M18 or M12 jigsaw reviews?

[signcrafter]

Don't really need a new jigsaw but have a project coming up that I will be using it a lot in and always hate the cords. Usually when I'm using a jigsaw I have a router or two and a sander and track saw and who knows what else out and taking turns using these tools picking them up and setting them down. The cords get all tangled up and it's a huge pain.

So now that I have a bunch of M18 and M12 tools and batteries I'm thinking about picking up the jigsaw so at least that cord is cut. I see they make an m12 and m18 jigsaw. The m12 saw is 99 bucks but from pictures looks a little cheaply made. The m18 is 129 but looks more like my corded bosch and ridgid jigsaws. They both get mixed reviews. I haven't looked at either in the store to see how they look or feel. But think if I went with one or the other I would do the m18 just because in the pictures it looks nicer. Although if the m12 has some benefits from being more compact I might go that route since I already have a couple full size corded saws. But then again I'm trying to cut cords so ideally which ever one I buy will be able to do everything my corded ones can.

Anyone own one of the Milwaukee cordless jigsaws? Any good or bad about them? Thanks

 

[DerekV]

M18 - good size, good power, decent features, DOESN'T HAVE A LIGHT(?!?!?)

M12 - has a light, small, light weight, comfortable, gets the job done a lot of the time, doesn't have the power of the M18 though

There it is in a nutshell. I don't even care if it's brushless at this point...I'm just waiting on an M18 jigsaw with a freakin light on it.

 

[kctyphoon]

I have both.. don't have a lot of use with them, but if you're only going to buy one, get the m18.. I can at least tell you that much.. it's simply just a bigger more powerful saw.

 

[Jeeper]

I have the M12 and it's handy. Haven't had a problem being not powerful enough.

 

[Zapp Branigan]

I have the M12 and it's a nice tool and easy to work with all day. I used it on everything from paneling and flooring to cement board. The M18 is more powerful, but it's also bulkier and heavier. I also have both M12 and M18 hackzalls, and the M12 gets used more since it is more compact and maneuverable.

 

[chrisnazzy]

I have no experience with the M18 other than handling it in the store.

I do own the M12 and it definitely is not cheaply made. In fact it's quite a bit heavier than it looks. For me it's not a tool I use often but when I do it has been more than capable of handling any cutting task I've given it and should handle anything I would imagine a jig saw to be the saw of choice for.

I mean I wouldn't ask it to do the work of a larger saw. I've read some reviews in the past for both M12/M18 jigsaws where clearly the user was rating the tool based on its ability to make cuts far better suited to a circular or table saw.

If you are looking to replace a corded jigsaw for jigsaw work I would imagine you would be more than pleased with either of Milwaukee's cordless options.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[BMack37]

I have the M18 and it's a great jigsaw...if it was 7+ years ago. It definitely needs an upgrade, a jigsaw without a LED is archaic. It's no comparison to a Bosch BUT it does everything most will need. I've been waiting for a M18 brushless barrel-style with LED light.

I also find the blade retention to be a little finicky, if you don't pay attention you can easily have a blade a couple degrees off and presumably not well locked in.

 

[onarant]

I have the M12 and it has handled everything I have thrown at it.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I’ve been cutting 1/8th thick 316 stainless with my m12 jigsaw for the past 3 weeks... it’s been dropped off the 6ft ladder at least twice (that I know of)... If you’ve ever worked with stainless you know how much of a pain it can be...

I can say for certain that the M12 jig saw is worth every penny... it keeps going and I’m putting it through the paces.

I would like if it had an adjustable speed setting, but the the variable speed trigger has given me more than enough control.

 

[Rarified27]

I've had the M12 for a few years and love it.

Well-built and probably heavier than you would expect. No power issues in any material, but this also knowing the difference between how you should expect it to cut through metal plate or sheetrock, which I actually used it for when we renovated the house and I had a million oddly shaped pieces to cut for patches.

The controls on the saw are also friendly to use. The base angle adjustment is great and no complaints about the trigger. I found a multi use pack of Bosch blades at HD which have handled everything well- they'll matter just as much as the saw quality.