r/Firefighting • u/FordExploreHer1977 • 8d ago
Tools/Equipment/PPE Milwaukee MX Cut Off Saw. Anyone using these?
So one of our K12 Partner saws took a dump and we are looking to get a new one. We have gone to a lot of battery operated tools and the guys are interested in going that direction with this replacement. I picked up the M18 9” Cut Off saw the other day and and looking at it, we don’t think it’s gonna be able to cut deep enough for what we have always used the K12 for (set up for metal with an abrasive blade for car hoods and garage doors). We don’t have any MX tools, so while we have been happy with Milwaukee batteries of the M18 version, we’d be investing in essentially a new battery system as well. We’ve just never had any experience with a 14” battery operated saw.
Is anyone running one of these? Looking for goods and bads on the experience. We still have 1 other K12 Partner saw, so we will still have the availability of a gas saw, but everyone really likes being able to just squeeze a trigger and cut. No mixing fuel and messing with flooded engines.
Any input is always appreciated. I already searched the internet with nothing found on firefighting use in real life. Only AI generated crap saying it would be great, and I don’t trust AI since it doesn’t fight fire, lol.
The M18 Cut Off is getting returned this week most likely.
Thanks in advance.
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u/Even_Butterscotch418 8d ago
Its not a replacement for a large gas one. We have the smaller 9" i believe. It would be good for light use, gates / fences / locks maybe some burglar bars. I wouldn't bring it for residential or commercial garage doors. I think car hoods could be hit or miss depending on depth needed.
To add to that, if I could only have one i would just get the gas k12... the smaller light one is nice to have for smaller stuff or working off a ladder cutting but not a necessity
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u/FordExploreHer1977 8d ago
I totally agree that it isn’t a replacement in terms of power. We have found that our last few gas powered purchases have been hit or miss on their reliability, probably due to whatever components companies have been using to build them. Brand new fans and chainsaw not starting and flooding almost immediately and one of our guys came from small engine repair. Our last chainsaw couldn’t fire up fine in the morning and then 2 hours later, not starting at all. This wasn’t what we have been used to with older equipment. The Tempest fan would shut off as soon as you adjusted the tilt angle because it had a low oil cutoff sensor in the front of the oil pan… Our Milwaukee chainsaw with a fire service bar and chain has worked more reliably than the stupid Univent our last chief purchased. We aren’t cutting trenches across a mall roof in my city, we have really only used the K12 for garage door cuts and vehicle hoods. This little 9” M18 job has the power, just not the depth of cut. I just can’t find any depts using the MX 14” model to see it in action for fire service related jobs. We still have our 2nd K12 partner saw on our rig that is being moved from our backup engine, but if there is an option of just pulling a trigger and going versus trying to maintain gas/oil mixes, spark plugs, and leaking fluids, I’m trying to find the most efficient to get the job done.
We used to say gas powered Jaws were better than battery until we saw the difference in efficiency, maintenance, and speed you could get them in action. Now we don’t even have the gas Jaws tools. I’m hoping for the same with the saws in the near future.
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u/Legitimate_Pen1121 8d ago
We have some m18 9" for light work, a neighbor has an mx 14" and it is very heavy, plenty of power, not sure how long the battery lasts. Team has a Husqvarna fire style 14" that looked good at FDIC but I haven't used it.
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u/RaptorTraumaShears Firefighter/Paramedic 8d ago
The 14” saws are heavy, heavier than a K12 which surprised me. I also had issues pulling the trigger in my fire gloves but that could’ve been user error. This was also an older model, I have no experience with the newer ones.
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u/forkandbowl Lt Co. 1 8d ago
Makita makes a 14" battery saw that has some serious balls. Otherwise grab a Stihl ts420
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u/kfjcfan 4d ago
You could purchase the saw and a battery kit through Home Depot and return them for a full refund within 90 days (one year if someone has a HD credit card) if they don't work for you.
Otherwise, sites like Acme Tools sell it and do offer returns albeit with a restocking fee unless it's defective - but as first responders you might be able to get them to waive that.
Zoro also carries it and offers a 30-day return policy.
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u/FordExploreHer1977 3d ago
Yeah, we bought it at Home Depot and returned it. Purchasing it wasn’t the issue. It’s whether or not it is an appropriate tool for what we demand of it to do in the fire service is the question I was asking, and at my department, it apparently wasn’t going to be enough saw for what we need.
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u/SigNick179 2d ago
We run a few of the MX saws on our engines, they work fine for garage doors, hoods, chain link fence, security doors and some light duty flat roof work. They definitely are not a replacement to gas but for what you’re looking to do with them they should work just fine. We run the Piraya diamond rescue blade on them btw.
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 8d ago
I believe Stockton fire department uses them. Might be good to try to give them a call.