Not sure what the walls and ceiling of my 1930's are constructed of, but it's plaster about 1/2 inch thick drywall over what to be seems like some kind of 1/2" cement board. I shudder at how much my house weighs. In any case, a regular hole saw is good for no more than two holes before the teeth are completely gone. This thing will do though Out A regular hole saw is probably better for wood, but will do for cement board or something similar.