Spade Bit vs Hole Saw – Which Bores Better?

Spade bit vs hole saw, which tool better fits your drilling application?

A spade bit is a flat, paddle-shaped bit on a shank that fits into the chuck of a drill. A hole saw is a steel cup with saw teeth around its rim.

The cup threads onto an arbor (mandrel) that holds a pilot drill bit. The pilot bit centers the hole, and the teeth cut a round plug.

Spade bits are made for wood. Bi-metal hole saws cut wood, plastic and thin metal.

Here is how the two compare.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top spade bits pick is the Dewalt DW1587 Spade Bits Set. This set comes complete with six different spade bit sizes. These bits feature extreme speed channels for the most efficient chip removal.

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OUR TOP PICK

Our top hole saws pick is the Milwaukee 49-22-4105 19-Piece Hole Saw Kit. Milwaukee now sells this kit number as a Hole Dozer bi-metal electrician kit with 13 hole saws from 3/4 to 4-3/4 inches, two arbors and a pilot bit.

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Spade Bit vs Hole Saw: Some Reviews

Product	Details
1. Dewalt DW1587 Spade Bits Set	1. Dewalt DW1587 Spade Bits Set Top Spade Bit	- Six-piece spade bit set - Max life corner - Extreme speed channel - 1/4-inch ball groove - Heavy-duty shanks	Check Current Price
2. Dewalt DW1586 Spade Bit	2. Dewalt DW1586 Spade Bit	- Heavy-duty hex shank - Superior cutting spurs - Hang hole - Full cone tip - Contoured paddle	Check Current Price
3. Bosch DSB5010 Daredevil Spade Bit Set	3. Bosch DSB5010 Daredevil Spade Bit Set	- Ten-piece standard spade bit set - Full cone threading - Speed wave paddle - Great spur and reamer - Hex shank with power groove	Check Current Price
4. Milwaukee 49-22-4105 19-Piece Hole Saw Kit	4. Milwaukee 49-22-4105 19-Piece Hole Saw Kit Top Hole Saw	- Set of 19 pieces - 13 Hole Dozer bi-metal hole saws - Two arbors and a pilot bit - 3/4 to 4-3/4 inch sizes	Check Current Price
5. Craftsman CMAH1SET13 Hole Saw Kit	5. Craftsman CMAH1SET13 Hole Saw Kit	- Bi-metal construction - Comes with most popular sizes - Durable hole saw arbor - Comes with Heavy-duty kit box - Metal and wood cutting	Check Current Price
6. Dewalt D180002 Hole Saw Kit	6. Dewalt D180002 Hole Saw Kit	- Bi-metal construction - Innovative tooth and set guide - Toughened backing plates - Variety of sizes included - Comes with a rugged kit box	Check Current Price

1. Dewalt DW1587 Spade Bits Set – Overall Best

The Dewalt DW1587 is a good low-cost assortment that’s ideal for a DIY enthusiast or home carpenter.

Specs

• Six-piece spade bit set
• Max life corner
• Extreme speed channel
• 1/4-inch ball groove
• Heavy-duty shanks

The bits are heat-treated for longer edge life.

The 1/4-inch hex shank with a ball groove fits quick-change chucks and most drills.

Check the set when it arrives, since some buyers report missing sizes.

Pros

• Heat-treated for long operational life
• Ball groove shank allows for quick bit changes
• Multiple sizes available for versatility
• Better than bargain bits if you hit a stray nail, though any nail will dull a spade bit
• Extremely easy to use set

Cons

• Set may come with missing sizes
• Some sizes dull faster than others

Conclusion

The Dewalt DW1587 covers six common sizes for everyday drilling in wood.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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2. Dewalt DW1586 Spade Bit – Best 1-1/2-Inch Design

The Dewalt DW1586 Spade Bit features a heavy-duty shank that will withstand repeated use, making this bit ideal for professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

Specs

• Heavy-duty hex shank
• Superior cutting spurs
• Hang hole
• Full cone tip
• Contoured paddle

The hex shank with a ball groove reduces slipping in the chuck.

