Hole saws, whole hog

The two parts of a hole saw--and two of my favorite words in woodworking--are the central arbor and the circular, serrated mandrel. Mandrels of different diameters twist onto the arbors, you chuck the arbor in the drill, and the boring begins.

The arbor and mandrel are meant for each other, but the two have a way of getting separated in the bottom of the toolbox. Now, though, I've found a way to keep them together forever.

Irwin's new 17-piece Hole Saw Kit brings a dozen mandrels and two sizes of arbors together in one soft-sided zippered case. Each mandrel, sized 5/8-inch to 3 inches wide, fits into its designated, labeled slot. Three spare bits stay to the side, while two arbors wedge snugly into their rubber cubbies.

You practically need pliers to pull out the bits from some of the other kits out there, but these are easily removed, yet they don't rattle around in the case.

That means you'll always have both halves--and when Tom Silva shows you how to cut a hole for a deadbolt lock, you better be ready to pull the trigger.

More bit kits:
Milwaukee: When every little bit counts
Worx: Get your bits together