Hole saw RPMs so you cut the perfect hole
2018/11/07

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Using the right speed, or RPM, will extend the life of your hole saw and give the perfect cut

Excessive speed builds heat and heat destroys cutting tools and when we cut too fast we lose control and accuracy of our cutting operation. That’s why the information is critical to extending the life of your power tools and accessories and cutting the perfect hole—every time.

Bi-metal hole saw cutting fiber cement (HardiePlank) too quickly and burning

The trick to cutting perfect holes in any substrate is getting the RPMs right

Modern hole saws offer various cutting profiles that allow us to cut a wide variety of materials. Bimetal hole saws will allow us to cut all manner of wood and metal products; diamond hole saws are suited to tile and masonry; and carbide tipped are best for high speed wood and fiber cement. However, each substrate hardness and density varies and needs to be cut at the correct speed to provide a precision cut and extended tool life.

For example, as the hole saw diameter increases, the speed, or RPM, should decrease; and harder, denser materials need to be cut at slower speeds. By following these guidelines you will reduce heat build up and hole saw burn out.

What the hole saw RPMs mean or how can I gauge the speed of my drill?

Although portable drills do not come with a speed gauge, most provide variable speeds and many even offer dual speed transmissions for a wider range of speed control. For example, if your drill is rated at 0 to 3,000 RPM and the suggested cutting speed is 1,500 RPM then simply run your drill at half speed. If you are cutting through very hard material such as steel or ceramic tile and the suggested speed is 300 RPM then simply drill very slowly. When cutting hard materials slow speeds will give you more control as well. There is nothing worse than having a diamond hole saw slide across a granite tile and destroy the surface just because we were impatient and cutting too fast.

NOTE: DIAMOND HOLE SAWS

Note that when using diamond hole saws not only is a slow speed important but it is critical that you use water as a cooling lubricant while cutting. This not only keeps the cutting edge cool but also helps remove dust and debris from the cut. See more tips for using hole saw to cut perfect hole.

Diamond hole saw cutting porcelain tile

Recommended bimetal hole saw RPMs for cutting wood, aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel

BIMETAL HOLE SAWS	RECOMMENDED HOLE SAW SPEED RPM
SIZE	WOOD	ALUMINUM	BRASS	MILD STEEL	STAINLESS STEEL
Bimetal 3/4"	3000	690	600	460	230
Bimetal 7/8"	3000	585	520	390	195
Bimetal 1"	2700	525	470	350	175
Bimetal 1 1/8"	2700	450	400	300	150
Bimetal 1 3/16"	2400	425	380	285	145
Bimetal 1 1/4"	2400	410	360	275	140
Bimetal 1 3/8"	2400	375	330	250	125
Bimetal 1 1/2"	2400	345	300	230	115
Bimetal 1 5/8"	2100	315	280	210	105
Bimetal 1 3/4"	2100	295	260	195	95
Bimetal 1 7/8"	2100	270	240	180	90
Bimetal 2"	2000	255	230	170	85
Bimetal 2 1/8"	2000	240	210	160	80
Bimetal 2 1/4"	2000	225	200	150	75
Bimetal 2 3/8"	2000	220	190	140	70
Bimetal 2 1/2"	1800	205	180	135	65
Bimetal 2 9/16"	1800	200	175	130	65
Bimetal 2 5/8"	1800	195	170	130	65
Bimetal 2 3/4"	1800	185	160	125	60
Bimetal 2 7/8"	1800	200	175	130	65
Bimetal 3"	1800	170	150	115	55
Bimetal 3 1/8"	1500	165	140	110	55
Bimetal 3 1/4"	1500	155	140	105	50
Bimetal 3 3/8"	1500	150	130	100	50
Bimetal 3 1/2"	1200	145	130	95	45
Bimetal 3 5/8"	1200	140	120	90	45
Bimetal 3 3/4"	1200	135	120	90	45
Bimetal 3 7/8"	1200	135	120	90	45
Bimetal 4"	1000	130	110	85	40
Bimetal 4 1/8"	1000	120	110	80	40
Bimetal 4 1/4"	900	120	110	80	40
Bimetal 4 1/2"	900	105	100	75	35
Bimetal 4 3/4"	900	95	92	75	35
Bimetal 5"	800	90	90	65	30
Bimetal 5 1/4"	800	85	85	60	25
Bimetal 5 1/2"	800	85	85	60	25
Bimetal 6 “	700	75	75	55	25
Bimetal 6 1/4"	700	75	75	55	25
Bimetal 6 5/8"	700	70	70	50	25
Bimetal 7 7/8"	700	65	65	40	20

