Milwaukee Fuel 18V Rear Drive Circular Saw Review (plus framing square)

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I’m not a framer, but if I was…




Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. I am excited to announce that I have partnered with The Home Depot Prosepctive tool review program. I received all these tools for free, and I am paid for these posts, but these opinions are my own. 

Links to buy:

Milwaukee Rear Drive Circ Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/vqeVj

Milwaukee Framing Square: https://homedepot.sjv.io/N3Ab2

I’m not a framer or anything close to it. So why would I review tools who’s primary function is framing? If you think about it it makes perfect sense. Bear with me…If these tools work on a professional level, they will certainly work in my hobby/woodworking shop. The fact they are made with professionals in mind means they are durable, reliable, and proven. 



Milwaukee 16x24 Aluminum Framing Square


Lets start with the Milwaukee Aluminum Framing Square. First off lets just say Milwaukee tools look great. That Milwaukee red is bright, easy to find, and has that “pro” look. The Milwaukee framing square is solid aluminum which is both lightweight and extremely strong. The measurements are laser scribed for extreme precision, and this makes it very easy to read. 


The Milwaukee framing square has scribe notches from 1 inch to 13 inches. This makes marking out measurements and cut lines quick and precise. The overall size of the framing square is 16 by 24 inches which fits that perfect balance between being large enough to handle most tasks, but not excessively bulky. 



This framing squares comes in right around $25 at Home Depot, and that’s a great price for such a well built, easy to read, dead on accurate square. Pick one up…you’ll thank me.

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Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-1/4 in. Rear Handle Circular Saw

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: cordless tools in this day and age are making corded tools almost obsolete in many situations. This is one of those situations. This holds up to and in most cases exceeds the performance of the corded circular saws I’ve used. Why would I ever go back? (hint: I won’t) 


The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18V Rear Handle Circular Saw has the same power as a 15 amp corded saw, but cuts faster and up to 570 cuts per charge. Five. Seven. Zero. Five hundred seventy. Cuts. On a single charge. Thats insane! I’m guessing I don’t make that many circular saw cuts in a year. I’m sure for some of you folks reading this you make that many cuts in day, but my trigger finger would give out before this battery powered circular saw does. 



Let’s dive into the specs. The motor is a Milwaukee Powerstate brushless motor that was specifically designed to run this 7 1/4 inch circular saw. Its equipped with Redlink Plus intelligence which smarter folks than I tell me this gives the saw maximum performance while providing protection from overloading, overheating, and over discharging. I don’t know how it all works, but I am OVERLY impressed!



The saw I was sent to review came with the Redlithium high output HD 12.0 battery. Its. A. Big. Battery. This is not a lightweight tool, but the battery position provides optimal balancing for the tool, and its a dream to run. The HD 12.0 battery provides 50% more power than other Milwaukee batteries while running 50% cooler. I am left to take Milwaukee’s word on this, but I will say it runs likes a dream. A wood chewing, project tackling, pro level, get s*@t done saw! 

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I’ll admit that I get excited about tools. When you’re in my line of work its hard not to. I’m fortunate to get the opportunity to try out some of the latest greatest tools coming out. My excitement is warranted when it comes to the Milwaukee 18V Read Handle Cordless Circular Saw. Its powerful, accurate, and a dream to run. Anytime I need to rear for a cordless saw this Milwaukee will be my go to. Home Depot may send me these tools to review, but they don’t force me to like them. I really like this saw. If you’re in the market for a new circular saw you won’t be disappointed with this one. 


And now some quick hits:



  • POWERSTATE brushless motor: purposely built for the M18 FUEL rear handle 7-1/4 in. circular saw to generate the power and performance of a 15 Amp corded circular saw

  • REDLINK PLUS intelligence: ensures optimal performance and provides overload protection to prevent damage to the tool and battery during heavy applications while still maintaining compatibility across the entire M18 system

  • REDLITHIUM High Output HD12.0 battery pack: provides 50% more power and runs 50% cooler versus standard REDLITHIUM HD packs, superior pack construction provides the industry's best protection against jobsite conditions (sold separately)

  • Generates 15 Amp corded power

  • Cuts faster than 15 Amp corded

  • Up to 570 cuts per charge

  • Electric blade brake

  • LED work light

  • No gear oiling required

  • Multi-size rafter hook

  • Magnesium shoe and guards

  • Includes: 2830-20 7-1/4 in. circular saw, blade and wrench