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Spade Bit vs Auger Bit vs Hole Saw: Boring Studs and Joists
Spade bit, ship auger or hole saw? Pick by the hole: what goes through it, how big a hole the stud or joist allows, and the exact bit by SKU.
Quick answer: Spade bit vs auger bit vs hole saw comes down to the hole. Up to 1-1/2 in. through one stud at a time, a spade bit is the cheapest fast hole: our 3/4 in. x 6 in. is $3.84. For long runs and doubled top plates, a ship auger pulls itself through, and ITM builds ours to cut nails; from $23.57. Past 1-1/2 in., for drains, vents and line sets, use a bi-metal hole saw. Then check the framing: a 2x4 in a bearing wall takes 1-3/8 in. at most.
Spade, auger or hole saw: which one do I grab?
Grab the spade bit for a few holes up to 1-1/2 in., the ship auger when the bit has to go through more than one board, and the hole saw for anything bigger than 1-1/2 in. That is the whole decision for most rough-in days:
One board, 1-1/2 in. or less: Spade bit. Cheap, fast, any drill or impact driver.
More than one board deep: Ship auger. Stacked plates, long runs, hidden nails.
Over 1-1/2 in.: Bi-metal hole saw. Drains, vents, line sets.
The card puts the three side by side. Pick your trade to see which traits matter most for your holes.
Trait |
Spade bit |
Ship auger |
Hole saw |
Edge |
Matters most for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sizes we stock |
1/4 to 1-1/2 in. |
3/8 to 1-1/2 in. |
9/16 to 6 in. |
Hole saw |
Plumbing, HVAC |
Price per piece, from |
$1.78 |
$23.57 |
$7.94, plus an $11.62 arbor |
Spade bit |
Electrical, Low voltage |
Through a doubled top plate (3 in.) |
Reaches with a 16 in. bit, but you push the whole way |
18 in. auger feeds itself through both plates |
Cut depth is 1-15/16 in., so it takes two cuts and two plugs |
Ship auger |
Electrical, Plumbing, Low voltage |
Hidden nails |
Chips the spurs; plan on a new bit |
ITM's single-cutter design is made to cut nails |
Bi-metal teeth cut through a nail |
Ship auger |
Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC |
Shank and drill |
1/4 in. hex, fits a drill or impact driver |
7/16 in. hex, needs a 1/2 in. drill chuck |
Hex arbor in a 1/2 in. drill, low gear |
Spade bit |
Electrical, HVAC, Low voltage |
Exit hole |
Ragged tear-out on the far side |
Clean, the screw point pulls it straight |
Clean round edge |
Hole saw |
Plumbing |
What you clean up |
Chips |
Chips, pulled out by the flutes |
A wood plug to knock out of the cup every hole |
Ship auger |
Plumbing, HVAC |
Trade |
Most common hole |
Grab first |
Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
Electrical |
3/4 to 1 in. for NM cable |
Spade bit |
Keep 3/4 in. spades on the truck by the box and an 18 in. auger for top plates. Hole saws only for panel feeds. |
Plumbing |
1 to 2-1/2 in. for PEX and drains |
Hole saw |
Augers for PEX runs, bi-metal hole saws for every drain and vent. Spades are for the odd supply line. |
HVAC |
1-3/8 to 2-1/2 in. for condensate and line sets |
Hole saw |
A 2-1/2 in. bi-metal hole saw covers most line sets; a 1-3/8 in. spade or auger covers condensate. |
Low voltage and alarm |
3/8 to 1/2 in. for bundles |
Spade bit |
A 3/8 in. x 16 in. spade reaches through a top plate from above. Fishing blind from below calls for a bellhanger. |
What size hole does my cable or pipe need?
Drill the hole about 1/8 to 1/4 in. bigger than whatever passes through it, measured on the outside, not the trade size. A 2 in. PVC drain is 2-3/8 in. across, so it needs a 2-1/2 in. hole saw. NM cable is the exception: one or two 12/2 or 14/2 cables pull easily through a 3/4 in. hole, which is why it is the best-selling spade size we have ever had.
