M12 fuel, or non fuel hackzall
- Thread starter suzook
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Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
I haven't used either but have been looking at both. I do like the smaller size and weight of the non-Fuel version, but I'm concerned about the 1/2" stroke length. Not sure what length the Fuel version has. Though I probably would rarely cut wood with it, mostly pvc or metal.
kctyphoon
Banned
It's a bit of a loaded question, cause this is one of those tools where it doesn't just simply have a brushless motor. It's actually a bigger saw. If you want something handy for small stuff - and you are aware it won't replace a sawzall, I'd say get the brushed.
The m12 fuel is a good replacement for a sawzall FOR SOMEONE that only needs it to do Mostly light duty work, but it can do the ocassional bigger item if need be. The fuel is obviously the better saw, but that's not what you're asking..
The m12 fuel is a good replacement for a sawzall FOR SOMEONE that only needs it to do Mostly light duty work, but it can do the ocassional bigger item if need be. The fuel is obviously the better saw, but that's not what you're asking..
ThatSickRip
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 23, 2017
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Non Fuel, its much smaller than the Fuel one. Use Sawzall when larger is needed
kctyphoon
Banned
Here -
And here - work better suited to the brushed saw
And here - work better suited to the brushed saw
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I have both and I use both. The Fuel is noticeably bigger, quite a bit but it's a lot more powerful. The brushed is a good saw but you need a larger battery pack otherwise it's weak but it's great for PVC or wood, it's great for tighter spaces. I like having the option for something smaller than the sawzall...it's awesome for tree branches. I've used the Fuel hackzall to cut a 3" steel pipe, never bogged down. Only reason to switch to the Sawzall was for the speed(stroke length). I've bogged down the brushed hackzall with a 2.0 battery on a piece of 6" X 1.25" red oak.
Rarified27
Well-known member
I have the brushed model and the two biggest cons for me are power draw (anything less than a 4.0 battery drains fast) and vibration (trying to cut 1" steel pipe was enough to turn my arms into jello and kill 2 batteries each time with new blades).
The short stroke never occurred to me as a potential reason for vibration, but I'm sure it doesn't help!
The size is outstanding and using it on wood/pvc/copper is a breeze.
The lack of at least a pivoting shoe on both stinks. I know the m18 fuel only has a pivoting one, but it's better than nothing.
The most useful place I've found for it is when I have to get under the house and work in the 3ft crawlspace. Contorting myself to use a full size saw under there was only necessary once when we had to lower a drain, but otherwise the little guy is great.
The short stroke never occurred to me as a potential reason for vibration, but I'm sure it doesn't help!
The size is outstanding and using it on wood/pvc/copper is a breeze.
The lack of at least a pivoting shoe on both stinks. I know the m18 fuel only has a pivoting one, but it's better than nothing.
The most useful place I've found for it is when I have to get under the house and work in the 3ft crawlspace. Contorting myself to use a full size saw under there was only necessary once when we had to lower a drain, but otherwise the little guy is great.
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
I have been doing a lot of plumbing work and while it will cut copper for demo work, it shines on PVC. I bought the non fuel version and the battery isn’t terrible on PVC, but it’s not all day strong either.
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
The compact size is the reason I bought it to start with. I hate having a new line of cordless tools, but maybe the copper pipe cutter is next
finn
Well-known member
I have the non fuel version. It’s pretty useless overall, although I do grab it for small jobs, occasionally.
Part of the reason I don’t like it, though, is that it’s an oddball in my tool set. I should have bought the Bosch version to commonize tool architecture.
Part of the reason I don’t like it, though, is that it’s an oddball in my tool set. I should have bought the Bosch version to commonize tool architecture.
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kctyphoon
Banned
It's like this - if you have a full sized, you're covered for anything big. If your goal is to get something's small for SMALL stuff, then get the smaller one. If you want a "smaller" but still mostly capable saw, then get the fuel.. just goto the store and compare the sizes in person.. as much as people talk up the fuel model, it's not an 18v replacement. I promise you that.
ryan20021982
Well-known member
Agreed, I have the brushed Hackzall and then the M18 Fuel Sawzall that way I'm covered all around.
I like the brushed version and don't really have any complaints about it, I think most people that don't like it bought it thinking they were going to get a Sawzall in a small package but its obviously not meant to replace the full size sawzall.
bustedcrawler
Well-known member
I've got the brushed M12 hacksall... I have a corded sawsall and a porta-band for big stuff.
But I have no complaints at all using the brushed hacksall on metal, actually that is all I have used it for. Does just fine on sheet metal and even cut through 1.5x.120 DOM. I needed something small to get into places and mack cuts where the full size saw or porta-badn wouldn't fit. I find it to be a lot like a 90 degree drill... it's not going to get used all the time, but when you need it nothing else will work.
But I have no complaints at all using the brushed hacksall on metal, actually that is all I have used it for. Does just fine on sheet metal and even cut through 1.5x.120 DOM. I needed something small to get into places and mack cuts where the full size saw or porta-badn wouldn't fit. I find it to be a lot like a 90 degree drill... it's not going to get used all the time, but when you need it nothing else will work.
DFB
Well-known member
I does what it does for what it is... a small and compact tool.
I use mine a lot. Cut threaded rod, pipe PVC, EMT, copper easily cut nails in shoe or top plate. Makeshift jigsaw. It will cut a stud in half but not my preferred tool to use for that. In a pinch it'll get a tough job done with some effort. I even cut a piece 2x2 x1/4 bridge rail once. Wouldn't do it again though.
