I'm a DeWalt guy for my "big" tools. I started with Milwaukee M12 in my travel trailer. M12 tools have a small footprint and will get into places the DeWalt stuff won't like cabinets. I have the inflator, grease gun and wet dry vac and they are great to take on trips AND take up a whole lot less room than the DeWalt tools. The "hatchet" is perfect for off road. Most clearing is boles of less than a foot so the M12 is great. I also sold some simply by using mine to motorcyclists. They fit in the hard box storage on those. The M18 wouldn't. Now at home? It's all DeWalt all the time including FlexVolt table saw, blower, weed whacker and all the small tools. I also won't hesitate to get the old brushed versions which I prefer as generally they have an even smaller footprint than the newer brushless fuel versions. You want power, get 18 to 20V tools. You want efficiency and economy and small size, get M12.
I think you're the first person to actually have a side by side comparison! Thanks! I'm curious how the 12" M18 top handle saw will compare when it comes out, as far as speed and ease of use
Very good review and comparison on these two units. Thank you for sharing and demonstrating the improvements that were made on the M18. The thumb button pushing down vs pushing in was the deal breaker for me. The M18 will be the model that I will purchase. Am still pondering the 8.0 vs 12.0 amp hour battery, but will probably go with the larger one. Thanks for your review.
Thanks for the comparison. I picked up the M18 today. I haven't used it yet but I was thinking of returning it and getting the M12 version just because of the size but I'm going to stay with the M18.
What I hear is... as a garden tool, (really how much shrub trimming and lower branch trimming does the average 1/2 acre property owner do), the M12 will suffice. But if you have a cabin on acres in the mountains, M18 is a much better choice. I too am grateful you shared 3 of their products, especially the M12 & M18. Thanks
The reason for the scabbard being tight on the M18 hatchet, is for arborists, who need to carry the saw up into the trees, its to protect the blade and them.
I climb ALL my gas powered tiny climbing saws & my battery powered climbing saw have to protection scabbard, we climbers need both sides of the chain / bar 😊. If You mean the removable storage scabbard, sure we put them back on after the work day is done
That's the sketchy thing with electric yard tools that everyone just needs to be aware of and get used to pulling the battery. They are always cocked and ready to go. I know someone who almost lost a hand loading a lawnmower into an SUV. They were holding the mower from the bottom and somehow the on lever got pressed by the ceiling of the SUV. It required several surgeries.
your problem using the M12 safety release is because it was not intended to be used as a one handed saw. The safety would be held in by your second hand holding UNDER the safty strap and not on it would puts the switch at the tip of your second hand. Thanks for doing the compare for sure. Also agree that the m12 is no slouch.
Good day. Is it possible to swap the guide bar from m18 to 12 to make it bigger? The protect button is not a issue. You don't need to push it all the time only for start.
I’m searching for a maintenance video and upgrading the bar to something longer. I use the pruning shears to its limit then I break out the hatchet. The chain fell off because the oil went dry hope the bar is ok.
I love my M12 saw, I upgraded the bar/chain to the M18 8” setup and love it even more! The M12 works better with the 5ah high output battery and for some reason the release tabs are much easier to take the battery out. If I eventually get the M18 hatchet it will be getting a 10” bar/chain upgrade! Lol
@@RickMalochfor you and I it doesn’t but it will for someone. I just have to keep fighting the bug to buy it anyway…lol! Plus there is a deal for the M18 hatchet and free 6ah HO battery for $279. I also saw that same deal for $249, I almost bought it then. Quit teasing me Milwaukee…lol!
I would literally just use it for pruning, so maybe the M12 would be best for me. I have two petrol chainsaws for bigger stuff! To be honest, I'd really like them both, but they are rather expensive in the UK!
The M12 is good for pruning BRANCHES I find. In the video he's cutting tree TRUNKS, not pruning. So the M12 in the video is being a bit over stressed. His other points are valid though, especially the safety trigger difficulty. I would have gone with the M18 if it had been out, which is why I'm waiting for the M18 pruner, rather than buy the M12 pruner. Once bitten, twice shy.
Great review you put together man. Looking to buy the m18 version and not much comparison between these two. Love the comparison of these two saws and how you get straight to the point with fast transitions on each of the pros and cons between them. Then you show how well its cuts in the end. 👏 Keep doing TH-cam reviews because you do very well at it.