What goes through it |
Outside diameter |
Hole to drill |
Spade bit |
Ship auger |
Hole saw |
Trade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 or 2 NM cables (14/2, 12/2) |
Flat cable |
3/4 in. |
300SB4864 $3.84 |
302SL4864 $27.61 |
— |
Electrical |
3 or 4 NM cables, or one 10/3 |
Flat cable |
1 in. |
300SB6464 $3.99 |
302SL6464 $37.24 |
275HW0018 $8.42 |
Electrical |
Alarm, data or speaker bundle |
Varies |
3/8 to 1/2 in. |
301SB2464 $7.98 |
303SL2464 $28.98 |
— |
Low voltage |
1/2 in. EMT |
0.706 in. |
7/8 in. |
300SB5664 $3.99 |
302SL5664 $30.93 |
275HW0016 $7.94 |
Electrical |
3/4 in. EMT |
0.922 in. |
1-1/8 in. |
300SB7264 $5.79 |
303SL7264 $59.74 |
275HW0019 $8.42 |
Electrical |
1/2 in. PEX |
0.625 in. |
1 in. |
300SB6464 $3.99 |
302SL6464 $37.24 |
275HW0018 $8.42 |
Plumbing |
3/4 in. PEX |
0.875 in. |
1-1/4 in. |
300SB8064 $5.79 |
302SL8064 $48.00 |
275HW0021 $8.42 |
Plumbing |
3/4 in. PVC condensate line |
1.050 in. |
1-3/8 in. |
300SB8864 $5.79 |
302SL8864 $61.98 |
275HW0023 $8.94 |
HVAC |
1-1/2 in. PVC or ABS drain |
1.900 in. |
2-1/8 in. |
— |
— |
275HW0029 $13.73 |
Plumbing |
2 in. PVC or ABS drain or vent |
2.375 in. |
2-1/2 in. |
— |
— |
275HW0033 $14.79 |
Plumbing |
Insulated line set, 3/8 and 3/4 in. lines |
Check the insulation |
2-1/2 in. |
— |
— |
275HW0033 $14.79 |
HVAC |
3 in. PVC or ABS drain |
3.500 in. |
3-5/8 in. |
— |
— |
275HW0140 $18.06 |
Plumbing |
Pipe outside diameters per ASTM D1785/D2665 (PVC), ASTM F876 (PEX) and ANSI C80.3 (EMT). Prices per piece from our catalog, Oct 29, 2026.
More than two NM cables bundled through a hole that gets sealed with fire caulk or foam can trigger cable derating under NEC 334.80. If you are stacking cables, ask your inspector before you pick the bigger bit.
How big a hole can I drill in a stud or joist?
In a 2x4 stud in a bearing wall you can drill a hole up to 40% of its depth, which is 1-3/8 in.; in a non-bearing wall, 60%, or 2-1/16 in. Joists allow a hole up to one third of their depth, kept at least 2 in. from the top and bottom edges. Those are the International Residential Code limits (R602.6 for studs, R502.8.1 for joists), and your local code wins where it differs.
Framing member |
Actual depth |
Code limit |
Largest hole |
Nail plate needed over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2x4 stud, bearing wall |
3-1/2 in. |
40% of depth, 5/8 in. from the edge |
1-3/8 in. |
1 in. |
2x4 stud, non-bearing wall |
3-1/2 in. |
60% of depth, 5/8 in. from the edge |
2-1/16 in. |
1 in. |
2x6 stud, bearing wall |
5-1/2 in. |
40% of depth, 5/8 in. from the edge |
2-3/16 in. |
3 in. |
2x6 stud, non-bearing wall |
5-1/2 in. |
60% of depth, 5/8 in. from the edge |
3-1/4 in. |
3 in. |
2x6 joist |
5-1/2 in. |
1/3 of depth, 2 in. from top and bottom |
1-1/2 in. |
— |
2x8 joist |
7-1/4 in. |
1/3 of depth, 2 in. from top and bottom |
2-3/8 in. |
— |
2x10 joist |
9-1/4 in. |
1/3 of depth, 2 in. from top and bottom |
3-1/16 in. |
— |
2x12 joist |
11-1/4 in. |
1/3 of depth, 2 in. from top and bottom |
3-3/4 in. |
— |
Largest hole rounded down to the nearest 1/16 in. Solid sawn lumber only: I-joists, LVL and trusses follow the maker's hole chart.
The nail plate column is the other limit. The NEC (300.4) and the plumbing code (IRC P2603.2.1) both want the edge of a cable or pipe hole at least 1-1/4 in. from the face of the stud, where drywall screws go. On a 2x4 that leaves exactly 1 in. in the middle, so any hole over 1 in., or any hole off center, gets a steel nail plate on both faces. Two numbers trip people up: a 2 in. drain will not fit a 2x8 joist (2-1/2 in. hole, 2-3/8 in. limit), and a 3 in. drain needs a 2x12.
Pick what you are running and the framing. The planner draws the hole to scale and names the bit.
When is a ship auger worth eight times the price of a spade bit?
