Milwaukee has a new version of its M18™ Sawzall reciprocating saw. It’s a replacement for the first M18™ Sawzall (2620) and it features overload protection for the motor and battery, an all-metal gear case and gearing and a slimmer front end for improved ergonomics. At 8.9 lb., the new M18™ is over 1 lb. heavier than its predecessor, and weighs the same as the M18™ Fuel™ recip. This is a substantial saw meant for the same hard work as its corded relatives and the top of the line M18™ Fuel™.
The M18™ retains a brushed motor, does without the adjustable foot and does not have the rafter hook or LED light up front as the brushless Fuel™ does, but shares the Red Lithium power sources with the entire M18™ line. By the way, I’d like to know why they call the hook a “rafter hook”. If you try to hook your Sawzall over a rafter, won’t it slide down to the bottom, out of reach? (If it hasn’t fallen off during the descent.)
During my first use of the M18™, I thought nothing of what it might be missing compared to my Fuel™ (the top one in the photo at right), because what it does have is abundant power and speed. I’ve used it for an odd variety of tasks including plunging the blade deep into some garden grasses, demolishing some cheesy old framing, rough cutting new lumber and carving up long pallets to fit in a dumpster. It’s performed all of them well.
It’s been a rare moment when I’ve lent a tool over the years, but I’ve enjoyed letting people try Milwaukee’s cordless offerings when the opportunity arises. I happened across a co-worker trying to cut up a very long pallet built of double 2x lumber with a cordless circular saw that was not up to the task. I brought him the M18™ Sawzall to use, and as I walked away to get my camera, I heard him say “Boy. this thing’s got some power!” I was back quickly with the camera, but he was already finished cutting. I should have known…
Shortly after, I needed to cut up some old, dry 2x10s so I took the time to compare the M18™ with the M18™ Fuel™. Same material, I even swapped the blade back and forth. The Fuel™ was noticeably faster and stronger, but that is not a knock against its brushed brother. It’s absolutely good enough for me to want to keep it even though it’s my third Milwaukee recip. I’m beginning to doubt that my ancient corded model is going to be seeing much action any more.
About that grass; I needed to remove a clump of decorative grass from a spot where I’m digging to add an egress window to convert a finished basement space into a bedroom. My gardener daughter warned me that the stuff is tough as iron and that she has used a chainsaw (gasp!) on it in the past. I thought, manly man that I am, I could slice it bit by bit with a shovel and dig it out that way, but imagine my surprise when I jumped on the shovel with both feet and it wouldn’t penetrate at all! I fetched the M18™ Sawzall to see what could be done. At this point I couldn’t help but notice that I was wielding a red and black recip with a red and black shovel in front of a red and black Jeep sitting on red and black bricks. I see a trend here, but that’s (not at all) another story.
After several passes through the dirt, the Sawzall loosened up the grass’s root system enough to allow me to pull it out. I’ve used my Sawzall to cut out roots deep down in post holes before, but this was another first.
As a finish carpenter I probably shouldn’t admit that among my favorite tools are a heavy framing hammer, a big, crude flat bar and the Milwaukee Sawzall. When their work is done there will never be an interior decorator passing an approving hand over the results, but when you need them there is no substitute.
The M18™ Sawzall™ is available as a bare tool (2621-20), a kit with one battery, case and charger (2621-21) or kit with two batteries, case and charger (2621-22).
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