Best Carbide Hole Saws for Stainless Steel: 9 Picks in 2026

For stainless-steel holes, compare the cutter diameter, metal-thickness limit, and drill requirements. These carbide-tipped options include single cutters and multi-size kits. Package piece counts often include accessories, not just hole saws.

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: GRENPRO 16PCS Carbide Hole Saw Kit — 1/2 to 2-1/8 inches; TCT teeth; Two pilot drills, aluminum case.
• Best for Defined Sheet-Metal Sizes: Klein Tools 31872 Heavy-Duty Hole Cutter Kit — 7/8, 1-1/8, 1-3/8 inches; Carbide cutters; Split-point pilot, depth flange.
• Best Portable Multi-Size Kit: GSTK Upgrade Heavy-Duty Carbide Hole Saw Kit — Assorted TCT cutters; 9/16–2-1/8-inch range; portable case.

Best Carbide Hole Saws for Stainless Steel Comparison Table

1. GRENPRO 16PCS Carbide Hole Saw Kit — Best Overall

The GRENPRO kit is the most rounded pick for a buyer who expects stainless steel work to arrive in several shapes and sizes. Its specified range runs from 1/2 inch to 2-1/8 inches, giving it useful coverage for conduit, pipe penetrations, electrical boxes, and general sheet-metal openings. The cutters use tungsten carbide tipped teeth, while the two included pilot drills are titanium-plated M2 steel according to the product description. That combination gives the kit a clear purpose: hard-metal hole cutting with replacement pilot support close at hand.

The three-blade arrangement is described as an outer, middle, and inner blade design. That is a meaningful construction detail because the cutter is built around more than a single cutting edge. GRENPRO also identifies compatibility with handheld drills, bench drills, and impact drills, although the exact machine setup and operating limits still need to be checked before use. The aluminum storage case is handy for a service van or crowded garage, where loose cutters tend to disappear beneath wrenches and extension cords.

Pros

• specified 1/2-inch to 2-1/8-inch size range.
• Tungsten carbide tipped teeth are identified for stainless steel and iron.
• Includes two titanium-plated pilot drills.
• Three-blade cutting design is specified in the product description.
• Includes an aluminum storage case.

Cons

• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.
• Use the tool maker’s cutting guidance for the exact material and machine.

This kit suits electricians, plumbers, fabricators, and DIY users who need several opening sizes without assembling a collection one cutter at a time. A single-size EZARC or SALI is more sensible for one repeated opening, while the GRENPRO is easier to justify for varied work. Use the specified coolant guidance for continuous drilling and verify the drill, pilot, and material setup before cutting.

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2. METOTY 19 PCS Carbide Hole Saw Kit — Best for Size Variety

METOTY takes the broad-kit approach and makes the contents unusually clear. The set lists 13 hole saw diameters, from 13 mm through 54 mm, including common inch-equivalent sizes such as 1 inch, 1-1/2 inches, 2 inches, and 2-1/8 inches. Three extra titanium-plated pilot center drills and three L-wrenches round out the package. For a workshop that moves from a small cable opening to a larger pipe pass-through, that spread reduces the temptation to force the wrong cutter into the job.

The product description identifies stainless steel, iron, mild steel, alloy steel, and aluminum as intended materials, while specifically excluding tile, glass, concrete, and stone. That boundary matters. A stainless steel hole saw is not a masonry cutter, and a broad size range does not change the material class. METOTY also lists handheld electric drills, stand-mounted drilling machines, and mobile magnetic drilling machines as compatible equipment categories. Coolant is recommended during continuous high-speed drilling, so the kit is better suited to deliberate metal cutting than quick, dry abuse.

Pros

• Lists 13 individual hole saw sizes from 13 to 54 mm.
• Includes three extra titanium-plated pilot center drills.
• Includes three L-wrenches.
• Identifies stainless steel, iron, mild steel, alloy steel, and aluminum applications.
• States compatibility with handheld, stand-mounted, and magnetic drilling equipment.

