Milwaukee M18 Fuel Rant

[C96]

Ok, I want to purchase the M18 Fuel Hammer Drill/Impact Driver XC Combo Kit Model # 2797-22. Good news is that Home Depot still has the $150 off special going on.

I also would like the M18 FUEL 7-1/4” cordless circular saw model # 2731-20 to use as the qualifying other tool. This is fine and dandy, but my rant is as follows:

Why in the Hell did Milwaukee decide to put the blade on the opposite side on the 7-1/4” saw as opposed to being on the left as their other circular saws / worm drive saws?

This pisses me off; it’s as if the saw is a left handed version without an option to get it with the blade on the left side (no offence to the lefties). This seems awkward for a right handed person, having to lean over a bit to see the blade running along the scribed line.

My worm drive saws all have the blades on the left, the Skill and the Milwaukee. I’ve only used saws with the blade on the left all my life, so I guess I’m just used to it that way.

Sure would love to ditch the corded worm drives for one of these, but not sure I’m going to be happy with the blade on the other side.

Any of you right handed guys been using this saw? It sure seems like it’s an awesome one.

M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Circular Saw
Blade on right

M18 FUEL 6-1/2" Circular Saw
Blade on left

 

[FMC1959]

......Why in the Hell did Milwaukee decide to put the blade on the opposite side on the 7-1/4” saw as opposed to being on the left as their other circular saws / worm drive saws?.....

I am getting old, I have never owned a worm drive but used a few different ones friends had. From what I recall, I thought worms were always on the right. A quick Google image search and I see they are all on the left

I am a half and halfer, I like the visibility of the blade on the left, but also like having the weight [stability] of the motor on the work piece of a blade on the right.

I would get it, otherwise you will incur the wrath of the cool kids Milwaukee Fuel fan club

 

[rlitman]

Which side is better, depends on what you're cutting.

I am right handed, and cut mostly sheeting (plywood, T111, paneling, etc), often against a clamped rail.
For me, a left side blade makes the most sense, so I have the best visibility of the cut.
But then again, I'd probably be happy with a 6 1/2" blade because of this.

If I were doing framing, I'd be stepping on the lumber and dropping the cutoff away from the blade, so a right side blade makes more sense. And for framing, I would want the 7 1/4" blade (or bigger).

 

[dnschmidt]

Every normal (meaning non-worm drive saw) in the world has the blade on the right. The Skil 77 and the worm drive Milwaukee are the only saws that ever had the blade on the left. This is also a regional thing. East of the Mississippi nobody uses a worm drive here in the West that's all they use. Oddly, I'm left handed and I like the blade on the right. Go figure.

 

[rtole]

Ha! Now you know what lefties deal with on most tools! Your this upset over 1 tool. Now think of it with every tool that it could make a difference on. Welcome to my life.

 

[C96]

Every normal (meaning non-worm drive saw) in the world has the blade on the right. The Skil 77 and the worm drive Milwaukee are the only saws that ever had the blade on the left.

Lol…You’re so wrong, just simply not true:

Here’s just a few corded model circular saws with the blade on the left and there are many, many more in the cordless models.

 

[twertsy]

Ha! Now you know what lefties deal with on most tools! Your this upset over 1 tool. Now think of it with every tool that it could make a difference on. Welcome to my life.

Dude! Perhaps you can turn me onto those left handed sockets! I can't find them anywhere!!!!

Edit: don't fly off the handle on me.........just joking around on a Friday night after a few..

 

[Strouty]

I have the saw in question, I am also right handed. It is very weird feeling, I have not used it a lot, but I did find myself constantly on the wrong side of the wood I was cutting. It is very difficult to see the marks and the blade, especially when trying to cut a sheet of plywood. The saw seems rugged and the only reason I bought it was because I all ready have a 6 1/2" V28 milwaukee and that blade is opposite this one. I may start trying to run it left handed, it is pretty powerful, but I am thinking that I may just get the 6 1/2" fuel version and sell this one.

 

[Ign]

I thought I explained it quite clearly here. Duh. <----sarcasm

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273679

 

[C96]

I have the saw in question, I am also right handed. It is very weird feeling, I have not used it a lot, but I did find myself constantly on the wrong side of the wood I was cutting. It is very difficult to see the marks and the blade, especially when trying to cut a sheet of plywood. The saw seems rugged and the only reason I bought it was because I all ready have a 6 1/2" V28 milwaukee and that blade is opposite this one. I may start trying to run it left handed, it is pretty powerful, but I am thinking that I may just get the 6 1/2" fuel version and sell this one.

Thanks for the honest reply Strouty; I’m thinking this might be the same outcome for me as well since I’ve always used left sided blade saws (Skill 77). This truly bums me out because I really want the 7-1/4” blade size.

Seems Milwaukee would offer at least the 7-1/4” model with either a right or left sided blade option so as to appeal to the carpenters / framers that use left sided worm drive saws pretty much exclusively.

Maybe Dewalt or Makita will come through with the 7-1/4” left sided blade model in their 18 & 20 volt line-up…

 

[ADSR]

Thanks for the honest reply Strouty; I’m thinking this might be the same outcome for me as well since I’ve always used left sided blade saws (Skill 77). This truly bums me out because I really want the 7-1/4” blade size.

