Milwaukee has announced a new M18 Fuel 8″ metal-cutting circular saw, model 2982.
Press materials emphasize 3 takeaways:
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- The new saw generates 15A corded power
- Faster than corded
- Cuts 120′ of decking per charge
Milwaukee says that the new M18 Fuel brushless saw generates as much power as a 15A corded saw, but actually performs faster.
Kevin Gee, Group Product Manger at Milwaukee Tool, says:
Through our advanced M18 FUEL cordless technology, we’re able to deliver an 8″ Metal Cutting Circular Saw that not only surpasses the speed of corded but does so with a larger cutting capacity than any cordless metal cutting circular saw.
Got that? It surpasses the speed of corded and boasts a larger cutting capacity, as the “industry’s first 8″ metal-cutting circular saw.”
With respect to runtime, the saw is said to be able to cut up to 120′ of corrugated decking per charge, presumably with an M18 XC 8.0Ah battery.
- 8″ blade size, 5/8″ arbor
- 4000 RPM
- 2-9/16″ max cutting capacity
- Onboard chip collection
- Load indicator light
- Tool-free adjustable shoe
- Electric blade brake
- Weighs 12.1 lbs (bare tool)
In addition to corrugated decking, Milwaukee says the new saw can perform in the toughest applications to cut material such as 1″ plate steel and 2″ black pipe.
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The kit, 2982-21, comes with the saw, an M18 High Output XC 8.0Ah batery, rapid charger, blade, blade wrench (hex key), and a contractor bag.
Price: $399 for the bare tool (2982-20), $549 for the kit (2982-21)
Buy Now: Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: Kit via Ohio Power Tool
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Acme Tools
Discussion
While this isn’t a tool I’d personally use regularly, it seems to be a solid answer for users who’ve been requesting a metal-cutting circular saw with greater cutting capacity.
A band saw, corded or cordless, is likely still going to be the go-to for smaller diameter materials, such as thin-wall pipes, conduit, and what-not. But for something like the 2″ black pipe or 1″ plate steel that this saw is advertised as being able to cut? I can see how an 8″ metal-cutting circular saw might be advantageous.
I wonder – what’s the advantage of a larger blade for cutting materials such as corrugated steel panels? I suppose maybe straighter cuts? Better performance for longer cuts?
When Milwaukee announced their M18 Fuel 5-7/8″ metal-cutting blade, they advertised that it can make up to 370 cuts in EMT. Obviously, 1″ steel plate is very different than EMT conduit, which is hollow thin-walled steel tubing.
With this in mind, the new 8″ saw seems like a good step up. 5-7/8″ for faster cutting of smaller-diameter or thickness materials, 8″ for heavier duty cutting of thicker, larger, or longer materials.
I referred to product sell sheets for Milwaukee’s 15A corded 8″ metal-cutting saw to help give me more context. As mentioned, this isn’t a size of metal saw I use, and so I tried to do some quick background research. Interestingly, the 15A 8″ saw is advertised as being able to make tough cuts, such as in 10 gauge steel sheets and 1/4″ steel plate. “For even more extreme cuts, up to 3/4″ steel plates are possible.
The new M18 Fuel saw runs a little faster than Milwaukee’s corded saw, and it drew my attention that 3/4″ steel plate is considered the upper limit of what the corded saw can cut, and 1″ steel plate is the upper limit of what the cordless saw can cut. You’re probably not going to cut 1″ steel plate with this saw, right? Well, I guess you can.
But even if you’re not pushing the saw to its limits, the fact that it has a large blade size and can be pushed into demanding cuts means that it should handle everything smaller with ease. Even if you’re cutting say 1/4″ steel plate, the new 8″ saw *should* outperform their smaller metal-cutting circular saw and corded saws alike.
There is a downside – a beefier motor and large blade size means an overall larger and heavier tool.
If you’ve been using an 8” corded saw, will you be looking to pick up the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless saw? What about if you’ve been using a smaller cordless circular saw, or a band saw?
fred
Might become a game changer. We used Hi-Tech/Evolution and Morse 9 inch corded saws for this application. Dragging a cord up onto roof decking was not the way to go – but back then the gasoline-powered alternatives were even less attractive. If I were back in the business – this would be on my shopping list for a try-out. It should work with Morse Metal Devil blades (ones we liked) that do come in 42 and 48 tooth configurations in the 8 inch size.
Koko the Talking Ape
Damn. I know nobody cares, but that saw looks bad ass.
Evadman
I wonder if a saw is more energy efficient than a plasma cutter. A smaller plasma cutter is around 2 kilowatts from my brief look, which is in the range of a pair of lithium batteries. a pair of m18 high output or 5+ ah dewalt batteries can put out over 2kw. The electronics required for plasmacutting would probably greatly increase the cost over a saw.
My plasma cutter pulls 13 amps at 240v at max power, or about 3100 watts. That’s a bit much for current battery tech.
Plasma cutters are great for non-straight lines, where a saw just seems way more natural for a straight edge. Cutting tube free hand with a plasma cutter is possible, but not fun.
fred
One advantage of saws like the Morse Metal Devil, Hitech-Evolution and presumably this Milwaukee is that they really limit (a good thing) the amount of sparks and hot bits that fly off and shower down during the cutting. That can be a big deal when cutting corrugated decking.
