How to Choose a Hole Saw Kit for Clean Cuts Every Time
Milwaukee’s 49-22-4185 Hole Dozer leads for bi metal teeth that cut wood, plastic and metal on one saw, plus slots that make slug removal simple. DEWALT’s DW1361 kit is the value pick for wood and plastic jobs. Spyder’s 600890 Rapid Core Eject set solves stuck slugs at a lower price.
Milwaukee’s Hole Dozer kit cuts fastest and clears slugs with the least hassle for general work. DEWALT’s DW1361 covers wood and plastic cheaply, while Spyder’s 600890 Rapid Core Eject set solves the stuck-slug problem better than anything near its price.
Two kits with identical size ranges can behave completely differently depending on tooth geometry and whether slots let you pry a core loose. We compared cutting material, arbor design, ejection features and what owners report after cutting through joists, tile backer and sheet steel.
The best picks, ranked
Milwaukee 49-22-4185 Hole Dozer
Variable pitch bi metal teeth on the Hole Dozer cut wood, plastic and metal without swapping saws. Plug removal slots let you lever a core out with a screwdriver instead of fighting it. A quick change arbor swaps sizes in seconds, and owners report the teeth stay sharp through far more nail-embedded timber than budget saws.
Pros
- Cuts metal and wood without swapping saws
- Slots make slug removal genuinely easy
- Holds an edge through nails and screws
Cons
- Costs more than wood-only kits
- Case latches are the weak point
DEWALT DW1361 Hole Saw Kit
Carpentry, door hardware and plastic pipe define the size range in this kit, and a rigid case keeps everything organized. Bi metal construction allows occasional light metal cuts even though wood stays the focus. Based on specifications, it works as a sensible starter kit for anyone whose jobs are mostly timber.
Pros
- Practical size selection for building work
- Solid case that survives a van
- Good price for a known brand
Cons
- Not built for heavy metal cutting
- Standard arbor changes slower than quick-change designs
LENOX Tools 30806-1200L Hole Saw Kit
A harder tooth and deeper gullet help LENOX saws clear chips when cutting sheet steel and stainless. Arbors and pilot bits sized for the range ship in the kit. Owners report these last considerably longer than general purpose saws when metal is a regular part of the job.
Pros
- Excellent life in sheet steel
- Deep gullets clear swarf well
- Consistent hole quality in metal
Cons
- Premium price per saw
- Overkill for pure woodworking
Bosch HDG21 Hole Saw Kit
Twenty-one pieces span small pilot holes to large diameter openings in this kit. A quick change arbor system skips the usual pin fiddling, and a blow molded case marks sizes clearly so you find the right saw fast. Based on specifications, it suits jobs where sizes are unpredictable.
Pros
- Wide range covers most common sizes
- Fast arbor changes
- Clearly labelled case saves time
Cons
- Some sizes rarely get used
- Bulkier case than focused kits
Klein Tools 31873 Electrician’s Hole Saw Kit
Every saw in this kit corresponds to a standard conduit or knockout size, removing the guesswork on electrical work. A compact pouch fits a tool bag rather than a van shelf. Owners report the size selection alone saves more time than a faster tooth would.
Pros
- Sizes match electrical standards exactly
- Pouch fits in a tool bag
- Cuts enclosure steel cleanly
Cons
- Narrow use case outside electrical work
- Pouch offers less protection than a case
Greenlee 830 Quick Change Hole Saw Kit
Greenlee’s quick change mandrel operates among the fastest in this category, which matters when a job needs several diameters in sequence. Trade sizes anchor the kit, and the saws hold up to daily use. Based on specifications, it fits anyone whose main frustration is changing saws repeatedly.
Pros
- Very quick saw changes
- Robust saws suited to trade use
- Sensible trade-focused sizes
Cons
- Arbor system is proprietary
- Fewer sizes than the largest kits
Spyder 600890 Rapid Core Eject Hole Saw Kit
Spyder’s mandrel pushes the slug out as you retract the saw, turning the most annoying part of hole sawing into a non-issue. Common sizes ship at a lower price than most trade sets. Owners report the ejection system works well enough that they stopped reaching for their older saws.
Pros
- Slug ejection works as advertised
- Deeper cut than standard saws
- Low price for the feature set
Cons
- Teeth dull faster than premium brands
- Case is lightweight
What to look for
Bi Metal Versus Carbide Versus Diamond Bi metal saws handle wood, plastic, plasterboard and sheet metal, covering most jobs and every kit here. Carbide tipped saws push further into abrasive materials like cement board and cast iron and last longer in stainless, at a higher cost. Diamond grit saws cut tile, stone and glass by abrasion rather than teeth. Buy bi metal as the main kit and add a single carbide or diamond saw only when a specific job demands it.
