| Anyone who has tried working with a Sawzall in cramped quarters and making cuts in confined spaces will appreciate the Hatchet's multiposition folding handle, which reduces the tool's length to a mere 13 inches. While this is a truly innovative design for a reciprocating saw, the fact that this is also the first cordless Sawzall with a vibration-reducing counterbalance mechanism should not be overlooked. This is a feature many of us have been waiting to see in the cordless Sawzall, and it is especially appreciated in uncomfortably close quarters, where any extra vibration and shock just makes your job more difficult. The Hatchet also has a different trigger configuration than other reciprocating saws. When the handle is folded, it feels like a cordless-drill grip and trigger, and when the saw is extended to its full length, it feels like the barrel grips found on grinders. This trigger setup is great when the handle is folded, but not as ideal when the tool is at its full length and being used like a traditional Sawzall. As with Milwaukee's other Sawzalls, this one features the excellent tool-free blade-changing system that reverses the blade when needed, and it has a fully adjustable pivoting shoe. The Hatchet's tough motor provides 2,700 strokes per minute, comparable to other top-of-the-line cordless reciprocating saws, and the tool uses the same reversible 18-volt Power Plus battery as other Milwaukee cordless tools. This model comes with the tool only, so if you don't already use Milwaukee's Power Plus tools, you'll need to buy a battery separately. For remodelers, plumbers, and electricians, we think there's no better cordless reciprocating saw available. --Brian Trinen |
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 MUST HAVE Tool for ANY Contractor |
| Review Date: November 1, 2004 |
| Reviewer: John Madarasz, Exton, Pennsylvania |
I just finished gutting a garage for a renovation and wanted to put this tool to the test...it passed with flying colors. Ripping through studs and rafters, NO problem. Sawing through an 1 1/4" solid wood exterior wall for a door opening, NO problem. Sawing through a double 2 x 12 header beam, NO problem. Cuts right through heavy duty mild steel 1/8" easily. The adjustable handle is great when up on a scaffolding or working down near the floor...and the reversible 18 volt battery is another great feature. Lightweight, but has all the power of a corded tool in my opinion. The orbital action is another nice feature...and it does speed up rough rip cuts when neatness doesn't count.
This is the 1st time I've used a quick blade holder on a sawzall, and it is one of the best features going. I also recommend the blade kit...very nice to have. Changing blades has always been one of the worst and slowest parts of using a sawzall...now it's not even an issue.
FWIW, I also have an 18 Volt 1/2" Lok-Tor Driver/Drill Kit so I just use my battery charger and 2 batteries for both tools. You will definitely need 2 batteries with this tool. After about 8-9' of continuous cutting through a solid wood 1 1/4" thick wall and 7-8 studs, the battery needed to be swapped out, but had to cool down for a few minutes before accepting a charge. I'm not sure it's even an issue, and the charger gave me the heads up signal that the battery was too hot, so I set it aside for a couple minutes, then charged it right up no problem. Regardless, you will get a lot of cut time on one battery, and a lot of power too. I can't imagine a situation where you would be slowed down as long as you have two batteries.
These tools are tough as nails too. One night after a long night of overhead work I was tired and fed up, so I threw my new 18" drill from 10' up on a ladder down to my concrete shop floor to see what it was really made of, and it took the hit with nothing but a scuff to the body. I've owned alot of Milwaukee tools over the years, and still do. This and my new 1/2" drill are by far the best. Well worth it and a great deal. Both feel great, good balance, and work great, period.
I've read a lot of reviews on this site when buying tools,and many have been very helpful, so I've decided to return the favor to hopefully help someone out. I'm a coppersmith who started out as a roofing contractor, and have been working in the renovation and building trades for 26 years. and have been been in business since 1986. My website is copperwork.com |
The best I have found
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| Review Date: May 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Stephen Cunningham, Northern Michigan |
I don't even know how many cordless reciprocating saws I have, probably 10 or 15. I like tools and I suffer from excessive compulsive behavior. When I find a deal on one and it fills a gap in a "set" like Milwaukee, Dewalt or Makita, I have to have it. It doesn't matter if I already have 10 of them in other brands and configurations. O.K. so I am a sick puppy but hey, it's harmless enough and until recently I could afford it.
The Milwaukee cordless hatchet is the first tool I reach for when I need a Sawsall. It is precise and easy to handle, the orbital/straight action switch is a plus, it is light weight and the folding adjustable handle makes every cut perfect. My 34 x 52 pole barn recently burned down and I needed to cut up a large amount of sheet metal from the roof and side walls. I ordered a Milwaukee metal cutting circular saw from an Amazon vendor to use to help clean up the mess. (you can look at my other reviews to get that story............not good) They shipped it to me without the blade! Of course in that condition it was useless to me, so I got out "The Hatchet" installed a 10" "Bosch metal cutting blade" and attacked the debris pile. This saw is amazing, with the 10" Bosch metal cutting blade it cut through the sheet metal like a hot knife through butter. It also cut the remains of the 4 x 6 pressure treated posts to eliminate the "Stonehenge" architecture that was left. This is a great tool. I use it with my 18 Volt Lithium Ion Batteries and I am constantly amazed at the work it does. It cuts at full power until the battery is empty and then it just stops! I pop in another battery and away we go again. It does an amazing amount of work on a battery charge. I weigh 220# and lean on this thing to hog out a lot of material and I don't slow it down. It truly earns its "Milwaukee" brand name. I don't know and don't even care where it is made, it just plain works.
This is a great tool. It is easy to control and has the power to use the thick "demolition" blades when needed, but can do precision cuts with thinner blades in delicate situations. It just doesn't get any better than this, or at least I have not found a saw better than this yet. I love it.
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milwaukee cordless sawsallI GIVE THIS SAW
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| Review Date: September 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Richard Hitzeroth, Burlington Il. |
| igive this saw a 10 out of a ten It does everything I wanted it to do when I purchased it, Power, ease of use, and the ease of changig blades, a little heavy, but ,hey if thats what it takes to do the job I love ti |
Excellent tool!
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| Review Date: November 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Peter Argyropoulos, |
| As an electrician, I use my Hatchet almost daily on wood, metal and masonry. After three years, I can say that I've NEVER been in a situation that it couldn't handle (I don't do heavy demolition work). Its reciprocating mechanism is smooth, the variable speed is precise and its weight and folding design make it a very comfortable tool to use. I've compared it to the corded version, and it looks like they are basically the same tool. I've used reciprocal saws from other producers but have yet to find one as comfortable to use as the Hatchet. It cuts slightly slower than some other brands due to a lower motor speed, but it vibrates your hands a lot less as well and is much quieter. I just purchased a second one to have in reserve since Milwaukee stopped making this saw. What a pity... |
Nice tool
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| Review Date: March 13, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Jeffrey E. Fisher, Sierra Mountains |
| This is a very nice tool, especially when you are in tight spaces. My only reservation is power. It is just a bit underpowered compared to my regular Milwaukee sawzall. Nothing at all is wrong with the product, but if you don't need the adjustable handle I would get the regular saw. If you do need the adjustable handle I wouldn't hesitate to buy this tool. |
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