This saw is amazing! We bought it for my very active 70+ year old mom. It's small enough I don't worry about her, but sturdy enough to do the job. For the higher limbs I require her to get help (I don't want her on ladders) and all the men that have come to help her want to take this little saw home with them. Highly recommend!
For any Aussies out there thinking of adding this to their camper trailers, I just cut a 120mm diameter piece of seasoned ironbark absolutely no worries. I can’t give a long term review but out of the box it’s a ripper 👌🏼🇦🇺
Excellent review. This looks a lot more useful than some of the other options out there with the spikes and automatic oiler. Your video came in right on time as this one was left out of PF's video yesterday. Thanks for the great video bud, happy hunting.
Bought the 8inch saw kit today, pretty impressed by how it feels. Will be using it mostly for trimming branches along fence lines on the farm. Think this will be ideal as you don't have to start a petrol saw constantly or leave it running while driving along the fences. Will also be taking this with me from now on when I go 4wding or camping can't even count the ammount of times I just wanted a little chainsaw for a few minutes. It's pretty pricey here in Australia but going by all my other milwaukee gear it's something that will last you years and years.
Great review. I have the M12 chainsaw, the M18 16" and the 10" Polesaw. In the burbs with a lot of mature trees. I love the M12 for cutting up branches to fit in my 95 gallon garden waste bins. If i have a 5 minutes job, I use the M12 Hatchet reciprocating saw with a pruning blade - less hassle than cleaning up after the oilers on the other saws. Horses for courses. Definitely don't need this 8" one. . . unless it goes on sale.
Tested my M18 Hatchet yesterday and got 2531 rpm with no load, with calculated chain speed equal to ~928 FPM, which (like the DeWalt 8" pruning chainsaw) is within the range of sample variation. The full-cutter chain makes sense, I guess, but DeWalt went with the normal full-comp chain. I need to work out a head-to-head with these two...I haven't found one here on YT. I agree with your comment about the M12 vs. M18 grips. The smaller M18 grip is easier for me, even with XL hands. Appreciate your videos every time - thank you!
Great review! I recently purchased this saw and it is spectacular. Even with a non high output 5ah battery I have not run into overheating issues, though I would recommend using a HO battery if you own one. It seems pretty efficient.
I cant believe I bought a battery saw but I love my Milwaukee hatchet. So much better when you dont need the gasser. I own a landscaping company... I recently just decided not to leave home without it.
Kobalt just came out with 24v brushless 6" pruning chainsaw with auto oiler for 119. 149 with 2.0 battery and charger. I just ordered 3 of them. 😁 It says, regular price is 214.00 bare tool.
I have the craftsman 20v pruning chainsaw will a 6in bar and this this thing cuts great it doesn't have a oil reservoir which I like I just carry a squirt bottle and oil as I need these tools are designed to trim a few branches here and there, my 12in craftsman saw has a automatic oiler that is needed because with that saw I'm cutting a lot more when I'm done I empty the oil out because I might not be using it for quite awhile because oil somehow always manages to leak
**April 17th, 2024** I just purchased mine at Home Depot for $299. Prices have gone up in a year, we see. Came with the battery & charger unit. Can't wait to use it tomorrow! Thanks for the educational video. Do you prefer a special bar/chain oil? I have the STIHL chain oil for my gas operated & simply curious. Happy Sawing!
I mean if youre a professional landscaper or groundskeeper, then this is probably a neat little tool to use, especially if youre into the whole electric commercial lawn equipment thing. But as a homeowner or handyman theres simply no way to justify the price tag over something like the kobalt or ryobi pruning saw, or any sawzall with a pruning blade. My chainsaw broke and I needed to down w 25' pine, did the whole thing with my sawzall and honestly it didnt feel much different. The only bad part was saw dust vs chips.
