Hole saw kits are a useful addition to the toolset of any electrician or plumber. These kits allow you to cut clean holes with larger diameters than is possible using regular drill bits.
The design of the hole saw also provides more efficiency compared to twist drills and spade drills, as it only cuts around the perimeter of the hole.
Hole saw kits attach to almost any standard power drill, providing one of the easiest solutions for cutting perfectly round holes. To find the right set for your drill, check out our guide to the best hole saw kits for electricians and plumbers.
Best Hole Saw Kit for Electricians & Plumbers in April, 2021
Milwaukee 49-22-4025 13-Piece General Purpose Hole Saw Kit – Best Overall Value and Top Pick
The Milwaukee 13-Piece General Purpose Hole Saw Kit is versatile, due to the nine different blades included in the set. Along with multiple blades, it comes equipped with two quick-release arbors and a durable storage case.
First Impressions and Performance
As with most of the hole saw kits, everything comes carefully arranged inside the storage case. The case itself features a thick handle and molded compartments for each part.
This a 13-piece kit, featuring 9 blades, 2 pilot bits, and 2 arbor shanks. The smallest saw cuts 3/4-inch holes while the largest cuts 2½-inch holes, offering a wide range of options.
If you need to frequently change blades to cut holes of varying diameters, you will enjoy the quick-release arbors and the wide selection of blade sizes.
The blades are made with bi-metal construction. For those wanting something more durable compared to carbon steel and cheaper than high-speed steel, the bi-metal blades provide a middle ground.
You can easily cut through most materials. However, with the backing plates, the cutting depth is limited to about 1½ inches.
Pros
- Versatile selection of hole diameters
- Quick-release arbor allows you to quickly change blades
- Durable bi-metal blades last longer compared to carbon blades
Cons
- Not suited for cutting through thick stainless steel
- Shallow cutting depth of 1½ inches
DEWALT D180002 Standard Electricians Bi-Metal Hole Saw Kit – Best Choice for Electricians
For those on a budget, examine the DEWALT D180002 Hole Saw Kit. It comes with six blades and two mandrels with pilot drill bits attached at an affordable price.
First Impressions and Performance
The DEWALT 9-Piece Set is comparable to the Milwaukee hole saw kit, providing a variety of blades made with bi-metal construction. The hole saw sizes also cover the same range, as this set comes with 7/8-inch and 2½-inch blades.
The two quick-release arbors and pilot drill bits are also comparable to the previous option. However, this kit costs a little bit less, for those worried about the price.
The only drawback is the size of the teeth. The teeth are a little short compared to other hole saw blades and may struggle to cut through soft materials such as wood.
While the blades may fail to efficiently cut through wood, they can cut through denser material. You can easily cut through plastics and soft metals.
The hole saws also have a deeper gullet compared to most hole saw blades. You may find it a little easier to cut holes through thicker material.
Pros
- Deep gullets allow for deeper cuts
- Includes hardened backing plates
- Suitable for soft metals
Cons
- Shallow teeth may struggle to cut softwood
Klein Tools 31872 4-Piece Carbide Hole Cutter Set – Best Hole Saw Kit for Plumbers
The Klein Tools 4-Piece Carbide Hole Cutter Set is not the largest hole saw kit, providing just four different hole sizes. However, the available drill bits should suit most plumbing projects.
First Impressions and Performance
For those that need to cut through stainless steel, iron, or copper, the hole saws included in this kit should work. Instead of bi-metal construction, these blades feature carbide-tipped steel.
The blades are also connected to the mandrel. You just need to insert the provided pilot drill and attach the mandrel to your chuck.
The gullets are not very deep, but you can still cut through material up to 3/16 of an inch thick. This should offer enough depth for working with most standard pipe sizes.
In the end, if you only need to cut holes for pipework, the Klein Tools 4-Piece set has you covered. However, it may not provide the best solution for those that need to drill a variety of hole sizes.
It includes four different blades for cutting holes between ⅞ inch and 1⅜ inches and works well with 1/2-inch to 1-inch pipes and conduits.
