Milwaukee is soon coming out with a new M12 Fuel Hackzall compact cordless reciprocating saw. The saw is engineered with a high efficiency brushless motor, which means faster cutting and longer runtime.
There have been a lot of Milwaukee Fuel developments these past two years, but new tool releases always put us in a good mood. Brushless drills, drivers, and impacts are more powerful and sip much less power than their brushed-motor brethren, but the benefits are even greater with heavier duty tools such as saws, grinders, and rotary tools.
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Specifications
- 5/8″ stroke length
- 0-3,000 SPM
- Quick-Lok tool-free blade clamp
- Blade can be mounted upside down
- 13.25″ length
- 4.1 lbs
The new Hackzall will be available as part of a kit (2520-21XC) and as a bare-tool (2520-20). The kit comes with (1) M12 XC 4.0AH extended capacity lithium-ion battery pack, an M12 charger, a starter saw blade, and contractor bag.
Pricing: $199 for the 1-battery kit, $139 for the bare tool.
ETA: May 2014
Our Thoughts
Milwaukee says that the new saw will deliver over 4X more run time and up to 70% faster cutting and 6X longer tool life, presumably compared to their brushed motor Hackzall, which is often bundled with a 1.5Ah battery*. Still, these are some very optimistic claims that, in our experience, are likely realistic.
*Milwaukee has responded and said that this 4X more runtime figure is based on multiple materials vs. the competitive 12V recip saws.
There is a limit as to what you can cut with a compact reciprocating saw, but these saws have enough fans that Milwaukee saw a market for a brushless version.
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You can use the saw with standard reciprocating saw blades, but for smaller jobs you’ll probably want to stick with 4-inch blades.
The big question now is what will Milwaukee Fuel-ify next? Or maybe they will finally come out with an M12 compact circular saw? They already have an M12 cordless bandsaw and now this brushless reciprocating saw. Surely the technology for a capable M12 circular saw is available.
Tyler
Nice!!!
fred
I bought several of the older version Hackzall’s – and the crews loved them for under-sink and other limited space work.
John Sullivan
Just wanted to clarify– not sure if there’s a typo or if Milwaukee makes big claims that tend to prove true…
“Still, these are some very optimistic claims that, in our experience, are likely realistic.”
These optimistic claims made by Milwaukee are realistic, or UNrealistic? Or do they usually live up to their big claims?
Stuart
That phrase might not optimally worded, but that’s exactly what I meant.
Competing products are often shipped with 1.5Ah battery packs. If built with similar motors, this version, with its 4.0Ah battery pack, would provide roughly 2.67 times longer runtime.
If the brushless motor is 50% more efficient than competitors’ brushed motors, such that with similarly battery packs the brushless tool runs for 30 minutes and the brushed motor 20 minutes, that’s another 1.5x improvement. Couple the two together and you get 400%, or 4X, longer runtime.
Larson
Looks legit, surprised they didn’t do 18v first though. Good to see a longer stroke as it is very compact but slower (obviously) than most.
I too would like to see a trim circular saw. Could be the first really capable if made with brushless and 4.0 battery
matt
I suspect the 12v is a little more popular…
Its quite a bit more compact has a lower price point and is very useful.. Word gets around on tools like that..
I have the 18v and its a nice tool but its kind of a in between tool and not really a must have..
JohnnyFbomb
Was hoping for the m18 version as well. The one handed operation cutting drain tile is so much more comfortable than using a regular sawzall with one hand. It’s like cutting a loaf of bread.
Chris Fyfe
I was an early adopter of the M12 Recip. , it’s got me out of a few tight spots . It’s a classic example of a tool everyone laughs at , till they want to borrow it !
Chris
Garrick
I would like to see more circular saws available too.
Circular saws are one area that could be improved with more efficient motors, as they are quite heavy tools to be doing often delicate work with.
Even the present 36 volt ones are a bit underpowered. A 36 volt brushless might be the perfect (well…) circular saw for construction. And a 12-18 volt brushless would be close enough for a trim saw. Though I would lean towards 18 volts.
NOTE: 12 volts is really just 10.8, while 18 volts is fully 18. So the ratio advantage for 18 volts is higher than the numbers imply.
18 volts is 67% more power, not just 50% over 12 volts.
cody Robertson
I’d like to see a m12 fuel 4 inch circular saw, right angle impact driver, and a small 4 inch angle grinder.
