Hole saws
Hole saws from RUKO: Precision and efficiency for demanding through-holes
Discover our wide range of high-quality RUKO hole saws for precise through-holes - from thin-walled sheet metal to robust profiles. Due to the ring-shaped cutting, only the outer circumference is cut - this reduces the effort required, minimises material distortion and ensures clean cutting edges.
RUKO hole saws have been developed for professional users in metalworking, switch cabinet construction, mechanical and plant engineering and installation technology. Whether as a bi-metal version or carbide-tipped variant - our hole saws offer a long service life, precise tooth geometries and reliable performance, even with demanding materials. Hole saws are available both individually and as sets.
Productfinder
What is a hole saw?
A hole saw is a drilling tool with an annular cutting ring for producing larger through-holes in metal and thin-walled materials. In contrast to twist drills, the entire material within the drill diameter is not removed, but only the outer ring is cut through.
Structure of a hole saw
Typically, a hole saw consists of:
- toothed cutting rim (e.g. bi-metal or carbide-tipped)
- stable base body
- Holder (separate or hole saw is made from one piece)
- Centre drill for precise guidance
The centre drill sets the starting point, while the cutting rim cuts through the material in a ring shape. The cut material remains inside the hole saw as a drill core and can then be removed. It is possible to work with an ejector spring. This removes the core from the inside of the hole saw.
Functional principle
As only the outer circumference is machined, the material removal is less than with solid drills. This means that diameters such as 35 mm, 68 mm or 100 mm can be produced efficiently - with reduced stress on the machine and tool at the same time.
Typical areas of application for hole saws
Hole saws are used wherever large through-holes need to be produced economically and precisely in thin-walled metals. Dimensional accuracy, clean cutting edges and process reliability play a key role in industrial applications in particular.
Control cabinet and housing construction
- Cable bushings in steel and stainless steel sheets (e.g. 22 mm, 35 mm, 68 mm)
- Ventilation openings in enclosure doors
- Mounting openings for plug connectors and operating elements
Precise, burr-free openings are particularly important here to ensure an accurate fit and tightness.
Metal processing
- Drill holes in steel and stainless steel sheets
- Openings in aluminium profiles
- Pipe penetrations in thin-walled constructions
For large drill diameters, hole saws are more efficient than twist drills.
Mechanical and plant engineering
- Maintenance and inspection openings
- Connection bushings for cables and sensors
- Technical openings in housings or covers
The focus here is on dimensional accuracy, repeat accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Whether in switch cabinet construction, metalworking or plant engineering - hole saws are particularly suitable for drilling larger diameters.
Which hole saw is the right one?
The choice of the right hole saw depends on the material, the material thickness and the frequency of use. A basic distinction is made between two types:
Bimetal hole saws
- Flexible and unbreakable due to spring steel body
- tooth strip made of HSS or HSS-Co 5
- long service life for steel, stainless steel and aluminium
- Suitable for material thicknesses up to 38 mm (depending on material)
The use of HSS-Co 5 increases the temperature resistance of stainless steel in particular and improves tool life under demanding conditions.
Carbide hole saws
- Extremely wear-resistant
- very temperature resistant
- ideal for high-alloy steels, stainless steel and abrasive materials
- suitable for professional manual applications
Carbide hole saws are the right choice for demanding materials or high repetition frequency. They offer maximum tool life and consistent cutting quality.
HSS hole saws
- Precise cutting performance
- Suitable for thin sheets
- economical for occasional use
HSS hole saws are particularly suitable for lighter applications and thinner materials. With increasing material hardness and wall thickness, the use of more robust versions is recommended, e.g. carbide-tipped versions.
Further details on bi-metal hole saws, tooth shapes and material suitability can be found in our blog post: Bi-metal hole saws and its applications.
Important selection criteria for hole saws
For a hole saw to work reliably and economically, several technical factors should be taken into account. In addition to the material, the diameter, cutting depth and tooth pitch play a decisive role for cutting quality and service life.
Diameter
The required diameter depends on the specific application and the intended installation dimension. Typical sizes in an industrial environment are, for example
- 22 - 35 mm for cable and pipe penetrations
- 68 mm for installation openings
- 80 - 100 mm for pipe or ventilation ducts
The larger the diameter, the greater the torque requirement and the greater the load on the machine and holder. The machine should therefore have sufficient power and an adjustable speed.
Cutting depth
The cutting depth is limited by the height of the cutting rim.
- Standard hole saws generally allow cutting depths of over 30 mm
- Deep-cut variants reach 50 mm or more
A greater cutting depth is required for thicker materials or multi-layer constructions. Chips should be removed regularly and coolant used if necessary to prevent overheating.
Tooth pitch (TPI - Teeth per Inch)
The tooth pitch influences chip formation, smooth running and cutting quality.
