DeWalt 9-Piece Electrician's Hole Saw Kit

Why I reached for this kit

On service calls and remodels, I’m constantly punching clean, predictable holes in a mix of materials—studs, cabinets, sheet metal enclosures, junction box knockouts, and the occasional PVC panel. I’ve carried a grab bag of hole saws for years, but I wanted a compact, electrician-focused set that covered the common diameters without weighing me down. That’s what led me to DeWalt’s electrician’s hole saw kit, a 9-piece, bi-metal setup with two mandrels, spare Pilot Point bits, and a compact case.

After several weeks of using it on actual jobs—rough-ins, control panel work, and a few tidy pass-throughs in cabinetry—here’s how it stacked up.

What’s in the box

• Six bi-metal cups: 7/8", 1-1/8", 1-3/8", 1-3/4", 2", 2-1/2"
• Two mandrels: a 1/4" (for smaller cups) and a 7/16" quick-change (for larger cups)
• Pilot Point centering bits, with replacements
• A compact injection-molded case with a molded handle

It’s a tight, purpose-built selection for electrical work. The sizes land right where I spend most of my time: conduit pass-throughs, cable glands, hubs, and grommets. The absence of oversized cups is intentional—this isn’t a recessed-light kit—and the deeper cup design is genuinely helpful for 2-by material.

Setup and mandrels

Mandrel changes are straightforward. For smaller cuts (up to 1-3/16"), the 1/4" mandrel fits a 3/8" drill just fine. For anything 1-1/4" and up, the 7/16" quick-change mandrel is the move, and you’ll want it in a 1/2" drill with a low gear. The quick-change is the star here: swapping cups mid-job is fast and repeatable, and I didn’t battle with stuck threads or sloppy engagement. I’m picky about runout, and both mandrels kept the cups spinning true enough for clean, on-center holes.

The Pilot Point bits deserve credit. They start accurately on painted cabinets and sheet metal without skittering around, and they’re easy to replace when they get tired.

Cutting performance

Wood and framing

In SPF studs and laminated shelves, the cups bite smoothly and clear chips well. The deeper design matters: I could get through 2-by stock in one pass with the common sizes, which is both faster and safer than the two-sided approach. With a steady hand and sensible feed pressure, edges come out clean with minimal tear-out on the exit, especially if you let the teeth do the work and don’t overdrive.

On plywood, the kerf is consistent. For cabinet-grade finishes, I like to tape the exit side or back it up with scrap, but even without that, the finish was respectable for a bi-metal saw.

Metal work

This is where bi-metal earns its keep. In 16–18 gauge mild steel, EMT, and panel covers, I ran slow speed with a dab of cutting fluid, and the kit delivered round, burr-minimized holes that cleaned up quickly with a de-burr tool. In thicker steel (say, 1/8"), you can get through it, but patience is required and the teeth warm up. I wouldn’t choose this kit for frequent heavy-gauge or stainless work—that’s where carbide shines. For typical electrician tasks on enclosures and knockouts, it’s squarely in the comfort zone.

Plastics and PVC

Plastics are often the gotcha with heat and melting. Using moderate RPM and light feed pressure, I had tidy results on PVC panels and ABS enclosures. The teeth didn’t chatter, and plug ejection was reasonable thanks to the slot design. If you’re drilling softer plastics, don’t be shy about pausing to let chips clear; it pays dividends in finish quality.

Speed, control, and plug ejection

A hole saw is only as pleasant as its chip clearing and plug management. The slots on these cups are wide enough to grip with pliers and twist out the core without a wrestling match. DeWalt’s deeper cup helps prevent binding in 2-by material, and the heat buildup was controlled as long as I matched speed to material. The quick-change mandrel reduced downtime when stepping up in sizes on a layout—small detail, big quality-of-life improvement.

Durability and maintenance

After a dozen-plus holes in mixed materials, the teeth show even wear without chipped gullets. That’s what I expect from a bi-metal profile. I edge the set occasionally with a light cleaning—pitch on the teeth dulls performance faster than the material itself. The included spare Pilot Point bits are a thoughtful touch; I swapped one after a run of panel work and was back in business in under a minute.

If you routinely cut hundreds of holes in sheet metal, you’ll eventually want a carbide cup or two for the sizes you use daily. For general electrical work, this bi-metal kit holds up well and keeps costs sensible.

The case and organization

I appreciate the compact, molded case. It rides comfortably in a milk crate or on a service cart without eating space, and everything has a dedicated spot. The cups don’t rattle loose, and there’s enough finger room to grab what you need with gloves on. One limitation: there isn’t much room for expansion. If you want to add a 1-1/2" or 3" cup, you’re probably carrying it separately.

What I liked

• Mandrel quality: The 7/16" quick-change system is solid, with minimal play and fast swaps.
• Size selection: Practical for electrician work—no fluff, just the sizes I grab most.
• Deeper cups: One-pass cuts through 2-by material are a real advantage.
• Pilot Point bits: Faster starts on metal and painted surfaces without walking.
• Compact case: Easy to stow, easy to keep organized.
• Build provenance: Made in the USA with globally sourced materials is good to see.

Where it falls short

• Missing a couple of “in-between” sizes: I’d love a 1-1/2" cup in the box. You can buy it separately, but the case doesn’t leave a home for it.
• Not the right tool for heavy stainless or frequent thick steel: Bi-metal will do it, just not happily or quickly. Carbide is the better investment for that.
• Limited growth space in the case: It’s compact, but there’s no extra slot for common additions.

Value

At around $81, this sits in the professional tier without breaking the bank. Considering you get six useful cups, two mandrels—including a quick-change—and spare pilot bits, the value feels right for working electricians, maintenance techs, and serious DIYers. If the included sizes align with your daily tasks, you’ll get your money’s worth quickly. If you need larger diameters for lighting cans or frequent masonry work, this isn’t the kit for that job.

Tips for best results

• Use the right drill: 1/2" low-speed drill for larger cups, 3/8" is fine for smaller ones.
• Match speed to material: Slow for metal, moderate for plastics, steady for wood.
• Use cutting fluid on metal: Extends tooth life and improves finish.
• Back up delicate surfaces: Tape or a scrap board prevents tear-out on exits.
• Let the mandrel do the guiding: Don’t force it—cleaner holes and fewer burned teeth.

Bottom line

I came to this DeWalt kit looking for a compact, electrician-focused solution, and it’s earned a permanent spot in my van. The mandrels are reliable, the cups cut cleanly across wood, light metal, and plastics, and the selection covers a lot of real-world tasks without loading me down. It’s not a do-everything set—heavy stainless and oversized lighting holes call for different tools—but as a day-to-day kit for electrical work, it’s well sorted.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit to electricians, facilities techs, and installers who primarily cut in wood, sheet metal, and plastics and want a compact, dependable set of common sizes. It’s good value, thoughtfully equipped, and durable for regular professional use. If your work leans heavily on thick or stainless steel, or you need larger diameters, pair this with a few carbide cups or a separate large-diameter set.