Tool got awful warm too.
Sure there vibes ...
Though the more secure your piece when cutting the less vibes. I like using a finer tooth blade like 14 tpi metal blade vs something coarser like 8-10 tpi wood blade. I never use bigger than 6 inch. I think they actually come with 4 inch mini blades if I remember correctly
Having an adjustable shoe sure would help get better wear out a blade for sure.
Battery life get an XC the compact don't cut much
I use mine a lot. Cut threaded rod, pipe PVC, EMT, copper easily cut nails in shoe or top plate. Makeshift jigsaw. It will cut a stud in half but not my preferred tool to use for that. In a pinch it'll get a tough job done with some effort. I even cut a piece 2x2 x1/4 bridge rail once. Wouldn't do it again though.
Tool got awful warm too.
Sure there vibes ...
Though the more secure your piece when cutting the less vibes. I like using a finer tooth blade like 14 tpi metal blade vs something coarser like 8-10 tpi wood blade. I never use bigger than 6 inch. I think they actually come with 4 inch mini blades if I remember correctly
Having an adjustable shoe sure would help get better wear out a blade for sure.
Battery life get an XC the compact don't cut much
Ign
Well-known member
The M12 Fuel is so much better. It only has an 1/8" more stroke but that seems to really help.
The brushed was basically worthless, I never used it once I discovered how worthless it was.
The brushed was basically worthless, I never used it once I discovered how worthless it was.
Once I started using Diablo carbide blades for anything other than plastics, that vibration went waaay down. Milwaukee blades on the brushed Hackzall will give you shaken baby syndrome.
I have the brushed version. It’s fine for what it is. The Fuel seems a lot bigger when I play with it in stores. I’m pretty sure if I come up on a project that I think my Hackzall can’t handle, I’m sure I’ll skip the Fuel and head straight to M18 or corded.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Jimithing616
Well-known member
I don't own either, but, I am in the same predicament you are and after my research and for my needs I decided I would get the fuel version.... have you actually held the two in your hands?
The fuel, for its slightly bigger build, doesn't feel much bigger, and is imho so much more useful.... the non fuel reportedly kills batteries in no time and has limited usefulness in a lot of aspects... where as the fuel is apparently a beast of a tool... ymmv but I think it's a no contest for the fuel one...
One thing to consider is Milwaukee is just now releasing the gen 2 m12 fuel drill and impacts. I would imagine those come first and then the hackzall would come next, so in the near future we may see a m12 fuel gen 2 hackzall that will give the size of the orig brushed model with the power and features of the fuel model... as that is the blueprint they followed for the gen 2 m12 fuel drill and impact...
The fuel, for its slightly bigger build, doesn't feel much bigger, and is imho so much more useful.... the non fuel reportedly kills batteries in no time and has limited usefulness in a lot of aspects... where as the fuel is apparently a beast of a tool... ymmv but I think it's a no contest for the fuel one...
One thing to consider is Milwaukee is just now releasing the gen 2 m12 fuel drill and impacts. I would imagine those come first and then the hackzall would come next, so in the near future we may see a m12 fuel gen 2 hackzall that will give the size of the orig brushed model with the power and features of the fuel model... as that is the blueprint they followed for the gen 2 m12 fuel drill and impact...
The size of non Fuel is sweet, but power of the Fuel is nice, both would be good lol. Either is good for light duty, M18 hack or full size sawzall for larger tasks. All M12 and M18 recip saws are 3000 SPM.
M12 hackzall 1/2 stroke
M12 fuel hackzall 5/8 stroke
M18 hackzall 3/4 stroke
M18 fuel hackzall 7/8 stroke
All M18 sawzalls 1 1/8 stroke
M12 hackzall 1/2 stroke
M12 fuel hackzall 5/8 stroke
M18 hackzall 3/4 stroke
M18 fuel hackzall 7/8 stroke
All M18 sawzalls 1 1/8 stroke
Rarified27
Well-known member
A few posters have said they have the M12 and a regular size m18 or corded saw for big stuff. While the necessity for a full size saw in some applications is inarguable, it seems like the M18 fuel hackzall might be the perfect in between? (Yes, I know the OP asked exclusively about M12).
This is, of course, considering the m12 brushed is stupid tiny and can get in some truly limited areas, but I suppose a longer blade on an M18 could solve most of those issues?
This is, of course, considering the m12 brushed is stupid tiny and can get in some truly limited areas, but I suppose a longer blade on an M18 could solve most of those issues?
kctyphoon
Banned
If this makes you feel better - the m12 brushed is gonna be about the same as the ONLY Dewalt 12v max option.. I have that too.. it's good for small things, but you won't find professional electricians or plumbers using it.. the m12 fuel is the better option for them so they don't NEED and 18v saw.. you won't get much smaller than the brushed m12 with a 2.0 battery in it.
DFB
Well-known member
Biggest problem plumbers had with original brushed hackzalls was water getting in and frying 'em out and of course warranty wouldn't cover that.
The new M18 Fuel is better sealed both the boot and the electronics...something to think about if water entry is concern.
I work with a greenhouse operation we have water in pipelines every where
The new M18 Fuel is better sealed both the boot and the electronics...something to think about if water entry is concern.
I work with a greenhouse operation we have water in pipelines every where
kctyphoon
Banned
(Cough) so that means you BOUGHT IT, right? Lol