Are you looking for the best annular cutter set?
If so, just click the button below to skip to our top picks for the best set of annular cutters.
If you would like to read more about annular cutters and what they are used for then continue reading this article.
See our Top Picks for the Best Annular Cutter Sets
Annular cutters are also referred to more commonly as mag drill bits, so you will likely hear them called by this name when looking for an annular cutter set.
When choosing an annular cutter set it is important to do some research since these sets are not cheap, especially when compared to standard twist drill bits.
What are They Used For?
Annular cutters are most commonly used with magnetic drill presses, sometimes also called mag drills.
If you just want to browse the available annular cutter sets then you can click the link below to check current prices and available sets.
See our Top Picks for the Best Annular Cutter Sets
Let’s take a look at a few things you should keep in mind when selecting an annular cutter set.
The Shank
The drill bit shank is the part of the bit that is opposite of the cutting end.
It is the part that is inserted into the chuck of the drill or other tool you are using to hold the bit.
If you are used to standard drill bits, then you will be familiar with what is called a round shank.
A round shank is pretty much what it sounds like, it is round like a cylinder.
Most annular cutters do not have a round shank like a standard drill.
Weldon Shank
Most annular cutters have what is called a Weldon shank.
A Weldon shank has two flats on the shank, and these flat areas are used to hold the bit into the mag drill chuck by tightening two set screws into these flat areas on the shank.
Universal Shank
There is another type of shank you will sometimes find on annular cutters, and that is the universal shank.
The universal annual cutter shank has only one flat in contracts to the Weldon shank’s two flat areas.
In addition, the universal shank annular cutters have three quick connect grooves.
These quick connect grooves allow annual cutters with a universal shank to be inserted and removed quickly from mag drill with a compatible chuck without the hassle of tightening and loosening set screws.
Shank Compatibility
If you have a set of annular cutters with a Weldon shank they can not be used in a mag drill with a universal shank.
The Weldon shank lacks the quick connect grooves required by the universal chuck to hold the annular cutter securely in the chuck.
On the other hand, you can use a universal shank annular cutter in a mag drill with a Weldon type chuck.
The one catch is that since the universal shank annular cutter has only one flat, you can only use one of the Weldon shank’s set screws to secure the bit in the chuck.
This does work, but just be aware this setup is not as secure as a Weldon shank annular cutter in a Weldon chuck since it is only using one-half of the set screws to secure the bit.
It is best to use a Weldon shank bit in Weldon chucks if possible.
Cutting Depth
Probably the most important thing to consider is the thickness of the material you want to cut a hole in when selecting an annular cutter set.
It is also important to note that the overall length of an annular cutter is different than the cutting depth.
Since the cutter cuts only the outside of the hole, leaving a “slug”, you can only cut to the depth of the actual annular cutter.
This would not include the shank, so make sure you look at the cutting depth and not the overall length.
This might come as a surprise if you are used to using only standard twist drill bits.
Cutter Material
The material the cutter is made from as well as the material you are cutting will definitely influence the choice of what material the cutter is made from and what is the best annual cutter set for your particular project.
We will go through some of the most common annular cutter set materials from lower to higher cost and give a brief description of each material.
High Speed Steel
You will notice annular cutting sets made from high speed steel usually have a bright and shiny finish.
There are good for general purpose cutting and would be considered the baseline material from a performance perspective.
If you do not have any specialized needs then high speed steel is a good choice of price vs performance in most cases.
See our Top Picks for the Best High Speed Steel Annular Cutter Set
Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel
Annular cutting sets made from titanium nitride coated are a step up from standard high speed steel bits.
The coating on these bits improves the durability of the standard high speed annular cutting bits.
Other than the increased durability, these bits will perform in a similar fashion as the standard high speed steel constructed ones.
These will, of course, typically be a little more expensive than annular cutters made from uncoated high speed steel.
