Milwaukee’s M12 oscillating multi-tool was released about 3 years ago, and seems to have been popular with users. Now, Milwaukee is coming out with an M18 version (2626) that has a tool-free blade change mechanism, delivers more power, and runs up to 2X longer compared to competing models.
Related: Milwaukee late-2013 new products sneak peek
The new M18 oscillating multi-tool has a universal blade interface that is designed to work with most popular brands’ blades and accessories. Milwaukee currently does not have their own line of oscillating tool accessories.
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Features
- Tool-free blade change
- 11,000 – 18,000 OPM
- 12 speed settings
- 14″ length
- 4.15 lbs
- Built-in LED worklight
- All metal gearbox
- Ergonomic grip
What Can it Do?
Like all oscillating multi-tools, Milwaukee’s new M18 cordless version can be used for making flush or plunge cuts, removing grout, sanding, light grinding, and scraping tasks.
Milwaukee says that their new multi-tool is idea for remodelers, flooring contractors, maintenance repair technicians, and electricians.
Kit Options
Bare tool: 2626-20 (MSRP $119)
(2) M18 2.0Ah compact battery kit: 2626-22CT (MSRP $229)
(2) M18 4.0Ah XC high capacity battery kit: 2626-20 (MSRP $299)
The kits include the 2626-20 tool, M18 lithium ion batteries, a multi-voltage M12/M18 charger, and contractor bag.
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Included accessories: (1) accessory adapter, (1) plunge cut blade, (1) sanding pad, (5) sanding sheets.
Optional Accessories
Dust extraction kit: 49-90-240
Depth stop kit: 49-20-241
Availability
Fall 2013, possibly as soon as October
First Impression
Milwaukee says that the new M18 multi-tool delivers up to 50% faster cutting and 2X longer run-time than the competition, but we’re not quite sure who they’re referring to. It is hard to imagine that Milwaukee’s new brushed motor oscillating tool can outrun Bosch’s new 18V brushless multi-tool.
We expect this to be a popular offering. The tool-free blade change is a plus, and the pricing better than expected.
It’s a shame that Milwaukee doesn’t have their own line of oscillating tool accessories, but that might change in the future. With how popular oscillating tools have become, there’s plenty of money to be made with consumables.
fred
I continue to be amazed at how this tool category continues to expand in the wake of Fein’s patent expiration. While marketers might have you believe that oscillating multi-tools are perfect for nearly every job (I recall when Radial Arm Saws were marketed in much the same manner) – they do provide good functionality to earn a place in most toolkits replacing other more specialized tools. As an example we had a few jamb saws and toe-kick saws (Roberts and Crain) that mostly got relegated to the storage room – once we started using the much safer and more versatile multi-tool.
Javier
These things are a must for flooring work and are very handy for remodeling. I own the m12 and it’s great. Bought it mainly for cutting door jambs and it paid for itself on the first day. Its got so many other uses its not even funny. I would prefer this m18 version as it’s more powerful and am sure has a bit longer runtime but I will wait for the m18 fuel multitool.
I think the more power and runtime claims are based on true competitors, 18v brushed multitools such as the makita, the Porter cable, and if Bosch has a brushed 18v version. I doubt this Milwaukee can touch the Bosch brushless one. The Bosch brushless is a beast.
Too bad the depth rod and vac port are optional. But i would still get the vac port. The depth rod is nice but anytime I’ve cut I needed to cut all the way through and the blades already have a ruler on them so i probably won’t buy that.
Dennis
I love oscillating multi-tools. I bought the Dremel version one when it first came out, and that one works great, then I bought the Milwaukee M12 version for a cordless option, and I love it too. I don’t know if I need to step up to an 18 volt version, because the 12 volt does everything I need. Is there any word on whether a vacuum adapter will be available for the M12 version? Because if the 12 volt gets that, I will truly have no reason to upgrade to M18.
Javier
Looking at the pics, the vac port isn’t built in to the tool but instead is an external accessory for the sanding pad. I’m sure you could use it on the m12 BUT you would need to find a m18 sanding pad attachment for it to work. Finding a replacement m18 sanding pad would be the hard part. I’m sure the m18 sanding pad would fit since multi tool accessories are universal.
John Coulston
I’m really excited for this to come out. I was really impressed with the m12 and think they have taken the time to get more out of the 18 volt. i have to agree that I don’t see it having more run time then the brushless Bosch. Ive put my faith and money into milwaukee so I hope they got it right. i
James C
I’d like to see this side-by-side with the M12 version for a size comparison. I love my M12 multitool.
Noah
Looks nice, but I promised myself that when a get another oscillating tool, it will be corded.
Bob
Get the Fien. I did and it is so worth what it costs.
Now waiting for the redesign from Milwaukee so I can have the cordless as well.
Joe
I’m really not a fan of my m12 multi tool. I would rather break out a cord and use a real multi-tool. I once killed a fully charged XC battery just cutting out an old work box in some thick wood paneling.
I don’t find it to be good for much other than soft thin trim and sheetrock. I should hope that this is better but I have my doubts that it’ll hold a candle to a corded multi-tool. I would love to try the bosch brushless, that might.
Ross
I’ve heard that from a few people already. The are definitely a lot of tools that are handy to have cordless versions, while corded versions are often a necessity. Wasn’t there a company that used to have a AC adapter for the cordless tools that just attached like a regular battery? Does anything like that exist anymore?
Ross
This wasn’t the one I was thinking of, but its similar.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/GREENLEE-Cordless-AC-Adaptor-6CCJ6?gclid=CIy_hPvR67kCFZSd4Aod128AXw&cm_mmc=PPC:GooglePLA-_-Power%20Tools-_-Cordless%20Tools-_-6CCJ6&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=6CCJ6&ef_id=Ue6LvgAABAYzWHdj:20130927130411:s
fred
Before I retired from day to day operations – we had gotten an M12 (2426-20) multi-tool as part of a bundle deal. We already were using Fein (Multimasters and Supercuts) – but since we had it we decided to try the M12 version out. Our (rather unscientific and not rigorous by any means) testing lead us to decide it was not up to tile or flooring work – but convenient for window trim work especially when working at elevation on ladders or staging. As far as I recall – it did not get taken out of the tool room very often – and I neither heard clamoring to buy any more nor did I hear comments that it was so poor as to be worthless. If we were starting over, I still think we’d buy corded versions – and I don’t think we’ve added an 18V cordless oscillating tool to our Makita lineup.
Joe
It wasn’t even just runtime that I found to be subpar with the m12 multi-tool. It needs quite a bit more power for a lot of what I need a muli-tool to do.
I really think that the m12 multi-tool is probably the tool that would benefit most from a brushless motor. It made a huge difference in every other m12 fuel tool that I’ve tried.
Addison
I know that I am bumping an old thread, but hope to get generate some interest in a M18 multi-tool redesign. I have many M18 (and M12) tools and many that have been upgraded to Fuel. The weakest by far is the M18 Multi-tool, poor design, manufacture, excessive noise (this gets much worse as you the tool), and overall performance. I use these tools a lot, for me it is a close tie between this tool an impact. I have had 2 of these the first one grenaded, first the front half vibrates relative to the back half (it never fully separates but the sound doubles) in about a week of use (probably about an hour of actual use). I have witnessed this noise increase with every other tool also that I have come across and talked to other users as well. Then after about a year of use (again an astronomically small fraction of that time) it would not hold a tool for longer than 1 second. I am a Milwaukee fan-boy, and would prefer to be able to use red for multi-tool but I am looking for a new one. Still hoping for a redesign!