Best Hole Saw Arbors

Updated September 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Greenlee Hole Saw Arbor
Greenlee
Hole Saw Arbor
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Bottom Line

While a little more expensive, this arbor's unique tighten-down nut design is effective at removing any gaps or wobbling.

Pros

Tighten-down nut design helps to eliminate wobble. Smooth feel. 7/16-inch hex shank. For use with 9/16- to 1 3/16-inch hole saws. Durable, heavy duty construction. Has a split-point tip pilot drill.

Cons

A bit more expensive than other options.

Best Bang for the Buck
MK Morse Arbor
MK Morse
Arbor
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Bottom Line

An inexpensive 1/4-inch hex shank arbor that will fit most standard hole saws.

Pros

Features a 1/4-inch hex shank. An effective arbor that fits most standard hole saws. Very affordable price.

Cons

Some buyers felt that this option didn't hold as much torque as a standard hole saw arbor. A few reports of this option breaking easily.

Starrett Hole Enlargement Arbor
Starrett
Hole Enlargement Arbor
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Bottom Line

A good choice if you're looking for a way to use 2 hole saws on the same arbor to fix a hole that has been drilled too small.

Pros

Can use it to enlarge holes that have been drilled too small. Quality made, and very effective. For use as a replacement on any Starrett A1, A2, or A10 type arbors.

Cons

Some felt that this option was smaller and less robust than they expected.

Lenox Tools Snap Back Arbor
Lenox Tools
Snap Back Arbor
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Bottom Line

Stands out for its fast and easy pull, twist, and snap method of engaging, although some may find the disengaging to be a little more work.

Pros

Easy to engage and disengage without the need for any tools or adapters. Good quality material, and a solid design. Prevents threads from stripping.

Cons

Thicker than expected. Some found that this required a little more effort to unlock.

Milwaukee Hole Saw Large Arbor
Milwaukee
Hole Saw Large Arbor
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Bottom Line

Heavy-duty quality and feel that features a pin extractor mechanism so you don't have to constantly hold it back when putting on a blade.

Pros

Has an ergonomic grip. 3/8-inch Q/C. Easy to use, and simple to put on and take off. Works for a range of hole saws, from 1 1/4 inches to 6 7/8 inches. Heavy-duty feel. Has a pin extractor mechanism for ease of blade mount.

Cons

The set screw that holds the pilot drill can be hard to loosen.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

35 Models Considered
8 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
510 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

A hole saw arbor, also known as a mandrel, connects a drill chuck to the actual saw itself. As a result, a high-quality arbor is important in making sure you get cleanly cut holes each time. To choose the right arbor, you need to look at the compatibility of the shank size and drill chuck size. 3/8" and 1/2" are the most common although some use a 1/4" diameter. The shape of the shank will also influence how secure the arbor is in the drill. Flat and hex-shaped shanks are the best to keep the arbor secure in jaw-like drill chucks.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
Lenox Tools
Hole Saw with Arbor, Speed Slot, 1-inch
Abuff
Hex Shank Hole Saw Arbor
Lenox Tools
Hole Saw with Arbor, Speed Slot, 2-inch
Starrett
DEEP Cut Hole Saw with Arbor
DEWALT
Hole Saw Mandrel
The team that worked on this review
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
  • Rich
    Rich
    Writer
×

Greenlee

Hole Saw Arbor

Greenlee

Hole Saw Arbor

While a little more expensive, this arbor's unique tighten-down nut design is effective at removing any gaps or wobbling.
$11
×

MK Morse

Arbor

MK Morse

Arbor

An inexpensive 1/4-inch hex shank arbor that will fit most standard hole saws.
$5
×

Starrett

Hole Enlargement Arbor

Starrett

Hole Enlargement Arbor

A good choice if you're looking for a way to use 2 hole saws on the same arbor to fix a hole that has been drilled too small.
$15
×

Lenox Tools

Snap Back Arbor

Lenox Tools

Snap Back Arbor

Stands out for its fast and easy pull, twist, and snap method of engaging, although some may find the disengaging to be a little more work.
$17
×

Milwaukee

Hole Saw Large Arbor

Milwaukee

Hole Saw Large Arbor

Heavy-duty quality and feel that features a pin extractor mechanism so you don't have to constantly hold it back when putting on a blade.
$21

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