Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3" Compact Cut Off Tool

[SILVERPLATE]

Can anyone please tell me about the Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3" Compact Cut Off Tool. Good tool to have, does it work well, etc. Thanks

 

[dacan23]

I have used it to cut drywall and it works awesome for that, very messy though if not hooked up to a vac, not so bad when hooked up, but trick is to run it in reverse.

I have also used it to cut floor tile, it does the job but you have to go pretty slow and maybe make a shallow cut and deeper second pass. Definitely meant for a one off or little tile cuts.

Havent used it to cut metal but I have heard from friends it works well for small pipe, rod, and sheet metal.

In any situation where the material is very thick or tough, you have to take it slow or it will shut down.

 

[metaleltr]

I only use it to cut metal. Works ok if you get the extra thin 3M Cubitron cut off wheels. Not very good on anything thicker than 20 gauge. Personally I think it really needs to be more powerful.

 

[rustbucket5]

its a little less powerful than my air cut offs but it still works good. we use it where we cant get air or on service calls-life saver

 

[DFB]

Easy to bog it down if you push hard, otherwise handy tool to have. I use mine mostly for metal cuts. Agree it could benefit from some more power

 

[Hammer1963]

GREAT tool. It does have some limitations, but can be a lifesaver in some situations

 

[jgromada]

i have one and it is pretty good. I especially like that it has a dust attachment

 

[Fcvapor05]

I think the little cut off tool is ok, but true cordless grinder will do everything the cut off tool will do and will also do a lot more.

 

[pbon]

It’s not as great as I thought it would be. I agree a cordless grinder with 1/16 grinder wheel is the more versatile tool.

 

[Jrems]

Eh like others said only works good with a thin wheel, and dont try to use it with thesmaller m12 battery

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Thank you all so very much for the comments!

 

[FigureItOut]

I've had mine a few months and almost never find it useful. It didn't work well for me for drywall, and will bog down on 3/16" ABS. I did use it today to trim a plastic splash shield for a trailer hitch install, but my dremel would have been easier. I use a 3AH battery, maybe I need to get the bigger one for it.

 

[HMCFab9]

It's underpowered, but still useful in certain situations

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I purchased this cut off tool to bridge the gap between a Dremel and a 4.5" angle grinder. I'm using for metal work, right now to cut open a propane tank for a firepit project. It works great compared to the Dremel in the amount of work it gets done when cutting. It is also controllable and comfortable. Very compact tool.

What is lacking is battery longevity/run time. Mine uses the XC4.0 battery. From what I've timed so far, it's got a straight run time cutting 1/8" metal for ~15min and~ 15" cutting distance w the included Milwaukee cutting disc. Not bad but without several batteries to keep the rotation going. Lack of batteries causes a pause in work while the battery charges. For the cost, this kit should have come with two batteries, similar to what Dewalt does.

I'm a Dewalt user, this is the first Milwaukee cordless product I've ever purchased. I killed the Dremel and needed something else. This little guy does work I need it to do. But it needs a couple batteries.

 

[KMdef9]

I love mine, perfect for small tasks. It obviously isn't replacing a 120v wheel, but the small size and portability are awesome to have.

 

[Ign]

Absolutely awesome for automotive and light fab.

I use it under vehicles all the time to lop off bolts that are too long or just waiting to puncture my cranium. Fantastic for quick, SHORT cuts in sheetmetal and anymore its all I use to cut expanded steel, 1/2-13 or 3/4-9

True I only use 6.0 XC's and I am using Cubitron wheels

Those who don't like it apparently are confused by the limitations. It's not meant to do rip cuts in sheet.

I use my metal cutting circular for rip cuts.

I use grinders for heavy cutting or, well, grinding.

I pull my car hauler with my 1 ton, not my 1/2 ton.

Everything has it's place, right tool for the job.

 

[pbon]

Once you replace the blade with a 3” Lenox metal blade, it does pretty well. The original blade did not last long and replacements are expensive. Abrasive blades are cheap but dusty and last a much shorter time.

 

[GeoBruin]

I've thought about getting one just to do the HF band file conversion.

 

[will335i]

I've thought about getting one just to do the HF band file conversion.

This is my plan too.

 

[DFB]

I own one too. Ya a bit under powered but has a place. Just this past weekend I also trimmed some sheet rock with it for the first time, using the shoe and attached to the M18 wet/dry vac. Was ok but even with the vac was dusty and I did prefer using my hand saw instead.

I use 3" metal cutoff wheel often with it...just don't force it. (tool will bog down/stall) Go slow

 

[Kaervak]

I've only used mine for small cuts and it's worked very well so far. Significantly more convenient than getting an angle grinder going. I'm sure on larger stuff it would be more of a hindrance to use, but for cutting thin metal, small diameter rod and similar, it's been great.

 

[Daveyclimber]

I'm contemplating buying one for a project and using it to score .125 steel sheet for bending. The clip on shoe is what really intrigued me. Any thoughts as to the mostly plastic shoe holding up to hot sparks and grit?

 

[Htscheg]

Works great for my applications, ive only used it to cut metal pipe, bolts and nuts... no complaints from me

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Update after a little more use:

- it's really handy cutting small metal stock and where an angle grinder with a cutting disc would normally go. The cutting depth is almost 3/4" w a new wheel on it, so it has some range for a little guy

- the battery is a pain in the rear to remove from the tool


Daveyclimber
Re: Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3" Compact Cut Off Tool

I'm contemplating buying one for a project and using it to score .125 steel sheet for bending. The clip on shoe is what really intrigued me. Any thoughts as to the mostly plastic shoe holding up to hot sparks and grit?
12-15-2020 03:42 PM

I've scored 1/8" for bending with the tool; haven't used the shoe. It free hands pretty well though.

 

[ovilla]

I used mine to trim all the vinyl siding for my new 4X4 window. I also recently used it to cut a 1/4” steel rod. I like that I can control where debris or sparks will fly by changing the rotation of the blade. Also there’s no issue with power. People think think this tool should have the torque of a grinder or circular saw - it doesn’t. It’s more like the power of a Dremel tool but in a circular saw form. Anyway the size of the tool allows for great controlled cuts.