Of the many cordless framing saws on the market, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2830-20 7¼” circular saw is one of your best options. The worm drive and rear handle design are a big plus for many. Naturally, legendary Milwaukee power is always an attraction to the brand.
Join me in discovering all that this wonderful little saw has to offer.
Milwaukee 2830-20 Review
Specs & Features:
- 5,800 RPM
- PowerState brushless motor – power equivalent to a 15A corded saw.
- Up to 570 cuts per charge.
- RedLink Plus intelligent technology.
- LED light.
- Magnesium shoe and gourds.
- Multi-size rafter hook.
- Weight: 10 LBS
- Warranty: 5 years.
Review:
There are so many amazing framing saws out there, it really is a tough job deciding which is the best. Having been mighty impressed DeWalt DCS537B FlexVolt Advantage 7¼” circular saw, I’m at a loss when making a definitive judgement on whether the rear handle Milwaukee model is actually the better saw.
To confuse matters even more, I did a comparative review of the DeWalt DCS573B vs Makita GSR01Z, both are magnificent. Of course, Bosch has also given us a bunch of great circular saws, as have Skilsaw. Competition is tough in this arena and all I can say on the topic is that the Milwaukee 2830-20 is, without a doubt, one of the top contenders.
I think the worm drive design is the best for a circular saw. Sidewinders provide magnificent torque and improved sight lines. This is the first aspect that really impressed me about this Milwaukee 7¼” saw.
Milwaukee claims the same power as a 15A corded saw, which doesn’t surprise me, cordless technology has come a long way. What does make my inner engineer reel with wonder is that they’ve achieved this using only a single 18V Fuel battery. DeWalt has accomplished wonderous things with their 60V 7¼” circular saw and the 36V and 40V XGT Makita models also provide insatiable power. However, Milwaukee seems to have achieved very similar results with this 18V 7¼” saw.
Much of this success can be attributed to PowerState brushless technology. It is truly amazing, providing heaps of power, extended battery life, and incredible durability. Added to this, RedLink computerized management provides smooth power delivery through thick and thin, whilst further improving battery efficiency. Though this type of technology is not unique to Milwaukee. Most of the best cordless tool manufacturers have implemented similar systems on their top models.
Okay, so the Milwaukee 2830-20 is a mighty powerful, technologically advanced framing saw. There are many others that can boast the same credentials. What makes this saw better than the others? Perhaps nothing, I’d say it’s up there with the best of them but not necessarily the very best. In the end, that will come down to personal preference.
Die-hard Milwaukee fans will probably rate this as the very best 7¼” circular saw and I won’t argue with that. It’s a great machine of outstanding quality. The magnesium shoe and blade guard are a testament to the formidable, never-say-die, engineering that makes this an outstanding power tool. The base also has a low-friction coating that enhances its ability to glide over the surface.
Efficiency is the name of the game when comparing cordless tools and this one has certainly made the cut in that department too. According to the guys at Milwaukee, the 2830-20 can perform 570 cuts on 2X4 using the RedLithium HD 12.0 battery. That’s a contractor’s dream, a saw that can work for a full day, or at least most of the day, on a single battery.
The Milwaukee rear handle cordless circular saw reaches an incredible 5,800 RPM and stops abruptly, thanks to the electric brake. When using the High Demand (HD) 12AH battery it is also way more efficient than just about any other. Running 50% cooler, with 33% more runtime. Quite an amazing feat.
Then there are some pretty cool bonus features, like an LED light and rafter hook that adapts to a bunch of different hanging positions on various types of material. Accuracy is terrific, both for cutline and bevel adjustments. It doesn’t have a laser to indicate the cutline, but I feel this is more of a gimmick than a practical advantage. The sidewinder design does the most to provide an excellent line of sight.
The handles are great, providing excellent grip at the front and rear of the saw. The front handle looks a little skimpy, not as chunky as the DeWalt, Makita, or Bosch saws. However, this is not something that bothers me. It’s a great saw to use. The dust extraction port also works well. Setting the blade depth is as easy as pie, using a thumb lever.
If you’re a team red supporter, the Milwaukee 2830-20 rear handle 7¼” circular saw will probably be your first choice for a professional-grade framing saw. It is, like all Milwaukee products, built to last. Power is insatiable and it feels solid, with no unwanted movement of the blade. It locks into position and stays there for incredible accuracy.
A 5-year warranty and the Milwaukee reputation for excellence should have any cynic convinced that this a product worth buying. Even as an ardent DeWalt fan, I have to admit; this is a pretty spectacular circular saw.
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