PE’s very own Norman Bradshaw tries out the brand new Fast Cut and Deep Cut Bi-Metal Hole Saws from Starrett.
To be a good electrician these days you need to have a professional set of tools and the skill to put them to good use. One company that has assisted us electricians for decades is Starrett. In fact, back in the day, when you wanted a hole saw we would say, “pass me the Starrett” and everyone knew exactly what you were talking about. With the passage of time, and new electricians on the block, I decided to put the name to the test on site. The majority still knew what I meant so I guess that shows how making a good product can give you a reputation that stands the test of time.
Fast forward 20 years and Starrett is still making hole saws. Has time changed anything? Well oddly enough I compared the new set with one of my old Starrett accessories (which is at least 15 years old) and, on first inspection, they look exactly the same. So it is safe to say in this instance that the old adage is true – “if it isn’t broken don’t fix it”.
Starrett has come up with another set of simple but quality hole saws and I champion what they have done. My hole saws have never really had a proper home so having the kit stored together in a durable and neat case is perfect for me.”
Of course, after taking a closer look at the latest range, the company have made a significant number of improvements. Starrett’s new Fast Cut hole saws now have more TPI (teeth per inch) than on previous models, and the time and effort it takes to make a cut is noticeably reduced when using them.
What I found particularly pleasing was the way the set seems designed especially for electricians as the case contains all the main hole saw sizes you would expect to find in your average sparky’s toolbag. The saws ranged from 20mm to 76mm which meant that if you were working on site you only needed to grab this set out of your van and no matter what you encountered in the property you had the right bit ready.
Starrett has also produced a Deep Cut kit with a cutting depth of 51mm. This is going to be interesting as I have worked with electricians who did not remove the part of the material cut from the hole saw until it was full before removing drill bit to take them out. If this is your style then it means you can do a few more cuts before you clear it out. It is amusing how some of us go about doing our work but as long as the end result is good then no harm done.
Starrett has come up with another set of simple but quality hole saws and I champion what they have done. My hole saws have never really had a proper home so having the kit stored together in a durable and neat case is perfect for me. Also, because they have their own place within the case, I feel less likely to lose one of them.
The only downside I can think of is that I would have liked to have tested a set that included quick releasing arbors. These were the standard kits, which include more saws but no quick release. I have been reliably informed that quick change kits are available but with a few less saws included.
Anything that helps keep my van tidy and tools readily to hand is worth its weight in gold. All in all, a pleasing addition to my tool kit.
