Replies

1. 
   alrightythen | Dec 20, 2006 08:09am | #1

   well...there is the alternative - sawzall.

   but I guess you want a hole that is more than sort of round.

   also when you think you think about how long sawzall blades last they aint cheap for the price they charge.

2. 
   AaronRosenthal | Dec 20, 2006 08:10am | #2

   Well, there's a few bucks in the steel that makes up the hole saw. I believe that it is more expensive than, say, a hack saw blade.
   The piece of steel itself is about 25-26" long to make a 6 1/4" diameter saw. That's a fair hunk of cutting steel.
   The welding, tool & dye equipment, engineering, short production run (how many people need 6-1/4" hole saws regularly?) etc., make it more a custom run than a sawzall blade-which can be none-too-cheap as well.
   Can't yoou rent the blade?

   Quality repairs for your home.

   AaronR Construction
   Vancouver, Canada

    

1. 
   alrightythen | Dec 20, 2006 08:14am | #3

   "sawzall blade-which can be none-too-cheap as well."

   You said it.

1. 
   CAGIV | Dec 20, 2006 05:56pm | #11

   you need to buy them in bulk to get a decent price...

   Amazon had a couple of decent deals recently, Dewalt blades, 15 pack in a little case for 15 bucks, not exactly bulk  but a decent price anyway. 

   They also had deals that were pretty darn good for 100 packs but the estimated shipping time was 1-2 MONTHS

   We usually order or buy 25 at a time and it's a little more stomachable.

1. 
   dockelly | Dec 21, 2006 05:54am | #30

   stomachable.I think you made up a new word there, I like it!

1. 
   CAGIV | Dec 21, 2006 06:39am | #38

   yeah, my stomach twists every time I see an invoice and there is ONE recip blade at $3.50 each, like they're not going to use another one soon?

    

3. 
   bc | Dec 20, 2006 08:21am | #4

   for that much money i would drill 4+ holes then cut out with a jig saw or recip.

1. 
   Mooney | Dec 20, 2006 10:43am | #5

   for that much money i would drill 4+ holes then cut out with a jig saw or recip.

   What if you needed a perfect hole ?

   For example if you needed a hole through 3 two by members.

   Tim  

4. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Dec 20, 2006 12:37pm | #6

   Amazon has lenox 1 tooth for 35$  6 1/4".

   ANDYSZ2

   WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

   REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

    

1. 
   brownbagg | Dec 20, 2006 03:01pm | #7

   why do they cost so much. Because you need them.

1. 
   jhausch | Dec 20, 2006 04:25pm | #8

   And the really spendy ones with the quick release arbor system know that they pay for themselves in reduced frustration when removing the slug.

    

   http://jhausch.blogspot.comAdventures in Home BuildingAn online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.

5. 
   rasconc | Dec 20, 2006 04:48pm | #9

   Try Rotozip or equiv with the circle cutter.  If really thick do one pass with roto then finish with recip or jig. 

1. 
   JDRHI | Dec 20, 2006 05:45pm | #10

   Try Rotozip or equiv with the circle cutter.

   Yep.....aint gonna bind up on ya neither.

   Happy

   Holidays 

1. 
   Shep | Dec 21, 2006 04:21am | #24

   I had one hole saw, around 4-1/2 " dia., bind on me while trying to drill a hole for a bath vent.

   My Milwaukee RA drill slammed my arm so hard against the joist that I was bruised on both sides.

   I now try to avoid drilling that large a hole with a hole saw.

1. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 04:30am | #25

   Did you say a bad word when it happened?

    

   Sometimes it helps, ya know?

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

1. 
   DanH | Dec 21, 2006 04:44am | #26

   "Crikey".I'm fairly wary of using a large drill (especially the right-angle type) with a hole saw or spade bit. It's easy to see that a broken arm is only one "aw-s**t" away.
   People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt. --Otto von Bismarck

2. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 05:34am | #27

   Closest I ever got were some marred knuckles but seen the horror an uncontrolled HoleHawg can do.

    

   be hey, did yer shoulder just knock that stud out of alignment?'I don't know or care! Call 911!'

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

3. 
   OverKnight | Dec 21, 2006 06:27am | #37

   I guess that's why quarter-sawn wood costs so much. It must take a really long time to cut it up with only a quarter of a saw.

