Milwaukee 1-1/8″ Diamond Plus Hole Saw

The Milwaukee 1-1/8” Diamond Plus delivers up to 20X longer life than standard diamond hole saws when cutting tile, stone, and glass. That vacuum-brazed diamond grit holds up through hundreds of holes where cheaper saws burn out after a dozen. At 2100 RPM max speed, it’s built for the tile and stone work that dominates Montana bathroom remodels and high-end kitchen installations.

Worth it for plumbers, tile setters, and remodeling contractors who drill fixture holes daily. The quick-change hex shank saves time switching between pilot holes and finish cuts. Skip it if you’re just hanging a towel bar in drywall. This saw targets pros cutting through porcelain, granite countertops, and glass tile — materials that destroy standard bits.

Cutting Performance That Lasts

Up to 20X longer life vs. standard diamond saws isn’t marketing fluff. The vacuum-brazed diamond grit stays put hole after hole. Standard diamond saws use electroplated grit that strips off under heat and pressure. Milwaukee’s vacuum brazing creates a metallurgical bond between the diamonds and the steel core.

Heat is the enemy of diamond grit; lower speeds extend bit life. Running this at 500-800 RPM on hard porcelain or granite keeps the diamonds cool and cutting. Push it to 2100 RPM on softer ceramic and you’ll still outlast the competition, but why waste tool life?

The large slug ejection slot for easier plug removal actually matters. Tile slugs jam in standard hole saws, forcing you to stop and pry them out with a screwdriver. This design lets you tap them out and keep drilling. Time is money when you’re roughing in a dozen shower valves.

Specification	Value
Diameter	1-1/8” (28.6 mm)
Cutting Depth	1.5 inches (38 mm)
Max RPM	2100
Recommended RPM	500-800 rpm for very hard materials
Shank Type	1/4” Quick-Change Hex Shank
Weight	0.12 lbs (approx. 55g)

Materials and Applications — Where This Saw Earns Its Keep

Porcelain tile, Ceramic tile, Granite, Marble, Natural stone, Glass, Slate, Fiberglass — that’s the hit list. Notice what’s missing? Wood, metal, plastic. Don’t waste this on materials a bi-metal hole saw handles better.

Real-world applications where the Diamond Plus pays for itself:

• Drilling holes for shower heads and tub spouts
• Plumbing and electrical penetrations in tile surfaces
• Installing floor and wall mounted fixtures
• Tile trims and decorative stone work

Montana mountain homes lean heavily on natural stone — granite countertops, slate floors, marble vanities. This saw handles them all. The self-starting capability (reduced ‘walking’) means you can start holes on polished granite without a center punch or pilot hole.

Wet cutting is strongly recommended. Submerge bit in water before each cut and apply water during the process. Dry cutting works but cuts tool life by 50% or more. A spray bottle and patience beats burning through diamonds.

Tool Compatibility — Works With What You’ve Got

The 1/4” Quick-Change Hex Shank fits everything in your truck:

• Cordless Drills (18V/12V)
• Corded Drills
• Drill Presses
• Impact Drivers (with hex adapter)

No separate arbor required; integrated 1/4” hex shank fits standard quick-change arbors. That’s a time-saver. Standard hole saws need threaded arbors that strip out or get lost. This drops straight into your impact driver’s chuck.

Starting technique matters with diamond saws. Start at a 45-degree angle to create a ‘groove’ then gradually bring the bit to 90 degrees. Apply light, steady pressure. Let the diamond grit do the work. Leaning on it just generates heat and burns diamonds.

Clean the bit after each hole. Use a small bit or the slug slot to eject debris to prevent overheating. Packed slots turn your hole saw into a friction heater. Keep it clean, keep it cool, keep it cutting.

The Competition and Why Milwaukee Wins on Job Sites

Diablo Tools DHS1125DG (1-1/8 in. Diamond Grit) runs cheaper but doesn’t last. Bosch Diamond Hole Saw line cuts well but lacks the plug ejection design that speeds up repetitive work.

Customer feedback tells the real story. Long life when used correctly with water cooling shows up in positive reviews. The negatives? Clogging in thick porcelain if not cleaned frequently and Rapid wear if used at high speeds or without water. Both user error, not tool failure.

Some batches reportedly lack the ejection slot, making plug removal difficult. Quality control matters. Check your saw before leaving the store.

The Verdict

Milwaukee’s Diamond Plus 1-1/8” hole saw delivers because it works longer. The vacuum-brazed diamonds, quick-change shank, and slug ejection slot add up to a tool that saves time on every hole. For contractors drilling through tile and stone daily, the math works out. For homeowners hanging one towel bar, buy the cheap one at the hardware store.

Montana’s high-end residential market demands quality tile work. When you’re drilling through imported porcelain or book-matched granite slabs, the right tool matters. This saw does what it claims — cuts cleaner, lasts longer, and speeds up the job.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this in my impact driver? Impact Drivers (with hex adapter) work fine. The 1/4” hex shank drops right in. Just watch your speed — impacts spin fast and diamond grit prefers slow and steady.

Q: Why does it cost so much more than a regular hole saw? Vacuum-brazed diamond grit for superior durability and retention creates a permanent bond between diamonds and steel. Electroplated competitors glue diamonds to the surface. Under heat and pressure, glue fails. Vacuum brazing doesn’t.

Q: How many holes will I get from one saw? Up to 20X longer life vs. standard diamond saws when used with water cooling at proper speeds. Real-world? Expect 200+ holes in porcelain with wet cutting versus 10-20 from a hardware store special.

Q: Do I really need to use water? Wet cutting is strongly recommended. Dry cutting works but dramatically shortens tool life. A spray bottle beats a burned-out hole saw.

Q: What speed should I run this at? 2100 rpm (Max); lower speeds (500-800 rpm) recommended for very hard materials like porcelain or stone. Granite and hard porcelain cut best at 500 RPM. Standard ceramic tile handles 1500-2000 RPM without issues.