SKIP
M12 fuel Circ Saw is hitting end of may it’s one handed….
Stuart
Yep – posted about it here earlier – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-m12-fuel-circular-saw/%3C/a%3E .
cody Robertson
In m18 fuel line I’d like to see a framing nailer, Brad nailer, orbital sander, planner, nibbler, Die grinder, shear cutter, and screw gun for sheet rock.
bob struck
Yes, I use many Milwaukee tools ( love most of them!) but would like to know why they spend so much time duplicating tools they already have and leave big blanks in tools we need. I am still using my old 3 3/8 Makita 9.6v circular saw , waiting for the M12 version. Also need M12 right angle impact driver.
R8
I second your opinion/request on the right angle impact.
R8
if Milwaukee keeps this up, I’m going to put my 20v Dewalt stuff on ebay. I’ve already switched to the m12 because I grew tired of waiting for a ratchet from Dewalt (the MAC stuff came out right after that switch).
Javier
This is awesome. I love the brushed version so much power in such a small tool. It really is a life saver. I like my m18 stuff but I prefer the m12 stuff more. You can fit a lot of m12 tools in a 16″ tool bag and even more in a 20″ bag.
I wonder if it can take regular compact batteries? and if it does, does the performance go downhill?
The bare tool price is more up my alley but I don’t have any xc packs yet.
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Yeah It is really useful because I used it before.
Thanks!
Glenn
I have just recently switched over too the M12 platform and am very happy with all of it, especially the ratchet and the rotary hammer.
I have the brushed sawzall already and find that it does everything I need from it so I wont be switching to the brushless version but I would like to see a 3 3/8 circular trim saw and even more desired would be a brushless 4 inch angle grinder.
Jamie leahy
I hope this one is more resilient to the very little amounts of water that would kill the brushed version …an would love to see a brushless 18v hackzall ….but def wish they came out with something like bosh’s l-box that u could buy plastic inserts for each tool I have 15 or so m12 tool an 16 battery’s an bought most as bear tools an hate banging em up in a bag
ray
Brushless is awsome i got the m12 fuel drill driver,impact,and sds rotary hammer, i also have the m12 bandsaw and hackzall but im very interested in buying the fuel hackzall,and i would definitely buy a m12 circular saw if they decide to make it…
Mike
This is too big. I was hoping that they will make the brushless tools much smaller and more compact with the same power as the brushed tools. They had enough of it. Insted they make them bigger and more powerfull – but why? If I need power I take a corded tool wich will always be more powerfull than a cordless. 12Volt tools where meant to be light and compact. Thank God Bosch makes them small – like there new 12v brushless drill/driver. Smaller more compact and with enough power for small tasks.
Theron
I think they chose 5 3/8″ because it’s the smallest blade that will still cut a 2 x 4. 3 3/8″ really is only for plywood and trim. I have tons of m12 stuff and a very large collection of 18v Dewalt. In the dewalt I have the 6 1/2″ and 5 3/8″ saws. The smaller one is a decent size and I keep it in my truck for general cutting (commercial construction plumber). The 6 1/2″ I use for all my household projects, I’ve built two decks, and loft beds, and lots of stuff with that one. With Freud blades I noticed MASSIVE improvements in battery life with both saws. I would strongly suggest using them with any cordless saws. My little Dewalt is almost dead, the poor motor sounds horrible when you use it, so I see this m12 heading into my toolbox in 2015. Especially since Dewalt quit making that size.
Don
I’ve used the M12 Fuel SDS Rotary Hammer Drill and it’s awesome.
Would love to see an M12 Brushless angle grinder and a M12 Brushless Metal Circular saw.
HVAC by trade and M12 tools are perfect for service and most install/retrofit jobs.
Phil T.
Fast-forward over 2 more years, and STILL no M18 FUEL version of the Hackzall. What gives?
Nathan L
… and you only had to wait another 17 months.
What i’m wondering now is what place this m12 fuel hackzall has with its larger size and weight than the brushed m12 hackzall, and the much more powerful m18 Fuel Hackzall that’s the same size and weight as the brushed m18 version (and if my quick search is accurate, only weighs about a pound more than the m12 fuel version). They really should have kept the m12 fuel model the same size and weight as its predecessor, like they did with the m18 upgrade.
The price isn’t even much different between the two Fuel models.