Hole saw kit.

[Chadwilliam1]

I want to buy a hole saw kit for around the house. I usually stop what i am doing and drive over to my dads and borrow the hole saw I need. This is getting old and it is inconvenient. I thought I would just cough up the extra money to have them on hand and order odd sizes as I need them.

This will mostly be used for work around the house. Wood, drywall and plaster. What are some things I should look for in a hole kit?

thanks Chad

 

[sberry]

I like the Rigid kit from HD, simple and comes with 2 mandrels.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Cripe just got some Ridgid kits in, if I did not have the Milwauke kit I would be all over one.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

thanks, that looks like a good deal.I can always use stuff from cripe.

 

[cheechi]

I like the Lenox. Have my 2 most common sizes of them, the rest is an el cheapo (HF maybe) that I've only needed a few times.

 

[pepi]

I must agree kits have a lot of waste, that is not to say some things like tap & dye sets are not good, but something like a hole saw buy as needed.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I must agree kits have a lot of waste, that is not to say some things like tap & dye sets are not good, but something like a hole saw buy as needed.

Degree of truth there...Big money for potentially un-used sizes. What I did was buy the Lenox "Big Daddy" Case by itself, and I only buy Lenox hole saws when the need arises...got a whole bunch now that I've actually needed & used.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I want to avoid stopping what i am doing to go get a hole saw. I know there will be wasted sizes just like on tap sets.

 

[ilovevocs]

I have been using the Morse hole saws with the integral mandrel. I wont go back to hole saws with removable mandrel.

http://www.mkmorse.com/products/index.aspx?product=13

 

[signcrafter]

A set may have some "waste" in it at first but if you buy a good set you will use most if not all the sizes over time. I have the ridged 13 piece set and it's really nice, has cut metal and wood like butter. Also have a bunch of other sizes I've added over time. Plus a set is usually cheaper then buying individual pieces.

 

[cheechi]

I use a Forstner bit set for smaller sizes, and have (I think) 3.25 & 4 in hole saws that I use most often. Whatever the standard size that was closest to an 80mm & 120mm fan hole.

If I were getting a full hole saw kit today, I'd still go Lenox. There are plenty of industries where it's good to have the full kit, I'm just not in one.

 

[willhollin]

The Bosch Power Change set is pretty good set and they do a shallow version for sheet metal with ejector spring.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

We keep everything from 3/4" to 3" in the shop tools, so I'm getting the full kit (on my own tools to buy list) of Lenox saws because it's decent package price to get all in one shot. If you do much work needing them, then it may not take long to spend the same money on buying individual saws.

 

[Outlawmws]

"Hole Saw Kit"

Hmm for what materials? Wood? Steel?

For what depth? Thin material, or though an 8X8?

Amazed that not one pic has surfaced...

 

[Packard V8]

FWIW, over the years I've gotten covered up in hole saws. At yard sales and estate sales, I just picked up singles, bunches and a set of Milwaukee and a set of Starrett.

Don't bother with anything Chicom.

Another FWIW, Forstner bits are for precision woodworking. Using them for rough work and construction will soon ruin them.



jack vines

 

[Vvmvbb]

I've had my eye on the Bahco for a while - they make good cutting tools generally. Might be a good choice.

 

[evintho]

Bought this a few years ago off Amazon. Best $70 I ever spent! I've used everyone of these a zillion times!

 

[Chadwilliam1]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HCZ4FW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I ordered this. Thanks for the help.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

nevermind I cancelled it. I am going to Lowes to pick up the Lenox set. seems like the best quality to value since quite a few of you recommend it. I don't have to wait for shipping and I can get replacement hole saws locally.

 

[porschedude996TT]

I like the Rigid kit from HD, simple and comes with 2 mandrels.

Never could come up with the cash to buy a big kit, I buy what I need and have a good collection over the years up to 4-1/2". Not every size in between, but the usual 1/2" to 2-1/2" in 1/4" steps, and a couple in between the 2-1/2" and 4-1/2". I like the Ridgid Brand.

 

[sberry]

While a guy might not need every size all the time its a little like sockets. I need to have an 11 mm, might not need the duplication like I would in common sizes. I have several saws in the commons, I am brutal, on occasion I ruin one. They are a tool but I am not above considering it a consumable either if it pays off.

Get some Rapid Tap or Tap Magic, there is a learning curve. I cut big holes all the time with battery drill. I cut 4 holes in the green loader mod in about 20 minutes using water as coolant. They are faster than you might think, I cut 3/8 on the bucket, 1 1/8 in about 35 or 40 seconds but that is under ideal circumstance.

 

[apexit1]

amazon has a deal going on with some dewalt accessories. buy one get on 50 off

 

[cheechi]

Another FWIW, Forstner bits are for precision woodworking. Using them for rough work and construction will soon ruin them

I don't disagree with you, but one thing to consider is if you occasionally need a 1-1/2" hole in construction grade 2x4's, your forstner bit won't work nearly as hard as it would through exotic hardwoods. Such is my experience, and I would not recommend anyone get a set of them instead of a hole saw if what they need is actually a hole saw.

For me, most of mine is in wood, poly, occasionally thin sheet steel. I only really do 2 sizes, so the 2 Lenox I have work for me.

I also have a fair bit of augur bits and I would probably use that for a 1-1/2 anyway.

If you get a whole set, do yourself a favor though and get bi-metal. The Dewalt set linked above may be nice, but I don't think it will last as long as you want.

 

[PT Doc]

If you get a good deal on a kit then you are not wasting money. The Milwaukee kit at hd was on sale a while back on a good a deal. Buying individual pieces would cost you way more over time.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

 

[Outlawmws]

I want to avoid stopping what i am doing to go get a hole saw. I know there will be wasted sizes just like on tap sets.

Unless you simply are a rare user of taps I can't see any std tap set having a "wasted" size... :wft:

If you are only into it for a single size or two maybe that could apply, but at that point just talk to a friend or have someone at a shop do it for you

I have complete "sets" of taps, dies, Hole saws, Forstener bits augers, what have you. I don't consider ANY of them "wasted" as I have used nearly every single size. Heck, for Bimetal hols saw blades I buy them wherever I see them cheap (yard sales) as they are ultimately a consumable just like drill bits.

If you do lots of fab work of various types, none of it is wasted.

 

[sberry]

I agree with the set mentality in this case. We are talking about something so generic and versatile,,, and can be had for 100$ The tap and die analogy is a good one. Same for an index twist drill set. I just looked at the kit above, no 1 inch and they do make more fractional sizes

 

[Justanoldguy]

I have a heap of different sizes and makes.
Never considered any of them wasted.
Even have a 6"one for downlights.

 

[tomshep]

I bought a Milwaukee kit a couple years ago at Home Depot on an after Christmas sale. Great kit and have used it many times.

Tom