Milwaukee M18 FUEL Chainsaw Review

"There's a new Milwaukee chainsaw in town, and Milwaukee has left the cord behind."  

What's Included

The Milwaukee Chainsaw Kit includes the 1 M18 FUEL 16 in. chainsaw, one 16 in. Oregon bar and chain and one scrench.

Testing the Milwaukee Chainsaw

Before testing out the Milwaukee Chainsaw, I first added some Milwaukee Chainsaw Oil, specifically bar and chain oil into the specified container. If you didn't know the bar and chain oil helps keep the chain lubricated while operating the saw. This helps prevent lock up, so this is an important first step before operating the saw. 

Also note that you should run the chain for about 30 seconds before operating to ensure the distribution of the chain oil. 

The first thing that I noticed was the ease of operation. I always thought of chainsaws as an intimidating tool as a kid, watching my dad chop down big trees and seeing all of the power exerted out of chainsaws, it was just one of those tools that were on my stay away list, but this Milwaukee chainsaw was very user friendly. I would definitely recommend this model for anyone who may be a little intimidated.

Cutting through wood seemed to be quick and easy with Milwaukee's great chain speed and to be battery powered, I'm super impressed. This Milwaukee chainsaw exerts the same performance and power as a 40 cc gas chainsaw, with professional landscaper durability and performance.

I also like that the chainsaw doesn't feel too heavy. I have used some heavier models in the past and that can really become an issue when you're making a ton of cuts. I would recommend this chainsaw for smaller cut jobs for sure.

Here are a few tips on operating the chainsaw safely:

- Always grip the saw firmly with both hands

- Make sure your cutting area is clean and free from obstruction

- Always cut with the chainsaw running at full speed

-Keep proper footing and balance at all times.

Favorite Features

Cordless

I don't know about you but any tools that required the ole gas and pull of a string trick were tools I liked to stay away from. I think tools have come a long way and it shows with this Milwaukee chainsaw.

I hear many concerns about whether cordless is truly better than gas-powered tools, and this Milwaukee chainsaw is proof that cordless is becoming a great contender with gas-powered tools. 

The battery life seemed to be pretty great on this thing, which makes the cordless feature that much better.

Compatibility

Because this isn't a tool that I would pick up often, it's nice to know that's it's fully compatible with the M18 system. I don't have to worry about having separate batteries for this particular tool, I can use it across all Milwuakee M18 products.

Chain Brake

With this type of tool, safety features like this chain brake are a must. We don't always do things in a safe manner, so having this feature on the chainsaw makes me feel much better about using this tool.

This chain brake will stop the chain if kickback occurs to reduce accidents and when the brake is pushed forward, the saw won't run. I make sure to use the chain brake anytime I'm storing my Milwaukee chainsaw or transporting it.

How it Could be Better?

I don't know how big of an issue this is, but during my chainsaw use it seemed as if the chainsaw was flinging oil a little bit. I could see how this could be frustrating in the future. 

The Milwaukee Chainsaw Kit retails for $299.00 at the Home Depot.