The cutting spurs score the rim first, which gives a cleaner entry hole than a bit without spurs.

Some buyers report bits that arrive poorly ground, so inspect the edges before use.

Pros

• Strong shank boasts maximum durability
• Hex shank is perfect for impact drills
• Cutting spurs give a cleaner hole edge
• Its unique shank design reduces slippage
• Hang hole allows for effortless storage

Cons

• Quality control varies
• Could drill better with a threaded tip

Conclusion

The Dewalt DW1586 is a simple, sturdy single spade bit for rough holes in wood.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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3. Bosch DSB5010 Daredevil Spade Bit Set – Best Threaded Tip

The Bosch DSB5010 Daredevil set uses a threaded tip that pulls the bit into the wood.

Specs

• Ten-piece standard spade bit set
• Full cone threading
• Speed wave paddle
• Great spur and reamer
• Hex shank with power groove

These spade bits have a threaded full cone tip, which is great because the tip will pierce into wood quickly and effortlessly.

The contoured paddle helps clear chips from the hole.

Some buyers report that the listed extension was missing, so check the contents.

Pros

• Threaded tip allows for faster and effective drilling
• Contoured paddle clears chips
• Hex shank allows for straighter drilling
• Power groove reduces slipping in the chuck

Cons

• May not come with the advertised extender
• The threaded tip can grab hard, so hold the drill firmly

Conclusion

The Bosch DSB5010 Daredevil bits drill fast, but the self-feeding tip needs a firm grip and a drill with a side handle for large sizes.

Overall Rating – 4.5

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4. Milwaukee 49-22-4105 19-Piece Hole Saw Kit – Overall Best

The Milwaukee 49-22-4105 is an electrician’s kit. Milwaukee currently sells it with Hole Dozer bi-metal hole saws.

Specs

• Set of 19 pieces
• 13 Hole Dozer bi-metal hole saws (3/4 to 4-3/4 inches)
• Small and large thread arbors
• 1/4-inch pilot bit
• Carrying case

Older versions of this kit used Milwaukee’s Ice Hardened hole saws. The current Hole Dozer version uses a 3.5 TPI tooth design, slots for easier plug removal and a lifetime tooth break warranty.

Some buyers find the case latches stiff at first.

Pros

• Case is very strong and durable
• Bi-metal saws handle wood and metal
• Slots make plug removal easier
• Kit offers a variety of sizes for different applications

Cons

• Latches on the case can be hard to open
• Contents have changed over the years, so confirm what you are buying

Conclusion

The Milwaukee 49-22-4105 is an amazing kit that comes with a heavy-duty case. The various sizes add versatility.

Overall Rating – 4.7

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5. Craftsman CMAH1SET13 Hole Saw Kit – Best Bi-Metal Design

The Craftsman CMAH1SET13 Hole Saw Kit allows for rapid changing of sizes. So, you can get your work done faster and move on to something else.

Specs

• Bi-metal construction
• Comes with most popular sizes
• Durable hole saw arbor
• Comes with Heavy-duty kit box
• Metal and wood cutting

The bi-metal hole saws cut wood and metal.

The arbor is simple to use.

The set does not include clear instructions for assembling the hole saw, arbor and pilot bit.

Pros

• Bi-metal design cuts smoother and faster
• Pitched teeth reduce vibration
• Assembled arbor is wear-resistant
• Strong, durable kit box included

Cons

• Could be easier to assemble with an instruction manual
• Arbor doesn’t have dual metal prongs

Conclusion

The Craftsman CMAH1SET13 is a good budget set for DIY use. Size changes are easy once you learn how the parts fit together.

Overall Rating – 4.6

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6. Dewalt D180002 Hole Saw Kit – Most Rugged Kit Box

If you want to cut round holes in metal or wood, choose the Dewalt D180002 Hole Saw Kit for a rugged storage box.

Specs

• Bi-metal construction
• Innovative tooth and set guide
• Toughened backing plates
• Variety of sizes included
• Comes with a rugged kit box

They have a bi-metal construction, which is good because they are long-lasting and the variable pitched teeth structure helps minimize vibration.

