Which Hole Saw Kit Do You Need for Your Project?

Start with the material you will cut

The blade material decides what a kit can safely cut, so settle this before you look at piece counts. Bi-metal blades with M42 cobalt are listed for metal as well as wood. Carbon steel blades suit wood, drywall and thin plastic only.

Among the kits we compare, the EZARC 30-piece kit and the Bosch SpinLOCK 9-piece kit both use M42 cobalt bi-metal. The KATA 25-piece kit uses carbon steel, and its listing says it is not intended for thick metal, tile, concrete or stone. The dashap carbide kit lists cuts in 3 mm stainless steel, so it also belongs in the metal group.

If you are unsure, pick the harder material. A kit rated for metal will also cut wood, but a wood-only kit will dull quickly or fail on metal.

Match the kit to your project

Most people buy a kit for one main job and then find other uses for it. Start with that main job and work outward. The table below sorts common projects by what the kit needs to do.

Use it as a starting point, then check the exact size list in the kit's listing. Sizes vary a lot from one kit to the next.

Check the size range and the gaps

Many kits start at 0.75 in. The top size is what differs. The Bosch kit stops at 2 in, the EZARC 16-piece kit at 2.5 in, the EZARC 30-piece and Spyder kits at 4.5 in, and the KATA kit goes up to 6 in. The dashap kit runs from 0.625 in to 3.9375 in, so it is the one with the smallest starting size.

Gaps between sizes matter too. The EZARC 30-piece kit lists 24 hole saws, so the steps are small. A kit with six saws leaves bigger jumps. If you need a hole to fit a specific fitting or fixture, check that its size is actually in the list. A kit with fewer saws can miss the one size you need.

If you need holes up to 6 in, the choices narrow quickly. Our best hole saw kit page lists the KATA kit with 17 saws up to 6 in, and the Luckyway kit with 14 saws up to 6 in. Both are carbon steel, so they are for wood, drywall and PVC rather than metal.

Think about cutting depth

Cutting depth is how thick a board one pass can cut. Listed depths in our comparison run from 1 in to 2.375 in. The KATA kit is listed at 1 in, and its listing warns against cutting deeper than about that. That suits drywall and thin board but not a thick beam.

The EZARC kits list 1.89 in, which handles most standard lumber used around the house. The Spyder kit lists 2.375 in. Some kits do not list a depth at all, so check the listing or the product itself before you buy if your stock is thick.

You can also cut thick material from both sides. Drill until the pilot bit comes through, then flip the work and finish from the other side. This takes more care, so a deeper saw is easier if you cut thick stock often.

Features that save time

Once material and size are settled, look at how the kit is set up for changing saws.

- Quick-change mandrel: swaps saws without a hex key. The Bosch and Spyder kits list one.

- Plug ejection: clears the cut core so you do not have to pry it out. The dashap, Bosch and Spyder kits list it.

- Two arbors: handy when one tool fits a 3/8 in chuck setup and another fits something else. The EZARC 16-piece kit lists 3/8 in and 7/16 in arbors.

- A case: keeps every size together and labeled. Most of the kits we compare include one. The Spyder is the exception, with no case listed.

If you change sizes often, a quick-change mandrel and plug ejection are worth more than a few extra saws. If you make a handful of holes a year, they matter less.

Work safely

Hole saws grab and twist hard, especially as they break through. Hold the drill with both hands, keep it straight and let the saw do the cutting without leaning on it. Use a drill with a side handle for larger sizes if you can.

Wear eye protection, since chips and plugs can fly out. Wear gloves when you handle freshly cut metal, because the edges are sharp and the saw gets hot. Use hearing protection for long cuts in metal.

Clamp the work so it cannot spin. Before cutting into a wall or ceiling, make sure there are no wires or pipes behind it, and turn off power to any nearby circuit. When working on a ladder, keep your footing steady, since a snagged saw can pull you off balance. For metal, use cutting oil or coolant and a slower speed, as the dashap listing advises.

A quick way to decide

Put it together in order. First pick the material: metal means bi-metal or carbide, while wood and drywall only means carbon steel is fine. Next pick the top size you need and confirm it is in the kit. Then check the cutting depth against your stock. Last, decide whether quick-change and plug ejection are worth having.

To compare piece counts, size ranges, depth and weight in one place, see our hole saw kit comparison. It ranks the kits by their published specifications, so you can line up the ones that fit your project.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a pilot drill bit?

Yes. The pilot bit centers the saw and keeps it from wandering at the start. Every kit we compare includes pilot bits or a pilot bit with its arbor.

Can I use a hole saw in a cordless drill?

Often yes, for small and mid sizes in wood. Larger saws and metal cuts need more torque, so use a corded drill or a bench drill where you can. The dashap listing says its saws suit cordless, corded and bench drills.

Why does my hole saw stop cutting?

Usually the plug is jammed, the teeth are dull, or the saw is too hot. Back out, clear the chips, and slow down. For metal, add cutting oil or coolant.

Is a bigger kit always better?

No. More saws give smaller size steps, but you pay in case size and weight. If you only cut a few sizes, a compact kit with the right material may serve you better.