Why Slug Ejection Saves Your Temper Every hole saw traps a plug of material inside it. Some kits leave you levering it out through side slots, while the Spyder Rapid Core Eject pushes it out automatically as you withdraw. Cutting more than a handful of holes at a time makes slug removal matter more than a few seconds of cutting speed.
How Arbor Systems Affect Changeover Speed An arbor holds the saw and carries the pilot bit. Traditional arbors use two pins and a threaded collar, which works but runs slow. Quick change systems from Milwaukee, Bosch and Greenlee swap sizes in seconds. Most arbor systems are proprietary, so a spare saw from another brand may not fit the mandrel already in your drill.
Technique That Keeps A Saw Alive Running a hole saw slower than expected protects the teeth, especially in metal where heat does the damage. Steady moderate pressure, periodic pullbacks to clear chips, and cutting fluid on steel all extend saw life. In timber, cut halfway from one side then finish from the other to avoid tearing the exit face. Never run a hole saw in an impact driver.
How they stack up
| # | Model | Tooth type | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee 49-22-4185 Hole Dozer | Bi metal variable pitch | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | DEWALT DW1361 Hole Saw Kit | Bi metal | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | LENOX Tools 30806-1200L Hole Saw Kit | Bi metal, hardened edge | Best for metal | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Bosch HDG21 Hole Saw Kit | 21 | Best size range | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Klein Tools 31873 Electrician’s Hole Saw Kit | Matched to conduit knockouts | Best for electricians | 8.5 | Check price |
| 6 | Greenlee 830 Quick Change Hole Saw Kit | Greenlee quick change mandrel | Best arbor system | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Spyder 600890 Rapid Core Eject Hole Saw Kit | Rapid core eject mandrel | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Common questions
What is the difference between bi metal and carbide hole saws?
Bi metal saws have hardened teeth welded to a flexible backing and handle wood, plastic and sheet metal well at a reasonable price. Carbide tipped saws cost more but survive abrasive materials such as cement board and stainless steel far longer.
How do I get the slug out of a hole saw?
Push a screwdriver through the side slots and lever it out, or choose a kit that solves the problem. The Milwaukee Hole Dozer has generous plug removal slots and the Spyder Rapid Core Eject pushes the slug out as you withdraw the saw.
What speed should I run a hole saw at?
Slower than most people expect. Large diameters and metal need low speed to avoid overheating the teeth. Small saws in softwood tolerate higher speeds. Smoke or blue chips mean it is time to slow down and add cutting fluid.
Can I use a hole saw on tile?
Not a toothed bi metal saw. Ceramic and porcelain need a diamond grit hole saw used wet and at low speed. Attempting tile with a bi metal saw destroys the teeth and usually cracks the tile.
Do I need a mandrel for every saw?
No. One or two mandrels usually cover the whole size range, with a small mandrel for saws under about an inch and a larger one above that. Arbor compatibility matters most when buying replacement saws for this reason.
Which hole saw kit suits electrical work?
The Klein Tools 31873, because its sizes match standard conduit and knockout dimensions directly, so there is no measuring or converting on site.
Can I use a hole saw in an impact driver?
No. Impact drivers deliver rotational hammering that a hole saw is not designed to absorb, and the result is broken teeth or a snapped pilot bit. Use a corded or brushless drill with a side handle instead.
How do I stop tear-out on the exit side?
Cut until the pilot bit breaks through, then finish from the other side using the pilot hole to centre the saw. Clamping a sacrificial board behind the workpiece achieves a similar result in one pass.
How long do hole saw teeth last in metal?
Bi metal teeth in wood or plastic last through dozens of holes, but metal cutting wears them faster. LENOX’s hardened edge and deep gullet design extend life noticeably when steel or stainless is a regular part of the job.
Are quick change arbors worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you swap sizes often. A quick change arbor turns a job that took a wrench and a minute into a few seconds, which adds up fast on jobs with several hole sizes.
Final word
Milwaukee’s 49-22-4185 Hole Dozer kit suits anyone cutting a mix of materials, since it handles wood and metal on the same teeth and makes slug removal straightforward. DEWALT’s DW1361 delivers better value when the work stays mostly timber and plastic. Spyder’s 600890 Rapid Core Eject set brings the category’s most useful feature at a lower price.
Jake Monroe
Jake worked as a residential contractor for over a decade before shifting to full-time writing. He evaluates power tools, hand tools and workshop gear through the lens of someone who has actually used them on job sites, not just read the box.
