How to Sharpen Hole Saws

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Last updated: August 23, 2023
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A hole saw Trusted Source Hole saw - Wikipedia A hole saw (also styled holesaw), also known as a hole cutter, is a saw blade of annular (ring) shape, whose annular kerf creates a hole in the workpiece without having to cut up the core material. It is used in a drill. en.wikipedia.org is a tool that is used to drill perfect circular holes to various surfaces. Surfaces such as plastics, steel, wood, and metal. The sizes of hole saws vary according to their functions and the type of surfaces to drill. The hole saw is either circular or cylindrical, having tiny teeth in one end.

After some time, it might need to be sharpened to provide better results. If you want to find out how to sharpen a hole saw, stick with our article, where we will explore this information in detail.

How Can I Tell If My Hole Saw Requires Sharpening?

How to Sharpen Hole SawsSharpening the hole saw is a challenge that requires precision. Professionals’ experience has shown that after drilling 2 or 3 holes, some hole saws become dull.

One way to know if your hole saw requires sharpening is when you apply much more effort to drill the same hole you have been drilling for lesser efforts and not seeing results.

Also, when dull, the teeth of your hole saw become slightly rounded and fail to cut through the surface, you are trying to cut.

Hole saws are easy to replace because they are cheap. However, some people prefer to sharpen them until it is impossible to sharpen them, and there are numerous ways to do that.

Hand File

Easy. Available. Efficient. Hand files not only provide you with the ability to sharpen hole saws, but each tooth of the hole saw can also be sharpened to your taste. Although the process can take much effort and time, diamond files are considered the best option for sharpening hole saws.

Electric Grinder

If you have access to a handheld electric grinder, then this is for you. Electric handheld grinders are slightly quicker than hand files, but they also require a lot of time and concentration.

Bench Grinder

Using a bench grinder to sharpen hole saws is another option. A bench grinder is used by attaching the hole saw to a rotatable vice. After this, angle the teeth into the grinding wheel, and you have your hole saw sharpened.

Hole Saw Replacement

Hole saws are always subjected to a great amount of wear and tear when in use. This is due to the friction of the surfaces of the hole being drilled.

Eventually, the hole saws would have to be replaced, especially when sharpening hole saws isn’t much of an option any longer.

One advantage to this is that hole saws are detachable. Hence you don’t need to replace the whole machine. Also, there are cases where hole saws become dulled, and it is impracticable or impossible to sharpen properly. If you do not have the time and energy to sharpen your hole saw, considering hole saw replacement is a good option. The replacements are cheap, as hole saws do not cost a fortune.

Complete Hole Saw Sharpening Guide

Step 1– Universal Sharpener

The vice grip of your sharpener comes detached. You would have to secure it in its fitting. After that, take your hole saw and place it in the drill end of the vice grip.

Be careful not to over-tighten the grip. This action can damage the part that goes into the drill. Keep it firm but not tight.

Step 2 – Setting up

Loosen the revolving head of the grip and place the hole saw so that the teeth are resting gently on the sharpening blade. Secure the hole saw with the screw knob to avoid movement during the process.

If you want to purchase a new cordless drill, the DEWALT DCD791D2 is an excellent option suitable for large diameter holes.

Step 3 – Marking

You are to remember where you started because you would be going in a full circle. To achieve this, you have to mark the area you want to drill a hole in so that you do not make a double revolution. Use a permanent marker to put a tiny dot or line on the hole saw at the starting point.

Step 4 – Hose Adjustment

Fix the hole of the hose under the hole saw directly if your machine has a hose adjustment. The function of this feature is to catch metal clouds of dust flying around when sharpening.

Step 5 – Sharpening

The final step. Start the machine and place the hole saw against the blade (sharpening blade). Hold for 3 seconds and pull back. Repeat this process for each tooth until you reach the marked point.

Final Thoughts

Setting up hole saws is easy – the descriptions come in the user manual. There are different types of hole saws depending on their functions. This means that you pick a hole saw based on the kind of function you need it to perform for you.

Now that you have learned how to sharpen the hole saw, we bet you can’t wait to put your knowledge to use.

If you are interested in getting other power tools, check our other guides. Do you need a warm drive saw? Consider the Milwaukee 6477-20 model that features impressive reliability. Also, you might want to purchase a new impact driver. Follow our buying guides to get the best products available on the market!

References

1.
Hole saw - Wikipedia
A hole saw (also styled holesaw), also known as a hole cutter, is a saw blade of annular (ring) shape, whose annular kerf creates a hole in the workpiece without having to cut up the core material. It is used in a drill.

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