A ship auger is worth it when every hole goes through more than one board or might hit a nail. Our 3/4 in. x 18 in. auger (303SL4864, $32.70) costs about 8.5 times the 3/4 in. x 6 in. spade (300SB4864, $3.84). On a wall of single studs the spade wins on price. Through doubled top plates, sill plates and old framing full of nails, the auger's screw point pulls the bit through while you steer, and its flutes carry the chips out instead of packing the hole.
Length matters as much as type. The 8 in. augers fit between studs 16 in. on center in a right-angle drill; the 18 in. augers reach down through a doubled top plate from the attic. Both have the same 6 in. twist, so the extra length is shank, not cutting depth. Our standard ship augers are made in Austria by ITM.
A middle option sits in the spade family: the ITM Wood Twister (THX-6464, 1 in., $23.87) is a 1/4 in. hex self-feed bit with four cutting edges. It pulls itself in like an auger but fits an impact driver.
Can I run these bits in an impact driver?
Spade bits and the Wood Twister, yes: they have 1/4 in. hex shanks that drop into an impact driver. Our ship augers, no: they have a 7/16 in. hex shank, which needs a 1/2 in. drill chuck (or a 7/16 in. quick-change) and the torque that comes with one. Hole saws belong in a drill too, in low gear with the side handle on, because a hole saw that grabs in a stud will spin the drill, not the saw. For hole saw speeds, see our drill speed chart, and for which bits stand up to impact, see impact vs regular bit tips.
Bi-metal or carbide-tipped hole saw for framing?
Bi-metal is the better hole saw for framing. ITM's bi-metal saws cut 1-15/16 in. deep, which clears a 2x stud in one pass with room to spare, and their teeth survive the nail you did not know was there. ITM's carbide-tipped saws cut 1-1/2 in. deep, exactly the thickness of a stud, and are made for fiberglass, cement board, laminate and cast iron. Bi-metal hole saws from 1-1/4 to 6 in. run on the ARB-5 arbor ($17.84); 9/16 to 1-3/16 in. run on the ARB-2 ($11.62). If you would rather buy the set, the Plumber's Hole Saw Kit ($93.48) and Electrician's Hole Saw Kit ($116.69) come with both arbors.
What about steel studs, top plates I can't see, and poles?
All three need a different tool, and we stock each. Steel studs and boxes take a step drill or a bi-metal hole saw, never a wood bit; our drill bits for metal guide covers speeds and oil. Fishing wire up through a top plate you can't see takes a bellhanger or flex bit, which has a hole in the tip to pull the wire back with it. Utility poles, railroad ties and heavy timber take a carbide-tipped Power Pole auger, such as the 13/16 in. x 24 in. CPP-27132 ($185.88), which drills 21 in. deep.
From the shop floor
"Our best-selling size and our most common phone call tell the same story. The 3/4-inch spade leads because it matches the work that fills a crew’s day. When those same crews call about augers, they ask about durability, not specs. The people who buy cutting tools in bulk aren’t buying a bit. They’re buying fewer trips back to the truck."
David Castro, President, Eldorado Tools
Our spade bits, ship augers and hole saws, with prices
These are the picks for stud and joist work. Every price is per piece, and most bits have a minimum order, shown in the last column.
Pick this when |
Tool |
SKU |
Size |
Price per piece |
Min. order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 or 2 NM cables through studs |
Spade bit, 6 in. |
3/4 x 6 in. |
$3.84 |
10 |
|
Same hole, stocking a crew |
Tru-Cut spade bit, 6 in. |
3/4 x 6 in. |
$2.22 |
20 |
|
3 or 4 cables, or 1/2 in. PEX |
Spade bit, 6 in. |
1 x 6 in. |
$3.99 |
10 |
|
Alarm or data wire down through a top plate |
Spade bit, 16 in. |
3/8 x 16 in. |
$7.98 |
5 |
|
Reaching across a stud bay |
Spade bit, 16 in. |
3/4 x 16 in. |
$8.31 |
5 |
|
Self-feed in an impact driver |
Wood Twister |
1 in. |
$23.87 |
2 |
|
A long run of studs with a right-angle drill |
Ship auger, 8 in. |
3/4 x 8 in. |
$27.61 |
2 |
|
Doubled top plates and sill plates |
Ship auger, 18 in. |
3/4 x 18 in. |
$32.70 |
2 |
|
PEX runs through joists |
Ship auger, 8 in. |
1 x 8 in. |
$37.24 |
1 |
|
3/4 in. PEX |
Ship auger, 8 in. |
1-1/4 x 8 in. |
$48.00 |
1 |
|
1-1/2 in. drain |
Bi-metal hole saw |
2-1/8 in. |
$13.73 |
4 |
|
2 in. drain or vent, or a line set |
Bi-metal hole saw |
2-1/2 in. |
$14.79 |
2 |
|
3 in. drain through a 2x12 |
Bi-metal hole saw |
3-5/8 in. |
$18.06 |
2 |
|
Any hole saw from 1-1/4 to 6 in. |
Arbor |
7/16 in. hex |
$17.84 |
2 |
Prices per piece from our catalog on Oct 29, 2026.
