Best Carbide Annular Cutters: 9 Picks in 2026

Carbide annular cutters remove a ring of metal rather than the full hole volume. These nine TCT options cover single diameters and sets for compatible magnetic-drill setups, with cutting depth and mounting fit treated separately.

Compare the 9 picks below by their dimensions, application, and compatibility. Match the configuration to your equipment and the job before comparing package quantity.

Quick Answer

• Best Overall: Hougen 18002 Copperhead Carbide Annular Cutter Kit — 9/16 to 1-1/16 inch; 2 inches; 3/4-inch Weldon and Fusion2; 5 cutters, 2 pilots, case, hex wrenches.
• Best 1-3/8-Inch-Depth Mixed-Size Kit: MDBTTOOLS 13-Piece TCT Annular Cutter Kit — 7/16 to 1-1/16 inch; 1-3/8 inches; 3/4-inch Weldon; 11 cutters and 2 pilots.
• Best Single 3/4-Inch Option: KEENTECH 3/4-Inch Carbide-Tipped Annular Cutter — 3/4 inch; 2 inches; 3/4-inch Weldon; Pilot pin.

Best Carbide Annular Cutters Comparison Table

1. Hougen 18002 Copperhead Carbide Annular Cutter Kit — Best Overall

The Hougen 18002 Copperhead kit is aimed at buyers who want a focused group of useful hole sizes rather than a single cutter. Its five carbide-tipped annular cutters cover 9/16, 11/16, 13/16, 15/16, and 1-1/16 inches, creating a sensible spread for common fabrication jobs. Each cutter is listed with a 2-inch depth of cut, which gives this kit a deeper specified range than the 1-3/8-inch sets in this roundup.

The package also includes two pilot pins, hex wrenches, and a plastic storage case. That matters on a jobsite, where loose pilots and cutters have a habit of disappearing under steel plate and oily rags. The product description identifies a 3/4-inch Weldon shank and Fusion2 shank for magnetic drills, so buyers should still verify the exact holder arrangement on their machine before ordering.

Pros

• Includes five distinct cutter diameters from 9/16 to 1-1/16 inch.
• Each listed cutter has a 2-inch depth of cut.
• Includes two pilot pins for setup and replacement needs.
• Comes with hex wrenches and a plastic storage case.
• product description identifies use with magnetic drills and 3/4-inch Weldon and Fusion2 shanks.

Cons

• It does not cover the 7/16-inch and 1/2-inch sizes found in several larger sets.
• The product description describes a carbide-tipped construction rather than solid carbide.

This is the most sensible starting point for a fabricator who needs several medium-size holes and values a 2-inch cutting depth. Buyers who need a very broad range, a 2-1/2-inch hole, or a single inexpensive cutter will find a closer match elsewhere, but the included case and pilots make this kit especially tidy for mobile work.

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2. Evolution CT100L 1-Inch Carbide-Tipped Annular Cutter — Best Single 1-Inch Cutter

Evolution’s CT100L is a carbide-tipped annular cutter with a 1-inch diameter and a 2-inch cutting depth. A 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats provides a clear mounting specification, and the package includes a pilot pin.

It is a focused alternative to buying a full set when the job repeatedly calls for a 1-inch hole. Stainless steel is among its intended applications. The magnetic drill, arbor, coolant arrangement, and workholding must all suit annular cutting; a plain drill chuck does not accept a Weldon cutter directly.

Pros

• 1-inch hole diameter.
• 2-inch cutting depth.
• Carbide-tipped cutting edges.
• 3/4-inch two-flat Weldon shank.
• Pilot pin included.

Cons

• One diameter rather than a set.
• Needs a compatible annular-cutter arbor.

Choose the CT100L for a 1-inch hole up to its 2-inch cutting depth on a compatible magnetic drill and arbor.

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3. MDBTTOOLS 13-Piece TCT Annular Cutter Kit — Best 1-3/8-Inch-Depth Mixed-Size Kit

The MDBTTOOLS package contains eleven carbide-tipped cutters from 7/16 to 1-1/16 inches plus two pilot pins. Each cutter has a 1-3/8-inch cutting depth and a 3/4-inch Weldon shank.

The three-flute cutters use carbide tips on cobalt-steel bodies for compatible metal work including stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron. Choose the kit when its diameter spread and depth suit the work; use a deeper cutter for material beyond the 1-3/8-inch capacity.

Pros

• Includes 11 cutter sizes from 7/16 to 1-1/16 inches.
• Uses a specified 3/4-inch Weldon shank.
• Lists stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron among intended materials.
• Uses a three-flute cutting design.
• Includes two pilot pins and a 1-3/8-inch cutting depth.

Cons

• The listed depth is shorter than the 2-inch depth included by the Hougen kit and several individual cutters.
• The product is carbide-tipped on a cobalt steel body, not solid carbide.

