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Have you ever wondered how to achieve perfectly circular cuts in materials as hard as marble? The answer is simple: Using a hole saw. This special tool allows us to cut any surface or material easily, making perfect holes for taps, hoses or lights.
Hole saws are a very popular widespread tool among decorators, construction workers and DIY enthusiasts. They can be used for a wide variety of tasks. Hole saws are also easy to use. This article will explain everything you need to know about the hole saws and discuss the best models.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 Our recommendation: The best hole saws on the Australian market
- 3 Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about hole saws
- 3.1 What are hole saws exactly?
- 3.2 What are the parts of a hole saw?
- 3.3 What are bi-metal hole saws?
- 3.4 What types of hole saws are there?
- 3.5 Main applications of each type of hole saw
- 3.6 What are the optimal speeds for hole saws?
- 3.7 How do you use a hole saw?
- 3.8 Should I drill dry or should I lubricate the hole saw?
- 3.9 Advantage and disadvantages of using a hole saw
- 3.10 Advice for using a hole saw
- 4 Shopping criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- Hole saws have a cup attachment that makes holes.
- Harder materials, such as ceramics or concrete, will require the use of lubricating liquids such as oil or water. The depth to which you can drill will be determined by the shape of the cup attachment.
- Most manufacturers recommend that you use variable speed drills to make cuts with hole saws.
- Hole saws, especially those with diamond-grain teeth, need careful care to prolong their useful life.
Our recommendation: The best hole saws on the Australian market
These days you will find a wide variety of hole saws on the market. Unless you are a professional builder or carpenter, it can be confusing to know which is the best one. To help you with the process, we have selected the five best crown saws for you – let’s check them out.
DEWALT Standard Electricians Bi-Metal Hole Saw Kit
This kit of various sized hole saws means you will be able to cut whichever sized hole you require! It comes with an exclusive tooth and set guide for best results. It also boasts an innovative deep-cut design, meaning you can cut deeper and into more objects and surfaces than before.
These hole saw bits are designed to be tough and resilient, with substantial, toughened backing plates avoid damage. They are made of M3 steel, tough enough to withstand any kind of job site. Additionally, the enlarged bi-metal section adds to endurance.
LENOX Tools Bi-Metal Speed Slot Hole Saw
This hole saw kit includes all of the most commonly used hole saw sizes, so should have you covered. The saw bits have extra wall thickness for better durability and minimising tooth loss. Its special optimised tooth design means the saw will easily penetrate metal.
This kit from Lenox offers faster cutting, thanks to larger, sharper teeth. Its unique speed slot staircase design gives easy plug ejection making work easier than ever.
Uxcell Diamond Coated Drill Bit Marble Glass Hole Saw
This 6-piece set of hole saw drill bits with a cutting hole diameter of 6mm and a shank hole diameter of 4mm. Each saw has a diamond coated cutting hole, great for making clean and accurate hole on glass and tile.Suitable for drilling marble, tile, ceramic, glass, porcelain, granite, stone, ideal replacement for the old or damaged ones.
The hole saw drill bits are silver coloured and each has a weight of 20 gram. They are best used in combination with an electric drill.
Forstner Drill Bit Set
This 10 piece drill bit set from Forstner is made of tungsten steel for tougher, more resilient hole saws. They set covers various sizes, from 15mm to 50mm, with individual titanim coated drill bits for use to drill hole in any direction in wood, and for making arched openings.
They are made from Tungsten steel and being hot-treated, the blade is characterized by high accuracy, smooth cutting operation, good resistance to shock and good toughness. It includes two spurs, two precision ground cutting edges, for long-lasting cutting performance. They drill precise flat bottom holes with no chipping in any thickness of soft wood.
ASIV Tile Hole Saw
These diamond drill bits are specifically designed for glass, porcelain, ceramic, granite or stone. The 15 piece set comes with drill bits in various sizes from 6mm to 50mm.
The drill bits are made from high strength carbon steel, which is highly durable but delivers smooth results. They give superior performance and cutting strength while being very long lasting.
Shopping Guide: Everything you should know about hole saws
Hole saws are an extension that is used with an electric drill or screwdriver to make circular holes. They are quite simple tools to use, but also extremely handy ones thanks to their versatility and functionality. Below, we will explain everything you need to know about crown saws.
In order to cut very hard materials such as concrete or cement, it is better to moisten the tool with some water. (Source: Yuri Minaev: 104913878/ 123rf.com)
What are hole saws exactly?
What are the parts of a hole saw?
Below we will explain the most important parts of a hole saw:
- A cylinder or cup: This is the most important part of the hole saw. Normally it will be made of carbon steel, one end has a serrated edge and the other is fits to the motoring device
- Adjustment system: It is the part in which the drill engages. It is usually a thread or nut that is connected to the drill and serves to centre and guide the cut.