Browse them all in spade drill bits, ship augers and hole saws. For the rest of the bit family, see types of drill bits.
Every spade bit, ship auger and hole saw size we stock
This is the full list: 139 sizes of spade bits, self-feed bits, standard ship augers and bi-metal hole saws, with the price per piece and the minimum order. Pick the tools to compare on the ruler, then tap a size.
SKU |
Tool |
Brand |
Size |
Length or depth |
Price per piece |
Min. order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1/4 in. |
6 in. |
$3.23 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1/4 in. |
6 in. |
$1.78 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
5/16 in. |
6 in. |
$3.23 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
5/16 in. |
6 in. |
$1.81 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
3/8 in. |
6 in. |
$3.23 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
3/8 in. |
6 in. |
$1.84 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
7/16 in. |
6 in. |
$3.23 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
7/16 in. |
6 in. |
$1.87 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1/2 in. |
6 in. |
$3.23 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1/2 in. |
6 in. |
$1.98 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
9/16 in. |
6 in. |
$3.84 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
9/16 in. |
6 in. |
$2.03 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
5/8 in. |
6 in. |
$3.84 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
5/8 in. |
6 in. |
$2.12 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
11/16 in. |
6 in. |
$3.84 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
11/16 in. |
6 in. |
$2.15 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
3/4 in. |
6 in. |
$3.84 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
3/4 in. |
6 in. |
$2.22 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
13/16 in. |
6 in. |
$3.84 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
13/16 in. |
6 in. |
$2.29 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
7/8 in. |
6 in. |
$3.99 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
7/8 in. |
6 in. |
$2.34 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
15/16 in. |
6 in. |
$3.99 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
15/16 in. |
6 in. |
$2.43 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1 in. |
6 in. |
$3.99 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1 in. |
6 in. |
$2.45 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1-1/8 in. |
6 in. |
$5.79 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1-1/8 in. |
6 in. |
$2.74 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1-1/4 in. |
6 in. |
$5.79 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1-1/4 in. |
6 in. |
$2.96 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1-3/8 in. |
6 in. |
$5.79 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1-3/8 in. |
6 in. |
$3.17 |
20 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
ITM |
1-1/2 in. |
6 in. |
$5.79 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 6 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1-1/2 in. |
6 in. |
$3.54 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
1/4 in. |
16 in. |
$7.98 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1/4 in. |
16 in. |
$4.38 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
3/8 in. |
16 in. |
$7.98 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
3/8 in. |
16 in. |
$4.50 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
7/16 in. |
16 in. |
$4.55 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
1/2 in. |
16 in. |
$7.98 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1/2 in. |
16 in. |
$5.28 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
9/16 in. |
16 in. |
$5.29 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
5/8 in. |
16 in. |
$8.31 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
5/8 in. |
16 in. |
$5.41 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
3/4 in. |
16 in. |
$8.31 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
3/4 in. |
16 in. |
$5.65 |
10 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
7/8 in. |
16 in. |
$9.58 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
7/8 in. |
16 in. |
$7.06 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
1 in. |
16 in. |
$10.52 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1 in. |
16 in. |
$7.63 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
Tru-Cut |
1-1/8 in. |
16 in. |
$9.02 |
5 |
|
Spade bit, 16 in. |
ITM |
1-3/8 in. |
16 in. |
$11.93 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
3/8 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$7.66 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
1/2 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$10.66 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
9/16 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$12.23 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
5/8 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$14.07 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
3/4 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$15.25 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
7/8 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$16.75 |
5 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
1 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$23.87 |
2 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
1-1/8 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$26.70 |
2 |
|
Self-feed bit |
ITM |
1-1/4 in. |
6-1/2 in. |
$28.99 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
1/2 in. |
8 in. |
$23.57 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
9/16 in. |
8 in. |
$26.57 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
5/8 in. |
8 in. |
$26.57 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
11/16 in. |
8 in. |
$27.61 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
3/4 in. |
8 in. |
$27.61 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
13/16 in. |
8 in. |
$29.94 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
7/8 in. |
8 in. |
$30.93 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
15/16 in. |
8 in. |
$36.48 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
1 in. |
8 in. |
$37.24 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
1-1/8 in. |
8 in. |
$41.44 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
1-1/4 in. |
8 in. |
$48.00 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
1-3/8 in. |
8 in. |
$61.98 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 8 in. |
ITM |
1-1/2 in. |
8 in. |
$64.29 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
3/8 in. |
18 in. |
$28.98 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
7/16 in. |
18 in. |
$28.98 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
1/2 in. |
18 in. |
$28.98 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
9/16 in. |
18 in. |
$28.98 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
5/8 in. |
18 in. |
$28.98 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
11/16 in. |
18 in. |
$32.68 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
3/4 in. |
18 in. |
$32.70 |
2 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
13/16 in. |
18 in. |
$35.38 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
7/8 in. |
18 in. |
$37.05 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
15/16 in. |
18 in. |
$40.51 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