I dislike the M12 batteries. You have to break them in. Way too stiff. I have a light. I don't dare put a new battery in because it's so hard to get it out.
Not sure why milwaukee designed the battery to go upward from underneath defying gravity and an issue if the catches are not locked. On the m18 hackzall it inserts downward which is a similarly designed tool and shape. It also inserts downward on the sawzall, planer and most other tools they make.
Take the bar and chain OFF, "Make" a small, fitted cardboard box for it, put the "Box" and saw and battery in the backpack and go with it. Reassemble at the work area, use, disassemble, repack, go on with it. M18 all the way.
Could you recommend a saw for a woman with a small garden? I'd like to make a present to my wife. Though I understand both M12 and M18 are very good for a man, I'm in doubt about a woman. I also consider Stihl GTA-26. Could you comment on it, if possible?
A friend of mine has it and it's smaller, lighter, less powerful and not self-oiling. It probably would be good for garden work as long as you're not trying to cut anything big. Certainly can cut something bigger than most (if not all) loppers. I think it has a 4" bar so suspect you can cut at least that big. I used to be a huge fan of gasoline Stihl products but due to having a ton of Milwaukee batteries, I switched when I went all-electric.
I’m a woman and prefer the lighter weight, shorter at 18” is better. And less cumbersome than m18, even their batteries are heavier! M12 Much easier to handle for average female. It’s a great saw, cuts more than 3” branches.
The only M12 I own is Milwaukee’s Rotary tool. Everything else is M18. For the extra couple bucks buy M18. M12 rotary tool is awesome, but Milwaukee’s ecosystem is primarily built around M18. Not only a huge performance difference between M12 & M18 hatchets, but also every other tool as well.
If there was ever a tool not to get in the 12volt version it would be a chain saw. For most people loppers would be more useful than a 12 volt chain.saw.
It makes me nervous to watch your dog moving around with a chainsaw blade spinning close by. Our dogs were always obedient, but if something spooked a dog (backfiring motorcycle, etc.) it could make a dog jump sideways unexpectedly - either injuring the dog, or the person using the saw. Also, I would hesitate before having my hand that close to the spinning saw in use. There is a reason why most chainsaws are designed to be held with two hands (other than arborist saws) - with that much rotating energy, things happen fast. Please be safe, and think twice, cut once. Thank you for your honest and thorough review of the pros and cons of both the M12 and the M18 Hatchets.
They sell regular, rapid and super chargers that charge 1 m18 and 1 m12 battery together. (1 at a time but together in one charger I mean). You should have mentioned that for viewers who might not know. And the regular m18 charger is cheaper than your double rapid charger making it more of an ideal and common purchase. So I have to disagree with your comparison of positive/negative reason being the chargers.also, I have both rapid and super chargers. The rapid charger which chargers 1 m18 and 1m12 also rapid charges m12 batteries I’ve noticed (which I though was not supposed to, I thought it was just for HO batteries but I’ll take it lol) however the super charger doesn’t super charge the m12 batteries, only m18 batteries. I think the m18 hatchet and m12 hatchet both have their place. I think the m12 hatchet and soon to be released m12 pruners will have their place for small clean ups around tree stands, or gardens, or anything if the sort. Perfect for that. Lightweight and efficient. The m18 hatchet would be perfect for cutting logs for a fire place or bonfire, etc. with enough power while still being relatively light enough and easier to use one handed to do this job. I think they’re both great for their respective uses. Imo, when it comes to cutting an actual tree and that whole process, it’s time for a regular chainsaw (and I’m no Professional but I’m going to make a fairly obvious assumption and say especially gas powered chainsaws for commercial use lol)
Stop using that fast charger. Will shorten the life of your batteries. When my battery gets down to the last bar. Unless have a little less work. Will switch to a freshly charge one. Always let batteries cool down to room temperature before recharging.
Sir, maybe your hands are getting hold, I have no difficulties at all removing the tools and the batteries, sorry to have to mentioned that but maybe your fingers are not as strong as they use to be. And also, don't forget why they were made, PRUNING ..... PRUNING, not cutting 5 or 6 inch trees, they were invented to cut branches on tree not the tree itself
The M12 batteries can be a fiddle (in any M12 tool) but at the end of the day it's finger strength and getting used to the right technique that counts. Some people just never get it right however, then give up. Shame really there isn't a better, easier way to plug or clip them into the tools somehow.
