With plumbers often having to cut through a range of materials during installations Graham Munro, Saw Doctor & Sawtech Technician at Starrett, provides an insight into holesaws and some of the factors to consider when selecting and using them.
Q. What are the main factors a plumber should consider when selecting a holesaw?
Essentially, it depends on what you’re cutting and how often. A plumber should prioritise material compatibility of the holesaw and the material to be cut, and how often they need to cut that material.
For example, if you’re cutting through mostly wood joists and floorboards, then a carbide tipped holesaw such as the Starrett MPH is the best option because it doesn’t get hot cutting these materials.
Or, if you’re cutting metal, then a Deep Cut or Fast Cut bi-metal would be the best options. A Deep Cut is a good all-rounder if you’re looking for a general holesaw that can cut metal and wood materials occasionally.
Ultimately, selecting the proper holesaw based on these factors can lead to smoother cuts, less wear on the tool, and increased productivity.
Q. To use a holesaw effectively, does the power tool being used require a certain power rating?
Power? Not as much. The most important thing for a power drill when using a holesaw is to have variable speed control. Different materials need different speeds.
For example, when cutting wood and related materials with a carbide-tipped holesaw, use a faster speed, but when cutting metal with a Fast Cut or Deep Cut bi-metal holesaw a slower speed should be selected. Our catalogues provide material, holesaw type, and speed guidance tables.
Q. For what applications should diamond bits be considered?
Diamond tile drills and diamond holesaws are invaluable for cutting through extremely dense materials like floor and wall tiles of all grades, or hard stone materials like granite and marble found in plumbing installations, particularly kitchens and bathrooms.
These bits are equipped with diamond-impregnated edges that allow for accurate and clean cuts without chipping the surrounding material. Remember to cool with water during cutting.
Q. What is the best way to eject the material being cut out from the holesaw?
For Starrett holesaws, we have two types of ejectors: standard ejector springs, which can be fitted to the pilot drill to help eject the core after drilling; and we have the holesaw Core Ejector, which is a spring with an alumunium disc on the end that slips over the pilot drill and forcibly ejects the core after drilling. The MPH holesaws have wide flutes that allow easy access with a screwdriver to eject the slug.
Q. Is a starter set for plumbers available?
Yes. Starrett offers a variety of sets tailored specifically for plumbers. These sets typically include a range of holesaw sizes, arbors, and pilot bits, providing all the essential tools needed for various plumbing applications.
Q. Does Starrett also make core drills?
We do. Starrett has a range of dry core drills varying from 22mm to 152mm diameters, and we also offer a kit that has five holesaws plus the accessories.
Q. What kind of accessories should plumbers consider?
In addition to the holesaws themselves, plumbers should consider essential accessories that can make their lives easier. At Starrett, we have ranges of pilot drills, diamond sets, arbors, hole ejectors, squares, levels, dust bowls, and one accessory in particular is our Kwik Change arbor system, which allows fast switching between holesaw types and sizes plus a compatibility with standard ¼ hex bits. Checkout our catalogues and website for more information.
Q. What is the company’s history?
Starrett’s history spans over 140 years, with innovation and quality manufacturing at its core. Founded in 1880 in Athol, Massachusetts, by L. S. Starrett, with one of his first inventions being the combination square, our company has grown into a globally recognised leader in precision tools, measurement equipment, bandsaw blades and cutting PTA.
Starrett has been in the UK since 1958, when it opened its headquarters in Jedburgh, Scotland. For the past 67 years, we have established ourselves as a market leader in cutting tools, particularly the famous “Yellow Holesaw”, used by professionals across the UK and around the world.