- Fine teeth: suitable for thin sheets, smooth cut, less burr formation, for rather hard materials
- Medium toothing: universally applicable
- Coarse toothing: higher material removal with thicker wall thicknesses, for softer materials
In addition to the tooth pitch, the tooth shape also plays an important role. Different tooth geometries influence chip removal, smooth running and cutting quality - especially with stainless steel or high-strength materials. An incorrectly selected tooth pitch or tooth shape can lead to vibrations, unclean cutting edges or premature wear.
Mounting
The holder must be suitable for the machine used.
Common variants are
- Hexagonal shank for hand and pillar drills
- MK holder for machines with a corresponding holder for high forces
A stable connection between the holder and the hole saw is crucial for work safety and concentricity.
The right combination of diameter, cutting depth, tooth pitch and holder is decisive for the performance of the hole saw. Careful selection increases the service life and ensures clean, dimensionally accurate holes.
You can find out more about the difference between HSS and carbide hole saws, application recommendations and cutting depths in our blog post: What you should know about HSS and carbide hole saws.
Accessories for hole saws - holders, centre drills and extensions
The right accessories are crucial for the safe and precise use of hole saws. In addition to the actual hole saw, the holder, centring drill and optional additional material have a significant influence on concentricity, cutting quality and tool life.
Important accessory components are
Holder: The holder establishes the connection between the hole saw and the machine and ensures reliable torque transmission. The holder must be suitable for the machine (e.g. hexagon or MK holder).
Precise concentricity of the hole saw is crucial for dimensionally accurate holes, low vibrations and an even load on the cutting edges.
Centre drill: The centre drill ensures precise positioning and prevents the hole saw from running. Depending on the application, it is mainly used for HSS or HSS-Co 5 (for stainless steel).
Extensions: Extensions can be used for deeper or difficult to access drilling positions. Particular attention must be paid here to stability and concentricity.
Spare centring drills and ejector springs: For intensive use, it is advisable to keep spare components in stock to avoid downtimes.
The harmonised interaction of hole saw and accessories improves concentricity and drilling quality.
Application notes for hole saws
To ensure that hole saws achieve their maximum service life and cutting quality, the speed, feed rate and cooling should be adapted to the material and diameter. The material-specific cutting speed is determined by the diameter and speed and has a significant influence on tool life, heat generation and drilling quality. Correct use reduces wear, prevents overheating and ensures clean, dimensionally accurate breakthroughs.
For optimum results, we recommend
- a reduced speed for stainless steel and high-alloy steels
- a steady, moderate feed rate without excessive pressure
- the use of coolants and lubricants to reduce friction and heat
- secure fixing of the workpiece to avoid vibrations
- sufficient chip evacuation should be ensured, especially for deeper cuts
Controlled operation increases the service life of the hole saw and improves the drilling quality.
FAQs on hole saws
High-quality HSS-Co 5 bi-metal hole saws with hardened tooth geometry or carbide-tipped versions should be used for stainless steel. Stainless steel is tough and generates high friction and heat. Therefore, a reduced speed, even feed and the use of cutting oil or cooling lubricant are crucial for a long service life.
For series applications or thicker materials, carbide-tipped versions are particularly economical as they offer greater wear resistance.
Hole saws work with a toothed cutting rim and are particularly suitable for sheet metal, thin-walled profiles and pipes. They are typically used in hand drills or stationary machines.
In contrast, core drills have continuous cutting edges and are generally used in magnetic drilling machines. They are designed for solid materials and greater material thicknesses. While core drills enable precise drilling in solid material, hole saws are ideal for economical through-holes in rather thin-walled materials.
Carbide-tipped hole saws can be professionally reground under certain conditions. The prerequisite is that sufficient cutting edge material is available and the geometry is retained. Regrinding should only be carried out by specialised grinding companies.
Bi-metal hole saws are usually replaced in practice, as economical regrinding is hardly possible due to the tooth structure.
The correct speed depends on the diameter and the material. As a general rule, the larger the diameter and the harder the material, the lower the speed should be selected.
Excessively high speeds lead to excessive heat generation, premature tooth wear and poorer cutting quality. A reduced cutting speed is particularly important for stainless steel. The manufacturer's specifications for the recommended speed should always be taken into account.
Tilting is often caused by uneven feed or unstable workpiece fixing.
These are important:
- clean centring via the guide drill
- a stable hold of the workpiece
- even, moderate feed rate
- Do not use excessive pressure
Chips should be removed regularly, especially for deeper cuts.
Basically yes - as long as the cordless screwdriver offers sufficient torque. However, for large diameters or harder materials, a more powerful drill with adjustable speed is recommended.
It is also important that the workpiece is held firmly and securely in place. To achieve precise results, a controlled feed should be used.