Cons

• Not intended for tile, glass, concrete, or stone according to the product description.
• Confirm the selected cutter’s depth of cut against the workpiece thickness.

METOTY is a good fit for a buyer who values a clearly specified size menu and spare pilots. It may be excessive for a single sink, conduit, or sensor opening, where a single cutter takes less room. For mixed stainless and aluminum work, the material coverage is useful, but the machine and coolant requirements still deserve attention before the first hole.

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3. Klein Tools 31872 Heavy-Duty Hole Cutter Kit — Best for Defined Sheet-Metal Sizes

The Klein Tools 31872 goes in a different direction from the large assortment kits. It contains three specified cutter sizes, 7/8 inch, 1-1/8 inches, and 1-3/8 inches, plus an extra pilot bit. That narrower selection can be a virtue for someone who repeatedly works with those openings and would rather carry a compact molded case than a box filled with unused diameters.

Its product information specifies stainless steel, mild steel, iron, copper, and brass sheet up to 3/16 inch thick. The split-point pilot is identified as a way to resist walking, and an integrated flange is intended to stop the operator from drilling beyond the sheet metal. Those are practical details for panel work, particularly where the cutter needs a defined stopping point. The set is less flexible than a 13-size kit, but its specified thickness limit and three selected sizes make the intended work clearer.

Pros

• Includes three clearly identified sizes: 7/8, 1-1/8, and 1-3/8 inches.
• Specified for stainless steel sheet up to 3/16 inch thick.
• Includes an extra pilot bit.
• Uses a split-point pilot drill according to the product description.
• Includes an integrated flange to limit drilling depth.

Cons

• Offers fewer diameters than the multi-size kits in this roundup.
• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

This is the focused pick for sheet-metal buyers whose required openings line up with the three included diameters. It is less suitable for a service kit that needs 1/2-inch and 2-inch openings on the same afternoon. The 3/16-inch material limit should remain central to the purchase decision, especially for thicker stainless plate.

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4. ASNOMY 4-Inch Tungsten Carbide Tipped Hole Saw — Best Large-Diameter Option

A 4-inch opening changes the buying problem. Instead of collecting several small cutters, the user needs one large-diameter tool with a specified cutting depth and an appropriate machine setup. This TCT cutter is identified for a 4-inch diameter, a 1-inch cutting depth, and a 10 mm shank. It also includes two titanium-plated pilot drills, which is helpful because a large cutter still depends on a centered pilot to begin the opening.

The product description identifies stainless steel, hard metal, iron, cast iron, aluminum, wood, plastic, and FRP among its applications, while excluding concrete, tile, and stone. It also names handheld electric drills, stand-mounted drilling machines, magnetic drills, and other equipment categories. Those broad compatibility statements should not replace checking the actual machine, chuck, and workpiece setup. A four-inch cutter occupies a different practical category from the compact options, especially around clearance and control.

Pros

• Provides a specified 4-inch cutting diameter.
• Lists a 1-inch cutting depth.
• Uses TCT cutting teeth.
• Includes two titanium-plated pilot drills.
• Identifies a 10 mm shank diameter.

Cons

• Its single 4-inch size does not cover smaller openings.
• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

This cutter belongs in the hands of someone with a specific large opening to make, such as a broad service penetration or fabrication opening. It is a poor substitute for a multi-size kit, and the 10 mm shank plus machine compatibility need checking before purchase. Buyers should also keep the specified 1-inch cutting depth in view rather than assuming it handles thicker stock.

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5. GSTK Upgrade Heavy-Duty Carbide Hole Saw Kit — Best Portable Multi-Size Kit

The GSTK kit groups assorted carbide-tipped hole cutters in a portable case, with a 9/16- to 2-1/8-inch size range. It is intended for stainless steel and other compatible metals, giving it a multi-diameter role rather than the single-hole focus of the EZARC cutter.