![Electric Chainsaw - Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hatchet 8-inch Pruning Saw [Milwaukee 3004-20]](/img/n.gif)
I'm a DeWalt guy for my "big" tools. I started with Milwaukee M12 in my travel trailer. M12 tools have a small footprint and will get into places the DeWalt stuff won't like cabinets. I have the inflator, grease gun and wet dry vac and they are great to take on trips AND take up a whole lot less room than the DeWalt tools. The "hatchet" is perfect for off road. Most clearing is boles of less than a foot so the M12 is great. I also sold some simply by using mine to motorcyclists. They fit in the hard box storage on those. The M18 wouldn't. Now at home? It's all DeWalt all the time including FlexVolt table saw, blower, weed whacker and all the small tools. I also won't hesitate to get the old brushed versions which I prefer as generally they have an even smaller footprint than the newer brushless fuel versions. You want power, get 18 to 20V tools. You want efficiency and economy and small size, get M12.
Great review. I'm glad to hear someone other than me complain about the difficulty of removing the M12 batteries.
I think you're the first person to actually have a side by side comparison! Thanks!
I'm curious how the 12" M18 top handle saw will compare when it comes out, as far as speed and ease of use
Very good review and comparison on these two units. Thank you for sharing and demonstrating the improvements that were made on the M18. The thumb button pushing down vs pushing in was the deal breaker for me. The M18 will be the model that I will purchase. Am still pondering the 8.0 vs 12.0 amp hour battery, but will probably go with the larger one. Thanks for your review.
Thanks for the comparison. I picked up the M18 today. I haven't used it yet but I was thinking of returning it and getting the M12 version just because of the size but I'm going to stay with the M18.
What I hear is... as a garden tool, (really how much shrub trimming and lower branch trimming does the average 1/2 acre property owner do), the M12 will suffice. But if you have a cabin on acres in the mountains, M18 is a much better choice. I too am grateful you shared 3 of their products, especially the M12 & M18. Thanks
The reason for the scabbard being tight on the M18 hatchet, is for arborists, who need to carry the saw up into the trees, its to protect the blade and them.
Wrong
Short scrabbard falls of easily by itself. This new clip prevents that
@@ronyates7420that's literally what the clip's for according to Milwaukee's website lol. Check the product photos.
I climb ALL my gas powered tiny climbing saws & my battery powered climbing saw have to protection scabbard, we climbers need both sides of the chain / bar 😊. If You mean the removable storage scabbard, sure we put them back on after the work day is done
Nice comparison. But as a side note, when handling/touching the blade, the battery should be removed even though there is a safety trigger.
That's the sketchy thing with electric yard tools that everyone just needs to be aware of and get used to pulling the battery. They are always cocked and ready to go. I know someone who almost lost a hand loading a lawnmower into an SUV. They were holding the mower from the bottom and somehow the on lever got pressed by the ceiling of the SUV. It required several surgeries.
Great review! Thanks Brad!
your problem using the M12 safety release is because it was not intended to be used as a one handed saw. The safety would be held in by your second hand holding UNDER the safty strap and not on it would puts the switch at the tip of your second hand. Thanks for doing the compare for sure. Also agree that the m12 is no slouch.
I have the m18 and its awesome for small stuff. Fun fact you can let go of the safety switch when the saw is running and it keeps running
M12 is solid, I just got one a week ago. I’m not competing so I don’t care how fast or slow it is.
I have both the m12 and m18 the m12 has its pros and cons just as the m18.
M16 will provide better protection in the woods than M12 or M18 😂
Good day. Is it possible to swap the guide bar from m18 to 12 to make it bigger? The protect button is not a issue. You don't need to push it all the time only for start.
Killer in depth informative video!! Thank youuu!
I’m searching for a maintenance video and upgrading the bar to something longer. I use the pruning shears to its limit then I break out the hatchet. The chain fell off because the oil went dry hope the bar is ok.
Put the 2" smaller bar on the M18 hatchet for a more compact more powerful solution.
