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Hole saw kits

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mike93lx

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I've been using a harbir freight hole saw kit for a while that has actually treated my decently. The arbor doesn't stay tight and it is a PIA to eject plugs but it cuts and came with a hell of a range. For sizes that are important, like door knobs I have tended to buy higher quality individual saws when needed.

It's time for a new set. I like the looks of the Spyder arbors and think I want a carbide tip.

This is what I was thinking. Any suggestions?

 
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riceaterSLC

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I have that kit and like it a lot. compared to the lenox brand saws i'd pick up on an as needed bases, the spyder is much better.
I'm only a home user but i've used it to cut dozens of holes for recessed lighting, a couple of holes for bathroom exhaust fans through siding & sheathing, and a bunch of other things i can't remember. i don't think you'll be disappointed with that kit.
 
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Rinspeed

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mike93lx said:
I'm not buying another no name Chinese junk set. They serve a purpose, but at least for me, it's time for an upgrade
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I'm with you 100% but I wouldn't be surprised if they are just as good, and possibly made in the same factory, as any DeWalt Milwaukee or Klein you will find at HD or Lowes. If you're going to buy made in China goods you should at least get made in China prices.
 
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mike93lx

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Handyandy23

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I have a couple single sizes in those Spyders and I was really happy with them. My house has Hardie Board siding which is cement based so needed something carbide, and Amazon had that brand in singles for a reasonable price. They did well going through the Hardie / plywood / any other layers in my walls I asked them to go through.

I like that the Milwaukee ones say they can go through nails, but the Spyder set has almost double the sizes for the same money. I'm very tempted to go grab a set now too, somebody is buying me these for Christmas and just doesn't know it yet.
 
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NORTON'S SHOP

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Check out Diablo. I used to buy Lenox hole saws one at a time as I needed them. Recently purchased a Diablo kit and so far I like it.
 
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Rinspeed

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NORTON'S SHOP said:
Check out Diablo. I used to buy Lenox hole saws one at a time as I needed them. Recently purchased a Diablo kit and so far I like it.
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I won't buy a Diablo because **** them for using a new POS arbor design rather than using an industry standard.
 
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mike93lx

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Rinspeed said:
I won't buy a Diablo because **** them for using a new POS arbor design rather than using an industry standard.
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I don't want industry standard.

I want something that doesn't loosen and is easy to swap. Being married to a specific brand is fine for tbe volume of cutting I do. If I buy a carbide set now, I bet I have it for many, many years. My HF set is probably 8-10 years and is still working
 
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Miss the Pontiacs

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I have 2 Irwin hole drill kits. One is about 15 years old and it now resides at the lake. The second kit was bought at Epstein’s in a moment of non fiscal responsibility. I have some larger sizes of Dewalt, Milwaukee and a few smaller Lennox ones from the discounted table at Lowe’s. All are decent but do like the Lennox product best. The one below was from Epstein’s.
 

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tarbellb

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I dove down this rabbit hole a month ago after getting pissed about not having the right size hole saw.

Picked up the clever Disston Quick core set

System works very well, can't speak to the durability yet, but they are hss.

Quick core hole saw set

Then I made a casePXL_20220523_204240783.jpg
PXL_20220523_163432875.jpg
 
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ajchien

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I have a kit by Starrett. Wish I could tell you more, but I don’t use it that often, just offering up another brand that I don’t see people talk about very often. I really have no idea how well they compare to other brands nor do I know what the COO is.
 
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mike93lx

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tarbellb said:
I dove down this rabbit hole a month ago after getting pissed about not having the right size hole saw.

Picked up the clever Disston Quick core set

System works very well, can't speak to the durability yet, but they are hss.

Quick core hole saw set

Then I made a casePXL_20220523_204240783.jpg
PXL_20220523_163432875.jpg
Click to expand...
Great case. Not having them all stacked up eats space, but makes it nicer to use
 
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KnurledNut

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paulsomlo said:
Any opinions on these two kits? One is Edge Mfg, the other is M.K. Morse:
https://www.harryepstein.com/m-k-morse-7-8-to-2-1-2-electricians-hole-saw-kit.html

https://www.harryepstein.com/edge-mfg-12-pc-holesaw-kit-hs-4-set.html
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The Morse I've used have held up well. Would recommend.
(IIRC, the company is woman owned and they seem to focus on detail.)

