Kenneth Nagrod rated the Lennox set which I believe are available in the US

Here in the UK the Starret hole saws are good

Erstwhile ? whats happened?

Got the naughty step for risque posts. [eek] Should be back today if is ear has stopped ringing!! [laughing]
 
Though I/we have never used them, there is a set of hole saws out there that appear to be very well made, heavy duty, extremely easy to get the plugs out and stack in such a way that were one to drill the wrong size hole (smaller)  [huh], one could easily redrill the correct size hole by using the smaller size and the correct size at the same time.  The smaller the hole, the longer the hole drill.  [cool]

Saw them at a couple of shows over the past year or two.  Saw them for the first time at the Woodcraft in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

 
GreenGA said:
Though I/we have never used them, there is a set of hole saws out there that appear to be very well made, heavy duty, extremely easy to get the plugs out and stack in such a way that were one to drill the wrong size hole (smaller)  [huh], one could easily redrill the correct size hole by using the smaller size and the correct size at the same time.  The smaller the hole, the longer the hole drill.  [cool]

Saw them at a couple of shows over the past year or two.  Saw them for the first time at the Woodcraft in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

actually i have found that some of the cheaper hole saw arbors allow you to screw on 2 hole saws and do the same thing. havent checked any high end ones but the middle of the road ones dont
 
junk said:
Bi-metal Milwaukee hole saws, Also used them for cutting through 1/4" mild steel I-beams with no problem.

John

I have the Milwaukee hole saws as well and have worked well for me. I am not a professional but did use them for renovating an apartment a few months ago and they did get good use.
 
Lenox "speed slot"

don't know why they went with a name like that but these are what i'm going to put my money in. they are a thin walled bi metal hole saw. the sets with 1/3 teeth look great, but don't provide a clean cut like bi metal. the "speed slot" is a stepped slot on the side that allows easy prying of the plug. if you want the more aggressive 1/3 tooth pattern look at "blue boar". heard nothing but great things about them.
 
Does anyone have an opinion on the different grades that Milwaukee tauts, including, "Ice Hardened"?

Tom
 
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