This kit is a practical match for buyers who want broad diameter coverage plus explicit material information. It deserves a compatibility check before use with any machine outside the specified 3/4-inch Weldon setup, and buyers drilling material thicker than 1-3/8 inches should look toward a deeper cutter.

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4. ACTOOL 5/8-Inch Carbide-Tipped TCT Annular Cutter — Best Single 5/8-Inch Option

A single cutter can be the smarter purchase when the job calls for one established hole size. ACTOOL’s model is 5/8 inch in diameter with a listed 2-inch depth of cut, and it includes a pilot pin. The 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats is identified as compatible with major magnetic-drill brands and with mills or large drill presses that use suitable tool holders.

The product description describes brazed carbide, triple-cut geometry, and use with steel, stainless steel, titanium, hardened steel, and rail steel. A buyer tackling one repeated 5/8-inch hole can avoid paying for unused diameters, while a mobile crew needing several sizes will likely prefer a kit.

Pros

• Provides a precise 5/8-inch cutting diameter.
• Offers a specified 2-inch depth of cut.
• Includes a pilot pin.
• Uses a 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats.
• product description identifies triple-cut geometry and several steel applications.

Cons

• It provides only one cutter size.
• Use the tool maker’s cutting guidance for the exact material and machine.

This cutter fits a buyer who already owns the correct Weldon-compatible machine and needs a 5/8-inch hole without purchasing a multi-size case. A set is more practical for field crews moving between hole dimensions, while this single tool keeps the purchase focused for repeat work.

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5. KEENTECH 3/4-Inch Carbide-Tipped Annular Cutter — Best Single 3/4-Inch Option

KEENTECH’s 3/4-inch model is aimed at buyers who want a single common diameter with a full 2-inch cutting depth. The cutter has a 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats and includes a pilot pin. The product description names compatibility with several magnetic-drill brands, including Alfra, Evolution, DeWalt, VEVOR, Zelcan, and Hougen, although the machine’s own holder requirements should still be checked before installation.

The product information identifies stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and tough alloys as intended materials, along with a triple-edge design. It also recommends using cutting fluid and aligning the shank flats with the set screws. Those setup details are useful because a cutter can be the correct diameter yet still be poorly secured in the holder.

Pros

• Provides a 3/4-inch cutting diameter.
• Offers a listed 2-inch cutting depth.
• Uses a 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats.
• Includes a pilot pin.
• product description names stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and tough alloys.

Cons

• It is limited to one diameter.
• Use the tool maker’s cutting guidance for the exact material and machine.

This is a useful pick for a repair technician or fabricator who repeatedly needs 3/4-inch holes and wants the listed depth of a larger cutter without buying a full case. Buyers needing 5/8, 7/8, or metric-adjacent sizes should step up to a multi-cutter kit instead.

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6. S&F STEAD & FAST 2-1/2-Inch Carbide-Tipped Annular Cutter — Best Large-Diameter Option

This S&F cutter occupies a different lane from the small and medium sets. Its 2-1/2-inch outside diameter and 2-inch depth are aimed at unusually large holes, where a 5/8-inch or 1-inch annular cutter cannot help. The tool uses a 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats, and the product description names compatibility with Alfra, BDS, DeWalt, Fein, Euroboor, Hougen, and Ruko magnetic drills.

The cutter includes one pilot pin and a plastic case. The product description describes heat-treated alloy steel, European tungsten carbide tips, and suitability for hard or corroded metals. Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering. That restriction is central to the purchase because this is a specialized tool, not a general-purpose drill-press accessory.

Pros

• Provides a specified 2-1/2-inch cutting diameter.
• Offers a 2-inch depth of cut.
• Uses a 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats.
• Includes a pilot pin and plastic case.
• product description identifies several compatible magnetic-drill brands.

Cons

• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.
• The single 2-1/2-inch size is too specialized for buyers needing ordinary medium holes.

Choose this cutter for a clearly defined large-hole application and a machine that can accept its shank and diameter. It makes little sense as a general kit substitute, but for large structural openings it supplies a size unavailable in the other selected sets.

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7. GRIXLEN 12-Pack Carbide-Tip Annular Cutter Set — Best for Size Coverage Through 1-1/8 Inch

This 12-piece set covers 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, and 1-1/8 inches. That final 1-1/8-inch size gives it a slightly wider upper range than the other multi-cutter options here. The set uses carbide tips and steel bodies, according to the product description, so buyers should treat it as a carbide-tipped collection rather than a solid carbide set.

The tools use 3/4-inch Weldon shanks and are identified for heavy-duty cutting through stainless steel and iron. Confirm the selected cutter’s depth of cut against the workpiece thickness. Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

Pros

• Includes 12 cutter sizes from 7/16 to 1-1/8 inches.
• Extends the size range beyond 1-1/16 inches.
• Uses a specified 3/4-inch Weldon shank.
• Uses carbide tips on steel bodies.
• product description identifies stainless steel and iron applications.

