Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall Review – Model 2720-20

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Milwaukee 18V Brushless Reciprocating Saw – Sawzall Model 2720-20

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall

5/5
Manufacturer: Milwaukee
Model number: 2720-20
Price: $299 (Kit Price)
Power source: 18V Li-Ion, 4.0 Ah
Weight: 8.9 lbs

The recent lineup of brushless tools from Milwaukee includes several impressive 18 volt power tools that offer corded power in a cordless platform. The all new M18 Cordless Sawzall (Model 2720-20) really showcases and defends my assertion that the “cord” has finally been cut on tools that historically were “strapped” to the earth by a power cord! The new lineup uses the FUEL designation which is very fitting considering these tools seem to have a vast supply of “fuel” making them run harder and longer.

2720-22_KitMilwaukee sent us their M18 Sawzall to test and evaluate. To say I was impressed with this tool would be a significant understatement. I hope you’ll read on to learn why this new cordless tool is so impressive.

Product Features

  • Superior performance: Delivers the fastest cutting speed in its class, increased power and the durability of corded saws
  • POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor: Supplies constant power for faster cuts and reduced heat for extended life
  • REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence: Provides optimized performance and overload protection using total system communication between tool, battery and charger
  • REDLITHIUM™ XC 4.0 Battery Pack: Provides superior pack construction, more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than competitive batteries

Corded Power

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the new M18 FUEL lineup from Milwaukee is a total game changer for large cordless power tools. The FUEL lineup has “cut the cord” and produced the freedom of cordless tools with the power and performance of their corded cousins. This may sound too good to be true, however once you’ve tried this tool I think you’ll agree that this is a new day for these heavy hitting tools that so many of us rely on in construction.

M18 FUEL Sawzall by Milwuakee Tool

The key to this new tools power and run time is the use of a brushless motor combined with an extended run time Li-Ion 4.0 Ah battery pack and advanced electronics that optimize the battery, motor and charger. My testing included cutting up some galvanized steel angle iron followed by several dozen cuts in 3/4″ plywood, then I cut through some pressure treated wood with framing nails embedded in it, and then dozens of cuts in a piece of 2×4 pressure treated lumber. I did all that on 1/2 of a battery charge and finally gave up because I was bored and tired!

Words simply cannot describe how impressive this is so I encourage you to check out the video at the end of this article. It’s almost 9 minutes long, but during that time you’ll be able to see why I think we can say that the cord has been cut! The clincher for me was seeing how it performed with metal and things like cutting through framing nails. Earlier generations of cordless recip saws by everyone in the industry were fine for cutting out windows from wall sheathing, and cutting some PVC or copper pipe. But the older versions really couldn’t handle high amp draw tasks like cutting metals and demo sections with embedded nails. All that is now possible with the M18 FUEL Sawzall and I think that’s damn impressive.

Quality & Features

As usual with Milwaukee tools the quality of the tool is PRO grade from the bottom to the top. This might be a cordless tool but everything minus the missing cord is built with the same quality, rugged materials that I’ve grown accustomed to with Milwaukee. From the heavy rubber over-mold on the front to the steel rafter hook this tool really is a contractor/PRO grade designed to stand up to serious jobsite abuse.

M18 FUEL Sawzall used by Todd Fratzel

Notable features on the 2720-20 are the LED light in the nose, the metal rafter hook and the trigger lock. I really like the trigger lock as it provides much needed safety when carrying the tool up ladders or crawling around in a crawl space. It’s clear to me that this tool was designed with it’s users in mind from the beginning to the end. I’m also very pleased with the simple to use QUIK-LOK® Universal blade change system.

Extended Run Time Batteries

4.0 Ah batteries are not new (everyone seems to have them already), however the combination of these batteries with the brushless motor is the key to how long this tool can run. The REDLITHIUM™ XC 4.0 Battery Pack also features a battery gauge so you can check how much “fuel” is left in the tank which is really important with Li-Ion batteries as they stop working completely with almost no warning.

Overall Impression

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall is an awesome tool. Cordless tools like this have really improved safety and productivity on the jobsite. Workers can now climb up onto a roof and not worry about tripping over a cord yet they have the power of the corded tool. Workers can maneuver around a demolition job without taking the time to string along power cords which ultimately saves countless hours of work. The 2720-20 not only performs like a corded tool but it also offers the durability of a quality PRO grade tool. When you consider all these facts the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall is truly the top of it’s class and my top pick for a cordless reciprocating saw. Priced at $199 for the bare tool or $299 for a kit with one battery it’s a great value and very comparable to similar corded tools.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Sawzall
$299 (Kit Price)

 

 

 

 

About the author

Todd Fratzel

Todd Fratzel is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz, and the President of Front Steps Media, LLC, a web based media company focused on the Home Improvement and Construction Industry.He is also the Principal Engineer for United Construction Corp., located in Newport, NH. In his capacity at United he oversees the Residential and Commercial Building Division along with all Design-Build projects.He is also the editor of Home Construction & Improvement.

@tfratzelTodd Fratzel

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6 Comments

  1. […] solution that doesn’t give up power and functionality. You can read our full review of the Milwaukee FUEL Cordless Sawzall for an in-depth look at this exciting new tool. The following are a few of Rob’s thoughts on […]

  2. John PIetrusinski

    Can this tool be used in a Class 1 Division 1 area?

    1. Todd Fratzel

      John – Let me find out….I’ll get back to you.

  3. Kris

    Hi, I’m trying to figure out what the main differences are between the M18 Fuel Sawzall vs the cheaper M18 Sawzall? The fuel version for the bare tool is nearly double the price.

    I’ve already have a M18 Fuel combo kit (hammer drill and impact drill), thus two of the XC5.0 batteries.

    Thanks!

    1. Todd Fratzel

      Kris – There’s a big difference in the two tools. FUEL means a few things, brushless motor, advanced electronics all dialed in with the battery. Typically the non FUEL are brushed motors, without the electronics matched to the battery. The results are increases in performance.

      1. Kris

        Awesome thanks! I ended up taking advantage of a promotion where if I bought the Fuel Combo kit with One-Key, then I could get a free M18 Fuel Sawzall. I had to return my first set to do it… missed the promo by 3 days, ended up with the One Key upgrade, and saved $50 overall.

        I just used the Sawzall yesterday to take down a dead tree and break it into component parts. It was amazing!

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