I LOVE that idea! Then I could take my smaller backpack and cut almost as large a downed tree or branch.
Good call dude.
Thank you Sir just made up my mind on what to get
I love my M12 saw, I upgraded the bar/chain to the M18 8” setup and love it even more! The M12 works better with the 5ah high output battery and for some reason the release tabs are much easier to take the battery out. If I eventually get the M18 hatchet it will be getting a 10” bar/chain upgrade! Lol
Good to know you can upgrade the bar and chain on the M12. I'm a M12 battery guy and buying the M18 just makes no sense for me.
@@RickMalochfor you and I it doesn’t but it will for someone. I just have to keep fighting the bug to buy it anyway…lol! Plus there is a deal for the M18 hatchet and free 6ah HO battery for $279. I also saw that same deal for $249, I almost bought it then. Quit teasing me Milwaukee…lol!
I would literally just use it for pruning, so maybe the M12 would be best for me. I have two petrol chainsaws for bigger stuff! To be honest, I'd really like them both, but they are rather expensive in the UK!
The M12 is good for pruning BRANCHES I find. In the video he's cutting tree TRUNKS, not pruning. So the M12 in the video is being a bit over stressed. His other points are valid though, especially the safety trigger difficulty.
I would have gone with the M18 if it had been out, which is why I'm waiting for the M18 pruner, rather than buy the M12 pruner.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Great review you put together man. Looking to buy the m18 version and not much comparison between these two. Love the comparison of these two saws and how you get straight to the point with fast transitions on each of the pros and cons between them. Then you show how well its cuts in the end. 👏
Keep doing TH-cam reviews because you do very well at it.
Wow! Thank you very much!
Does the safety button need to be depressed continuously on both saws?
No. Only to start.
Great comparison but having the batteries in while having your hand close to the blade is like showing someone a loaded gun.....lol
that's true :-) Safety first definitely!
I dislike the M12 batteries. You have to break them in. Way too stiff. I have a light. I don't dare put a new battery in because it's so hard to get it out.
Not sure why milwaukee designed the battery to go upward from underneath defying gravity and an issue if the catches are not locked. On the m18 hackzall it inserts downward which is a similarly designed tool and shape. It also inserts downward on the sawzall, planer and most other tools they make.
Thanks for the review
Great, comparison. Thank you!
I like the M12 cause is a Prunning saw and lighter, the M18 over 5 pounds is a pain to handle it...
Take the bar and chain OFF, "Make" a small, fitted cardboard box for it, put the "Box" and saw and battery in the backpack and go with it. Reassemble at the work area, use, disassemble, repack, go on with it. M18 all the way.
Could you recommend a saw for a woman with a small garden? I'd like to make a present to my wife.
Though I understand both M12 and M18 are very good for a man, I'm in doubt about a woman.
I also consider Stihl GTA-26. Could you comment on it, if possible?
A friend of mine has it and it's smaller, lighter, less powerful and not self-oiling. It probably would be good for garden work as long as you're not trying to cut anything big. Certainly can cut something bigger than most (if not all) loppers. I think it has a 4" bar so suspect you can cut at least that big. I used to be a huge fan of gasoline Stihl products but due to having a ton of Milwaukee batteries, I switched when I went all-electric.
@@MTBIKEXC Thanks, so GTA-26 seems more appropriate for a woman then. Especially for one-hand operation.
@@igortmkrtchn5033 there are plenty of women strong enough to handle any of them. The GTA-26 will be the lightest and weakest of them all.
@@MTBIKEXC With all due respect, I'm happy that I don't have to break reality by gender bullsh*t, as I don't live in US. :)
I’m a woman and prefer the lighter weight, shorter at 18” is better. And less cumbersome than m18, even their batteries are heavier! M12 Much easier to handle for average female. It’s a great saw, cuts more than 3” branches.
Wish Makita would release a competitor like that. Especially in XGT.
The only M12 I own is Milwaukee’s Rotary tool. Everything else is M18. For the extra couple bucks buy M18. M12 rotary tool is awesome, but Milwaukee’s ecosystem is primarily built around M18. Not only a huge performance difference between M12 & M18 hatchets, but also every other tool as well.
