Hole Saws (782 items found)

For projects requiring larger holes with a wider diameter than standard drill bits can create, hole saws of varying sizes are your best bet. Learn more about the different types of hole saw bits and how to use them in our guide below.

What is a Hole Saw?

Typically available individually or sold as part of a hole saw kit, a common hole saw has a cylindrical tube surrounding a drill bit with a shank on one end to fit into your power tool and a sharp boring edge on the other. Some hole saws have a pilot bit or an arbor, which is a protruding part at the center of the bit designed to hold your hole saw in place while cutting through your piece.

Types of Hole Saws

Good hole saw bits have thin cylindrical walls in relation to their overall diameter to reduce the friction between the material and the tooth of the saw. To find the best hole saw for your project, look at the boring edge of your saw and assess the teeth’s shape and material. Find out more about the different types of hole saws below.

• Carbon Steel Hole Saws: These metal hole saws are suitable for light work on softer materials such as plasterboard, non-laminated plastics and wood.
• Variable Pitch Bi-Metal Hole Saws: Bi-metallic saws have hardened teeth that are often reinforced with high-speed steel. This type of saw bit can cut deep through most non-ferrous metals and can also be used to create clean cuts on timber, sheet wood or engineered wood such as MDF.
• Constant Pitch Smooth Cut Hole Saws: Designed to create smooth cut holes, these saws have a constant tooth pitch made of high-speed steel and an alloy body. They can cut through steel sheets, wood, plastics and plasterboard.
• Tungsten Carbide Tipped Hole Saws: Commonly used in construction and building for their versatility and durability, these saw bits have teeth that are hardened with tungsten carbide. They can withstand higher temperatures when working on high pressure surfaces and will cut through tile, metal, wood and plastics.
• Welded Shank Soffit Cutter Hole Saws: The arbor is welded in the center of this hole saw’s base plate, made of high-speed steel with a variable tooth pitch on its boring end. This hole saw drill bit works well on PVC, plywood and metal.
• Diamond Edge Hole Saws: These hole saws have smooth, toothless boring edges that are hardened with diamonds and are great at cutting through ceramics.

Tips for Using a Hole Saw

Here are a few tips and techniques on how to achieve clean, professional results using a hole saw kit.

1. Choose the appropriate power tool for your hole saw and project. For smaller projects with lighter materials, a cordless power drill should suffice, but heavier jobs with denser materials, such as masonry or thicker metals, may require a more powerful tool.
2. Before you begin drilling, check that your hole saw’s cutting edge is sitting evenly on your piece. This prevents sudden jamming or binding.
3. Start slowly and gradually increase rotation as you bore through the material without forcing the issue. A gentle, constant pressure will yield cleaner results.
4. Clear your hole saw bit from buildup with a long, thin tool after repeated use for smoother cuts.
5. Use an arbor when making larger holes on sheeting and denser, solid materials to help prevent skidding while you work through your piece.

Find the Right Hole Saw at Ace

The appropriate hole saw makes your building project easier, no matter if you’re producing DIY woodworking pieces or building a functional venting system. From leading brands like Lenox, Milwaukee and Diablo, find the right hole saw drill bits and kits for your job at Ace online or at your neighborhood store, and make sure to shop for other essential power tool accessories today!