Seems Milwaukee would offer at least the 7-1/4” model with either a right or left sided blade option so as to appeal to the carpenters / framers that use left sided worm drive saws pretty much exclusively.

Maybe Dewalt or Makita will come through with the 7-1/4” left sided blade model in their 18 & 20 volt line-up…

Makita just came out with the blade on the right on their new 36v circ saw.

 

[cagullett1]

My corded 7 1/4 Milwaukee has blade on the right. Takes a little getting used to but not a deterrent. Get the 6 1/2" fuel saw if you want a left blade

 

[Strouty]

I thought dewalt made everyone despise 36 volt? Is makita trying to do the same?

 

[Strouty]

I really think milwaukee nailed it with the 28 volt, not too awkward, just right. I wish they would start making fuel 28 volt tools.

 

[ADSR]

I thought dewalt made everyone despise 36 volt? Is makita trying to do the same?

I love the blade on the right side. When i bought my 36v dewalt in 07 - 08, it only came with left side blade, except in Europe where it only comes blade right side.

As i said in the other thread, Building houses i work to 1/16. If i need to take a hair off a stud with a blade left saw, only 1 1/2 of the saw table is resting on the lumber. With a blade right saw, 4" of table is resting on the lumber. Makes the cut way easier.

 

[Strouty]

I love the blade on the right side. When i bought my 36v dewalt in 07 - 08, it only came with left side blade, except in Europe where it only comes blade right side.

As i said in the other thread, Building houses i work to 1/16. If i need to take a hair off a stud with a blade left saw, only 1 1/2 of the saw table is resting on the lumber. With a blade right saw, 4" of table is resting on the lumber. Makes the cut way easier.

So you were the guy that bought the only 36 volt saw dewalt ever sold!

 

[Strouty]

I remember when they came out with those, it was the same timeframe that milwaukee unleashed the V-28 tools. I took one look at the indicator lights, then I touched the bandsaw and it was all over for my dewalt addiction. I used to have three of every tool milwaukee offered in the V-28 lineup. I still have one of each, not sure if they added to the lineup since, guess I may have to look into that.

 

[cagullett1]

I love the blade on the right side. When i bought my 36v dewalt in 07 - 08, it only came with left side blade, except in Europe where it only comes blade right side.

As i said in the other thread, Building houses i work to 1/16. If i need to take a hair off a stud with a blade left saw, only 1 1/2 of the saw table is resting on the lumber. With a blade right saw, 4" of table is resting on the lumber. Makes the cut way easier.

This is why right blade saws are made, framing and construction.

 

[Strouty]

I looked and I do not have the 7/16" hex impact driver, I never understood those things. Anyone ever use one? I need to get a new drill, but I am going to find a good used V28, the M28 versions look like toys.

 

[ADSR]

This is why right blade saws are made, framing and construction.

yeah, it's all i've ever used until cordless came out. Now cordless is getting it right.....for some people

 

[ADSR]

So you were the guy that bought the only 36 volt saw dewalt ever sold!

The 4pc kit with circ saw, sawzall, drill and flashlight was 1200 bucks!!!

 

[71goldss]

Though I've invested somewhat heavily in the M12 and M18 platforms since November thanks to GJ, I haven't purchased any of the Milwaukee circular saws because I already own a corded 7 1/4" Makita 5007F and cordless 7 1/4" Craftsman C3 (which I like a lot). Though I'm just a home DIY'er, I've still put a lot of miles on both saws over the last few years, but never used together on any given project. I kind of hate to admit this, but until the recent Milwaukee "left blade vs right blade" threads, I never even noticed that my Makita is a right blade and my C3 is a left blade. I can see where it would make a difference with some applications, but it evidently didn't make a difference on mine since I automatically adjusted to it without notice up till now.

 

[Strouty]

The 4pc kit with circ saw, sawzall, drill and flashlight was 1200 bucks!!!

Dewalt offered a $175 adapter to make the tools corded as well. I decided I would get the V-28 tools, I would just buy the corded version if I really needed them.

When I bought the V-28 tools in 2005 when they first came out, every kit you bought had a mail in for another bare tool. It was an awesome deal, later I started buying bare tools because we found that we never needed more than 5 or 6 batteries at a time. The V-28 SDS hammer drill is only a 7/8" model, the M-28 ones are 1". I still smile when I use any of those tools, I was just using the vacuum tonight.

 

[ADSR]

I wish i had bought in to the v28 system. I've owned a lot of dewalt over the years, but everytime i pick up the milwaukee tool equivalent, i'm always blown away by Team Red's performance.

 

[Strouty]

I wish i had bought in to the v28 system. I've owned a lot of dewalt over the years, but everytime i pick up the milwaukee tool equivalent, i'm always blown away by Team Red's performance.

I used to work on towers (still do just not as much) and I had 30 dewalt 18 volt batteries and whenever someone sent a few up to you, they were always dead. Once we got the V-28 that never happened again. We did have to keep them warm in the winter, but it was easy enough, I had fleece lined bags and we would toss in a bunch of hand or neck warmers. If the batteries were out in the wind too long, it was game over though. So they are not perfect, but at the time no one else offered a cordless bandsaw, and they sure beat hauling a generator up the side of the tower.