4. 
   Shep | Dec 21, 2006 05:39am | #28

   I think there was more than one

   fortunately there were no young, impressionable minds around

2. 
   MarkH | Dec 21, 2006 06:06am | #32

   I had a hole saw get jiggy on me once in my 1/2" holeshooter.  Bad memory...  My right thumb still doesn't bend right years later.  Just about ripped it off.

1. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 06:08am | #33

   ya, those Milw Holeshooters can catch ya when yer not expecting it.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

2. 
   MarkH | Dec 21, 2006 06:12am | #34

   I remember thinking the "high rotational force" label was a gimmick.  Now, I respect the label.

3. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 06:16am | #35

   Learned enough respect with the HoleShooter that anytime I have to use a HoleHawg I am very very cautious.

   be still having all 10

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

4. 
   MarkH | Dec 21, 2006 06:22am | #36

   I have a holeshooter with a RAD.  Beefy enough for me, but I don't ever drill (saw) big holes.  That thing slapped my knuckles pretty good once too.

5. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 10:26pm | #39

   RAD?

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

6. 
   Sphere | Dec 21, 2006 10:31pm | #40

   Right Angle Drill.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

7. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 10:42pm | #41

   D.U.H.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

8. 
   MarkH | Dec 22, 2006 01:12am | #42

   LOL

6. 
   sharpblade | Dec 20, 2006 08:44pm | #12

   Because they can (limited supply).

7. 
   dovetail97128 | Dec 20, 2006 08:52pm | #13

   I don't know , but I do know that taking one to a saw shop and having 3-4 carbide teeth on it sure helps keep them cutting longer.

8. 
   vinniegoombatz | Dec 20, 2006 09:23pm | #14

    

   u asked why hole sawz are so expensive   itz like donuts, the center hole is gone   now if u want a hole saw center, theyre way cheeper, like dunkin munchkins

    

   try  http://www.coastaltool.com  , Lenox at $65. for a 6" if u have time to order, beats rigid stuff    no sales tax on net sales, they overnite stuff, too   done it on a few specialty items    one was dropped by UPS the next day at the customer's house just when needed it

   someone mentioned a lenox one-tooth @ $35.    that must be $135. if its new, that's still less than tool stores 

    

9. 
   DanH | Dec 20, 2006 10:15pm | #15

   Half saws would be cheaper, of course, but not nearly as useful.

   People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt. --Otto von Bismarck
1. 
   DanH | Dec 20, 2006 10:32pm | #16

   (Sorry, but that title's been nagging at me since it was posted. Just couldn't resist any longer.)
   People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt. --Otto von Bismarck

1. 
   rez | Dec 20, 2006 10:40pm | #17

   keep it up. Just keep it up and we're going to sic MisterT on ya.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

2. 
   bambam | Dec 20, 2006 10:43pm | #19

   first thing that crossed my mind too.

3. 
   McDesign | Dec 21, 2006 01:37am | #20

   Funny - worth posting!

   Forrest

2. 
   BruceT999 | Dec 21, 2006 05:51am | #29

   "Half saws would be cheaper, of course, but not nearly as useful."Now you've done it, that response is just going to opun the door for more like it.
   BruceT

1. 
   rez | Dec 21, 2006 06:00am | #31

   I refuse to say 'Ho Hawg'.

    

   seeyou invented the ho

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    damn, am I fat!

10. 
    basswood | Dec 20, 2006 10:42pm | #18

    Hole saws are so expensive because most of the buyers are plumbers and electricians and they are all so stinkin' rich they don't bat an eye at those high prices.

    be payin' plumber price ; )

1. 
   dieselpig | Dec 21, 2006 03:11am | #21

   LOL.... best answer yet!View Image

1. 
   basswood | Dec 21, 2006 03:58am | #22

   Brian,I just bid a job today that involves a $1200 toilet...hmmm, maybe I should take that as a cue and up my price for a day of labor so that it is closer to the price of that crapper. : )Brian

2. 
   CAGIV | Dec 21, 2006 04:01am | #23

   yeah and they won't think twice about using that 6" hole saw to cut right through your floor joist either!