I got the m18 hatchet in and have a few thoughts. I was expecting the tool to be the same size as the m12 version with a slightly different handle for attaching the battery. I was also expecting it to be a similar weight, even with the 2" longer bar. Neither assumptions were correct. It is substantially heavier than the m12 version and has much more girth around the motor area. In addition, most top handle saws have the battery tucked within the body, which makes them fairly short. The M18 hatchet is LONG, especially with anything above a 5.0. My expectation was to carry this in a backpack for trail maintenance before having to lug a larger saw out. Turns out that it just isn't really practical for that application. Sure, it can be done, but it is no lightweight, compact saw like the m12 version. Bare tool, it is about the same weight as the Makita XCU06 actually.
just use my M18 fuel sawzall and pruning blades, for pros this could be good but for homeowners or guys in trades, may as well get one that has multiple uses.
I do not discount that idea, but, at the same time, there is no way I would want to clean up my woods with a sawzall. I talk a bit about that at the end of the video. Right tool for the job and the vibrations of a sawzall on some of this stuff would not be my idea of fun. But if it is for a home gamer, I get it.
Dude I'm in the trades,hvac, and I now use this and only this to cut in duct openings in subfloor. Way faster then a sawzall, waaaaay less vibration and not as noisy. Win win all the way around.
Ultimately depends on how much property you own I'd say. I own a few acres, I think I could certainly justify the cost of this versus the time spent using the m18 hackzall. After doing a lot of damage to my hands using all sorts of power tools between building and repairing cars for a living, property maintenance, etc. the lower vibration of a chainsaw is definitely easier on my body too.
The chain jumps around to much. Need to come out with different sprockets so it can use Oregon .325 pitch speed cut nano or stihl 1/4 pitch picco chain. Then you would get clean fine cuts.
Thats a great question. I was wanting to get this saw and keep it in my Polaris Ranger. I have miles of trails to maintain. Was going to make a bracket and mount it in the cab but if it leaks oil ill rethink that idea! Wish it came with storage box!
Yup. 12 inch bar no problem. I'm going to try a 16 inch. My guess is it will do OK with a sharp chain and low cutting pressure. I'd like to have this option for extra reach with one hand. Can't do that with a saw that weighs 15-pounds.
There’s certain tools on the m12 platform that are better as a m12 it’s honestly just brings more versatility… m12 stubby for example that form factor is insane for the power it delivers. I would say all the ratchets are probably better if they were m12 as well.
Amazed by how much I don't need 18V and how long and strong M12 runs me. I abandoned M18 a long time ago and never wish (except maybe for this chainsaw) for the m18 instead.
![Electric Chainsaw - Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hatchet 8-inch Pruning Saw [Milwaukee 3004-20]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jOcxJDVDu-g/mqdefault.jpg)
This saw is amazing! We bought it for my very active 70+ year old mom. It's small enough I don't worry about her, but sturdy enough to do the job. For the higher limbs I require her to get help (I don't want her on ladders) and all the men that have come to help her want to take this little saw home with them. Highly recommend!
The hype is real. Just got mine for 300 out the door 6.0 high output battery and charger.
I'm literally about to leave my house and go get one.
Pro-tip. Run a zip tie around one tooth, you'll see where you started sharpening LOL
For any Aussies out there thinking of adding this to their camper trailers, I just cut a 120mm diameter piece of seasoned ironbark absolutely no worries. I can’t give a long term review but out of the box it’s a ripper 👌🏼🇦🇺
Excellent review. This looks a lot more useful than some of the other options out there with the spikes and automatic oiler. Your video came in right on time as this one was left out of PF's video yesterday. Thanks for the great video bud, happy hunting.
Bought the 8inch saw kit today, pretty impressed by how it feels. Will be using it mostly for trimming branches along fence lines on the farm. Think this will be ideal as you don't have to start a petrol saw constantly or leave it running while driving along the fences. Will also be taking this with me from now on when I go 4wding or camping can't even count the ammount of times I just wanted a little chainsaw for a few minutes. It's pretty pricey here in Australia but going by all my other milwaukee gear it's something that will last you years and years.
