Milwaukee has come out with a new compact cordless chainsaw, the perfectly named M12 Fuel Hatchet (model 2527). The new Hatchet is a 6″ pruning saw, designed to be compact for unmatched control and access and with the power to cut up to 3″ hardwood branches.
The new Milwaukee Hatchet offers greater accessibility and maneuverability in tight spaces, and weighs less than 5 lbs. It’s said to be up to 5X faster than hand saws.
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The cordless Hatchet is shown off being used one-handed to cut up a downed tree branch, while the user’s braces the branch with their other hand. This is something you can’t easily or safely do with a full-sized chainsaw, or even reciprocating saws.
But it’s still powerful enough for cutting large branches.
The new Milwaukee cordless Hatchet features a brushless motor, variable speed trigger, automatic oiler, and a guarded auxiliary handle placement.
- 6″ Oregon Bar & Chain
- Full House Chain
- Speed: 5 m/s
- Chain Gauge: .043″
- Chain Pitch: 3/8″ Low Profile
- Automatic Oiler
- Easy Access Chain Tensioner
- Metal Bucking Spikes
- Variable Speed Trigger
- Onboard Scrench Storage
- 18.49″ length
- 9.12″ height
- 3.76″ width
- Weighs 4.85 lbs w/battery
- 3-year warranty
The new Hatchet pruning saw will be available as a kit (2527-21) and as a bare tool (2527-20).
The kit comes with an XC 4.0Ah battery and M12 charger.
Runtime is said to be up to 120 cuts in 2″ oak.
Price: $179 for the bare tool, $249 for the kit
ETA: August 2020
Buy Now: Bare Tool via CPO Tools
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Kit via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Kit via CPO Tools
Discussion
The new Milwaukee Hatchet definitely wasn’t expected, but a compact cordless chainsaw does make a lot of sense for lighter pruning tasks.
It looks to be a very comfortable size, and the 3″ cutting capacity seems sufficient for pruning and even some storm cleanup jobs.
The Hatchet makes Bosch’s EU NanoBlade chainsaw look downright puny in comparison, although the comparison is as unfair as pitting a two-handled lopper against a small one-handed pruner.
The M12 Fuel Hatchet looks to be a cross between their M12 and M18 Fuel Hackzall compact reciprocating saws, and their full-sized M18 Fuel chainsaw. The M12 battery helps to keep things compact, and fits in with Milwaukee’s philosophy of coming out with hand tool replacements.
Will this take the place of hand tools? Larger chainsaws? Reciprocating saws equipped with pruning blades? Perhaps not entirely, but it looks like it’ll take on a lot of the more tedious and fatiguing pruning tasks with relative ease.
Although my initial thoughts were that the Hatchet could be especially well-suited for landscapers or others who prune thick bushes and smaller trees more than I do, I am increasingly liking the idea that it can possibly be used one-handed at times, and it certainly does look like a time and effort saver.
Safety-wise, the primary and auxiliary handles are guarded.
I haven’t used cordless, electric, or gas engine chainsaws enough to consider how this will compare to larger full-size models, but to me it looks like a bump up in power, convenience, and ease compared to manual tools or reciprocating saws.
Other compact chainsaw cutting solutions exist, such as the Craftsman cordless lopper that evolved from the Black & Decker Alligator.
There’s also the Worx JawSaw.
But those tools are more aimed at homeowners and more casual users, while the Milwaukee is going to be designed for more rigorous and frequent use by landscaping professionals and other such users. A tree service company won’t trade in any of their traditional saws for this one, but this could perhaps be a strong complement.
The Hatchet looks to be a solid new brushless cordless addition to the M12 and M12 Fuel lineups. It’s compact, powerful for its size, runtime specs seem good, and I can’t think of any features it might be lacking. What are your thoughts?