Milwaukee M18 2630-20

Constantly broken – I take the saw to Total tools as they handle the warranty . It has been 'fixed' 3 times in the last six months and is now broken again . The problem is always the same light goes on but no power to the motor . Each time it rakes 3 weeks to fix and stops working again in a few hours , leaving me to have to rely on my powered makita saw . It seems both milwaukee and total tools couldn't care less .

Time for a second review – Most reviews are written fairly early on in ownership. People buy a product and write a review soon after. I thought it might be worth writing one two years down the track so that people can make a more informed choice. I bought one of these saws almost exactly two years ago. I decided to go with Milwaukee after looking at reviews of the top five battery saws based on the run time from a given battery capacity. I used the saw as the bench mark because the angle of moment on a saw means that it probably places the greatest drain on a battery. So do my impressions differ from when I first purchased it? What is good, what is bad and what has gone wrong? I said in my original review that I was pleased with the saw and that it was tough. That hasn't changed. Two years on and it will still plough through difficult hardwoods without a problem. I do keep my blades sharp. I use either Irwin or Diablo blades and chuck them once the saw starts straining. Power. I was cutting down a bench top prior to removal. Inadvertently I made a 10mm deep cut through a double row of bricks. Naturally the blade was asking for a rest after that, but when cutting I didn't notice any change in the pitch of the saw, it just kept going about its business. I sometimes have to rip down 5mt lengths of Vic Ash or Tassie Oak and the saw just does the job. I don't push it hard but then I don't have to, it just does the job. Problems. I had to have a field winding replaced under warranty. Turn around time was very good. I dropped it at Total Tools and had I back in my hand in five working days. No problem, done. It is said that Apprentices can do anything and it is true. They can wreck or lose more tools than just about anyone. I had a young bloke working with me for a few weeks. He had said that when using a Makita saw the fence would not stay put, he had to give the thumb screw an extra hard twist to keep it in place. Milwaukee do not push a tap all the way through for the fence screw meaning that it is quite tight in the hole. It also has a spring on it to stop it coming loose when not in use. I find that quarter to half turn of the screw is sufficient to hold the fence rigidly in place. Young person however gave it and extra hard turn to the effect that when trying to loosen the screw to remove the fence, the plastic knob gave up. In the end I had to drill out the screw and remove it with a screw extractor. I made up a new one from brass and it is fine. It is a heavy saw. Pushing it up a wall or across a ceiling is tiring work. But I don't do that very often so it is not really an issue. My original exhortation stands. This is an excellent tool. If you are starting out and haven't made a battery choice, you won't go wrong with this or any other Milwaukee tools. I have sixteen Milwaukee tools now and can't truthfully say I need any more. But who cares about that? I'm sure I will be tempted by setting else in the not too distant future

Quality tool, well balanced & is still used on serious job sites – The power tool is fantastic!! The blade that comes with is average.. Get a Diablo or Irwin 165mm blade and it cuts perfectly... Battery lasts longer with better saw blade.. I currently have a 3amp batt but will get a 5 amp rather than go buy a whole new brushless kit.. As I have a full brushed kit.. I've had the kit for 3 years & am sure it will last me another 5-6 years or until the brushless improves and becomes cheaper... highly recommend but get a 4 or 5 amp batt and better quality saw blade & it will rip through hardwood, Redgum, thick ply and even bench tops that need precision cuts.