Great review. I have the M12 chainsaw, the M18 16" and the 10" Polesaw. In the burbs with a lot of mature trees. I love the M12 for cutting up branches to fit in my 95 gallon garden waste bins. If i have a 5 minutes job, I use the M12 Hatchet reciprocating saw with a pruning blade - less hassle than cleaning up after the oilers on the other saws. Horses for courses. Definitely don't need this 8" one. . . unless it goes on sale.
Tested my M18 Hatchet yesterday and got 2531 rpm with no load, with calculated chain speed equal to ~928 FPM, which (like the DeWalt 8" pruning chainsaw) is within the range of sample variation. The full-cutter chain makes sense, I guess, but DeWalt went with the normal full-comp chain. I need to work out a head-to-head with these two...I haven't found one here on YT.
I agree with your comment about the M12 vs. M18 grips. The smaller M18 grip is easier for me, even with XL hands. Appreciate your videos every time - thank you!
As a gardener, I wanted a saw for pruning only, so I went for the M12 ! If I did more tree work, then the M18 would have been a no brainer!
Great review! I recently purchased this saw and it is spectacular. Even with a non high output 5ah battery I have not run into overheating issues, though I would recommend using a HO battery if you own one. It seems pretty efficient.
I cant believe I bought a battery saw but I love my Milwaukee hatchet. So much better when you dont need the gasser. I own a landscaping company... I recently just decided not to leave home without it.
I had been planning to buy the M12 version, but held off when I saw this was coming. Great video… Ordered!
Kobalt just came out with 24v brushless 6" pruning chainsaw with auto oiler for 119.
149 with 2.0 battery and charger.
I just ordered 3 of them. 😁 It says, regular price is 214.00 bare tool.
I have the craftsman 20v pruning chainsaw will a 6in bar and this this thing cuts great it doesn't have a oil reservoir which I like I just carry a squirt bottle and oil as I need these tools are designed to trim a few branches here and there, my 12in craftsman saw has a automatic oiler that is needed because with that saw I'm cutting a lot more when I'm done I empty the oil out because I might not be using it for quite awhile because oil somehow always manages to leak
**April 17th, 2024**
I just purchased mine at Home Depot for $299. Prices have gone up in a year, we see. Came with the battery & charger unit. Can't wait to use it tomorrow! Thanks for the educational video.
Do you prefer a special bar/chain oil? I have the STIHL chain oil for my gas operated & simply curious.
Happy Sawing!
I use the Stihl bar oil in mine also. Works great.
I mean if youre a professional landscaper or groundskeeper, then this is probably a neat little tool to use, especially if youre into the whole electric commercial lawn equipment thing.
But as a homeowner or handyman theres simply no way to justify the price tag over something like the kobalt or ryobi pruning saw, or any sawzall with a pruning blade.
My chainsaw broke and I needed to down w 25' pine, did the whole thing with my sawzall and honestly it didnt feel much different. The only bad part was saw dust vs chips.
Easy to justify when you already have the M18 arsenal of tools, batteries, and chargers...
At $280 bare tool it should come in a packout case
I have the m12 one and it's been great for me my father bought it for me instead using gas or anything
Nice review, but just wondering if you guys can do a review the Dewalt mid range 891b. You did a review on the high torque but not the mid range.
I sold my gas and now getting the M12 that does me good. Thanks for both reviews. Happy Halloween dude!
Thanks, you too!
A little expensive but I have a need it could fill that would be more convenient then lugging my big one.
I got the m18 hatchet in and have a few thoughts.
I was expecting the tool to be the same size as the m12 version with a slightly different handle for attaching the battery. I was also expecting it to be a similar weight, even with the 2" longer bar.
Neither assumptions were correct. It is substantially heavier than the m12 version and has much more girth around the motor area. In addition, most top handle saws have the battery tucked within the body, which makes them fairly short. The M18 hatchet is LONG, especially with anything above a 5.0. My expectation was to carry this in a backpack for trail maintenance before having to lug a larger saw out. Turns out that it just isn't really practical for that application. Sure, it can be done, but it is no lightweight, compact saw like the m12 version. Bare tool, it is about the same weight as the Makita XCU06 actually.