The Edge kit looks pieced together.
Interesting use of a military first aid kit box.
Almost ironic, considering the high rate of injury from hole saws.
 
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GeoBruin

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I got a Milwaukee kit on an sale recently and I havent been impressed. More than one of the smaller sizes have the teeth misaligned where they are welded back together.

The only others I have used have been Diablo and they are perfect by comparison.
 
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tarbellb

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Many hole saw brands are still USA made, Morse, Starrett, Lennox, Milwaukee, etc...
They all perform about the same IMO, likely made by 1 or 2 different mfgs

What really counts is carbide vs HSS vs Carbon
HSS is the best compromise for durability and performance

After all that, really, ejecting the damn slug is the absolute worst part of hole saws, hence the reason I purchased the Disston Quickcores, Spyder makes a interesting solution to this as well.
 
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mike93lx

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tarbellb said:
Many hole saw brands are still USA made, Morse, Starrett, Lennox, Milwaukee, etc...
They all perform about the same IMO, likely made by 1 or 2 different mfgs

What really counts is carbide vs HSS vs Carbon
HSS is the best compromise for durability and performance

After all that, really, ejecting the damn slug is the absolute worst part of hole saws, hence the reason I purchased the Disston Quickcores, Spyder makes a interesting solution to this as well.
Click to expand...
Unless I am just using them wrong, the spyders are a PIA to get the last plug out of. They get caught on the carbide teeth
 
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tarbellb

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mike93lx said:
Unless I am just using them wrong, the spyders are a PIA to get the last plug out of. They get caught on the carbide teeth
Click to expand...

That ***** to hear, the whole point of that system is to release the slug.

Catching on the carbide teeth makes sense tho, unfortunate none the less.

Still has to be easier then a traditional hole saw I've gone to war with those.
 
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SRSemenza

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I know the OP is asking about two specific sets but I figure it won't hurt to throw this in for peoples info...


A few years ago I was after a complete set. Ended up comparing Milwaukee and Lenox as my two finalists, The Milwaukee were good, but as said above some of the manufacturing was a little so so. Not terrible and definitely good saws.

I was having trouble deciding so I bought (new) a 1 3/4" of each and did my own comparison.

Here's what I found .............

The Milwaukee, rougher cuts and harder to control. But probably a really good choice for hogging through framing all day long. They definitely grabbed more often than the Lenox.

The Lenox, very sharp, smoother cut (very smooth), easier to control. Make a very round hole if you don't push them to fast.

I went with the Lenox and they are easily the most pleasurable hole saw I have used. If using a hole saw can ever be pleasurable. Bought the large monster set (or whatever they call it), then ended up getting every other one in the series. Got tired of not having the exact size I wanted. If you get them make sure to get the newest version. I forget the terminology Lenox uses. They are an upgrade to the previous. And you need to check depending on where you buy from since there is new old stock still out there.

Seth
 
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paulsomlo

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SRSemenza said:
I went with the Lenox and they are easily the most pleasurable hole saw I have used. If using a hole saw can ever be pleasurable. Bought the large monster set (or whatever they call it), then ended up getting every other one in the series. Got tired of not having the exact size I wanted. If you get them make sure to get the newest version. I forget the terminology Lenox uses. They are an upgrade to the previous. And you need to check depending on where you buy from since there is new old stock still out there.
Click to expand...
Carbide tooth or Bimetal?
 
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SRSemenza

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paulsomlo said:
Carbide tooth or Bimetal?
Click to expand...


Sorry, left out some important info - Bi-Metal for both brands.

Milwaukee Hole Dozer (newest version available in 2020)

Lenox T3 Technology (thinner to cut easier, and with multi position slots)

Lenox Big Daddy set then filled in the rest.

Seth
 
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nadogail

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I have a mixture of Starrett, Lenox, and other hole saws. I have found that they seem to be pretty much interchangeable as long as you stick to the pin drive mandrills. Some of mine were bought by a previous employer, others came from a Industrial Hardware store. I also picked up some from a Home Base store that closed after trying to compete with Home Depot.

Good quality hole saws, used with appropriate cutting fluid, seem to hold up well.
 
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