1 in. |
18 in. |
$41.16 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
1-1/8 in. |
18 in. |
$59.74 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
1-1/4 in. |
18 in. |
$64.78 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
1-3/8 in. |
18 in. |
$84.41 |
1 |
|
Ship auger, 18 in. |
ITM |
1-1/2 in. |
18 in. |
$86.62 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
9/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$10.46 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
5/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$7.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
11/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$7.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$7.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
13/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$7.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
7/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$7.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
15/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$7.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.42 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-1/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.42 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-1/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.42 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-3/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.42 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-1/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.42 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-5/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.42 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-3/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-7/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$8.94 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-1/2 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$9.10 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-9/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$9.10 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-5/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$9.21 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-11/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$9.21 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-3/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$11.15 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-13/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$11.15 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
1-7/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$11.32 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$12.24 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-1/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$13.73 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-1/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$13.73 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-1/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$13.83 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-5/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$13.95 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-3/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$14.03 |
4 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-1/2 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$14.79 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-9/16 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$14.88 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-5/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.22 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-3/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.22 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
2-7/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.22 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.22 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-1/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.38 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-1/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.38 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-3/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.38 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-1/2 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$15.38 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-5/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$18.06 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-3/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$21.22 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
3-7/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$22.31 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$23.27 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
4-1/8 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$26.08 |
2 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
4-1/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$33.93 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
4-1/2 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$46.94 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
4-3/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$54.38 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
5 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$57.83 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
5-1/2 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$69.00 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
5-3/4 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$74.93 |
1 |
|
Bi-metal hole saw |
ITM |
6 in. |
1-15/16 in. deep |
$80.84 |
1 |
Prices per piece from our catalog on Nov 4, 2026.
FAQ
Is a spade bit or an auger bit better for running wire?
For a few holes through single studs, a spade bit is better because it is cheap and fits an impact driver. For long runs, doubled top plates or old framing with nails, an auger bit is better because it feeds itself and clears its own chips.
What size spade bit do I need for 12/2 Romex?
A 3/4 in. spade bit is the usual size for one or two 12/2 cables. Keep the hole centered in the stud so its edge stays 1-1/4 in. from each face, or add a steel nail plate.
Can I use a hole saw instead of a spade bit?
Yes, and above 1-1/2 in. you have to, because that is the largest spade bit and ship auger we stock. Below that, a hole saw is slower because you knock a plug out of the cup after every hole.
How close to the edge of a stud can I drill?
The building code allows the hole edge to come within 5/8 in. of the stud edge. The electrical and plumbing codes want 1-1/4 in., or a steel nail plate over the hole, to keep drywall screws out of the wire or pipe.
Can you drill through a floor joist for a 3 in. drain?
Only through a 2x12 or deeper. A 3 in. drain needs a 3-5/8 in. hole, and a joist allows one third of its depth: 3-3/4 in. for a 2x12, 3-1/16 in. for a 2x10.
Need a size you don't see, or a case price for a crew? Call our team at (833) 4-ETOOLS or email sales@eldoradotools.com.
Sources: IRC 2021 R602.6 and R502.8.1; NEC 2023 300.4(A) and 334.80; IRC P2603.2.1; ITM product specifications (ship auger, Wood Twister, bi-metal and carbide-tipped hole saw pages); ASTM D1785, D2665, F876; ANSI C80.3; Eldorado Tools catalog and order history, Oct 29, 2026.
Drafted Oct 29, 2026 with prices from our catalog that day. Interactive tools added Nov 4, 2026.
