Milwaukee 9-Piece Ice Hardened General Purpose Hole Saw Kit Review

Worth it for contractors who need up to 50% longer life through stress relief and grain refinement. The Plug Jack All-Access Slot Design provides multiple leverage points for fast and easy plug removal from the cup, the cryogenic treatment saves real money, and the kit handles everything from steel to nail-embedded wood. At 4.8 stars across multiple retailers, it delivers what Milwaukee promises.

This kit shines in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, and anywhere cutting through mixed materials costs time and money.

Ice Hardened Performance and Material Versatility

The Ice Hardened treatment provides significantly longer life and better heat resistance than standard bi-metal hole saws. That’s not marketing fluff — the cryogenic treatment increases tool life by up to 50% through stress relief and grain refinement. When you’re burning through hole saws on nail-embedded studs in Montana’s century-old buildings, that 50% matters.

The bi-metal construction with 8% cobalt makes these saws tough enough for real jobsite abuse. They cut through:

Material	Performance
Steel	Clean cuts with proper speed/pressure
Aluminum	No gumming with correct technique
Non-ferrous metals	Handles copper, brass reliably
Wood (including nail-embedded)	Where this kit earns its keep
Plastic	Clean holes without melting
PVC	Essential for plumbing work

Milwaukee’s Plug Jack system is often cited as easier for plug removal compared to standard circular holes. The offset design provides maximum leverage — anyone who’s fought a stuck plug with needle-nose pliers knows why this matters.

Kit Components and Quick-Change System

The kit includes five Ice Hardened hole saws (3/4”, 7/8”, 1”, 1-1/8”, 1-1/2”), a 3/8” Small Thread Quick-Change Arbor, 1/4” x 3-1/2” High-Speed-Steel Pilot Bit, Arbor Adapter, Arbor Spacer, 1/8” Hex Key, and an Impact Resistant Carrying Case.

Component	Specification
Hole Saw Sizes	3/4”, 7/8”, 1”, 1-1/8”, 1-1/2”
Arbor Type	3/8” Small Thread Quick-Change
Pilot Bit	1/4” x 3-1/2” High-Speed-Steel
Compatibility	Standard 3/8” and 1/2” drill/driver chucks

The arbor fits most standard hole saw accessories with small thread patterns. The quick-change pins on the arbor lock the saw in place for high-torque applications — no backing off when you’re pushing through tough material.

Limitations and Real-World Performance

Pros include high quality clean cuts, straight and accurate performance, long-lasting teeth even with heavy use, and ease of quick-change arbor. Montana contractors renovating old buildings appreciate the nail-embedded wood capability — those hidden nails that destroy standard hole saws barely slow these down.

The plastic carrying case pins are prone to falling out, and the case is not as rugged as professional jobsite requirements might demand. Not a deal-breaker, but you’ll probably toss the case in a gang box and forget about it. The saws themselves matter more than the case.

Versus Hole Dozer Carbide: Carbide-tipped saws (e.g., 49-22-3079) are more expensive but superior for thick stainless steel and cast iron. This bi-metal kit handles most jobsite materials, but if you’re drilling stainless regularly, step up to carbide.

Milwaukee offers a Limited Lifetime Tooth Break Warranty that covers the replacement of the hole saw if a tooth breaks during normal use for the life of the tool. That’s confidence in the Rip Guard teeth with extra steel behind the cutting edge for maximum durability.

FAQ

What sizes come in this Milwaukee hole saw kit? The kit includes five sizes: 3/4”, 7/8”, 1”, 1-1/8”, and 1-1/2”. These cover the most common electrical and plumbing rough-in sizes.

Can these hole saws cut through nails? Yes, the kit is specifically designed to cut through nail-embedded wood. The 8% cobalt bi-metal construction and Ice Hardened cryogenic treatment give these saws the toughness to handle hidden fasteners.

What’s the difference between Ice Hardened and standard bi-metal hole saws? The Ice Hardened treatment provides significantly longer life and better heat resistance. The cryogenic process increases tool life by up to 50% through stress relief and grain refinement, making the teeth stay sharp longer under demanding conditions.

Will this arbor work with my existing drill? The arbor is compatible with standard 3/8” and 1/2” drill/driver chucks. It fits most standard hole saw accessories with small thread patterns.

How do you remove stuck plugs from these hole saws? Insert a screwdriver or lever into the Plug Jack slots and use the offset design for maximum leverage. The multiple leverage points make plug removal much easier than traditional single-hole designs.