Review on Starrett KD0414 N 4 Inch Diamond Holesaw by Larry Simpson

I bought this hole saw to drill a hole in porcelain stoneware 300 x 300mm for installing a shower thermostatic mixer. I've watched YouTube videos of others cutting large diameter holes in tile with a diamond blade on an angle grinder, but I wanted a cleaner result. I used the drill press with the tile in a shallow plastic pan filled with water to oil the cut and keep everything cool. Like all large hole saws, this one needs a pilot drill to keep it from wandering, so I bought a Starrett XA2 carbide mandrel. This drill bit works for softer ceramic tile but not porcelain. Knowing this, I drilled a hole for the pilot bit with a small diamond bit I bought at my local hardware store. Then there was a hole in the tile for a pilot drill. I put a piece of plywood under the tile with a hole in it so the pilot drill wouldn't pierce through the plastic tray. My first attempt ended with a broken tile as I got impatient towards the end. My second attempt was successful. My advice to others is to take your time. I set the drill's belts to the slowest speed and pressed the spring lightly to ensure the back of the tile was fully supported. To minimize vibration, be sure to use shims between the mandrel and saw to take up play when the two pins engage. I'm not sure how well this hole saw would work in a hand drill on a vertical wall.