Hole Saw Kits

[CobraRed]

What size hole saws do you guys find yourself using, I find myself in need of them and am looking for something that will last.

Do you guys just buy the sizes you need or is there a kit fits the automotive world?

 

[superduty1]

What in the automotive world are you drilling with hole saws.

HD usually has a Milwaukee kit on sale for BF.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Monte]

For thin metal (automotive...) i would choose a step drill bit for larger holes.

 

[mike93lx]

I have the HF kit as it has some very large sizes that I need infrequently then I buy specific sizes if I need something higher quality. Usually Lennox as that is what is available at the Lowe's closest to my house

 

[dadsEH]

I have a set i bought 30 years ago. Still like new...lol
I mean , how many door handle holes does one drill in a lifetime.

 

[NoahG]

I'd just start buying the sizes you need the darn kits never have the ones I end up needing.

 

[sberry]

A kit is a good start. It has the common sizes and the mandrels. They are used in all kinds of fabrication, many materials, work super with battery drills. I drilled 4 3/4 holes thru an inch plate, took about half hour by the time I was diddling around.
This 3x8 plate about 40 seconds if I want to push it.

 

[Stuey]

The largest Milwaukee set usually goes on sale during the winter holidays. Should cover all your bases and then some.

 

[matt_i]

Imo, these are the finest holesaws for sheetmetal

https://www.hougen.com/cutters/sheet-metal-hole-cutters/Holcutters.html

For rougher stuff I've used Starrett, Lenox, Bahco all with good results. The key in thick metal is to drill 2 to 4 chip clearing holes which let the chips fall thru the kerf. One app is making a cast iron gear blank. Cast iron round bar (durabar) is hellaexpensive and you have to buy a lot of it or pay high prices. However the flat bar is much more common and can buy a couple feet at a time. Enter the holesaw to trepan out the round blank. I've successfully holed a 1-1/2" thick bar several times.

Re the kits, despite having 2-1/2 kits it seems I never have the perfect size....so as the others say, buy them as you go.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I only own sizes that correspond to the dimple dies I own and the tubing sizes I work with. I agree with matt i that I'd rather have the Hougen Holcutters if all you're doing is sheet metal. My hole saws are all Starrett brand and they are only used in my tubing notcher. The Holcutters are much preferred when I can use them.

 

[Jason280]

A kit is a good start. It has the common sizes and the mandrels. They are used in all kinds of fabrication, many materials, work super with battery drills. I drilled 4 3/4 holes thru an inch plate, took about half hour by the time I was diddling around.
This 3x8 plate about 40 seconds if I want to push it.

I'm more than a little surprised to see a V28 battery actually still working...