- Slots: The wall of the cup may have holes. These serve to extract the dust and prevent it from accumulating inside, which could slow down the bit and cause problems in the cut.
Hole saws are designed with the specific material in mind that they are going to cut.
(Source: Guy Ozenne: 25757991/ 123rf.com)
What are bi-metal hole saws?
Bi-metal hole saws combine two types of steel to form the edge of the cutting end: high-speed steel and soft elastic steel. Both form a durable edge that allows you to cut at high speed on all types of materials. In addition, this combination helps the tool to be much more durable.
What types of hole saws are there?
The below table shows the different types of hole saws and their characteristics:
| Type of material | Type of saw | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| By material | Soft materials | To work with wood or plaster.
The most commonly used type in cabinet making, decoration and construction. |
| By material | For concrete | Ideal for working with very hard materials.
It’s best to choose a high-quality saw. |
| By material | For tiles | Have a diamond edge.
Cuts cleanly without breaks or cracks. Works with low revolutions. Cool the blade with water in order to extend its useful life. |
| By material | For metal | Ideals for all types of metals (ferrous and non-ferrous).
Offer a high level of cutting quality Frequently used in workshops. |
| By design | Adjustable | Very practical, as the cutting diameter can be adjusted.
Can do a variety of tasks. |
| By design | Various | Set of cylindrical saws in various sizes.
Let you make different sized holes. |
Main applications of each type of hole saw
The pitch of the saw’s teeth is measured in the number of teeth per centimetre or inch. A saw with teeth that are an equal distance apart will be labelled “regular” or “constant.” If a saw is labelled “different step” it means the teeth are grouped at regular intervals along the saw.
We have prepared an orientation chart for reference detailing l the main applications of the different types of hole saws.
| Type of saw | Available diametres | Recommended speeds depending on the material | Maximum cutting depth | Materials it can cut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bimetal, constant step. | 14-210 mm | 25-3000 RPM | 41 mm | Metals, stainless stell, cast iron, brass, aluminium, plaster, non-ferrous materials, wood, PVC. |
| Bimetal, variable step. | 14-210 mm | 25-3000 RPM | 41 mm | Metals, astainless stell, cast iron, brass, aluminium, plaster, non-ferrous materials, wood, PVC. |
| Diamond. | 14-151 mm | 150-1200 RPM | 41 mm | Acrylic, ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, fibreglass, masonry, brick. |
| Carbide edge. | 19-152 mm | 20-3200 RPM | 41 mm | Formica, fibreglass, plaster, floating floors, wood veneers. |
| Carbide grains. | 22-114 mm | 100-1000 RPM | 41 mm | Non-metallic materials, floating floors, fibreglass. |
| Carbide edge for laminates. | 15-100 mm | 65-800 RPM | 13 mm | Metals, stainless steel, non-ferrous materials. |
| To use with cordless drills. | 16-38 mm | 70-700 RPM | 13 mm | Metals, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals. |
| To use with cord drills. | 16-38 mm | 70-700 RPM | 13 mm | Metals, stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, plaster. |
| Carbide edge, multipurpose. | 19-159 mm | 300-1000 RPM | 54 mm | Wood, wood veneer, formica, plastic, acrylics, plaster, floating floors, glass, fibreglass, ceramics, tiles, masonry. |
What are the optimal speeds for hole saws?
To cut, for example, wood and plastic, you need a number of revolutions approximately 10 times greater than you would need to cut steel. It is for this reason that it is recommended to use the hole saws with variable speed drills since they are the only ones that will allow you to adjust the revolutions.
Hole saws are classified by the number of teeth per centimetre or inch.
(Source: Vladimir Grigorev : 57978110/ 123rf.com)
How do you use a hole saw?
If you want to know how hole saws work in general, we explain below:
- Using a pencil, draw a circle where you want to drill and mark the centre of the circle.
- Insert the pilot drill into the drill and make sure that you hold it firmly so that it does not come loose.
- Mount the hole saw on the shaft that passes through the end of the shank and through the opening in the bottom of the saw. The pilot drill should protrude between 0.63 and 0.95 cm from the saw teeth.
- Install the cup saw in the drill. The end of the rod is placed on the mandrel and make sure it fits well.
- Plug in the drill and align the pilot drill with the centre of the marked circle.
- Turn on the drill. Remember to keep your hand steady and perpendicular to the work surface. It is advisable to apply light pressure. , Drill part of the hole and remove the saw. Repeat this procedure as many times as necessary to complete the task. This will reduce friction and lengthen its life.
Should I drill dry or should I lubricate the hole saw?
