TCT Hole Saw Set Hex Shank Carbide Tipped Metal Cutter

[Size: 35mm, Size: 35mm]
This seemed like a well-made hole saw for metal, with carbide teeth and an extraordinarily strong body.Unfortunately, it immediately failed on the very first hole. The picture probably speaks a thousand words, but here's the text version anyway: drilling a hole in this wall steel pipe (originally from a trampoline). The pilot bit starts to bite, but then decides to snap off instead. Especially paired with what should be a super-heavy-duty metal-cutting hole saw, the pilot bit should be more durable.FWIW, the hex shank does lock into my driver properly, which is an issue I had with a different product recently.

[Size: 20mm]
This TCT hole saw has been really useful for making starter holes before using a punch.I used it with a regular drill/driver, and it cuts through metal very fast. The carbide teeth feel aggressive without being hard to control, and the holes came out very clean. The pilot bit also did a good job keeping everything centered.The ejector spring is actually useful too. The slug pops out cleanly instead of making you fight with it afterward, and the cutter stayed very controlled when breaking through the metal. The overall quality feels solid, and after several holes the teeth are still holding up well.The 20mm size is a little awkward for standard American electrical work, but in my case that is not really an issue. I am mostly using it to make a starter hole large enough to get my punch through, and for that it works really well.

[Size: 35mm, Size: 35mm]
I ordered the 35mm hole saw. It seems to be made of a solid steel alloy that’s not going to warp in any way. The teeth have a very sharp tungsten edge which, at least initially, cut very smoothly. The spring aids in keeping the angle straight and the cutting consistent. In my video I tested it on an old frying pan that I thought might be iron but it looks like it must be some kind of aluminum alloy, so not a difficult cut, but I would think cutting will go fine on harder metal, although slower, and maybe a cleaner cut. I made a pilot hole with a high speed step drill bit which was probably a little bigger than the hole cutter’s pilot drill bit, so there might have been some slight wobble, so next time I’ll stay at a smaller step for a pilot hole. One of the other reviewers complained about a wobble in the straightness of the pilot drill bit, but I’m not seeing that with mine, at all. This will be a welcome addition to my hole cutter assortment. I wish I had had it a couple months ago when I was adding metal siding to a shelf that I installed an air fryer into in my kitchen. I did another work around so the cord could go through a hole in the shelf, but this would have solved the problem easily, which is why I ordered the 35mm, as similar problems could arise.

[Size: 16mm, Size: 16mm]
I ordered the 16mm drill bit and was surprised to see that it did not come with the Pilot Drill Ejector Spring mentioned in the product page title and photos. Maybe the larger sizes include the spring.The 16mm size has four tungsten carbide tips. The 6mm pilot hole drill bit looks to be high-speed steel (HSS). It is held into the assembly by a 2.5mm Allen head set screw with an included Allen wrench for it. The HSS pilot bit presents a problem if you're drilling into masonry or concrete, which the carbide bit is capable of. One hole into concrete with a HSS bit will destroy that bit so it would have made more sense to include a carbide-tipped pilot bit. Unfortunately not any 6mm carbide bit will fit as the included bit has a D-cut for meeting the set screw machined into the shaft. In that case it is best to just remove the pilot bit for that cut.I measured the diameter from carbide tip to tip and found it to be 16.28mm. That's not usually a problem except if you need a precise 16mm hole. It comes with a case that keeps it from rolling around in my tool cabinet.I would rate this assembly as a medium quality tool with the negative of having included a non-carbide pilot hole bit.

[Size: 20mm, Size: 20mm]
I've used plenty of bi-metal hole saws over the years, but this carbide-tipped cutter is on a completely different level when it comes to drilling through steel. I picked up the 20mm version, and it made clean, accurate holes with far less effort than I expected. The carbide teeth stay sharp, bite aggressively, and leave a smooth edge that usually doesn't need any cleanup afterward.The pilot bit does a good job of keeping the cutter centered, and once the teeth engage, it cuts quickly without a lot of chatter or grabbing. The built-in ejector spring is a feature I didn't realize I'd appreciate so much—it pushes the slug out automatically most of the time, which saves fumbling around with a screwdriver between cuts.Build quality is excellent. The carbide tips appear to be securely brazed, the body feels solid, and the 1/4-inch hex shank locks firmly into both my drill and impact driver without slipping. It also comes in a sturdy plastic storage case, which is a nice touch since carbide cutters deserve a little protection when they're riding around in a toolbox.Using a little cutting oil makes a noticeable difference, especially on thicker steel. The cutter stays cooler, cuts more smoothly, and should last considerably longer that way. It's also capable of handling aluminum and other metals with ease, making it a versatile addition to the shop.For electrical work, fabrication, installing conduit, or any project that requires clean holes in metal, this is a tool that performs well above the typical hardware-store hole saws. It cuts faster, stays sharper, and produces cleaner results.Overall, I'm very impressed. It feels like a professional-grade tool at a very reasonable price, and it's one of those tools you'll be glad to have in the toolbox the next time a metal drilling job comes along.