See our Top Picks for the Best Titanium Nitride Annular Cutter Sets
Cobalt Steel
The main advantage of annular cutting sets made from cobalt steel is they are more durable with higher heat resistance and have very high abrasion resistance.
Cobalt steel is basically high speed steel with cobalt added to it.
Generally, for tool applications, the amount of cobalt added to the high speed steel is between 2% and 12%.
If you are cutting through hard metals such as stainless steel then cobalt bits will be more durable.
They are also good for other hard to drill materials such as high temperature alloys and heat treated high strength steels.
See our Top Picks for the Best Cobalt Annular Cutter Sets
Carbide Tipped Steel
Carbide tipped steel annular cutters sets last longer than any of the previously discussed bit materials.
They are good for high volume cutting of very difficult to machine metals.
These would be the most durable bits that you will find that are generally available as far bit life goes.
One thing to keep in mind about carbide tipped annular cutter sets is they are more sensitive to shock and vibration compared to the other bit materials.
Because of this, you should use these types of bits in a magnetic drill press designed to reduce these stresses.
See our Top Picks for the Best Carbide Annular Cutter Sets
Our Top Picks for the Best Annular Cutter Set
Here are our top picks for the best annular cutter set.
We did quite a bit of research to compile this list.
Since the material of the annular cutter is important as we discussed earlier in the article, we have broken up our picks for the best annular cutter set by the material they are made of.
Best High Speed Steel (HHS) Annular Cutter Sets
| Top Pick | Accusize 11 Bit Set | Check Prices |
| Jestuous 11 Bit Set | Check Prices | |
| Steel Dragon 11 Bit Set | Check Prices |
Best Titanium Nitride (TiN) Annular Cutters
| Top Pick | Hougen 5 Bit Set | Check Prices |
| Jancy 5 Bit Set | Check Prices | |
| Accusize 6 Bit Set | Check Prices |
Best Cobalt Annular Cutters
| Top Pick | Accusize 6 Bit Set | Check Prices |
| Neiko 6 Bit Set | Check Prices | |
| Vector 6 Bit Set | Check Prices |
Best Carbide Tip Annular Cutters
| Top Pick | Hougen 5 Bit Set | Check Prices |
| Jestuous 11 Bit Set | Check Prices |
Accusize 11 HSS Bit Set
This Accusize high speed steel (HSS) annular cutter is our top pick in this bit material.
It comes with 11 bits and 13 total pieces.
The bit sizes included in this annular cutter set are: 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″, and 1-1/16″.
Depth of cut of this set is bits is 2 inches, and they have a 3/4″ Weldon shank.
This Accusize high speed steel set also includes two pilot pins and a sturdy, hard storage case.
Check Current Accusize HHS Prices
Jestuous 11 HHS Bit Set
This Jestuous brand high speed steel annular cutter set also comes with 11 bits, two pilot pins, and had a 3/4″ Weldon shank.
The included bit sizes are the same as the Accusize set, which are: 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″, and 1-1/16″.
These annular cutters have a cutting depth of 2 inches.
This set also comes with a hard case to keep your annular cutters together, so it is easy to find them when you need them.
Check Current Jestuous HHS Prices
Steel Dragon 11 HHS Bit Set
This is our last (but not least) pick for the best annular cutters made from high speed steel.
This Steel Dragon set is also comes with 11 annular cutters as well as two pilot pins.
The sizes in this set are the same as the previous ones, but we’ll include the sizes here for completeness.
You get the following sizes: 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″, and 1-1/16″.
Check Current Steel Dragon HHS Prices
Hougen 5 Titanium Nitride (TiN) Bit Set
Hougen actually invented the annular cutter in 1973, so this set of titanium nitride bits is made by the company that knows the most about annular cutters by far.
This 5 bit set includes the following sized bits: 9/16″, 11/16″, 13/16″, 15/16″, and 1-1/16″.
It also includes two pilot pins and hex wrenches.
