Holemaking Tools

Holemaking Tools for Metal, Wood and Construction

Holemaking tools cover a broad category of cutting accessories designed to produce holes from small diameters through to large-diameter cut-outs in a wide range of materials. From step drills for sheet metal work and electrical installation, to annular cutters for structural steel fabrication, to hole saws for timber, plasterboard, and thin metals, the right holemaking tool for the application makes a significant difference to both cut quality and productivity. AIMS stocks a comprehensive holemaking range from leading cutting tool brands for trade and industrial customers.

Hole Saws

Hole saws use a toothed cylindrical cutting edge to produce large-diameter holes in timber, plasterboard, plastic, thin sheet metal, and similar materials. Bi-metal hole saws with high-speed steel teeth set in a spring steel body are the most versatile and are suitable for cutting wood, plastic, and thin metal without changing tools. Carbide-tipped hole saws are specified for abrasive materials including fibre cement, ceramic tiles, and harder non-ferrous metals. Hole saws are used with an arbor and pilot drill — select the correct arbor size for the saw diameter and ensure the pilot drill is sharp to prevent the saw from wandering on the material surface.

Annular Cutters

Annular cutters (also known as core drills or Rotabroach cutters) produce clean, burr-free holes in structural steel, plate, and thick material using a magnetic drill press. Unlike conventional twist drills or hole saws, annular cutters cut only the annular ring of material and eject a solid slug, which reduces cutting forces significantly and allows larger holes to be produced more efficiently. TCT (tungsten carbide tipped) annular cutters are the standard for general structural steel work. High speed steel annular cutters are used where a finer finish is required. Common shank standards include Weldon (19.05mm flat), Nitto, and BDS.

Step Drills and Cone Drills

Step drills and cone drills are designed for drilling and deburring holes in thin sheet metal in a single operation. They eliminate the need for multiple drill sizes when working in thin material, and their pointed tip self-centres without the need for a centre punch in most applications. Step drills are available in TiN-coated HSS, cobalt, and carbide grades to suit different materials including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and plastics. They are widely used in electrical installation, HVAC, and automotive fabrication work.

For help selecting the right holemaking tool for your specific material and application, contact our team at AIMS Industrial.