Cons

• Confirm the selected cutter’s depth of cut against the workpiece thickness.
• Match the required pilot pin and confirm the package contents.

This set suits a shop that values diameter range and expects to work within the product’s unspecified depth limit after confirming it with the seller or manufacturer. Buyers who need specified pilots or a clearly specified 2-inch depth have stronger alternatives in this roundup.

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8. Bonvoisin 12-Piece Carbide-Tip Annular Cutter Set — Best Portable Set

Bonvoisin’s set includes ten cutters from 1/2 to 1-1/16 inches and two pilot pins. Its 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats follows a familiar interface for magnetic-drill work, while the padded plastic case gives the kit a practical field advantage. A case may sound mundane, but keeping cutters, pilots, and small parts together is valuable when a job moves between a truck, a steel frame, and a cramped fabrication area.

The product description identifies stainless steel, steel, copper, and aluminum plates as supported materials, and it explicitly excludes wood. It also describes a triple-edge cutting system. Confirm the selected cutter’s depth of cut against the workpiece thickness. The kit’s starting size is 1/2 inch, which skips the smaller 7/16-inch option offered by several competitors.

Pros

• Includes ten cutter sizes from 1/2 to 1-1/16 inches.
• Comes with two pilot pins.
• Uses a 3/4-inch Weldon shank with two flats.
• Includes a padded plastic protective case.
• product description identifies steel, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum plate applications.

Cons

• Confirm the selected cutter’s depth of cut against the workpiece thickness.
• The set begins at 1/2 inch and does not include a 7/16-inch cutter.

This is a sensible portable kit for buyers who need several medium sizes and want explicit exclusion of wood rather than a vague all-materials claim. It should be skipped for thick-plate work until the depth is confirmed, and it is less useful for jobs demanding a 7/16-inch opening.

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9. Tech Hyren 11-Piece TCT Carbide-Tipped Annular Cutter Set — Best for Construction-Range Sizes

Tech Hyren’s set covers 7/16 to 1-1/16 inches and gives every cutter a listed 1-3/8-inch cutting depth. It includes two pilot pins and uses a standard Weldon shank with dual flat surfaces. Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

The product information highlights TCT teeth, hollow-core geometry, flute design, coolant flow, and automatic slug ejection. The 1-3/8-inch depth is the key practical boundary. It fits many common plate jobs, while deeper material will require a cutter with a specified 2-inch capacity.

Pros

• Covers cutter sizes from 7/16 to 1-1/16 inches.
• Provides a consistent listed 1-3/8-inch cutting depth.
• Uses a standard Weldon shank with dual flat surfaces.
• Includes two pilot pins.
• product description identifies construction, bridge, stainless steel, cast iron, and metal-fabrication applications.

Cons

• The listed 1-3/8-inch depth is shorter than the 2-inch depth of the Hougen and single-cutter options.
• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

Tech Hyren fits buyers who want a mid-size range and a clearly specified depth for general fabrication. It is a weaker match where a 3/4-inch Weldon diameter must be confirmed before purchase or where the workpiece exceeds 1-3/8 inches.

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Buying Guide

Shank and Pilot

Check the 3/4-inch Weldon shank, flats, arbor, and pilot arrangement. An ordinary drill chuck does not accept a Weldon cutter directly.

Cutting Depth

The Hougen, Evolution, ACTOOL, KEENTECH, and S&F options cover 2-inch-depth work. MDBTTOOLS and Tech Hyren cover 1-3/8-inch depth. Confirm exact GRIXLEN and Bonvoisin depth for the selected package.

Coolant and Workholding

Use conditions and coolant for the actual metal. Match the magnetic base and workholding to the stock. Do not extend metal-cutting applications to glass, ceramic, or carbide without the appropriate tooling.

For the material distinction behind the TCT label, review carbide-tipped versus solid-carbide construction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Weldon fit a plain chuck?

Use a compatible annular-cutter arbor and pilot system.

Is overall length the cutting depth?

No. Use rated depth of cut and leave tool and pilot clearance.

Set or single cutter?

Choose a single cutter for one repeat size or a set whose diameters and depths match several jobs.

Final Verdict

Hougen 18002 Copperhead Carbide Annular Cutter Kit is the starting point for buyers who need its configuration. This is the most sensible starting point for a fabricator who needs several medium-size holes and values a 2-inch cutting depth. Buyers who need a very broad range, a 2-1/2-inch hole, or a single inexpensive cutter will find a closer match elsewhere, but the included case and pilots make this kit especially tidy for mobile work.

For a different requirement, compare MDBTTOOLS 13-Piece TCT Annular Cutter Kit and Tech Hyren 11-Piece TCT Carbide-Tipped Annular Cutter Set. Check the 3/4-inch Weldon shank, flats, arbor, and pilot arrangement. An ordinary drill chuck does not accept a Weldon cutter directly.