Milwaukee HOLE DOZER Bi-Metal Hole Saw Set (13PC)

Milwaukee’s HOLE DOZER bi-metal hole saw kit delivers something nobody else offers: a lifetime warranty against tooth breakage. That’s industry-exclusive coverage for broken teeth, and it matters when you’re drilling through steel studs, cast iron, or nail-embedded lumber 40 hours a week.

The 13-piece kit (model 49-22-4025) handles the sizes contractors actually use, from 3/4” to 2-1/2”. It includes two quick-change arbors - the small one fits up to 1-1/8” saws while the large handles 1-1/4” and up. Both arbors fit standard 1/2 inch drill chucks, and pilot bits must be securely tightened into arbors before use. No proprietary nonsense. No adapter hunting.

Why These Hole Saws Handle Montana Construction

The performance comes from three key technologies working together. Milwaukee’s Ice Hardened cryogenic treatment delivers up to 50% longer life — that’s measurable durability, not marketing fluff. The teeth themselves are 8% cobalt bi-metal construction, giving them the hardness to cut metal while maintaining enough flexibility to handle impact without shattering.

The Rip Guard design adds extra steel behind the cutting edge for added tooth strength and durability. Think of it as a reinforced shoulder that prevents teeth from breaking off when you hit unexpected materials — exactly why Milwaukee can offer that lifetime tooth warranty when competitors won’t.

Specification	Value
Tooth Geometry	3.5 TPI (Teeth Per Inch)
Cutting Depth	1-5/8 inch (41.3 mm)
Material	Bi-Metal (Alloy steel with High-Speed Steel edges)
Treatment	Ice Hardened™ (Cryogenic treatment for up to 50% longer life)
Coating	Thermoset (Low-friction coating for faster cutting and less heat buildup)

The thermoset coating does real work too. This low-friction coating reduces heat buildup, which translates directly to 25% more holes per cordless battery charge. On remote Montana jobsites where you’re running off generators or battery banks, that efficiency matters.

What’s Actually in the Kit

Milwaukee didn’t skimp on the accessories. Here’s the complete inventory:

Hole Saws (9 total):

• 3/4”, 7/8”, 1-1/8”, 1-3/8”, 1-1/2”, 1-3/4”, 2”, 2-1/8”, 2-1/2”

Arbors and Bits:

• Small Arbor (49-56-7010) - fits saws up to 1-1/8”
• Large Arbor (49-56-9100) - fits saws 1-1/4” and larger
• Two 1/4” high-speed steel pilot bits (49-56-8010)
• Durable red plastic carrying case with molded slots

The size selection covers electrical work (7/8” for knockouts, 1-1/8” for standard connectors), plumbing (1-1/2” and 2” for common pipe sizes), and HVAC (2-1/2” for smaller ductwork penetrations). Missing the 1” size for conduit locknut clearance — you’ll need to buy that separately.

The Plug Jack design provides an all-access slot that allows for fast and easy plug removal using a screwdriver or other tool. No more prying slugs out with needle-nose pliers or banging the saw against your boot. The slot runs the full depth of the cup, so even deep cuts release cleanly.

Performance Comparisons

Milwaukee’s 4.5-star average rating across 7,724 reviews puts real numbers behind the marketing claims. Key themes in reviews include durability in metal cutting, ease of plug removal thanks to Plug Jack, long blade life compared to standard bi-metal saws, and a sturdy and organized carrying case.

In direct performance tests like those from Project Farm, Milwaukee gets compared against Bosch for cutting speed and durability in mild and high-carbon steel. Against DeWalt’s bi-metal offerings, Milwaukee is often cited for its Rip Guard tooth strength and lifetime tooth-break warranty. Diablo’s Snap-Lock system sometimes gets preference for cleaner cuts and easier changes, while Milwaukee is favored for heavy-duty metal longevity.

The real differentiator remains that lifetime tooth warranty. Other manufacturers talk about durability. Milwaukee backs it up with coverage no competitor matches.

Montana Jobsite Reality

These hole saws excel at what Montana construction actually demands. The bi-metal construction handles steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, wood including nail-embedded lumber, plastics and PVC. That versatility matters when you’re drilling through old construction where you never know if you’ll hit a nail, a pipe strap, or structural steel.

The kit’s compatibility with Milwaukee PACKOUT modular storage system keeps everything organized in the back of a work truck bouncing down forest service roads. The optimization for 18V and higher cordless drills acknowledges that most contractors have ditched cords entirely.

Skip this kit if you’re only drilling wood. A spade bit set costs one-third as much and cuts faster in clean lumber. These shine when the job involves mixed materials, unknown conditions, or any scenario where hitting metal might destroy a conventional bit.

The included case deserves mention — it’s not some flimsy blow-molded afterthought. Reviews consistently praise the sturdy and organized carrying case with its molded slots that keep each saw secure. After a year of jobsite abuse, you’ll still know exactly where the 1-3/8” saw lives.

FAQs

What drill is needed to run these hole saws effectively? The arbors fit standard 1/2 inch drill chucks and are optimized for 18V and higher cordless drill/drivers. Any modern 18V drill handles sizes up to 2”. For the 2-1/2” saw in metal, a hammer drill or larger drill gives better control.

Can these cut stainless steel? Yes. The application list specifically includes stainless steel along with regular steel, aluminum, and cast iron. Use cutting oil and slower speeds for stainless to preserve tooth life.

How does the lifetime warranty actually work? Milwaukee offers a Limited Lifetime Tooth Break Warranty that’s industry-exclusive coverage for broken teeth. If teeth break during normal use, Milwaukee replaces the hole saw. Wear isn’t covered — just breakage.

Why do some reviews mention these are made for metal when they cut wood too? While these cut “wood including nail-embedded lumber,” they’re optimized for metal cutting. The 3.5 TPI tooth geometry and bi-metal construction prioritize durability over speed. They’ll cut wood, but dedicated wood hole saws cut faster in clean lumber.

What’s the actual benefit of Ice Hardened treatment? The cryogenic Ice Hardened treatment delivers up to 50% longer life by altering the steel’s molecular structure. In practical terms, you’ll resharpen or replace these half as often as standard bi-metal hole saws.