Choose this package when the actual included diameters match the installation plan. Check the selected package contents before ordering, since cutter quantity and accessory quantity are different measurements. Use the correct speed, secure the workpiece, and match the material thickness to each cutter.

Pros

• Assorted TCT hole cutters.
• 9/16- to 2-1/8-inch size range.
• Stainless-steel application.
• Portable storage case.
• Several hole sizes in one purchase.

Cons

• Confirm the exact selected package contents.
• Cutting thickness must suit the individual cutter.

GSTK fits users who want a compact group of common sizes for stainless panels, enclosures, and general fabrication. Buyers who need a 1/2-inch opening should choose a kit that lists it, while those who need only one diameter can avoid carrying the unused assortment. Its material range is broad, but the exact drill and coolant setup remains the buyer’s responsibility.

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6. Greenlee 660 Quick-Change Carbide Hole Cutter Kit — Best Quick-Change Five-Size Kit

The Greenlee 660 package combines five carbide hole-cutter sizes with a quick-change arbor and cobalt-steel pilot drill. The cutter diameters are 7/8, 1-1/8, 1-3/8, 1-3/4, and 2 inches, covering a practical group of installation holes without counting the accessories as extra cutters.

The cutters are intended for materials including stainless steel, mild steel, copper, and aluminum. A stop flange helps limit travel through the work. Match the selected cutter to the material thickness, secure the sheet, and use a drill with the required chuck capacity rather than assuming the largest cutter fits every handheld setup.

Pros

• Five defined cutter diameters.
• Carbide cutting edges.
• Quick-change 645-011 arbor.
• Cobalt-steel pilot drill.
• Stop-flange cutter design.

Cons

• Largest cutters need adequate drill capacity.
• Material thickness must suit the selected cutter.

Choose the Greenlee for these five hole sizes with a drill that accepts the arbor and meets the cutter’s speed and thickness requirements.

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7. EZARC 1-3/8-Inch Carbide Hole Saw — Best for a Defined 35 mm Opening

The EZARC 1-3/8-inch cutter is a single-size tool for a buyer who needs 35 mm rather than a drawer full of unused saws. Its product description specifies stainless steel, mild steel, iron, copper, and brass sheet, with material up to 3/16 inch thick. A spring-loaded pilot bit is included, along with a wrench. That integrated arrangement keeps the essential parts together when the job involves one particular opening.

The spring-loaded pilot is intended to support drilling and plug ejection, according to the product information. The more useful purchasing facts are the 35 mm diameter, the specified sheet-metal thickness, and the included pilot and wrench. Those details make the cutter easier to match to a known panel requirement.

Pros

• Provides a specified 35 mm, approximately 1-3/8-inch cutting diameter.
• Specified for stainless steel sheet up to 3/16 inch thick.
• Lists mild steel, iron, copper, and brass sheet applications.
• Includes a spring-loaded pilot bit.
• Includes a wrench as part of the cutter assembly.

Cons

• Only one cutting diameter is included.
• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

Choose the EZARC for a 35 mm opening in compatible sheet up to 3/16 inch thick, using a drill and chuck that accept its shank.

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8. HIDOTOL 20-Piece TCT Carbide Hole Saw Kit — Best Full-Range Kit with Spare Springs

HIDOTOL includes 13 hole saws covering 1/2 inch through 2-1/8 inches, plus two drill bits, three springs, and two hex keys. The range is useful for mixed fabrication and service work, while the spare springs add a detail that single-size cutters do not provide. The set uses TCT teeth and a three-blade design identified as inner, middle, and outer cutting sections.

The product description names stainless steel, metal, iron, plastic, aluminum, and FRP as applications and includes an aluminum case. Its product information also recommends coolant for continuous work and lists handheld drills, drill presses, and magnetic core drills as compatible equipment categories. Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering. HIDOTOL is therefore best viewed as a broad kit whose specified range is more important than its piece count alone.

