Hole saw

Most hole saws have a fairly short aspect ratio of diameter to depth, and they are used to cut through relatively thin workpieces.

Cutting with a hole saw is analogous to some machining operations, called trepanning in the trade, that swing a cutter analogous to a fly cutter in order to achieve a similar result of annular kerf and intact core.

After the first few millimeters of cut, the centering mechanism may no longer be needed, although it will help the bit to bore without wandering in a deep hole.

Holes saws for use with portable drills are commonly available in diameters from 6 to 130 mm, or in the US, ¼ to 6 inches.

By snapping the blades into different grooves on the disc, a hole saw of a wide variety of sizes can be constructed.

This type is available in sizes up to 300 mm (1 ft) and larger, and can be used to accurately cut large circles.

The main advantage over conventional drill bits is the hole saw's efficiency, because very little of the total material being removed is actually cut, which ultimately reduces the overall power requirement.