Hole Saw Operating Tips

• Speeds
  Each hole saw is packed with a table showing recommended RPM's for each size saw cutting specific materials. Operating at higher speeds than those recommended will shorten the life of the saw and produce very inefficient cutting.
  
  
• Feeds
  Sufficient feed pressure to take a chip must be applied. Variables in material, work configuration, etc. should be considered. Generally, apply 80-100 pounds per inch of hole saw diameter when sawing in metals. Insufficient feed pressure will dull tooth points prematurely. Too much pressure can destroy teeth.
  
  
• Lubricant
  Cutting oil serves two purposes when sawing in metals. It cools the saw and the work, reducing heat and abrasion which can shorten cutting life, and it removes chips from the kerf. An exception is cast iron, which is cut dry.
  
  
• Pilot Drill Placement
  The point of the pilot drill must not extend beyond the teeth points more than the thickness of the material being cut. If the drill pierces the work before the saw teeth are in contact, the saw can hit the work with sufficient shock to break the saw or the teeth.
  
  

  Correct & Incorrect Pilot Drill Placement

  
  
• Pipe Installation
  Pipe tap sizes are hole saw diameters used when pipes must be threaded into the work (e.g., into tanks, boilers, etc.). For the best results, holes should be reamed before tapping with reamers having a taper of 3/4" per foot. Pipe entrance sizes are hole saw diameters used when pipes require clearance to pass throught the work (e.g., walls, beams, bulkheads, etc.). Pipe tap and pipe entrance sizes are standard industry sizes. All pipes are sized by the nominal inside diameter.