The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2 Inch Circular Saw Shows off Upgraded Speed and Features
Plenty of people prefer the more compact, lighter 6 1/2-inch circular saw over full-size 7 1/4-inch models. Thanks to updated technology, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6 1/2-inch circular saw offers those benefits, plus a few other features that really set it apart from the pack. Just how good is it, though? Let’s find out!
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Confident cutting power
- Positive bevel and depth detents
- Improved cutting speed
Cons
- Obstructed sight line when cutting at 90°
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2 Inch Circular Saw Performance
- No-Load Speed: 6000 RPM
- Max Cut Depth: 2-1/4 in. (90°), 1-9/16 in. (45°)
- Max Bevel: 50°
- Blade Location: Right
Cutting Power
The Gen II Milwaukee 6 1/2-inch circular saw’s brushless motor powers the blade up to 6,000 RPMs, 1,000 RPMs faster than the previous model. This saw has a max cutting depth of 2-1/4 inches at 90-degrees and 1-9/16 inches at 45-degrees, allowing you to tackle demanding cuts in 2x pressure treated lumber as well as rip cuts in double-stacked 3/4-inch OSB.
Making the Cut
This updated saw performed great during our hands-on testing. We set up all the cuts I previously mentioned, and it sailed through all of them like a hot knife through butter. Where we usually see the biggest issues are concerning the blade guard getting hung up during compound miter cuts, but in this case, there were no problems whatsoever.
Visibility
Overall, I’ve been happy with the performance level of this saw, but there is one area where I think it falls short, and that’s in the area of blade visibility. I’m right-handed, and since this is a blade-left saw, the sight line to the blade is slightly obscured by the upper blade guard while cutting at 90-degrees. At 45-degrees, the sight line is much clearer, but it does take a little practice to make accurate cuts. Thankfully, there are notches on the front of the shoe to help with proper alignment.
Using the saw one-handed, it’s a little easier to see it from the left side, but that makes it harder to keep the saw steady during longer rip cuts.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2 Inch Circular Saw Design Notes
- Model: Milwaukee 2833
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
- Weight: 6.7 lbs. (bare), 8.75 lbs. (with Forge XC6.0Ah battery)
- Tool Length: 11.75 in.
- Arbor: 5/8 in.
Size and Weight
The Milwaukee 2833 weighs in at 6.7 pounds as a bare tool, and 8.75 pounds with their Forge XC6.0Ah battery. The tool body measures 11.75 inches from tip to tail and stands 7.6 inches tall. Originally, Milwaukee kitted their Gen 1 6-1/2 inch circular saw (2730) with a 4.0Ah battery and that weighed 8 pounds. Even with the larger 6.0Ah battery, the Gen II model is incredibly well-balanced and easy to use.
Ergonomics
Milwaukee’s product team didn’t stray too far from their original design with this Gen II model. It features a rubber overmold grip and an inline front pommel, as well as a folding rafter hook and a belt hook for added convenience.
The inline pommel design is fairly typical for 6 1/2-inch saws, but as a right-handed user, it does feel a little cramped. It’s certainly not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to be aware of before you make your purchase.
Cut Depth and Adjustments
One nice addition to this saw are the positive bevel and depth detents. Beveling runs up to 50° and there are stops at 22.5° and 45° so you can make quick, accurate adjustments on the fly.
Additionally, there are positive stops at the 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch, and 1 1/2-inch marks. This is really convenient when making precision cuts and reduces downtime.
Additional Features
- LED work light
- Compatible with all M18 batteries
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6-1/2 Inch Circular Saw Price
The Milwaukee 2833 retails for $229 as a bare tool, and as a kit for $419. The kit comes with a High-Output XC8.0Ah battery, a thin kirf 24T blade, and a removable dust port. Milwaukee backs this saw with a 5-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
With the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 6 1/2-inch circular saw, the design team took a very good saw and made it even better. Its performance bump along with a solid design, compact size, and that fantastic new depth adjustment makes this a winner for the Pro market and serious DIYers.
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