When cutting with a hole saw, it is important to frequently clear the chips. This means regularly pulling the tool out of the cut so the chips are able to exit the gullets of the saw teeth. This keeps your blade from grinding to a halt during a cut and also prevents damage to the hole saw teeth.
If you don’t eject the chips fast enough, especially when cutting timber or lumber, the friction can create smoke and heat can fuse the chips into the hole saw teeth. This makes them difficult to remove, slowing you down on a project and potentially damaging your hole saw.
To know when to clear chips, pay attention to your feed speed. The saw will feed extremely fast until the teeth get clogged. Then the blade will slow down and begin to grind. When you feel and hear this, pull the saw slightly back from the cut to free the chips. Then re-engage with the material and repeat as needed until finished.
When the entire diameter of the hole saw is not engaged in the material, such as when making an overlapping cut, there is naturally a place for the chips to exit. On these cuts you should be able to push straight through the application without needing the clear the chips.
Knowing when and how to properly clear chips from your hole saw will speed your cutting process and ensure the longest life for your blade. Watch more here!