Ideal has recently come out with their new Tri-Bore multi-material hole saws. These new hole saws are available in larger sizes, from 1-3/8″ to 6-7/8″, and feature larger carbide teeth for heavy duty hole-making applications
Tri-Bore hole saws are specially designed for cutting wood with embedded nails, cement board, composite enclosures, ceiling tiles, and other common construction materials. These new hole saws are said to perform faster than self-feeding drill bits in wood materials, and faster than carbide grit bits in abrasive materials.
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The hole saws are also engineered with deep gullets that make it easy to remove plugs.
The new hole saws are available in a wide range of sizes, including those used for recessed lighting installations. There are 4 sizes and styles of hole saw arbors, and 2 types of pilot holes – a carbide one for use in abrasive materials, and a spade bit for use in wood materials.
More Info(PDF via Ideal)
First Thoughts
Did you notice the part where I said Ideal claims these perform faster than self-feeding bits in wood? That makes a lot sense. A hole saw drills at the center and perimeter of a hole, while self-deeding bits drill into the entire interior. Ideal didn’t say that these bits perform any faster than ordinary hole saws, but there’s a good chance that they do.
These Tri-Bore hole saws are similar in general design to Milwaukee’s Big Hawg hole cutters, which are boasted as being quicker performers compared to other hole saws. The Milwaukee bits have hardened steel teeth, while these Ideal ones have carbide tips, which should allow them to hold up better when cutting tougher materials, such as cement board.
Ideal calls these multi-purpose hole saws, but I like to think of them more as multi-material saws. Tri-Bore hole saws are NOT rated for use in metals, or even sheet metal, but can handle nails embedded in wood.
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Pricing information isn’t available yet, but I would expect for the new hole saws to be competitively priced.
I find the new saws to be appealing, but while they’re available in a wide range of sizes, there are a couple of holes. I wish that Ideal released these bits in additional fractional sizes, and not just those matched with popular pipe and lighting standards.
fred
As you note these look a bit like the Milwaukee Big Hawg hole saws with the addition of carbide teeth instead of hardened steel teeth. I’ve used the Milwaukees (made in China) and think they cut a bit faster than a convention tooth geometry hole saws that have multi-tooth design. Milwaukee also claims that their Big Hawg hole saws can handle the occasional embedded nail – but I don’t think I’ve ever tried this out.
I’ve also used Bosch HTC hole saws – which are a bit like (they have thinner walls) these and sport carbide teeth. Bosch advertises these as “Multi-Construction.” Again. I’m not sure I’ve tested them on nails. The Bosch hole saws are made in Germany.
I’ve also used Pro-Fit (Boorwerk BV) carbide-tipped hole saws similar to the Bosch ones – made in Holland
I have some Lenox one tooth hole saws – that also look a bit similar – but as the name implies they sport only 1 cutting tooth.
Starret MPH series hole saws with tungsten carbide tips also have a similar geometry – and Starrett calls these “Fast cut Multi-Purpose” – Iv’e never used these.
Finally, I’ve used MK Morse carbide tipped hole saws that have a more conventional hole-saw geometry.
For those interested here’s a list of our inventory of the hole saws I just mentioned:
COMPANY Part # UPC SIZE COO
BOSCH HTC 100 000340374520 25 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 118 000340374537 30 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 137 000340374544 35 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 156 000340374551 40 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 175 000340374568 45 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 187 000340374575 50 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 212 000340374582 55 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 225 000340374599 58 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 237 000340374605 60 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 268 000340374629 68 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 275 000340374636 70 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 300 000340374643 76 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 312 000340374650 80 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 325 000340374667 85 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 350 000340374674 90 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 375 000340374681 95 MM DIA. GERMANY
BOSCH HTC 412 000340374704 105 MM DIA. GERMANY
LENOX 25454 082472254549 3-3/8 INCH D. USA
LENOX 25464 082472254648 4 INCH D. CHINA
LENOX 25469 082472254693 4-5/16 INCH D. USA
LENOX 25480 082472254808 5 INCH D. USA
LENOX 25487 082472254877 5-1/2 INCH D. USA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9000 045242200467 2-1/8 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9005 045242200474 2-1/4 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9010 045242200481 2-9/16 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9020 045242200504 3 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9030 045242200511 3-5/8 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9045 045242200535 4-1/4 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9050 045242200542 4-5/8 INCH D. CHINA
MILWAUKEE 49-56-9065 045242200559 6-1/4 INCH D. CHINA
MORSE AT09 050326160049 9/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT125 050326160063 20 MM D. USA
MORSE AT15 050326160155 15/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT17 050326160179 1-1/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT21 050326160216 1-5/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT23 050326160230 1-7/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT26 050326160261 1-5/8 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT27 050326160278 1-11/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT28 050326160285 1-3/4 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT29 050326160292 1-13/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT30 050326160308 1-7/8 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT33 050326160339 2-1/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT34 050326160346 2-1/8 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT37 050326160377 2-5/16 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT46 050326160469 2-7/8 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT50 050326160506 3-1/8 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT52 050326160520 3-1/4 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT56 050326160568 3-1/2 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT70 050326160704 4-3/8 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT76 050326160766 4-3/4 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT84 050326160841 5-1/4 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT92 050326160926 5-3/4 INCH D. USA
MORSE AT96 050326160964 6 INCH D. USA
PRO-FIT 0908 0016 8714757011616 16 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0017 8714757012729 17 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0019 8714757008562 19 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0021 8714757012736 21 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0022 8714757008586 22 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0029 8714757008616 29 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0032 8714757008623 32 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0038 8714757008647 38 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0051 8714757008661 51 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0067 8714757008715 67 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0098 8714757002682 98 MM DIA. HOLLAND
PRO-FIT 0908 0114 8714757012422 114 MM DIA. HOLLAND
mike
Id be interested in trying these if I didnt have a few big sets already.
Ive used Morse and Starretts in the past but currently have Lenox.
Ken
That hole looks very rough. Looks great for rough construction work. However, a good quality bi-metal hole saw will make holes in wood almost as smooth as a forstner bit…