Already had the M12 and just bought the m18 full size chainsaw. Don't think i need another one 🤣
Isn't it man-law to never pass up a chance to buy a tool?
I have the M12 Hatchet and 16 inch M18. And i'm considering the m18 hatchet
Instructions on the M18 hatchet says to drain bar oil after use, Does this make sense?
The oil leaks out easily when stored like with every chainsaw. To prevent this drain it after use…
If there was ever a tool not to get in the 12volt version it would be a chain saw. For most people loppers would be more useful than a 12 volt chain.saw.
Great information👍
For larger chainsaw, dewalt seems much better than milwaukee. I've actually taken down 3,000 cherry trees with dewalt electrics.
Nice tools but the prices on these are insane in europe.
Yeh - if I didn't have so many batteries, I'd try a cheaper brand but... I'm stuck but happy with them.
@@MTBIKEXC please list some of those extra batteries on eBay!
eBay sells these saws unopened boxes, international shipping!
Milwaukee needs to change the M12 to slider like Dewalt and Makita
Milwaukee Ridgid and Bosch still use the neck style
Ice up those thumbs! 😉. Nice review, liked.
It makes me nervous to watch your dog moving around with a chainsaw blade spinning close by. Our dogs were always obedient, but if something spooked a dog (backfiring motorcycle, etc.) it could make a dog jump sideways unexpectedly - either injuring the dog, or the person using the saw. Also, I would hesitate before having my hand that close to the spinning saw in use. There is a reason why most chainsaws are designed to be held with two hands (other than arborist saws) - with that much rotating energy, things happen fast. Please be safe, and think twice, cut once. Thank you for your honest and thorough review of the pros and cons of both the M12 and the M18 Hatchets.
Good info, thanks
They sell regular, rapid and super chargers that charge 1 m18 and 1 m12 battery together. (1 at a time but together in one charger I mean). You should have mentioned that for viewers who might not know. And the regular m18 charger is cheaper than your double rapid charger making it more of an ideal and common purchase. So I have to disagree with your comparison of positive/negative reason being the chargers.also, I have both rapid and super chargers. The rapid charger which chargers 1 m18 and 1m12 also rapid charges m12 batteries I’ve noticed (which I though was not supposed to, I thought it was just for HO batteries but I’ll take it lol) however the super charger doesn’t super charge the m12 batteries, only m18 batteries.
I think the m18 hatchet and m12 hatchet both have their place. I think the m12 hatchet and soon to be released m12 pruners will have their place for small clean ups around tree stands, or gardens, or anything if the sort. Perfect for that. Lightweight and efficient.
The m18 hatchet would be perfect for cutting logs for a fire place or bonfire, etc. with enough power while still being relatively light enough and easier to use one handed to do this job.
I think they’re both great for their respective uses.
Imo, when it comes to cutting an actual tree and that whole process, it’s time for a regular chainsaw (and I’m no Professional but I’m going to make a fairly obvious assumption and say especially gas powered chainsaws for commercial use lol)
Thanks ❤
Well, the charger for the M12 system is garbage. So, M18 all the way.
I don't think this is a fair comparison when you're using a brand new fresh chain on the M18 & that M12 looks like old chain
Stop using that fast charger. Will shorten the life of your batteries. When my battery gets down to the last bar. Unless have a little less work. Will switch to a freshly charge one. Always let batteries cool down to room temperature before recharging.
Dude, stay behind the saw when demonstrating!
Sir, maybe your hands are getting hold, I have no difficulties at all removing the tools and the batteries, sorry to have to mentioned that but maybe your fingers are not as strong as they use to be. And also, don't forget why they were made, PRUNING ..... PRUNING, not cutting 5 or 6 inch trees, they were invented to cut branches on tree not the tree itself
I have trouble removing the battery and was glad it wasn’t just me. My hands are very strong.
The M12 batteries can be a fiddle (in any M12 tool) but at the end of the day it's finger strength and getting used to the right technique that counts. Some people just never get it right however, then give up. Shame really there isn't a better, easier way to plug or clip them into the tools somehow.
try taking a M12 battery out of the rocket light!
damn i love it hahaha!
Did you swallow kurmit the frog
Why would you ask Bradley such a ridiculous question?
You might consider putting your left hand into the handle - if you are above it and slip, your hand is right on the moving chain.