Hole saws work well in a variety of woods, but they tend to clog quickly, stop cutting, and start heating up. Instead of forcing them downward through the cut, drill down to the depth of the teeth and retract the saw. Then, without shutting off the drill press, you can unclog the teeth by pressing a wire or stiff nylon brush against the side of the saw that’s spinning away from you. Now drill a little deeper and repeat the process, until you have drilled through the workpiece. Drilling will go faster this way, without burning, and the plug will be easier to remove as well.

—DAN MARTIN, Galena, Ohio
Drawings: Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking #310.