Hole saw kit?

[jayfrank5074]

What is a good hole saw kit? Are there any hidden gems out there? I’d like the best bang for the buck, but don’t want junk.

I’d like something I could cut light metal with, as well as wood, tin, etc...



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[sberry]

You can probably buy internet but the box stores have good kits, Rigid at HD and i see Lenox at one for about 70$ or so with 2 mandrels. I am tempted vs robbing back and forth between truck and shop with my collection.

 

[wilb1976]

I buy the 13 pc Lenox kit from Lowe’s when they go on sale for $50. Normal price is $90. Even at $90 it’s not a bad deal. The mandrel that come with it are ok but I like the spring loaded ones better. It’s a good starter set for most people.

 

[sberry]

13 for 50 is good, even great.

 

[jayfrank5074]

I’m in no hurry so if there is an internet deal, that’s fine.

The last set I had was garbage, the last cut I did was in a 3/16 piece of steel, I had to finish that cut with jig saw and die grinder.


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[pbon]

Buy the Lennox or Milwaukee roughly 13 piece that goes to maybe 2.5” when it goes on sale. Then buy the HF 3 piece 3-4.25” saws for $16 when they go on sale.

 

[scubadoober]

I’m in no hurry so if there is an internet deal, that’s fine.

The last set I had was garbage, the last cut I did was in a 3/16 piece of steel, I had to finish that cut with jig saw and die grinder.


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The key is clearing your chips early and often on metal. No amount of lubricant, speed control, premium hole saw, or pressure can fix a full gullet.

 

[jayfrank5074]

The key is clearing your chips early and often on metal. No amount of lubricant, speed control, premium hole saw, or pressure can fix a full gullet.

The last set was a super cheap no name brand. It for sure wasn’t bi-metal.

That cut was vertical so chips should have fallen out pretty fast, actually I think it was “open” for 3/8” or so at the bottom.


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[tarbellb]

High Speed Steel vs Carbide is about your only variation, most rolled steel hole saws (like the Ridgid, Lenox, Diablo, etc..) are made in the same US factory.

Buying about any of the them will be a good buy, but technique will quickly become the next big factor in quality + durability. Precision holes require the machined steel w/ low carbide tooth count style made by Norseman, Ideal, Greenlee, Morse, and others.

Other notables are Spyder with its quick change and clear out design, Milwaukee w/ a improved hole for clearing blanks, some Tornado or Twister arbor for quick clear.

Oh, and the mandatory GJ reply "just laser or waterjet your holes".

 

[Retlaw 66]

Home Depot often has the Milwaukee sets in the $40 range, like this 14 piece set:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...al-Hole-Saw-Set-14-Piece-49-22-4026/204354239

 

[Andy8430]

I recently bought this set from acme tools: Milwaukee 10pc electricians bi-metal hole saw kit.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/milwaukee-10-pc-electricians-hole-dozer-hole-saw-kit-49-22-4095

Similar to you my previous set was cheap. Very happy with this set.



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[LXCam]

Lennox or Milwaukee are your best bet for your price range. Just keep in mind that both kits are geared towards pipe sizes.

 

[plinker]

I've used Milwaukee & Ridgid, both work well. A Milwaukee set was used for a lot of metal work at my previous place of employment.

 

[DFB]

I have had the Blu Mol Journeyman kit for like ever. I see now they call them Xtreme Bi Metal

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLU-MOL...i-Metal-Hole-Saw-Kit-13-Piece-D9596/205583170

Same sizes as the Milwaukee # 49-22-4025

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...al-Hole-Saw-Set-13-Piece-49-22-4025/202327772

Lot of options


Decide on what sizes you need

 

[jayfrank5074]

I have had the Blu Mol Journeyman kit for like ever. I see now they call them Xtreme Bi Metal

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BLU-MOL...i-Metal-Hole-Saw-Kit-13-Piece-D9596/205583170

Same sizes as the Milwaukee # 49-22-4025

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...al-Hole-Saw-Set-13-Piece-49-22-4025/202327772

Lot of options


Decide on what sizes you need

You like the blu mol? Seems to have good reviews and a good price. I like it and Lennox I think.

I read the kobalt set is made by blu mol.
Might wait for a sale.

I don’t really know what sizes I need, I don’t have any right now. That’s why I’m thinking of buying a bigger kit to start, then I can always replace them one by one as they get used up.


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[DFB]

You like the blu mol? Seems to have good reviews and a good price. I like it and Lennox I think.

I read the kobalt set is made by blu mol.
Might wait for a sale.

I don’t really know what sizes I need, I don’t have any right now. That’s why I’m thinking of buying a bigger kit to start, then I can always replace them one by one as they get used up.


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Its been an okay set for me, used them while building my house and doing the plumbing and take them out to my jobs when needed. good complement of sizes, cut fast and unless you go carbide the Bi Metals all seem very similar in the brand names. Someone said earlier in the thread many are produced in the same factory.

The link for Milwaukee 49-22-4029 kit @ $39.99 is really enticing. Hard to say outside of a of cutter size change no 1 3/4 but a 2 1/8 for door holes what the real difference is? One reviewer said they didn't cut well and thought they were seconds

 

[Brand X]

http://www.championcuttingtool.com/carbide-tipped-hole-cutters-ct7.html

 

[Rarified27]

The Lenox 13 for 50 deal is great, particularly if you're a homeowner/DIY. I use mine about once a month and have only replaced one piece.

I did buy a 1" to add to the set, I guess it's not a common size for the trades, but I use it all the time. Outside of wood and plastic, the metal I drill into is a mostly a copper alloy and the occasional 1.5" round stock.