This Hougen annular cutter set has a depth of cut of 2 inches and a 3/4″ Weldon shank.
This set of annular cutters are made in the USA.
Check Current Hougen Titanium Nitride (TiN) Prices
Jancy 5 Titanium Nitride (TiN) Bit Set
This 5 bit titanium nitride (TiN) annular cutter set from Jancy is another great choice, and that is why we put it on our list of the best annular cutter sets.
You get the following bits sizes in this set: 9/16″, 11/16″, 13/16″, 15/16″, and 1-1/16″.
The shank on these annular cutters in the Weldon type, and it is 3/4″ in size.
This Jancy annular cutter set has a generous cutting depth of 2 inches.
Check Current Jancy Titanium Nitride (TiN) Prices
Accusize 6 Titanium Nitride (TiN) Bit Set
The Accusize 7 piece titanium coated (TiN) annular cutter set includes 6 sizes of annular cutters.
The included cutter sizes are: 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, and 15/16″.
There is also a pilot pin included in this annular cutter set.
The shank on these annular cutters is the Weldon type and is 3/4″.
Check Current Accusize Titanium Nitride (TiN) Prices
Accusize 6 Cobalt Bit Set
Our top pick for the best annular cutter set made from cobalt is this Accusize 6 bit set.
The annular cutters in this set are made with high speed steel (HHS) with 5% cobalt added.
In addition to the 6 annular cutters this set also includes a pilot pin.
The following bit sizes are included in this set: 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, and 15/16″.
These cobalt annular cutters have a 3/4″ shank (Weldon style), and they have a cutting depth of 1 inch.
A metal storage case is included with this set.
Check Current Accusize Cobalt Prices
Neiko 6 Cobalt Bit Set
Our next pick for the best cobalt annular cutter set is from Neiko.
It includes 6 bits in the following sizes: 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 13/16″, 15/16″, and 1-1/16″.
There is also 1 pilot pin included in this annular cutter set.
This annular cutter set has a cutting depth of 1 inch and a 3/4″ Weldon shank.
There is a plastic storage case included with this set as well.
Check Current Neiko Cobalt Prices
Vector 6 Cobalt Bit Set
The Vector 6 bit set is the next cobalt annular cutter set on our list.
This set includes 1 pilot pin and 6 annular cutting bits in a plastic case.
The included bits are in the following sizes: 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 13/16″, 15/16″, and 1-1/16″ which seems to be pretty much the standard sizes for a annular cutter set of this size.
These annular cutters have a 3/4″ shank of the Weldon type and a 1 inch cutting depth.
Check Current Vector Cobalt Prices
Hougen 5 Carbide Tip Bit Set
This Hougen annular cutter set comes in as our top pick in the carbide tipped category.
Hougen has many firsts in the magnetic drill and annular cutting world, including over 400 patents to their credit.
This set has a 2 inch cutting depth and includes two pilot pins and a hex key in addition to the 5 bits.
The bits in this set include 9/16″, 11/16″, 13/16″, 15/16″, and 1-1/16″ sizes with a 3/4″ Weldon and Fusion2 shank.
A plastic case is also included to keep all of the pieces together.
Check Current Hougen Carbide Tip Prices
Jestuous 11 Carbide Tip Bit Set
This contender for the best annular cutter set with carbide tips is from Jestuous and comes with 11 bits and two pilot pins.
The wide range of bit sizes in this set include 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1-1/16″, and 1-1/8″.
These annular cutters have a cutting depth of 1-3/8″ and a 3/4″ Weldon style shank.
A plastic case is included as well.
Check Current Jestuous Carbide Tip Prices
Conclusion
Picking the correct material for your annular cutter set will go a long way to making sure your project goes smoothly.
Just keep the material you plan to drill in mind and with that and the tips above you should be equipped to select the best annular cutter set for your job.
If in doubt for your specific application then it would be best to talk to your magnetic drill manufacturer for further advice.
Check All Annular Cutter Set Prices
