A few days ago, I posted about Acme Tools’ Black Friday 2017 sales flyer. I heard from my contact at Acme Tools today, that I posted details to the “local” ad, instead of the nationwide one.
I asked about the difference, and it’s slight – the nationwide ad has mention of a Diablo 14pc hole saw set, the local one mentions an in-store chainsaw deal.
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I took a look at the hole saw set, and had several reactions. First, that hole saw set deal is live already, right now.
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Second: WHOA!
I stopped by Home Depot yesterday, to pick up some more consumables from their gift center, and from their PRO Black Friday 2017 tool specials. One of the things I picked up was a Diablo 9pc hole saw set, for $40. That hole saw deal was popular last year, and I believe I have a test sample set around here as part of my Home Depot paid partnership thing, I figured I could use some more for tool testing.
These Diablo hole sets are said to be deeper than competing hole saws, and I figured that would help make for good drill testing.
The two sets aren’t apples-to-apples comparisons. The Diablo set gives a carbide-tipped 2″ hole saw, 4 other hole saws sizes, a quick-attach mandrel, a pilot bit, and some adapters for fitting other hole saws to.
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This Acme Tools special buy has a lot more!
This Diablo 14pc set gives you 10 hole saw sizes, a pilot bit, mandrel, and adapters.
You get double the number of hole saw cups, and for just $10 more.
I still have Milwaukee hole saws left over from last year, but I can tell you in no uncertain terms that at least one or two of these sets are going to make it into an Acme Tools order later today or tomorrow. This is a HOT deal!
The model number is DHS14SPG. The set also comes in a clear-window case I hadn’t seen used with hole saws before.
Kit Contents:
- 7/8″
- 1″
- 1-1/8″
- 1-3/8″
- 1-1/2″
- 1-3/4″
- 2″
- 2-1/8″
- 2-1/2″
- 2-9/16″
- 1/2″ and 5/8″ threaded adapters
- Snap Lock Plus mandrel and pilot bit
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Shipping is free on $199+ orders.
I’ll keep both sets.
See Also(Home Depot Special Buy)
Optimus Prime
Are the ACME version carbide tipped as well?
Stuart
No, they’re bi-metal.
The HD set only has 1 carbide-tipped hole saw, the 4 others are bi-metal as well.
Whiskey and wood
Link to Home Depot special buy doesn’t work, 404 error
Stuart
Thanks! Fixed it.
A W
So with the $20 off Milwaukee deal, would you go with this or the Hole Dozer set?
http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/milwaukee-49-22-4175-15-piece-hole-saw-kit
Stuart
Tough question. Home Depot will also have a Milwaukee 16pc hole saw set, for $40. The link is down at the moment, but I’ll see what I can do.
The 16pc set has 9 hole saws, the 15pc set you linked to has 11. You get a bunch of pilot drills, though.
The 16pc set looks to count 4 pilot drills as individual pieces. The 15pc set looks to count the mandrels and pilot drill assemblies as 1 piece each, instead of 2.
I bought a large Milwaukee set last year, and 2 or 3 of the holiday special sets.
If I didn’t have specific preferences as to the hole saw configuration, I’d go with the above Diablo. That quick chuck looks interesting. But I’ll likely also buy one or two of the Home Depot Black Friday specials too. I have a lot of testing to do coming up, and can always use more.
The Milwaukee are made in the USA, I’m not sure where the Diablo ones are made.
BOTH brands are what I’d consider experts and top brands when it comes to holes saws.
With Diablo, you’re likely paying a little extra for the mandrel sub-component that is preinstalled to each hole saw, as well for the factory assembly (machine or manual). With Milwaukee, you get more extras, such as the additional pilot drills. And presumably, more of the cost goes into the hole saws.
I’m not sure, but it looks like the Diablo might accept 1/4″ hex drill bits as pilot drills, which frees you up a little.
I haven’t used my purchased Ridgid hole saws in a while, but I remember having to buy special drill bits with machined flats, and I’m not sure if I can get the same bits anymore. It won’t be good if I can’t find off-the-shelf drill bits to fit.
Anyways, being curious and interested in the Diablo style, I’d go for that first, with the Milwaukee a very close second.
Speaking as someone who will be using a lot of hole saws this year, I’ll likely buy BOTH sets.
Now, that 15pc set… do the 2 extra sizes satisfy your needs better than the 16pc set that I’m going to try to post about in a moment, with its 2 fewer hole saws sizes?
The difference looks to be 1″ and 1-3/4″. Those 2 hole saw sizes will cost you close to $20 separately.
So despite my leaning towards the HD deal, if you’ll want those sizes, the 15pc set you linked to is the better buy.
You get different sizes in this Diablo set, skipping 3/4″ and 2-1/4″, but you get 1″ and 2-9/16″.
Okay, okay. I’d go with… the Milwaukee 15pc as my first choice, as long as I’d be making a $100+ order, and the Diablo set and Milwaukee 16pc set as pretty even next-best choices.
Here’s the coupon info for those who are wondering what we’re talking about: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-tools-coupon-h2017/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
A W
Stuart, you rock!
Thanks for thoroughly describing all the options.
Stuart
You’re welcome! You’re not the first to ask about hole saws, and likely aren’t the last.
It seemed redundant, but hopefully helpful to put everything in one place, so here you go:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/black-friday-2017-hole-saw-deals/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
The set you were talking about looks to be $59 at Home Depot, with free shipping. Acme might ship the new sets and just have the old images up.
I also dug up a cached image of the Home Depot page showing what I believe to be their Black Friday special.
Adam
You could even step up the the ‘complete’ 28-piece kit. Comes with multiple size mandrels (3), and just about any size hole saw. No need to find filler sizes for the other kits. This kit would get you above the $100 coupon threshold on Acme. I think I’ve seen this kit drop elsewhere to $120. Tools Plus is one, eBay another (plus ebay has 6% ebay bucks today/tom, & 2% ebates).
http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/milwaukee-49-22-4185-28-piece-hole-saw-kit?
Stuart
Beat you to the punch and mentioned it in the hole saw post. =)
Tator
2 9/16″??????
Stuart
Ha! Don’t shoot the messenger.
Tator
Nothing against you. I have never heard of a hole saw that size. I thought they only go buy 1/8″ increments.
Stuart
I took the 6 question marks as being more of a jaw-drop reaction.
Maybe it’s aimed at very specific applications?
Jeremiah
for plumbing!!!
I’ve used that size lots, probably more than any other. For running 2″ pipe ( cast iron or abs/pvc sch 40). Usually use a self feed auger type bit the same size matched with a hole saw on a hole hawg or super hawg. The auger is for speed The hole saw is good when the wood isn’t so clean for cutting nails, knots and stuff. I have been annoyed that box stores don’t stock that size on the shelf. Have to use 2-5/8″ instead which doesn’t work well when already halfway through a hole in 2 -9/16.
Corey
You’ll have to note your experiences with the quick change mandrel. I’ve had greenlee’s version for some time, and while they’re extremely reliable and convenient, there is a fair amount of play due to the mechanism tolerances. Still keep a large and small traditional mandrel with the bi-metals for precision needs.
Dave in VT
I tried this deal by going to acmetools.com and searching on “Diablo hole saw set.” In the search results, it appears as the 3rd item, for $49.95, but when I click on the item to go to the product page, it says $99.95, and also when I add it to my cart. I called Acme and described how I was seeing the different prices (and how I got there), but the rep on the phone said she’s seeing $99.95 in both places.
Oh well, either I was late to the party, or it was too good to be true.