Is the M12 Cut Off Tool worth it?

Yes if you already own M12 batteries and cut pipe, conduit, rod or tile in tight spaces. It is less compelling as a first Milwaukee purchase, since batteries and a charger add to the cost.

Does it come with a battery?

No. The 2522-20 is a bare tool. It includes the three blades, wrench, flange adapter and shoe guard, but you need a 12V M12 battery and charger separately.

How does it compare to an angle grinder?

It is far smaller and lighter and can be used one-handed, but a 3-inch wheel cuts much shallower than a 4.5-inch grinder. Use it for pipe, conduit and trim work, not heavy steel.

With the included wheels it cuts metal, tile and similar materials. The diamond blade handles tile and the carbide abrasive and metal wheels handle steel and other metals.

Depth is limited by the 3-inch blade, roughly an inch or less depending on the material and shoe setting. The shoe adjusts for controlled-depth cuts.

Bare-tool prices drop during Milwaukee promotions and holiday sales, often bundled with a battery starter kit. Watch for kit deals rather than the tool alone.

What do buyers say about the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Cut Off Tool?

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 2,800 ratings.

Where can I buy the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Cut Off Tool?

2 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, The Milwaukee Store.

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Cut Off Tool

4.5

Last price we saw

$198.63at The Milwaukee Store, last seen Nov 1

Prices change often: ask the agent below to check today's price at every store.

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Ask our shopping agent

Our take on the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Cut Off Tool

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3" Compact Cut Off Tool (2522-20) is a 12V cordless cutter built for one-handed use, spinning a 3-inch wheel at 20,000 RPM with a brushless POWERSTATE motor. It ships with three blades — carbide abrasive, diamond tile and a metal cut-off wheel — plus a tool-free guard and shoe with a vacuum adapter and depth adjustment. Reversible blade rotation lets you direct sparks and debris. It is a bare tool, so no battery or charger is included; the lowest recent price sits near the bottom of its usual range.

What reviewers say

Owners rate it highly (4.5 of 5 from about 2,800 ratings), praising its size, one-handed control and clean cuts in pipe, conduit and tile. Complaints center on the bare-tool packaging, fast wheel wear and the limits of a 3-inch blade.

Pros

Compact and light enough to use one-handed overhead or in tight spots
Clean, fast cuts in copper, conduit, PVC and tile
Reversible rotation keeps sparks away from the user
Tool-free guard and depth shoe are quick to adjust

Cons

No battery or charger included at this price
Blades wear out quickly, especially in steel
Cut depth is limited by the 3-inch wheel
Some find it underpowered for thick metal

About the Milwaukee M12 FUEL Cut Off Tool

Milwaukee 2522-20 M12 12 Volt FUEL™ 3" Compact Cut Off Tool, 3" Carbide Abrasive Blade (49-94-3005), 3" Diamond Tile Blade (49-94-3010), Blade Wrench, Metal Cut Off Wheel, 7/16" Flange Adapter, Shoe Guard included Overview The M12 FUEL™ 3" Compact Cut Off Tool delivers multi-material cutting capability in an ergonomic package, optimized for one-handed use. Spinning at 20,000 RPM and featuring a POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, the 2522 delivers fast and accurate cutting performance in a wide range of materials. The unique reversible blade rotation feature provides users ultimate control over material removal, along with the ability to select their desired blade rotation for the direction they need to cut. For ultimate cutting versatility, the 2522 ships with three accessories: a metal cut off wheel, a diamond tile blade, and a carbide abrasive blade. The M12 FUEL™ 3" Compact Cut Off Tool also includes a tool free accessory guard & shoe that includes a vacuum adapter for dust mitigation as well as cut depth adjustment. Lastly, the tool also features tool free guard adjustment and an LED light. Features 20,000 RPM for fast and accurate cutting performance Reversible blade rotation for ultimate cutting control Part of the M12™ System, featuring over 80+ tools POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor delivers maximum power and long motor life REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence provides optimized performance and overload protection Tool free guard adjustment for convenience and ease of use Compatible with common 3" cut off wheels with 3/8" arbor Includes 7/16" flange adapter for compatibility with 3" Dremel Saw-Max accessories LED light for improved visibility in confined spaces and low light situations Specs Power Source Cordless Motor Type POWERSTATE Brushless Length 7.05" Weight 1.52 lbs Height 3.15" Width 4.72" Brushless Yes Battery System M12 Wheel Diameter 3"