To drill on materials as hard as concrete or cement, it is best to lubricate with water. Otherwise, the excess heat generated during the drilling process can make the edge of the saw lose and, therefore, reduce its lifespan and negatively affect performance.
There is a type of saw for each kind of work.
(Source: Juan Antonio Garcia: 22479711/ 123rf.com)
Advantage and disadvantages of using a hole saw
Among the main disadvantages are that you need a variable speed electric drill to use a hole saw. Cleaning is another problem as the cups can get clogged if all excess materials are not removed from them.
Advice for using a hole saw
- First of all, follow the usual safety regulations. Wear protective glasses, appropriate clothing and, if you have long hair, tie it up.
- The instructions of the manufacturers are fundamental. Read the manual and follow the instructions.
- Do not rush to make the cut, let the saw do its job. If you see smoke it is caused by you working too fast or because the saw is worn.
- Whenever you extract the material from the cup, be sure to remove the remaining chips and all the residue. This will prevent the holes from clogging. Typically, multipurpose hole saws incorporate slots to facilitate the extraction of waste material.
- If the perforated button is stuck to the saw, remove it with a screwdriver.
- When cutting most metals (except cast iron) and ceramics, it is recommended to use coolant.
- If you cut tempered steel, vitrified ceramics or materials that incorporate concrete it is better to use hole saws with teeth or diamond grains.
- Unless they are specifically manufactured for this purpose, do not use cordless drills with hole saws, as these do not have enough power and the motor will burn.
If you are thinking of working with a wireless drill, there are models of crowns made specifically for them.
(Source: Adam88x: 34965305/ 123rf.com)
Shopping criteria
Hole saws are tools designed to make large holes. Unlike drills, they are specifically for making large diameter holes. You’ll find a range of different hole saws on the market these days, so here are some of the things to keep in mind when buying one.
Material and thickness
Cup saws are designed for a specific type of material. For example, metal saws that are made of carbon steel will allow you to work on all types of ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces. You will also find saws for wood and softer materials. In general, multipurpose hole saws are used for construction work. These will work on stone plaster and thin metal sheets. These are ideal for electrical work, such as connecting pipes and cables to electrical panels.
Type of step
As we have already explained in the previous section, the step is the distance between the teeth. This is an important factor. In our table we explain which steps are appropriate for which material. , The length and shape of the teeth will determine the type of material on which you can work. Before choosing your hole saw, read the manufacturer’s insert carefully and look at our table.
Type of teeth or edge
The type of material that covers the teeth determines what material can be cut by the hole saw. In this way, bimetallic holes are ideal for working with metals, wood and plastics. Those with carbide tips work on fibreglass, Formica and other soft materials. For cuts in hard materials such as concrete or ceramic and tiles, you should look for hole saws with teeth coated with diamond or diamond-edged grain.
For the best power, you need to use a drill with a variable speed.
(Source: Wichien Tepsuttinun: 52853635/ 123rf.com)
Suitable drill
Manual and especially cordless drills do not usually have enough speed to reach the required number of revolutions per minute recommended by hole saw manufacturers. If you plan to work with a cordless drill, make sure you purchase a hole saw specifically manufactured for this type of drill. When choosing a hole saw you should look at the diameter of the drill chuck and select the correct size. If you choose a saw that does not fit your drill, you would be wasting your money.
Speed
As we have already explained, not all the hole saws work at the same speed. Look closely at the revolutions per minute they need to work and what kind of material you can use depending on this factor. The speed will depend on the diameter of your saw, the smaller diameter plus the speed of rotation. To cut soft materials, such as plastic or wood, you will need many more revolutions than to drill into concrete. It is for this reason that it is recommended that hole saws be used with variable speed drills.
Not all hole saws have the same speed, which is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).
(Source: Olaf Speier: 41496757/ 123rf.com)
Depth
The hole saw you choose determines how deep it can cut. You should choose the type of hole saw which will suit the hole you wish to drill. There are models which drill holes with a smaller diameter and plenty of depth, and others which do the opposite. As a general rule, large diameter holes tend to have less depth. Look carefully before choosing and always do it according to your needs. If you’re not going to need to drill deep holes, don’t choose own with a long drill bit.
Summary
The hole saws are, basically, a type of cylindrical saw that can cut holes of a certain depth. These saws are used for masonry, decoration and woodwork. They are also used by electricians and masons in the construction industry.
Choosing the best hole saw in the market is not easy. There are a great variety of models. Your choice will depend on the jobs you want to do. We’ve told you all about the hole saws so you can choose the best one.
If you liked the article, leave a comment or share with your friends and family to find the best hole saw in the market.
(Source of the featured image: Alexandr Makarov: 14805039/ 123rf.com)
