Milwaukee cordless cutoff ool

[Joe Huld]

Today I had to cut a lock off a storage shed which I did pretty quickly with a cutoff wheel in my Dewalt 4 1/2 angle grinder. The biggest problem was stringing out the 60 feet of extension cord to get to the lock. I often have small metal cutting jobs where access to electrical power is a problem so I am thinking of buying a cordless cutoff tool. All of my portable and cordless power tools are Milwaukee so I'd like to stay red if possible. I am very happy with the 12 volt driver drill, 2422 multi tool and vacuum. I bought my son an identical driver drill so he'd never have an excuse to borrow mine. Obviously I am kind of invested in the 12 volt system.
I really like the 2783 angle grinder but since it is 18 volts I'd have to buy the kit to get the charger and battery so I am thinking of the 12 volt 2522 cutoff tool. I considered the 2460 rotary tool but I think it is too light duty.
Anyone used any of these 3 tools?

 

[Zapp Branigan]

I'm pretty happy with the Milwaukee M18 angle grinder. You're already set up for one with cutoff wheels for your corded one, so why reinvent the wheel? Get the dual voltage charger and you're good to go, and can also expand in either line down the road.

 

[Voi]

I am thinking of the 12 volt 2522 cutoff tool. I considered the 2460 rotary tool but I think it is too light duty.

Here is a comment on the 2522 from another poster in another thread. Maybe see what he thinks.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7422748&postcount=37

 

[Mr_B]

what you can do for quick lock cutting is use a worn down cutting disc and mount it on a bolt and put the bolt in a cordless drill chuck. have most locks chopped up in well under a minute .

 

[ca90ss]

I'd get the cutoff tool. I just got mine today and only made a couple test cuts on some 3/8 stainless all thread but it worked well. The rotary tool is a very light duty tool and is very slow when cutting any sort of metal. I think I'm on about my 4th one at this point and need to warranty it again.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I'd take a step into the M18 lineup. The 12V rotary tool is just a cordless dremel, which are really pretty useless at cutting any sort of thick metal. I think you'd have to use up a couple 2" dremel cutting discs to get through an average padlock. That's my other issue with dremels, even if they can do the task at hand, they go through consumables like crazy. You'll use up $10 worth of dremel cutting discs to do the same cut that $1 worth of full size grinding discs would do.

The newer M18 angle grinders are pretty beefy, they give lower end corded grinders a run for their money.

 

[PhysicsDude]

what you can do for quick lock cutting is use a worn down cutting disc and mount it on a bolt and put the bolt in a cordless drill chuck. have most locks chopped up in well under a minute .

This does work. I have an adapter made for mounting cutting discs into a drill chuck that I bought from Home Depot about 12 years ago, but it looks like they don't sell them anymore.

A drill only spins at ~2000 RPM tops, and angle grinders spin at around 10,000RPM, so you can't cut real fast with a drill, and its awkward and dangerous, but it does work.

 

[Ign]

OP all I can say is don't waste your $ on the "braking" 2783 if you go that route.

I'm continually baffled by the need for a "brake" on these when the standard (2780/2781) already spin down way faster than a corded grinder, and they "ratchet" or "click" down at that.

It sounds like you were already using a corded grinder and didn't die, sooooo.....

I mention this only 'cause the 2783 tends to be THE most expensive cordless grinder of any of the iterations.

Now if you go M12 realize most 3" cutting discs don't last that long, and performance greatly suffers as the disc wears even a little due to a concept known as surface speed. Have lots of consumables on hand and consider the 3M Green Corps if you find you're burning thru standard abrasives too quickly

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd get the cutoff tool. I just got mine today and only made a couple test cuts on some 3/8 stainless all thread but it worked well. The rotary tool is a very light duty tool and is very slow when cutting any sort of metal.

I feel there is a need for something in between these 2 tools. Basically the rotary tool with a more powerful motor and geared down so that it uses a 1/4" collet and bits.

I think I'm on about my 4th one (rotary tool ?) at this point and need to warranty it again.

Bummer ! I was seriously thinking of getting one of those but now I don't know !

 

[ca90ss]

I feel there is a need for something in between these 2 tools. Basically the rotary tool with a more powerful motor and geared down so that it uses a 1/4" collet and bits.

If they made this with variable speed it would be perfect for my use.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Dyrwall-Cut-Out-Tool-Tool-Only-2627-20/300272269

Bummer ! I was seriously thinking of getting one of those but now I don't know !

I ended up ordering the Proxxon cordless from amazon.de and have been happy with it so far.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01G3QOXXO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Joe Huld]

This does work. I have an adapter made for mounting cutting discs into a drill chuck that I bought from Home Depot about 12 years ago, but it looks like they don't sell them anymore.

A drill only spins at ~2000 RPM tops, and angle grinders spin at around 10,000RPM, so you can't cut real fast with a drill, and its awkward and dangerous, but it does work.

I actually have the arbor you describe which I use as a cutoff tool in a 20000 RPM air die grinder in the shop but I've ruled out the drill method for the reasons you pointed out : slow, difficult and dangerous.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Yeah but for lock cutting it can be better than some battery grinders due to fact you got better access due to blade angle to tool and can use long or short bolt to alter access further.
I used this method for open shipping containers as padlocks been super glued or similar and recessed in cage so was this or drag out the gas torch .
It works great if use worn down discs and is very quick if just chopping padlocks or lock bolts.
Have used it couple other times too when no other tool going fit .
When needed it useful setup with things already likely at hand .