drill vs hole saw

Trebissky

Active Member
Joined
May 16, 2005
Location
Durham, NC
I've seen several episodes of both Extreme 4X4 and Trucks where they had to drill through a frame or something and used a hole saw instead of a regular drill bit, particularly a 1/2" hole. Do the hole saws work better than bits? If so, are there some made specifically for metal, or will any hole saw go through steel?
 
I'm guessing they used the holesaw (as opposed to a regular bit) because Morse/Lenox/Greenlee/etc, are "sponsors" and gave them the $500 set. Other than that, using a holesaw is easier in that it won't grab & wrench your arms off :mad: and that the hole should be somewhat cleaner.

HHS (hi-speed steel) cutters will work on steel, with a shorter life than "bi-metal" or carbide tipped ($$$) versions.
 
I'd imagine that a hole saw is generally faster, too. It's just one hole, one shot... where a 1/2" or bigger hole with a regular twist bit is usually the result of a 3/16" hole, a 3/8" hole, then the 5/8" or 3/4" or whatever.

I have quite a few hole saws.... but with one exception, they're all 1-1/2" or bigger dia.
 
also figure in, a drill bit is eating a 100% of the desired hole size, as to where a holesaw is only drilling the circumference plus the pilot bit.
 
true. but a hole saw will grab and wrap you up if your not careful. try drilling a 6" hole in 1/2" steel. its not easy and takes forever with lots of oil.

Rob
 
rockcity said:
true. but a hole saw will grab and wrap you up if your not careful. try drilling a 6" hole in 1/2" steel. its not easy and takes forever with lots of oil.

Rob
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yup, happend with i was cutting 3 1/2 holes in my grill :lol:
 
Well, the reason I asked is with all the stuff I've been doing lately, I only had a regular 1/2" bit, narrowed down on the end to fit a 3/16 drill, and had a hell of a time with it. If a hole saw would do 1/2" easier, I'll be getting one ASAP. Do you need to use oil with them? Or just drill a pilot hole and go to it?

Thanks again for the info. Also, those "step bits" are the ones that start small and graduate to larger sizes all in one, right? Maybe I'll see if I can get one or two of those, too.

:bronco:
 
a 3/16" drill? don't ya mean a 3/8" drill???

a 1/2" hole is easily done with the 3/8" drill and a standard set of bits. just use pilot holes, gradually increas in size and you'll be fine, like from 1/4" to 3/8" to 1/2". any closer than that and the bit will grab and it'll give you more trouble. for half the $ of a hole saw setup you can get the right bits and just use the 3/8" drill just fine. just us a little oil (I like Marvel mystery oil, its cheap and works great). The step bits tend to be a little expensive, and, if you drill a lot of smaller holes, the smaller steps get worn out/dull and renders the entire bit useless after time. Its way much cheaper to get a few small bits and use them. But, don't get them at Lowe's, go to somewhere like Fastenal or Graingers and get them, or, preferrably a shop that specializes in industrial cutting tools like drill bits, grinding wheels, saw blades, end mills, and lathe inserts. It'll be much cheaper and usually the quality is much higher.

Rob
 
yeah see if you can find an industrial supply place they usually carry good quality stuff
and they will carry stuff like bits and taps and zerk fittings (metric and standard stuff as well) large sockets and all sorts of stuff

I like the hole saws they work good depending on how many times you have to use them.
a drill bit can be sharpened pretty easily but sharpening a hole saw would be kind of hard to do. you usually have to just get a new one. but they don't dull as fast unless you let them get overheated or don't use oil in the cutting area.
just prepare yourself before you go to an industrial place
I went in just to get a few bits and ended up coming out with a box and a bag full of cool stuff. they were having a tool sale.
 
yeah, I always go there expecting to spend about $20 or so but walk out with $200 worth of tools that I really didn't need but that I couldn't leave without. Most of which I've used once and are sitting in the bottom of the tool box.

Rob
 
Curiously enough, just this morning a flyer came in the mail at work from Grainger's. I'll give them a look.

a 3/16" drill? don't ya mean a 3/8" drill???
Click to expand...
Uhhhh... yeh. Heh. :lol:
 
So I went and found Graingers... closed Sat & Sun. :mad: Oh well, got one of each of those elsewhere, will try both.

EDIT: tried the step-bit Sunday, worked great! :D
 
rockcity said:
what, only 3 1/2 holes????
Click to expand...

Ridgerunner said:
try doing that with a 3.5 inch dril bit
Click to expand...


I'd sure like to see the drill motor that was turning it !!!
And the guy holding on to it !

K :D :smokin:
 
06.jpg


What you MEAN, you not pay for gas? HULK SMASH!
 
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