NOTE:

Cutting ceramic, marble, glass, granite, slate, terrazzo, and fiber cement is not recommended with a bimetal hole saw.

Recommended carbide tipped hole saw RPMs for wood and fiber cement

CARBIDE TIPPED HOLE SAWS	RECOMMENDED HOLE SAW SPEED RPM
SIZE	WOOD	FIBER CEMENT
Carbide Tipped 3/4"	3000	3000
Carbide Tipped 7/8"	2700	2700
Carbide Tipped  1"	2700	2700
Carbide Tipped  1 1/8"	2700	2700
Carbide Tipped 1 3/8"	2400	2400
Carbide Tipped 1 1/2"	2400	2400
Carbide Tipped 1 3/4"	2100	2100
Carbide Tipped 2", 2 ⅛”, 2 ¼”	2000	2000
Carbide Tipped 2 1/2", 2 9/16”, 2 ¾”, 3”	1800	1800
Carbide Tipped 3 3/8", 3 ½”	1500	1500
Carbide Tipped 3 5/8"	1200	1200
Carbide Tipped  4"	900	900
Carbide Tipped 4 1/8"	900	900
Carbide Tipped 4 1/4"	900	900
Carbide Tipped 4 5/8"	900	900
Carbide Tipped 4 3/4"	900	900
Carbide Tipped 5 1/2"	800	800
Carbide Tipped 6 1/4"	700	700

NOTE:

Cutting aluminum, brass, mild steel, stainless steel, ceramic, marble, glass, granite, slate, and terrazzo is not recommended with a carbide tipped hole saw.

Recommended diamond hole saw RPM 

DIAMOND HOLE SAWS	RECOMMENDED HOLE SAW SPEED RPM
SIZE	CERAMIC + MARBLE	GLASS	GRANITE + SLATE + TERRAZZO
Diamond 3/16"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 1/4"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 9/32"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 5/16"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 3/8"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 1/2"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 3/4"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 1"	400*	100*	400*
Diamond 1 1/4"	250*	100*	250*
Diamond 1 3/8"	250*	100*	250*
Diamond 1 1/2"	250*	100*	250*
Diamond 2"	150*	100*	150*
Diamond 2 1/2"	150*	100*	150*
Diamond 3 3/8"	100*	100*	100*
Diamond 3 5/8"	100*	100*	100*
Diamond 4 3/8"	100*	100*	100*

*Indicates that water is required for cutting

NOTE:

Cutting wood, aluminum, brass, mild steel, and stainless steel is not recommended with a diamond hole saw. Diamond holes saws can be used to cut fiber cement, but carbide tipped hole saws are preferred.

Exchangeable to save you money and save the planet

Like all EAB Exchange-A-Blade green exchange products, our bimetal, carbide-tipped, and diamond hole saws are fully exchangeable—you buy it, you use it, and when you bring it back to the store where you bought it, you’ll get a credit towards the purchase of your next EAB hole saw. A limited number of these  hole saw products are also available in our non-exchangeable brand, Stay Sharp.

About Exchange-A-Blade hole saws 

Exchange-A-Blade hole saws are market leaders in quality and value. They can be used to cut  holes in wood, ferrous and non-ferrous metal, ceramics, marble, glass, slate, granite, and fiber cement products. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and come in a Professional and Industrial quality.