These hole saws can be used with or without the drill bits. So, if you want to cut a disc without a hole in the center, you can choose not to have the bits in the arbor.

Note that the smallest and largest saws may need different arbors (mandrels), so check which arbor each saw uses.

Pros

• Bi-metal construction is very durable
• Variable pitched teeth minimize vibration
• Can be used without the drill bits
• Toughened backing plates prevent marring
• Rugged kit box is provided

Cons

• May need two different arbors
• Some saw blades are painted halfway

Conclusion

The Dewalt D180002 is a hole saw kit that will meet your expectations when cutting metal or wood. Check which arbor each size needs.

Overall Rating – 4.4

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How To Pick The Right Spade Bit

There are a few things to consider:

Shank

The shank is the part that goes into the drill chuck. A 1/4-inch hex shank with a ball groove resists slipping and fits quick-change chucks.

Cutting Spurs

Another important feature that a good spade bit must have is unique cutting spurs. You can look for scribing spurs on the corners for making cleaner entry holes or double side spurs for grabbing as well as carving wood away.

How To Pick The Right Hole Saw Bit

There are a few factors to take into account:

Cutting Blade

The cutting cup is the toothed cylinder that sets the hole size.

Common kits run from about 3/4 inch to around 4-3/4 inches, and larger saws are sold separately. Make sure a set has the sizes you need.

Tooth Configuration

The tooth configuration of hole saws is selected mainly on the basis of hardness, resiliency, and abrasiveness of the materials to be drilled.

Bi-metal saws use set teeth with gulleted teeth that carry chips out of the cut. Coarser teeth cut wood faster, while finer or variable-pitch teeth suit metal. Tile, stone and masonry need carbide-grit or diamond hole saws instead.

Photo by Luigi Zanasi, CC BY-SA 2.0 ca, via Wikimedia Commons

Spade Bit Vs Hole Saw – What Are The Differences?

Design

Spade bits are shaped like a flat spade. They suit rough work where speed matters more than a clean hole. Common sizes run from 1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inches.

A hole saw only cuts the outer ring of the hole, using a toothed cup on an arbor.

The cutting blades are available in different sizes for drilling different hole sizes. Hole saws produce cleaner cuts than spade bits.

Application

Spade bits are ideal for boring holes through wood. They are used to drill rough holes in areas that aren’t generally visible, or areas that will be covered up later. For example, plumbers and electricians use spade bits to bore holes in wood for inserting pipes or wires.

Hole saws are preferred for cleaner and larger holes, since they cut only the perimeter instead of drilling out all the material.

Common uses include door hardware, recessed lights, pipe and vent openings, and electrical boxes. Cutting masonry requires a carbide-grit or diamond hole saw, not a standard bi-metal one.

Forstner Bit vs Hole Saw

But there’s another player in the hole-boring game. What is a Forstner bit and what does it do differently from the standard hole saw and spade bit?

A Forstner bit is a cutting tool that is designed to drill smooth, flat-bottomed holes with no tear out at the rim.

While a standard hole saw and spade bit are guided by their centers, a forstner bit is guided by its rim. Because of its unusual design, a Forstner bit can bore overlapping holes.

If you try this with the other types of bits, they will wander into the adjacent hole and ruin your workpiece.

Final Thoughts

Spade bits are fast and cheap for rough holes in wood, which is why plumbers and electricians use them.

Large spade bits and hole saws can bind and twist the drill. Use the side handle, clamp the work, and wear eye protection.

Hole saws; on the other hand, can make clean large-perimeter holes for a wide range of applications. They are useful to plumbers, electricians, woodworkers among other users.

The Dewalt DW1587 Spade Bits Set is our spade bit pick for its hex shank and spurs.

The Milwaukee 49-22-4105 19-Piece Hole Saw Kit is our hole saw pick for its range of sizes.

Sources

• 49-22-4105 19PC Hole Dozer Electrician Hole Saw Kit, Milwaukee Tool
• Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA