A hole saw can make your carpentry or electrical work a success and a lot easier. It spells a blend of efficiency and advanced technology with clean symmetrical circles in the end. With a comprehensive kit, therefore, you will be the point person when your fellow workshop owners reference the best hole saw for wood.
A hole saw for wood comes in a range of types and sizes, replacement parts and attachments, and mandrels. With it, therefore, you can never get stuck mid-operation as you will have the right tool for each application.
If you are looking for such a hole saw, read through our editor’s, budget pick, and best value choices. We also have outlined their specifications, key features and benefits, pros and cons, and a buying guide.
Our Top Pick for The Hole Saw for Wood
Our editor’s choice for the best hole saw for wood is the Milwaukee 49-22-4185 All Purpose.... It is an easy to use product, durable, and ice-hardened which guarantees the user up to 50 percent longer life span. Also designed with a positive rake angle for fast cutting and a Matrix II bi-metal teeth technology, the kit promises efficiency and durability when they are most needed.
Hole Saw for Wood Reviews
1. Editor’s Choice: Milwaukee 49-22-4185 28-Piece All Purpose Professional Ice Hardened Hole Saw Kit
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The blades are ice-hardened and heat treated which results in maximum strength and durability.
- The Milwaukee kit is designed with a Plug Jack which is an all-access slot design and a functional slot geometry both of which help with faster plug removal.
- It also features a Plug Jack that allows for lower access into the cup for thicker materials and a higher access towards the teeth for thinner materials.
- It also features a bi-metal construction with 8 percent cobalt. The construction, therefore, ensures increased resistance, adds life to the teeth, increases productivity, and improves the hole quality.
- Each of the components in the kit is designed and built with more steel behind the cutting edge. This is an assurance for added strength.
- The kit also provides multiple positions to apply leverage as well as better plug access. This helps the plug jack to increase productivity while also eliminating wasted downtime.
- Milwaukee has also ensured to make the hole saw with deeper gullets for faster chip removal.
- It has a positive rake angle for fast cutting.
- It also has a radiused tooth back which reduces stress on the teeth.
Pros
- Convenient case
- The arbors are easy to change.
- Easy to use.
- Fast cutting speeds.
- Wide variety of sizes.
- Tough bi-metal teeth
Cons
- The threads on the arbor are a bit short.
- The user may need to do tight chuck up.
2. Budget Pick: DEWALT D180005 14-Piece Hole Saw Kit
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The small and large mandrels help with easy set-up and improved productivity.
- The DeWalt hole saw kit is a door lock kit which utilizes a C-clamp design with tool-free clamping and no surface damage.
- The door lock kit also includes two adjustable bushings that accept standard baskets on door thicknesses.
- The door lock also utilizes an alignment window as well as taller bushings. This ensures it can deliver accurate high placements and straight drilling.
- Each of the tools in the kit features high-speed steel height and a double tooth design that enable fast cutting and increase its durability.
- The DeWalt hole saw also features deeper gullets for faster chip removal.
- It is also designed to be used for plumbing, door-lock installation, and electrical tasks making it more versatile.
- DeWalt has also made it a deep cut style hole saw for improved efficiency and convenience.
Pros
- Packed in a durable, sleek and sturdy carry case.
- Hardened backing plates.
Cons
- The paint on the saw does not last for long.
- Too much painting on the threads makes it hard to see them.
3. Upgrade Pick: Greenlee 660 Kwik Change Stainless Steel Hole Cutter Kit, 7-Piece
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The hole cutters have multiple tungsten carbide tips that ensure a smooth cutting and prolonged cutting lifespan.
- All the cutters above 3/4-inches have an ejector spring. The spring makes the removal of slug much easier.
- The arbor is designed to be versatile as it can be used with the different cutting heads.
- It is also designed with a quick-change arbor which allows for easy changes of cutter heads with the press of a button
- The arbor has a flange stop which helps to prevent over-drilling.
- The saw also has a replaceable cobalt-steel pilot drill with a spill-point tip that helps to prevent walking.
- The saw also features an improved carbide quality which makes it easy to cut stainless steel and similar materials quickly and with ease. It also helps to reduce annoying chatter and squealing.
- The optimum performance and durability of the cutters make them ideal for any job and also compatible with all standard power tools.
Pros
- Durable housing material.
- Sturdy and durable carry case.
Cons
- The drill bit may fall out more often after sustained use.
- The cutting piece does not stay locked in firmly.
- Shallow gullets
4. Milwaukee 49-22-4025 13-Piece General Purpose Hole Dozer Hole Saw Kit
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The Milwaukee hole saw has a Plug Jack, an all-access wide angled offset slot that provides full access which in return enhances fast plug removal.
The cutters feature a bi-metal construction with 8 percent cobalt for increased wear resistance, added lifespan to the teeth, increased productivity, and continued hole quality.
- Each of the tools in the kit is made with more steel behind the cutting edge which guarantees added strength.
- It also features a Plug Jack that allows for lower access into the cup for thicker materials and a higher access towards the teeth for thinner materials.
- The teeth are also optimized to ensure up to 2X faster-cutting speeds.
- The Plug Jack also presents multiple positions to apply leverage and better plug access thereby increasing productivity and eliminating wasted downtime between holes.
- The hole saw is also ice-hardened and cryogenically which ensures it adds up to 50 percent service lifespan.
- It is also designed with a quick release arbor which allows for easy changes of cutter heads.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Durability
- Strong Rip Guard teeth.
Cons
- Some teeth on some of the pieces are bent and not uniform.
- The smaller cutters may overheat and burn thick chunks of wood.
5. Bi-Metal SUNGATOR 14-Piece General Purpose Hole Saw Kit
Specifications
Key Features
Features & Benefits
- The SUNGATOR hole saw is made of a high-quality bi-metal which ensures it is resistant to corrosion and excessive heat.
- The saw also features sharp teeth that offer a clean and fast cutting plus high precision. The teeth are also ideal for hole cutting on wood, metal, PVC boards, drywall, and plastic.
- The kit also has a pilot bit with a 135-degree split point which provides for fast and skate-free drilling.
- The saw also features a slot design for easy plug removal.
- The two mandrels have a 1/4-inch shank that is compatible with most drills from other manufacturers which increases efficiency.
Pros
- Enhanced durability with a 50x longer lifespan.
- It is made of high-quality dust-proof bi-metal.
- Compatible with different machines: impact, electric, and bench drills among others.
- They are stacked in a well organized and solid plastic case.
Cons
- The small cutter may be a bit weaker on thicker surfaces.
Buying Guide
A hole saw is an ideal tool for anyone who wants to drill holes in wood conveniently. It is a perfect tool for making holes in the workpiece without cutting up the core material or cracking the piece. This goes without saying that it is a great time and resources saver and getting one for your toolset can be a worthwhile investment.
What is A Hole Saw?
Also referred to as a styled hole saw or a hole cutter, it's a type of saw with a blade of a ring or annular shape and has an annular kerf that makes holes into workpieces. The hole is drilled without having to rip or cut the core material and can be used with a corded or cordless drill.
A typical hole saw has a pilot drill bit at the center. The bit is meant to keep the saw teeth from walking while it’s drilling. Since the saw can make holes through a workpiece without tearing or cutting it up, it is highly preferable to spade drills or twist drills for relatively large holes.
What to Consider While Buying A Hole Saw
Buying the right hole saw for your particular needs is paramount to getting the desired results. It is, therefore, imperative that you do your research well enough and consider the following things before settling for one:
Cost
Just like any other tool, with a hole saw, you will get what you pay for. That means that your operating budget determines the type of saw that you get. As such, you should balance your priorities to ensure you get the right and quality tool with your budget.
The Size of the Hole Saws
The size of a hole saw is dependent on the application it is intended for. Therefore, if you want a saw for a specific task, you should pick the accurate size that will match the project. Also, you can select a kit with different hole saw sizes for increased versatility, convenience, and efficiency within one kit.
Drill Bits
Drill bits in a hole saw kit come in different sizes. Some can be smaller while others are larger. The longer a bit is, the safer and more convenient it will be.
On the other hand, the shorter a bit is, the more the stability it will offer. For maximum convenience though, you can pick a set with different drill bit sizes if you need them for different purposes.
The Material the Saw is Made Off
Some hole saws are made of metal with carbide blades while others are diamond tipped. The metallic hole saw types are usually made from such hard materials since they are used for drilling through hard workpieces like metal.
On the other hand, hole saws for wood are made of softer metals or titanium materials.
Tungsten and carbide hole saws are the most common saw types. Saws made from such materials are more efficient, cost less, and last longer while still in use. Depending on the type of applications that you have, make the right choice and grab your tool from the store.
OUR TOP PICKS
Materials Used for Making Hole Saws
The materials used to hole saws are determined by the materials they are made to cut through. The most common materials include:
High Carbon Steel (HCS)
This is a relatively cheap metal and is used for making entry-level hole saw sets. If you are working on softwood or drywall, such a hole saw would be a better option.
Tungsten Carbide Tip (TCT)
TCT, as well as solid high-speed steel (HSS) saws, are designed for cutting through thick metallic materials.
Bi-Metal
The most popular hole saws are made of bi-metal materials. In this case, the main body is made of a flexible steel providing good resistance to the harsh pounding the tools received. The toothed section is usually made from high-speed steel (HSS), which is a harder material and offers a sharp edge.
Sometimes, cobalt may be added to make it even harder. M2 and M3 are types of high-speed steel usually found on such tools.
A bi-metal hole saw is designed to cut through metal, plastics, wood, laminates, sheet steel, and aluminum.
Diamond hole saws
These are saws meant for cutting through tiles, glass, granite, concrete, marble, as well as other types of stone. Instead of having teeth, this saw has a particle coating of silicon carbide (SiC – also called carborundum) instead of diamond. The depth, thickness, and quality of the coating impact hugely on the performance as well as the depth of the material being cut.
It is, therefore, important that one carefully checks what they are buying to ensure it can cut through what they have. For instance, some of the saws may not cut through concrete despite being the diamond type.
What is the Best Hole Saw for Wood: Our Picks
We feel that the Milwaukee 49-22-4185 All Purpose... is our editor’s choice for the best hole saw for wood. The 28-piece kit is ice-hardened which extends its life up to 50x more. It has 22 hole saws, three arbors, three drill bits, and a space for additional hole saws, making it the ideal woodworker’s companion.
Our budget pick goes to the DEWALT Hole Saw Kit, 14-Piece, Includes... a 14-piecer with deep cut style 11 hole saws. With a large quick-change mandrel, replacement parts, and two drill bits, the kit is ideal for a lower budget.
If your budget is a bit generous, we have our best value pick, the Greenlee 660 6-Piece Quick Change... The kit has five cutter heads, one arbor, and hex key. With precision carbide teeth, the hole saw guarantees the user optimum performance matching the value of its price tag with the results.
References & Further Reading
- 49-22-4185 HOLE DOZER™ All Purpose Professional Hole Saw Kit - 28PC – Milwaukee
- D1800005 13 Pc. Master Hole Saw Kit – DeWalt
- Carbide Cutter Set, Quick Change, 7pc – Greenlee
- Hole Dozer™ General Purpose Hole Saw Kit -13Pc – Milwaukee
- Hole Saw – Wikipedia
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