Yea but more power, longer run time.
Thx buddy that was very helpful. Looking for same purpose on bike. Ordered the M12 with 2 x 6Ah batteries. Cheers!
just use my M18 fuel sawzall and pruning blades, for pros this could be good but for homeowners or guys in trades, may as well get one that has multiple uses.
I do not discount that idea, but, at the same time, there is no way I would want to clean up my woods with a sawzall. I talk a bit about that at the end of the video. Right tool for the job and the vibrations of a sawzall on some of this stuff would not be my idea of fun. But if it is for a home gamer, I get it.
Dude I'm in the trades,hvac, and I now use this and only this to cut in duct openings in subfloor. Way faster then a sawzall, waaaaay less vibration and not as noisy. Win win all the way around.
Ultimately depends on how much property you own I'd say. I own a few acres, I think I could certainly justify the cost of this versus the time spent using the m18 hackzall. After doing a lot of damage to my hands using all sorts of power tools between building and repairing cars for a living, property maintenance, etc. the lower vibration of a chainsaw is definitely easier on my body too.
The chain jumps around to much. Need to come out with different sprockets so it can use Oregon .325 pitch speed cut nano or stihl 1/4 pitch picco chain. Then you would get clean fine cuts.
Does Oregon make a direct chain for this instead of having to buy the expensive Milwaukee brand chain?
Hey Brian. What do you think about dcd445? How does it compare with dcd999 in power?
So do you prefer this to the DeWalt?? ?
Great review as always. Love your content. Did you notice much performance difference between H.O batteries and 5ahs?
IMHO, not as much as I would expect, but I used the HO in the heavy stuff, not the 5Ah. I do not use this saw for 6" logs, just for the test.
Did milwaukee give you any news on the top handle chainsaw? or any idea when you will get it for review?
I have no news on it, but I could sure use it!
@@WorkshopAddict December 5th apparently.
DEWALT 8 INCH PRUNING SAW COMMING OUT IS $179.00 BARE TOOL
Does it leak bar oil during storage?
Yes it does. I Usually take it out after i finish using it.
Thats a great question. I was wanting to get this saw and keep it in my Polaris Ranger. I have miles of trails to maintain. Was going to make a bracket and mount it in the cab but if it leaks oil ill rethink that idea! Wish it came with storage box!
What's the price
Its a beast the trigger is better than M12 ,
So it's the same saw, just with more durability?
M18 = more battery life than m12
👍
👍👍
which battery is best for the M18?
6 or 8 Ah
Stihl company be like " damn it 😒 " what do we got for consumers
I think it can handle the 10 inch bar. The m12 definitely could not
There's vids on yt of dudes putting 12" bars on these things
Yup. 12 inch bar no problem. I'm going to try a 16 inch. My guess is it will do OK with a sharp chain and low cutting pressure. I'd like to have this option for extra reach with one hand. Can't do that with a saw that weighs 15-pounds.
You think a guy could run this for a long time one handed limbing Christmas trees?
With multiple 5.0 batteries and a charger just in case you'll be fine
I wish Milwaukee would abandon the M12 platform and stick to the M18. Having a brand with two different battery platforms is so annoying.
There’s certain tools on the m12 platform that are better as a m12 it’s honestly just brings more versatility… m12 stubby for example that form factor is insane for the power it delivers. I would say all the ratchets are probably better if they were m12 as well.
Spoken like a guy that requires no Versatility whatsoever.
Wait till you get old, you'll go M12!
I like 12v tools as you get older you want lighter tools trust me I have the dewalt 12v and 20v and I find myself using the 12v a lot more
Amazed by how much I don't need 18V and how long and strong M12 runs me. I abandoned M18 a long time ago and never wish (except maybe for this chainsaw) for the m18 instead.
❤