My set had one spring loaded (larger) and one screw on (smaller) arbor. I don't think I've seen a spring loaded smaller one, but I'd love to have one- they're really convenient.

 

[DFB]

Milwaukee also has the "ICE bits they are an improved Bi Metal with cobalt and heat treated and different from the Home depot ones. I can't say if this is the best price to found out there on them but for the range of sizes all the way to 4 3/4" its a pretty good deal.

https://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwau...d-hole-saw-kit/miln49-22-4105,default,pd.html

And the smaller kit 3/4" to 2 1/2" is $69.99

https://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwau...-4025,default,pd.html#xsell=miln49-22-4025--2

 

[James-W]

I didn't buy a complete set, I have only purchased the sizes that I need. Only thing is, I have needed several sizes. So in a way doing what I did was pretty stupid of me because over the years I probably spent more money buying them individually than I would have spent if I had bought the whole set.

 

[jblnut]

I have a few sets between my work van, farm shop and basement and they are all a mishmash of everything from a TrueValue to Milwaukee and Greenlee to Morse. All have been WELL used but not abused. As with any tool, if taken care of and used properly they'll last a LONG time !!

All of the sets look like decent deals to me. That huge Milwaukee set in post 19 looks amazing !!

 

[xman_charl]

Use these brands...shinny item is HSS, sure cuts good














Charl

 

[DFB]

Cripes here are some more. Specialty ones. 1/4 inch collet style shank. They have a stop collar so you don't plunge deep thru your workpiece and spring is "supposed" to eject your cut plug

Milwaukee Shockwave

https://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwau...-4800,default,pd.html#xsell=miln49-22-4800--6

 

[rick carpenter]

I like the saws in my $70-something Lenox bi-metal kit that goes up to 2-1/2" pretty well. The Milwaukee "No Wobble" arbor is better than the Lenox arbor in my opinion though, but it doesn't look to be included in every Hole Dozer kit. If you buy it separate, get the arbor with the nut on the bottom. It has a 7/16" shank so you'll have to have a 1/2" chuck.

If you want a decent individual throw away hole saw like I have for hardiboard/etc, the all-in-one Bosch Daredevil saws are pretty good. I think the package says they're "Carbon" whatever that means.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Morse. Made right here in Ohio.

 

[redidbull]

Home Depot often has the Milwaukee sets in the $40 range, like this 14 piece set:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...al-Hole-Saw-Set-14-Piece-49-22-4026/204354239

I have had that kit for years. I got it for around $40 on black Friday. I have zero complaints. Jim

 

[BFBOB]

I've been very happy with Milwaukee.
One accessory that's been very helpful for me is a mandrel that fits a 3/8 drill, but takes the larger two-pin hole saw blades. One thing I do quite a bit is making 4 1/4" holes for electric boxes in ceiling tiles. Nice to be able to do that with the smaller, lighter 3/8" drill.

 

[jayfrank5074]

Milwaukee is made here in Mississippi, the plant is several hours north of me. I’ve never been.

I have some Milwaukee SawZall blades that aren’t as good as the Lennox I used to use, BUT I don’t remember if the Lennox were no-metal or cobalt and I haven’t inspected the Milwaukee to see the material.

I have some blue kobalt SawZall blades that are good.

I guess that makes me hesitant to try Milwaukee. I’m sure they are fine, I’m older now (39) and realize speed control is very important.


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[Farmall450]

I'd get the big US Milwaukee set; mine came with a free sawzall one or two winters ago.

 

[pepi]

Two suggestions, once you decide the brand, buy the hole saws as needed. Kits are a waste of money over the long hall. You have 13 hole saws and most likely will never use most of them.

Second suggestion, Milwaukee is up the the job and easily found in box stores.

 

[strength_and_power]

High Speed Steel vs Carbide is about your only variation, most rolled steel hole saws (like the Ridgid, Lenox, Diablo, etc..) are made in the same US factory.



Buying about any of the them will be a good buy, but technique will quickly become the next big factor in quality + durability. Precision holes require the machined steel w/ low carbide tooth count style made by Norseman, Ideal, Greenlee, Morse, and others.



Other notables are Spyder with its quick change and clear out design, Milwaukee w/ a improved hole for clearing blanks, some Tornado or Twister arbor for quick clear.



Oh, and the mandatory GJ reply "just laser or waterjet your holes".

Agreed


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[Kaizen]

If you are going through new wood consider a forstner bit set. Run at low rpms and they do a great job. Too expensive to use where nails might be


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[jeepinerdeep]

I have Starrett and Morse around. Happier with the Starrett but the Morse was less expensive and seem plenty nice. I use them less and less now that I have annular cutters for metal and a cheap set of forstners for wood butchering.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Keep your holesaws for wood and get Blair Holcutters for metal; night and day better.

 

[PhantomEB]

I keep missing out on getting a Milwaukee set when they on sale.

I find I would treat it like my socket set, buy the most complete set then add on the ones it don’t have as you go, just make sure it uses the same mandrel.

Always better to have and not need then to need and not have.

 

[Rewind97]

I got lucky and caught this set on sale for $50

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-...r-Hole-Saw-Kit-/302135710840?oid=282341345619

Keep an eye on it and they may put it back on sale.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have two sets, a cheaper one for wood projects and a second one for metal, which is a Rigid brand. The one set I use for wood is probably Vermont America, not sure.

I used these as starters, now when a project comes up, I buy a decent one in the size I need, whether it be Lenox, Morse or whatever is available.