As mentioned in our Milwaukee Pipeline Episode 3 new tools roundup post, Milwaukee is coming out with a new M18 Fuel Sawzall cordless reciprocating saw, model 2821. Here, we’ll talk about some of the reasons why you should care about this upgrade.
Although it might not seem like a substantial upgrade at first glance, Milwaukee is launching this new M18 Fuel Sawzall reciprocating saw as a replacement to their original M18 Fuel Sawzall.
Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel Sawzall first launched in 2013, and at the time, it was described as being the most powerful 18V cordless reciprocating saw on the market.
The original M18 Fuel Sawzall lost its title when even more powerful brushless-motor reciprocating saws followed in its way, including the Milwaukee “faster than 15A corded” M18 Fuel Super Sawzall.
But, it has and continued to be a very popular reciprocating saw, offering a fair compromise between power, size, and runtime.
Just by appearances, you can tell that the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall (2821) is different from its predecessor (2720). But, most of the upgrades and improvements won’t be very obvious by appearances alone.
Milwaukee has also managed to earn some new titles for the upgraded M18 Fuel Sawzall, boasting that it is now the fastest cutting in class, compared to competitive fixed orbit 18V and 20V max reciprocating saws.
More significant for users within Milwaukee’s M18 and M18 Fuel platform, those who aren’t looking at competitive models but within M18 options exclusively, the new Sawzall was designed to be the most durable Sawzall recip saw yet.
Improvements include:
- Blade change mechanism is more wear-resistant
- Anti-corrosion blade clamp
- Metal-reinforced battery connection
Keep in mind that the M18 Fuel Sawzall launched 7 years ago. That’s a lot of time for field testing and failure analysis, not to mention advancements and engineering efforts that contributed to other Milwaukee tool developments over the past few years.
As if greater durability wasn’t enough, Milwaukee made the new M18 Fuel Sawzall lighter, too – the new model is more than 1/2 a pound lighter than its predecessor.
Lighter weight should mean less fatigue.
Here’s a snapshot of the new saw’s features:
- Brushless motor
- Pivoting shoe
- Extendable shoe (can you believe that some saws still don’t have this?!)
- Tool-free Quik Lok blade change – now more durable
- Variable speed trigger
- Metal-reinforced battery rail
And here’s a look at its specs:
- 3000 SPM
- 1-1/4″ stroke length
- Adjustable Shoe
- Anti-Corrosion Blade Clamp
- Rafter Hook
- LED light
- Weighs 6.8 lbs bare tool, 8.4 lbs with 5Ah battery
- 5-year warranty
The new Milwaukee 2821 M18 Fuel Sawzall will be available as a bare tool (2821) and 1- and 2-battery kits, (2821-21, 2821-22). The kits will come with a charger, carrying bag, and (1) or (2) XC 5.0Ah batteries.
Did you notice something in the specs? I missed it at first too, but a reader pointed it out – this new model has a longer cutting stroke than the first-generation model, now matching the 1-1/4″ stroke length of the M18 Fuel Super Sawzall.
Pricing: $199 for the bare tool (2821-20) $319 for the 1-battery kit (2821-21), $419 for the 2-battery kit (2821-22)
ETA: November 2020
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Acme Tools
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Home Depot
Buy Now: 1-Battery Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 2-Battery Kit via Tool via Tool Nut
Also Coming Soon: Sawzall with One-Key
A One-Key version will also be available, and it will be replacing Milwaukee’s 2721 model.
Pricing: $259 for the bare tool, (2822-20) $469 for the kit (2822-22)
ETA: January 2021
Buy Now: One-Key Kit via Tool Nut
Discussion
The newest M18 Fuel Sawzall has been upgraded to be lighter and more durable, and it has a small bump-up in cutting stroke length.
Milwaukee says this is the fastest cutting reciprocating saw in its class.
They also say that this 2nd generation model was:
built from the ground-up with key durability improvements to enhance its life amid the harshest jobsite conditions.
Also keep in mind that roughly 7 years have passed since Milwaukee launched their first M18 Fuel Sawzall, model 2720. Milwaukee Tool has developed quite a few new cordless power tools since then, including Sawzall-family reciprocating saws of different styles. A lot can change in cordless power tool and brushless motor tech in a few short years, and undoubtedly some of those improvements and advancements undoubtedly made their way into their newest brushless Sawzall.
I’d bet that this new Milwaukee 2821 Sawzall will go on to become the defacto standard for the next 5+ years.
Yes, there are more powerful saws, and yes there are smaller and lighter ones as well. This will be the one to get if you want a balanced user experience.
