Hole Saw Set
- Thread starter DanEng
- Start date
matt_i
Well-known member
The Lenox set is nice for traditional bandsaw-based saws, but its well worth looking into a set of Hougen Holcutters for thin work. Those are ground as a single cutting tool and not a welded circle and you get considerably nicer hole quality. I think it will work well up to around 1/8" or 4mm thick. There's an "electricians" and "fabricators" set as I recall but McMaster carr has a wide array of the individual sizes.
Thanks Matt. Both the Lenox and Hougen both look like good options. The Hougen 11085 and 11086 RotaCut sets seem really interesting.
Trapps
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have been using Lennox for years. Nothing requiring any more precision than door holes. They are definitely a consumable; long life doesn't seem to be a strong point. Lately I've been using http://spyderproducts.com/tools/hole-saws-arbors/
Better precision, life and easier to extract the plugs. A step up in performance, and cost too. For me it's worth it, and as I replace my existing worn out bits I'll use Spyder. You can buy sets or singles.
Better precision, life and easier to extract the plugs. A step up in performance, and cost too. For me it's worth it, and as I replace my existing worn out bits I'll use Spyder. You can buy sets or singles.
sberry
Banned
The Rigid set at HD is decent too, comes with 2 mandrels.
rick carpenter
Well-known member
The arbor will be important. I have a Lenox set but use them with this Milwaukee arbor. HD advertises it as "No Wobble" and that's right. You'll need a 1/2" chuck.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...bble-W-W-Pilot-Drill-Bit-49-56-9100/203113673
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...bble-W-W-Pilot-Drill-Bit-49-56-9100/203113673
usdemt
Well-known member
Look at Bosch thin metal hole saws. Idk what diameter you are looking for as they only go up to a couple inches. But the ones made for sheet metal are much better then the ones that are made for wood and can cut metal. Menards Carrie's them and they are decently priced. They also work better for plastic if you remove the spring around the center drill. The finer tooth count is well worth it compared to using a bi metal hole saw. A few other companies make them as well.
metaldad
Well-known member
just playing around, searching on the laptop.
daneng, interesting wiki read about malta
didnt know anything about your country, b4.
daneng, interesting wiki read about malta
didnt know anything about your country, b4.
Not sure what size you needed... for metal I have used a carbide tipped hole saw on metal electrical boxes and they make very nice and clean holes a lot better than the standard Hardened teeth ones lenox or what nots... plastic I am not sure, probably anything would do.
The carbide tipped one I have used was the Klein 7/8" hole ones for the 1/2 electrical knock outs... pretty sure they do sell sets and kits...
just search for "Carbide Tipped Hole saw" if you don't want the ones made for electrical works...
The carbide tipped one I have used was the Klein 7/8" hole ones for the 1/2 electrical knock outs... pretty sure they do sell sets and kits...
just search for "Carbide Tipped Hole saw" if you don't want the ones made for electrical works...
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just playing around, searching on the laptop.
daneng, interesting wiki read about malta
didnt know anything about your country, b4.
Thanks to all for the replies.
I do not have specific hole saw sizes in mind at the moment. However I am more inclined on electrical works, drilling plastics, fibre reinforced plastics, and sheet metal. However, sometimes I do work on some thicker metals. On the later I generally go for milling/boring for accuracy, but I think using a heavy duty hole saw on not-so-thick metals might also work fine.
I do not have specific hole saw sizes in mind at the moment. However I am more inclined on electrical works, drilling plastics, fibre reinforced plastics, and sheet metal. However, sometimes I do work on some thicker metals. On the later I generally go for milling/boring for accuracy, but I think using a heavy duty hole saw on not-so-thick metals might also work fine.
Carbide Tipped Hole saws look really interesting. I never used these kind of hole saws. I must try these out. Thanks.
How is the hole size accuracy on the Bosch hole saws?
knobby
Well-known member
For thin materials and smaller holes say less than 2"/50mm i usually pull out a step bit. js.
bob15
Well-known member
Precise and hole saw aren't exactly in the same category.
Stepped drill bits can be useful, also greenlee knock-out punches
usdemt
Well-known member
I'm havent actually measured them but they seem to cut more accurately than a bi metal as anytime I use the bi metals they wander a bit to start and then find a true center and when that is in thin sheet metal they sometimes never get a groove before going through. These dont have that issue as they are much shorter and seem to start cutting a channel right away
Thanks, usdemt. I am going to try to get a set of these and try them out. I generally drill up to a few cm, say up to a maximum of 3inchs or so.
I will try to get also a good bi-metal as well like the Lenox and Hougen. I was also lookin at Starrett and Ruko. Probably all will be an upgrade from the cheap hole saws I generally use, with a cut hole accuracy allowance of + 3 to 5mm in diameter
.
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This. I love step bits for sheet metal
I have been using the dewalt and blu mol impact hole saws. Work great drilling holes in car floors and firewall. Way faster than a typical hole saw and without the wobble. Works ok in plastic. I tried one in thick metal and broke off every tooth.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D1800IR5-5-Piece-IMPACT-4-Inch/dp/B003NX6VDG
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-D1800IR5-5-Piece-IMPACT-4-Inch/dp/B003NX6VDG