[Size: 20mm, Size: 20mm]
Verdict: Punching a 20mm hole through thick steel plate, stainless enclosures, or custom chassis using standard bi-metal hole saws is a guaranteed way to burn up your bits and warp the surrounding metal. If you need precise, high-speed fabrication capability, this Tungsten Carbide Tipped (TCT) cutter is the exact hardware you need. It delivers aggressive material removal, excellent thermal management, and a perfectly centered cut without walking across your workpiece.ProsCarbide Tooth Geometry: The tungsten carbide cutting nodes are brazed securely to the alloy steel chassis. They slice through heavy sheet metal and structural tubing with zero hesitation, leaving a perfectly clean, burr-free 20mm perimeter that rarely requires secondary filing.Integrated Pilot & Ejector: The center pilot bit establishes immediate, dead-center tracking, completely eliminating the annoying surface walk you get with cheaper cutters. The built-in ejector spring is a massive practical upgrade, instantly kicking out the waste slug so you aren't stuck digging hot metal out of the cup with a screwdriver mid-job.Hex Shank Tolerances: The 1/4-inch hex shank locks into a standard drill chuck or impact driver with zero slop. It absolutely prevents the bit from spinning out under heavy rotational torque when the carbide teeth bite hard into the metal.ConsCutting Fluid Necessity (Fabricator's Tip): Just a standard mechanical heads-up—while the carbide is incredibly tough, high-speed metal friction still generates massive heat. You absolutely must run proper cutting fluid or tap magic during deployment to keep the thermal load down and protect the structural integrity of the teeth. If you run it dry on heavy gauge steel, you risk fracturing a carbide node.Bang for your BuckFor any hands-on maker, fabricator, or technician routing conduit or building custom metal enclosures, this cutter delivers outstanding mechanical utility. It completely outclasses standard hardware store bi-metal bits for a very fair price, providing commercial-grade cutting power. It is definitively worth keeping in the toolbox to ensure your fabrication work stays highly precise and efficient.

[Size: 16mm, Size: 16mm]
I upgraded to this TCT (Tungsten Carbide Tipped) 16mm hole saw after burning through a couple of standard HSS cutters on some thicker steel fabrication work. If you are drilling into tougher materials like stainless steel or thicker gauge alloy steel, tungsten carbide is definitely the way to go.Here is my breakdown of how it performed:The Pros:Carbide Teeth Eat Through Metal: The tungsten carbide tips are incredibly hard and sharp. Compared to standard bi-metal or high-speed steel cutters, this thing bites right into heavy steel with way less effort and doesn't dull out after just one or two holes.1/4" Hex Shank Convenience: Having a true 1/4" hex shank on a heavy-duty TCT cutter is awesome. It locks straight into quick-change chucks or extensions, completely eliminating the annoying slippage you get with round-shank bits in standard drills.Solid Build & Smooth Slug Ejection: The alloy steel body feels robust and doesn't warp under pressure. The ejector spring does exactly what it's supposed to do, popping the metal plug right out so you don't waste time prying it loose between holes.The Cons:The Pilot Bit Weak Link: While the main cutting teeth are tungsten carbide and seem damn near indestructible, the pilot drill bit in the center is standard steel. It tends to dull out way faster than the outer teeth. I highly recommend center-punching your starting mark and using plenty of cutting oil to save the pilot bit from burning up.Final Verdict:This is a massive step up in durability and cutting speed for anyone dealing with tough metal drilling. It handles the heat and hard steel beautifully. Just take care of the center pilot bit, and this tool will easily outlast multiple standard hole saws!

[Size: 25mm, Size: 25mm]
This review is for the 25mm (1") size hole saw. I used to own a CNC machine shop so I have a lot of experience with milling and drilling. This hole saw has carbide teeth that have a sharp edge with a pilot bit. The carbide edges have been ground to a nice smooth sharp edge which is helpful for a DIY'er. While a sharp edge may cut easier it is also more prone to damage, you need to keep the drill engaged in the material and make a smooth cut, which can be difficult with a handheld drill. Carbide is very hard, but also very brittle so a smooth cut will get the most life out of this hole saw.I thought I would try this out on some 1/4" aluminum I had laying around. I cut it dry, which carbide can do just fine, so I could watch the chips as the drill was cutting. You can tell a lot about the tool by the chips it makes. The pilot bit cut cut into the aluminum and then the teeth of the hole saw engaged and the chips started to fly. The chips had a nice curl to them and the saw cut quickly through the aluminum. Of course it wanted to bind up when it came through the other side, but that's unavoidable with a hand held drill. I'd love to try this drill in a mill.The hole was nice, considering I was holding the drill by hand. Overall this will work great and the biggest variable on it's lifespan will be the user.