Milwaukee M18 18-Volt Cordless Hackzall Saw

I’d been eyeing these for awhile, since I already had a Sawzall. I pulled trigger on this one and glad I did, haven’t used Sawzall since. It’s easy to work with if on a ladder or tight spot. PSA…IT WORKS GREAT WITH A PRUNNING BLADE FOR CUTTING SHRUBS OR BUSHES. 👌

I recently added the Milwaukee 2625-20 M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Hackzall Reciprocating Saw to my toolkit, and it has quickly become a go-to tool for various cutting tasks. Here’s why I’m impressed with this saw:

Pros:
– Powerful Performance: Despite its compact size, the Hackzall delivers impressive power. It cuts through wood, metal, and PVC with ease, making quick work of even tough materials. The variable speed trigger allows for precise control.
– Cordless Convenience: Being part of the M18 series, this saw benefits from Milwaukee’s reliable battery system. The cordless design offers incredible freedom of movement, making it ideal for jobs in tight spaces or where power outlets are not accessible.
– Ergonomic Design: The Hackzall is lightweight and well-balanced, reducing user fatigue during extended use. The one-handed operation design is particularly useful for overhead cuts or when working in awkward positions.
– Durability: This saw is built to last, with rugged construction that withstands heavy use. The rubber overmold grip provides added comfort and durability.
– Tool-Free Blade Change: The Quik-Lok blade clamp allows for quick and easy blade changes without the need for additional tools, enhancing productivity and convenience.
– Compact Size: Its compact size allows it to fit into tight spaces that larger saws cannot reach, making it perfect for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC applications.

Cons:
– Battery Life: While the performance is excellent, the battery life can be a bit short for extended heavy-duty use. Having an extra battery on hand is recommended to avoid downtime.
– No Battery or Charger Included: This is a bare tool, meaning the battery and charger are sold separately. This could be a downside if you’re not already invested in Milwaukee’s M18 system.

Overall, the Milwaukee 2625-20 M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Hackzall Reciprocating Saw is a fantastic addition to any toolkit. Its power, portability, and user-friendly features make it an excellent choice for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. I highly recommend it to anyone in need of a reliable and versatile reciprocating saw.

I burnt one out that I used all the time. It was only 10 years old so it owed me nothing. Purchased a replacement a couple weeks later. One of the most useful tools in my box.

I recently bought this saw when it was on sale here at Amazon – since I have 2 Milwaukee batteries (older 1.4 Amp-Hour units) and plenty of Sawzall blades lying around, it was a great deal. I figured I’d at least get some use out of it for small jobs where pulling out an extension cord would be more work than the actual job itself. While that certainly turned out to be true, this saw is so handy and versatile that I’ve found myself using it on plenty of bigger jobs too (still DIY homeowner-type stuff).

The first thing I did was throw in a pruning blade (Milwaukee 48-00-1301) and start cleaning up some old storm damage around the yard. While I need a hex key to change blades on my Sawzall, this saw has the “QUIK-LOK blade clamp” – a quick twist and the blade was in and ready to go. The clamp seems to hold the blade nice and tight too. I cut several smaller branches (1″ or so in diameter) and was impressed to find that I could usually finish the cut in 5 seconds or less. The bigger branches (2″-3″ diameter) generally took 10-20 seconds, while the ‘big stuff’ (6+ inches) took 45 seconds or so. The smaller stuff was easy to cut with one hand, but I tended to use both hands for the 6″ branches. Overall, I was very happy with how powerful and easy to use the saw was out in the yard.

Then I came inside and tried some other blades (and again appreciated the quick change mechanism). I used a hacksaw blade to cut through some PVC and some metal (nails, bolts, etc). Then I put in a demo blade and cut some old lumber. In every case, the Hackzall cut just about as fast as my Sawzall would have, and, mainly due to the pistol-grip, was much easier to use.

Battery life was OK, but as I noted, I’m using old, 1.4AH batteries (48-11-1815) – I’ll be looking to pick up the M18-XC battery (48-11-1828, which is 2.8AH) as soon as it goes on sale. For quick jobs around the house/yard, the cheaper 1.4AH batteries are fine – but if you’re going to be cutting away for hours at a time, you’ll want the 2.8AH battery.

Another nice feature is the LED : if you depress the trigger just a little, an LED located under the blade illuminates your work area. Most of the time you won’t really need this feature but it is handy when you are using the saw in an area with less-than-ideal illumination.

In summary – this is a great saw, powerful and well-built yet lightweight and easy to use.

PROS :
– Lots of power
– Cordless convenience
– The pistol grip (which makes it easy to use with one hand)
– The tool-less blade change system
– Backward compatibility with SOME older batteries (including the M18 units I have on hand!)
– Works with the various Sawzall blades I’ve accumulated over the years
– Very solid – feels like it should last a long time
– The LED

CONS:
– None so far – but I’ve only had the tool for a few weeks, so …

I will update this review if anything changes.

Works exactly as you’d expect. Well built. I’d recommend this to anyone.

Exacly what you expect from it. I cut wood, bolts and exhaust pipe with the right blades (I bought à big milwaukee blade kit) and it gets the job done. Great buy