Holesaw set

[KimB]

So today I bought a big Bosch holesaw set from Screwfix. Anyway I pilot drilled a hole to maybe 2mm below the centre drill on the holesaw. I started drilling then the drill holder in the coupling sheared off and left me unable to use it. Has anyone else experienced this firstly? (I’ll get a pic tomorrow)
Also, if not. Any idea on other holesaw sets I could buy? My set is toast finally.

 

[Kayos]

I've had a few pilot drills shatter, even when drilling plastic. No idea why it happens

 

[KimB]

I've had a few pilot drills shatter, even when drilling plastic. No idea why it happens

It’s not the pilot drill, it’s the holder. The drill is fine.

 

[brightspark]

get starret arbours and pilot drills. the cheaper cutters work well on them cheap arbours and drills are rubbish and run off and snap

 

[daleyd]

If you’ve just bought them take them back? Surely that’s some fault if it’s broken so easily - as above, starrett are probably the best for price/quality combination.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Odd. My Bosch arbour is 15 years old and still going strong

Not really best suited to heavy steel work though.

Have starret for that

 

[Ashley Burton]

I use this kit for wood work:
https://www.toolstation.com/m3-bi-metal-holesaw-kit/p65671
Not tried it on steel tbh

Bit I have found the carbide ones off eBay have done a great job on steel

 

[Brad93]

My older Bosch is far superior to the starrett arbour

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

My older Bosch is far superior to the starter arbour

My old Bosch qr arbour is still going but it's getting a bit sloppy now. 15 odd years of.

 

[KimB]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-progressor-multi-material-holesaw-set-14-pieces/671gx
These are what I bought. The quick change is a good idea but as I say, the drill holder in the middle seems a weak link.

 

[brightspark]

ive always used starret arbours and center drills. only ever snapped a few and that was drilling at an angle in a tight corner .sharpened the drills when needed . bought about 8 in 47 years and they were all second hand . hole saws mind I go through a fair few getting used regular

 

[indy4x]

I think Bosch have changed their design sometime in the last few years, pretty sure they were interchangeable with the Starret and others but not anymore

Have old Starret kit, no problems with it

 

[Ashley Burton]

@KimB if your not happy with them, Then take them back. SF are normally pretty good for returns

 

[armalites]

i've got some Bosch progressors and I like the fitting but I've only ever drilled wood.

@KimB One of the reviews on that Screwfix page had exactky the same problem and they had drilled a pilot hole too

 

[KimB]

i've got some Bosch progressors and I like the fitting but I've only ever drilled wood.

@KimB One of the reviews on that Screwfix page had exactky the same problem and they had drilled a pilot hole too

That’s my review haha.

 

[Paul.]

Take out the pilot drill and replace it with a piece of 1/4" silver steel, then pre drill your hole centres to 1/4", those pilot drills are ok for wood and plastic but not really up to drilling steel, opening up a hole to size will always risk the drill snatching and breaking, you would have been better not to pre drill it.

 

[KimB]

Take out the pilot drill and replace it with a piece of 1/4" silver steel, then pre drill your hole centres to 1/4", those pilot drills are ok for wood and plastic but not really up to drilling steel, opening up a hole to size will always risk the drill snatching and breaking, you would have been better not to pre drill it.

It’s not the pilot drill. It’s the bit it locates in. Looks like a threaded mandrel. Maybe 6mm in diameter.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

It’s not the pilot drill. It’s the bit it locates in. Looks like a threaded mandrel. Maybe 6mm in diameter.

Yes but the bit snagging on the pilot hole was what would have caused it to snap.

I do as Paul does. I got halfway through writing similar when he posted

 

[KimB]

Oops my bad. I read that wrong haha. Yes that’s a good idea although the Bosch set has a hex head drill so that’s not possible with these. I’ll take them back and replace with staret set.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Oops my bad. I read that wrong haha. Yes that’s a good idea although the Bosch set has a hex head drill so that’s not possible with these. I’ll take them back and replace with staret set.

No pics but have made a hex head with round body for mine
Had to make up a tapered one for my diamond core drills too.