Milwaukee introduced their next-generation M18 Hackzall at NPS17 – check our other new tool coverage here. While maintaining the same weight as their old brushed Hackzall, this new M18 Fuel Hackzall – sporting a brushless motor – cuts faster, vibrates less, and makes more cuts per charge.
Milwaukee redesigned the M18 Fuel Hackzall to better handle bigger cutting tasks, such as cutting large diameter PVC, 2x dimensional lumber, and EMT conduit — tasks where you’d typically put down the brushed motor Hackzall and pick up a Sawzall.
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Controlled by a variable speed trigger, the brushless motor can drive the blade up to 3000 strokes per minute. Milwaukee also increased the stroke length from 3/4″ to 7/8″, to remove more material with each stroke.
They lowered the vibration by using a redesigned dual gear counterbalance mechanism, and a pivoting shoe that provides more contact with the work piece. Less vibration means better control, reduced blade chatter, smoother cuts, and of course minimizes user fatigue.
Here’s a cutaway where you can see the 2 gears of the counterbalance mechanism as they fit in the tool.
With the more efficient brushless motor and redesigned mechanism, Milwaukee claims that the M18 Fuel Hackzall can make up to 180 cuts in 2×4 SPF and over 220 cuts in 3/4″ EMT when paired with a 5.0 Ah battery.
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This new M18 Fuel Hackzall is also more durable than their previous model. The brushless motor has no brushes to wear, which also means lower maintenance over time. They also better protect the tool from water and dust, with improved seals and potted electronics.
Finally, the bare tool is 16.3″ long and weighs slightly over 4 pounds. There’s an LED in the front that illuminates your cut and a trigger lockout so it’s doesn’t accidentally start up when rolling around in the back of your truck or carried in a tool bag.
You can buy the bare tool for $149 or the kit with a M12/M18 charger, 5.0 Ah battery, “general purpose” Sawzall blade, and bag for $249.
Buy Now (Bare tool via Acme Tool)
Buy Now (Kit via Acme Tool)
First Thoughts
I didn’t think much of the M18 Hackzall when I first saw it at NPS17, but that’s because I really didn’t understand the product category. My only experience with the Hackzall was using a M12 Hackzall. While it’s a handy little tool, I really didn’t see the reason for a larger version. I mean, that’s what the Sawzall reciprocating saw is for, right?
Then a few months later, Milwaukee shipped me the new M18 Fuel Hackzall, and after using it for a couple of cutting tasks I can honestly say that I’m wondering if I really need a Sawzall anymore. It has tackled cutting PVC, some pruning work, and small demolition tasks. Since I started using it, I haven’t come across a task that it couldn’t handle. Plus it’s one handed!
I’m sure a full-sized Sawzall would make quicker work of some of the tasks I mentioned, and that there are some larger tasks like heavy demo work that more power and a longer stroke length would accomplish quicker, but if you only have enough funds to buy one tool, I think the M18 Fuel Hackzall would take you far.
More Photos
Here’s a closer look at the reciprocating mechanism.
Finally, a shot of the tool-free blade change mechanism.
Tim
“but if you only have enough funds to buy one tool, I think the M18 Fuel Sawzall would take you far.”
The hackzall you mean? 🙂
Stuart
Whoops! As the person who hits the *publish* button, I probably should have caught that. Thanks!
Toolfreak
Brushless, more compact, longer stroke, pivoting shoe, decent price.
Seems pretty good.
Glad to see things going in the right direction, I wonder how much longer they are going to keep making the brushed 18V Hackzall or if/when the brushless version will ever completely replace it?
The longer 1-1/8-1-1/4″ stroke of a full-size Sawzall isn’t going to be replaced by something with a 7/8″, as nice an upgrade as that is coming from 3/4″, but really you want the shorter stroke in a compact saw, so you can use those stubby 4″ blades and not have the end of the blade stab things in tight quarters.
fred
This was good news when I saw it. Our plumbing business embraced the first M12 variant of the hackzall – not as an all-purpose tool – but good for those under-the-sink cuts that otherwise resulted in more cursing than cutting. The M18 brushed version was bulkier but better – now this one is the next step up.
Toolfreak
I bought the 18V Hackzall when it first came out since there was a free battery deal from the TTi rep when I was shopping at HD, but I sold it in favor of the Bosch 12V version since it was so much smaller, lighter, and more compact overall, with more than enough power and ok battery life.
The 18V version is semi-compact, but yeah, not really enough for some stuff, especially with a big square battery increasing the length.
I wonder if they’ll apply the same tech to the 12V Sawzall and make that one even more compact too?
Stuart
They’ll probably keep selling the brushed version alongside the Fuel brushless. There will always be demand for a less expensive saw, with many users not minding the lower capabilities.
Toolfreak
Given the breadth of Milwaukee’s power tool line, and how it seems everything is going brushless, I’m really wondering when the switchover to brushless everything will happen. I get that it will be slow and of course they’ll keep selling the brushed stuff for the foreseeable future and maybe until they run out of manufacturing capacity and can’t keep making both versions of the same tools.
Jason
Are there any US stores willing to ship Internationally? I’ve been checking every day since they’ve been released but can’t find any. Australia have them scheduled for mid December..
JMG
You could try Wholesale Power Tools. They have an international shipping policy in place.
https://wholesalepowertools.com/milwaukee-2719-20-m18-fuel-hackzall-reciprocating-saw-tool-only
Jason
Thanks, I’ve emailed them for a quote.
Steven
Ive been watching this product for a while now.
Im on my second 18v hacksall, i heavily use my sawszall. Many tradesman use conventional sawzall s than try “one handed style”…. the stroke quickly becomes an oversight, comfort and control, small in overall size means you can get in small spaces and small toolbox footprint. Many of my coworkers will be adding this tool to there arsenal…. and perhaps myself once my brushed hackszall dies
Jeremiah
I bought an m12 hackzall long ago that died and looking at reviews they seem to have some design flaws so I didn’t get another. I bought the m12 fuel earlier this year On a pretty good free tool promo. I’m a bit upset because I didn’t realize how much larger (2.5″ longer and taller ) and heavier it is (1.5#)than the original. I would have waited for this m18 fuel if I realized. The extra stroke length would be worth the length and the weight is the same.
Jeremiah
Regarding 7/8″ stroke versus 1 -1/8″. I recently had to cut some 6″ pvc pipe and started with a 7 /8″ recip which went very slow then revisited it a few days later with a 1 -1/8″ which breezed through. it was far from a scientific comparison but my impression was night and day. Definitely a full sized sawzall for more than a couple cuts for demo, framing or any non-delicate work with the access.
For someone on a budget or occasional use this m18 fuel would be plenty adequate and should last for many years. If someone had any plans to do some diy demo, remodeling or the like i would recommend a full size corded instead for less money (no worries about batteries either).
Sammy
I just picked up one of these. What is the proper care/maintenance for these things? I saw one youtube video where the reviewer recommended blowing out the dust after use and apply dry lubricant. Is this typical? Thanks
Charles
As with any tool, keeping it clean is vital to longevity, but I can’t imagine that Milwaukee recommends lubrication after every use.