Need help deciding | Tools In Action

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suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 7:05 AM CT

Should I get the m12 fuel hackzail or the m12 brushed hackzail or the m18 hackzail. I want to use it for cutting old work boxes and cutting pipe on the jobsite. I have more m18 batteries but I do have m12 batteries just the 2.0s.

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comp56Member since Sep 2014Aug 5, 2015 7:43 AM CT

all three of those will do you fine, it all boils down to budget I personally would go for m12 fuel power and small size

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 7:53 AM CT

Idk I was hoping for someone with some first hand experience

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Turner85Member since Jun 2015Aug 5, 2015 11:24 AM CT

Is the m18 brushed? I’m a sucker for whatever is most current model. If that’s the m12 fuel I’d go with that. From what I hear and believe the m12 fuels are not far from the performance of standard m18 brushed.

Duckie155Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 12:20 PM CT

I have the m12 hackzall, an I’m really not a big fan of it. I’ve used maybe a hand full of times. Maybe the fuel 12v would do better. A couple of the guys I work with have the m18 hackzall and it works just as well as normal m18 sawzall.

I know you said your wanting it for cutting boxes in, but as far as cutting pipe I’d definitely recommend the m12 bandsaw. One xc battery will last about 2 days, and that running an average of 200 feet of 3/4 or 1″ emt a day.

Duckie155Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 12:37 PM CT

Sorry it’s probably help if I atleast said why I didn’t care the the m12 hackzall. It seems alil weak an drains batteries pretty quick for repeative cutting pipe. It’s nice because small and light, you can get into tighter spaces than regular sawzalls. Also it’s great for small quick cuts, just not for using all day every day like I had hope to use it for.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 12:55 PM CT

So the m18 be better than I mostly want a compact sawzail for my stuff

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BremonMember since Dec 2014Aug 5, 2015 1:08 PM CT

The M12 Fuel is your best balance of power and size. M12 brushed is underpowered and the M18 seems a bit much. I have the Fuel and it’s a joy to use.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 1:09 PM CT

It’s just I already have a lot of m18 tool so I got plenty of batteries while in he m12 line I just got a impact and drill with three batteries

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BremonMember since Dec 2014Aug 5, 2015 1:12 PM CT

Tough call then. You really should use XC batteries with the Hackzall, so if you only have compact M12 usually the right answer is sticking in the battery platform you have more invested in.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 1:21 PM CT

I know right. I love my m12 impact I use it more than my m18 and I don’t wanna have to lug around multiple batteries for just one tool

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suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 1:23 PM CT

And you got the xc 2.0 on my m12 batteries while my m18 are xc 4.0

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comp56Member since Sep 2014Aug 5, 2015 1:31 PM CT

suretyler97 wrote:
Idk I was hoping for someone with some first hand experience
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dude that is first hand experience I didn’t just guess.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 1:33 PM CT

comp56 wrote:
dude that is first hand experience I didn’t just guess.

What do you use on the daily I leaning more on the m18 in general

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comp56Member since Sep 2014Aug 5, 2015 1:49 PM CT

I have them all I grab the M12 fuel because of the power and size like I posted the first time. if you have many batteries in the m18 and not as many in the m12 so be it. you asked for first hand experience your better off with the fuel m12

Charles HarrisMember since Apr 2015Aug 5, 2015 2:06 PM CT

I don’t have any experience with the brushed ones.

I do have the M12 Fuel. It’s an awesome tool.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 2:44 PM CT

I was looking at this one here

http://t.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Hackzall-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-2625-20/202196547

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Nalu RashMember since Apr 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:06 PM CT

Hi Tyler,

I have the Milwaukee M12 2420 Hackzall. This is the brushed version and not the FUEL version.

I’m not impressed with this tool. It’s under powered in my opinion.

I used it to cut some screws that were a little too long.

I screwed some plywood boards together and the screws were sticking

out the back side. I decided to just cut them off using the 2420 Hackzall with

a Metal cutting Milwaukee blade and it took a bit too long for my liking. I was

expecting it to go through it like butter but It almost struggled with simple

drywall screws. Takes a long time to cut through a 2×4 as well.

I do like the size, it’s very portable and easy to use. I will be picking up the FUEL version

in the future. I received the 2420 for free when I bought the 2453 Impact Driver so I can’t

complain.

My Vote:

Milwaukee M12 2520 FUEL Hackzall.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:10 PM CT

Ok so I just save up for m12 fuel addition with the purchase of some more m12 batteries

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Nalu RashMember since Apr 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:10 PM CT

Quick question:

What are the old work boxes made out of? If I have something similar here in the shop, I can try cutting it up and giving you a better review.

I’ll also look for some EMT and Copper pipes that I may have

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:12 PM CT

To put old work boxes you cut out plaster and I been working in older homes so it’s lathe construction and the emt be real helpful thanks a lot NaulRash

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ChrisKMember since Dec 2012Aug 5, 2015 3:16 PM CT

I’ve got the Fuel M12 Hackzall and I had the older brushed M18. Hate the M18. Love the M12 Fuel. But….I use 4.0XC packs in my M12. I don’t think the 2.0 batteries would last too long. I’ve got on 2.0 but never use it in my Hackzall. Really it’s up to you though. Check out videos on both and look at the cost to benefits.

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:17 PM CT

Here what I currently got invested in the Milwaukee line up[External image (images.tapatalk-cdn.com), not copied]

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Nalu RashMember since Apr 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:31 PM CT

alright I just made a cut through some 1/2″ EMT. I used the Milwaukee EMT blade that came with the saw. It went through it pretty good I must say. This was just one cut though. I did notice a bit of vibration, that might be a concern. I’m not an Electrician and I don’t cut EMT all the time. As for cutting out plaster, I don’t have any here but I think it would get the job done.

Hope that helped out a bit. I would still hold out for the FUEL version

suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 5, 2015 3:33 PM CT

Thank that’s a big help I think I stick with saving away for the fuel version

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suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 8, 2015 9:51 PM CT

PROTOOLNUT wrote:
I apologize for not responding sooner, its just that I don’t own a hackzall so I didn’t want to provide advice. What I do know is that brushless is better over brushed, and fuel provides more power then non fuel. I think that a M12 hackzall will cut through pipe just fine, and a M12 fuel brushless hackzall would cut through wood just fine as well. And if its something that your not going to push really hard, then you don’t need the M18 line version, so the M12 should work out fine.
Weather you get fuel or no fuel is up to you, but you absolutely have to get brushless. Cause brushed will suck that battery dry fast

Thanks man your like the tool guru

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suretyler97Member since Jul 2015Aug 8, 2015 10:16 PM CT

PROTOOLNUT wrote:
BTW, I am loving that orange shirt and your representation man! And that is a wonderful start to your kickass Milwaukee collection! Lovin it 😀

Thanks man

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MilwaukeenutMember since Sep 2014Aug 17, 2015 2:43 AM CT

If you are going to use it all day and don’t mind the weight go m18 but I don’t think the make a m18 fuel but if it’s from time to time thru the day I would go m12 fuel. I have the m12 and m18 non fuel and I mainly use the m12 and only use the m18 for tree branches and cutting pipe. Hope this helps