Pros
- Carbide-tipped blades for cutting through stainless steel
- Durable construction for longer life
- Offers precise cutting through material up to 3/16 inch thick
Cons
- A limited number of sizes
- Relatively expensive for the number of blades
Hole Saw Kit Buyer’s Guide – 2020
The hole saw kit that you purchase should match your specific needs. For example, if you need to cut through stainless steel, you need to select the right blade material. Examining the following details should help you find the best option:
- Materials
- Hole sizes
- Cutting depth
- Arbor shank size
You should also understand the basic components of the hole saw kit. A typical hole saw has an arbor shank, a pilot drill, and a cylindrical saw blade.
The pilot drill connects to the arbor shank, which attaches to the chuck on your power drill. In some cases, the pilot drill bit comes attached to the shank.
The kits include multiple cylindrical saw blades of varying diameters. To start cutting, you select the cylinder saw blade with the right diameter and screw it onto the arbor shank. The pilot drill acts as a guide for the large-diameter cylinder saw blade.
Materials
The material used for the hole saw drill bit determines the type and thickness of material that you can cut through.
Plumbers and electricians may need to cut through wood, metals, PVC, or fiberglass, while masonry and tile are less likely to come up during plumbing or electrical projects. To find the right blade for your typical jobs, review the following types of hole saws:
- Carbon steel
- High-speed steel
- Bimetal
- Tungsten carbide tipped (TCT)
- Single tooth
- Adjustable hole cutters
Carbon steel is the most common material for a hole saw blades. It is a cheap material used for cutting through wood, plastics, and soft metals. The teeth are a little flexible and do not dissipate heat quickly, making them prone to wear and damage.
For those needing to cut through hard metals such as stainless steel, look for high-speed steel saw blades. High-speed steel is less flexible and harder than carbon steel and can be used for cutting through stainless steel up to 2mm thick. It can also cut easily through fiberglass and PVC.
Bimetal offers a compromise between carbon steel and high-speed steel. These blades include carbon steel bodies with high-speed steel teeth. Kits with these blades are more versatile, being able to easily cut through plastics, wood, aluminum, copper, cast iron, and steel.
Tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) blades are designed for cutting through dense materials such as stainless steel. In addition, if you need to cut through masonry or tile, TCT blades are the most suitable choice. These blades are also among the most expensive.
Single tooth blades only have one tooth. The single tooth allows the blade to quickly cut through wood. However, you need to frequently withdraw the blade to clear debris.
Adjustable hole cutters have a completely different design. They include a long, central steel pilot bit connected to an adjustable arm featuring a single cutting tooth. These cutters are typically used for cutting through wood, vinyl, plastic, and rubber.
Hole Sizes
As with a drill bit set, a hole saw kit comes with attachments of varying sizes. Depending on the set, you may end up with 15 to 20 cylindrical saw blades, providing a wider range of hole sizes that you can cut.
Think about the sizes of the holes that you typically need to cut. Make sure that the set you purchase includes the sizes you need.
Cutting Depth
The size and design of the blades determine the cutting depth of the hole saw. Most blades include metal backing for increased durability. This also keeps the drill from cutting further than the depth of the inside of the blade. If the blade has a shallow gullet, you cannot cut through thicker materials.
Arbor Shank Size
The arbor shank is the piece that connects to your power drill. If the kit includes a large-diameter saw blade, it may include additional collars for connecting larger shanks. The three standard sizes for arbor shanks are as follows:
- ¼ inch
- 11/32 inch (⅜ inch)
- 7/16 inch (½ inch)
Manufacturers sometimes round off the 11/32-inch and 7/16-inch shanks to 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch, in keeping with standard chuck sizes.
The arbor shank needs to be equal to or smaller than the maximum chuck size on your drill. If the shank is larger than the chuck, it will not fit. You cannot use a 1/2-inch arbor shank with a 1/4-inch chuck. However, you can use a 1/4-inch arbor shank with a 1/2-inch chuck drill.
Conclusion
Whether you are cutting holes for light fixtures and electrical wiring or making connections in pipes, the hole saw kits reviewed can help make your job a little easier, giving you the ability to cut perfect holes quickly and efficiently.
Each of the three options includes a variety of hole sizes. The Klein Tools 4-Piece Set has the most durable blades for cutting through stainless steel and other metals, while the Milwaukee and DEWALT sets are best suited for cutting through wood, PVC, and aluminum.
