FAQ's: Holesaw Drills

Slow speed with steady pressure—fast speeds overheat and dull the teeth.

No—hammer action can damage the saw and the material. Use standard drill mode.

Clamp a scrap board over the existing hole, drill through the board to keep the saw steady as it enters.

Metal hole saws have fine, hardened teeth or carbide tips; wood hole saws have larger, aggressive teeth. Check the packaging or markings.

Center a larger hole saw over the existing hole using a guide plate or scrap wood clamped as a template.

Use a round file, rotary tool, or nibbler to manually widen the hole.

Use a metal-rated hole saw or step bit, slow drill speed, firm pressure, and cutting oil for lubrication.

Use a larger hole saw with the right arbor, or use a hole saw guide to enlarge an existing hole without wandering.

Yes—drill straight and perpendicular for a clean cut. For delicate materials, drill halfway from each side to reduce tear-out.

Possible, but harder to center. A pilot bit helps guide the saw and prevents wandering.