Pros

• Includes 13 hole saws from 1/2 to 2-1/8 inches.
• Includes two pilot drill bits.
• Includes three springs and two hex keys.
• Lists stainless steel, iron, aluminum, plastic, and FRP applications.
• Includes an aluminum storage case.

Cons

• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.
• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

Choose HIDOTOL for varied stainless-steel hole sizes and spare small parts in one case. Match the actual cutter diameters, pilots, and shank arrangement to the drill.

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9. HIGHFIRE 20-Piece Carbide Hole Saw Kit — Best Multi-Size Kit with Spare Pilots

HIGHFIRE lists the full 13-size range from 1/2 inch to 2-1/8 inches, along with two pilot drills, two hex keys, and three springs. The kit is aimed at stainless steel, iron, aluminum, alloy, plastic, and FRP work. Its most distinctive specified feature is the double round opening arrangement, which the product description associates with metal-filing removal and cooling. That makes the design detail more relevant than a simple piece-count comparison.

The set also gives buyers a choice of lubricant types in its product information, identifying water or oil as possible options for cooling. That guidance should be reconciled with the material, machine, and manufacturer instructions before use. Use the tool maker’s cutting guidance for the exact material and machine. It is a broad metalworking kit, not a universal hole-cutting system.

Pros

• Includes 13 specified hole saw sizes from 1/2 to 2-1/8 inches.
• Includes two pilot drill bits.
• Includes three springs and two hex keys.
• Lists stainless steel, iron, aluminum, alloy, plastic, and FRP applications.
• Identifies double round openings for filing removal and cooling.

Cons

• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.
• Match the selected tool’s dimensions and mounting requirements to the job before ordering.

HIGHFIRE is a sensible option for a workshop that wants a wide size range and pays attention to chip clearance around the cutter. Buyers who need a specified shank size may prefer the SALI or 4-inch option, while someone working with only one opening should select a single cutter. Verify the machine connection and use the specified coolant guidance for extended drilling.

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Buying Guide

Actual Cutter Count

METOTY includes 13 hole saws plus pilots and keys. HIGHFIRE and HIDOTOL totals also include accessories. Compare the actual diameter selection.

Material Thickness

Cup depth does not establish permitted stainless thickness. Klein and EZARC specify stainless sheet up to 3/16 inch. Use the selected cutter’s thickness and feed guidance.

Drill Capacity

Large cutters such as ASNOMY 4-inch need adequate torque, a suitable chuck, and secure workholding. Use the right speed and cutting fluid. The selected EZARC is 35 mm / 1-3/8 inch.

The construction guide explains drill construction, cutter dimensions, and machine fit, helping distinguish the carbide cutting edge from the hole saw’s thickness and mounting limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a 20-piece kit have 20 cutters?

Check the contents; pilots, keys, and springs often count as pieces.

Is 26 mm exactly 1 inch?

No. One inch is 25.4 mm. Choose the required diameter precisely.

Does a deep cup cut equally thick stainless?

Use the permitted material-thickness limit, not cup depth alone.

Final Verdict

GRENPRO 16PCS Carbide Hole Saw Kit is the starting point for buyers who need its configuration. This kit suits electricians, plumbers, fabricators, and DIY users who need several opening sizes without assembling a collection one cutter at a time. A single-size EZARC or SALI is more sensible for one repeated opening, while the GRENPRO is easier to justify for varied work. Use the specified coolant guidance for continuous drilling and verify the drill, pilot, and material setup before cutting.

For a different requirement, compare Klein Tools 31872 Heavy-Duty Hole Cutter Kit and HIGHFIRE 20-Piece Carbide Hole Saw Kit. METOTY includes 13 hole saws plus pilots and keys. HIGHFIRE and HIDOTOL totals also include accessories. Compare the actual diameter selection.