Big Richard
Especially in areas where you have hot work limitations. I’ll take my Metal Devil all day over a plasma cutter. When I need portability, Morse makes 7 1/4″ Metal Devil blades for a standard cordless circ saw. Not ideal, but it works. If you can afford it, this M18 would be a much better option.
PETE
Definitely a hotwork area concerned saw. There was a bridge that they had supported by tons of wood that they were constructing that burned to the ground. I heard the guy was cutting some rebar with a grinder, doing some last tasked before they were ready to pour the concrete.
https://nypost.com/2014/05/06/bridge-to-las-vegas-catches-fire-and-collapses-in-ca/
fred
The plasma cutter’s energy use also need to add on the (smaller – but not zero) energy requirements for the air compressor.
Ken
I would suspect the large blade gives greater cutting capacity for more deeply corrugated decking profiles being cut perpendicular to the corrugations.
fred
For the most deeply corrugated decking (some are 3 inch) – you will still need a 9 inch saw – like the corded Metal-Devil
Lance
You only gain 3/8” vs using a common 7-1/4” blade. Not sure why this 8” is so significant? Perhaps there’s a common use where the depth of a 7-1/4” saw just isn’t enough?
Chris
I think it has more to do with re-purposing already available parts.
https://www.toolnut.com/milwaukee-6370-21-8-metal-cutting-saw-kit.html
This corded version has been around for a long time and looks very similar while already being an 8″ blade.
They did this with the big band saw as well (something like 90% of the parts are cross compatible). https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Metalworking/Band-Saws/2729-22
I’m sure it will cut costs and that is probably the biggest reason for it.
Stuart
If you’re using an 8” corded saw, wouldn’t you want an 8” cordless?
I’m pretty sure that “let’s pick a blade size that’s cheaper for us to make” wasn’t part of the design conversation.
Chris
I wasn’t referring to the blade size as being the deciding factor. I’m referring to the fact that they already have production lines, molds, tooling, etc for an almost identical saw, why change something that seems to have been working for them and raise their production costs.
I don’t understand what you are inferring with your 8″ corded/cordless question.
Stuart
You said “I think it has more to do with re-purposing already available parts.” which I interpret as you saying they went with an 8″ saw size because that size allows them to re-purpose molds and parts for lower production costs.
What I’m saying is that shared components or parts is consequential. The decision was likely to go with an 8″ size because that’s the size customers are using in their corded saw.
If someone is going to switch from corded to cordless, they are likely to prefer a tool of the same size and cutting capacity.
Consider back when 6-1/2″ was the standard cordless circular saw size. A lot of people continued to use 7-1/4″ saws, partly because 6-1/2″ saws were of a different design (blade-left instead of blade-right), but also because 7-1/4″ saws had greater cutting capacity and better saw blade selection and availability.
Someone who uses a corded 8″ saw is likely going to find an 8″ cordless saw more appealing than a saw with a smaller blade size. It’s what they’re used to, and in many cases the size they need.
If Milwaukee can engineer an 8″ cordless saw with ample power and performance, there’s no reason not to go with that blade size.
That the saw might share some components with the 8″ corded saw wouldn’t be a major factor in the decision to go with an 8″ cordless saw, at least not in my opinion.
That also said, I don’t see a lot of similarities between corded and cordless 8″ saws. It doesn’t look to me that anything is shared between the two saws. And if there are shared components, they’re minor enough to where they aren’t likely to greatly affect production costs.
fred
As I said – 9 inch (also an odd size) was chosen for the Morse and Evolution corded saws. Those give you a 3.25 inch depth of cut – which can handle 3 inch corrugated decking. Much decking is not as thick – some being 1.5 inches.
Chris
Maybe it just can’t effectively run a 9″ blade…
Bob
Bigger blade is better if your using it for cutting I beams or structural shapes (tubing, channel, rounds etc). Not sure how a battery saw would hold up to that sort of use. I guess it depends on how thick of steel it is. If it’s thin enough a few batteries may be able to hold up to an eight hour work day. Typically for larger beams or channel I have seen a gas cut off saw, sparkle wrench (oxy torch) or a plasma torch.
I bet if you were doing those prefab metal buildings this will be a nice little saw for that.
It’s cute they put the little light in there to tell you when you’re pushing too hard lol. You should be able to feel when the saw is bogging and hear when RPMs drop off. Unless it’s very easy to get this saw into thermal override the light seems like a gimmick.
Philip
Nobody going to talk about how M18 at High out put tools and batteries are some of the worst in its class… this saw is another HO tool that just heats up the battery. Don’t just take my word for it… let’s hear how well it works… In my experience red at HO is a light duty tool… that cuts out on high load very easily. There are some good performers … that only the super sawsall and 3/4 impact gun. Some othe tools are a complete joke… even with a big battery… u could swap out and go through several batteries with saws like this. .. No abuse needed. For example. Milwaukee 9 inch grinder can handle 900 watts… and yellow can handle 3 x that. But Nobody talks about how bad m18 ho is or what u get from what u pay.