Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet : Battery Powered Chainsaw Review 

Sootch, the way you were holding that chainsaw is a great way to lose a few fingers! You’re supposed to put your hand INSIDE that loop, it’s a guard, not a handle. If there was oil on that guard, your hand could slip onto the running chain! Great review though! These are solid little saws! Can charge off grid with a solar panel too!

I have one of these and they’re solid. A great tool for buzzing up the smaller stuff.

My Dad has this exact little electric saw and he absolutely loves it. It's great for cutting down small trees and shrubs and cutting off branches and such. You never realize how useful a small electric chain saw is until you use one, it's amazing. Only had it for a little over a month but it's already seen a bit of use and it's going strong so far. Its also impressive how big of stuff it'll cut to, you don't always need to go grab and try and start your big gas chain saws, this lil thing can handle alot. Highly recommend, especially if you have acreage and land that you tend to frequently.

I have a stilh electric chainsaw and love it. The battery lasts as long as I can work.

My kids got me one for my birthday. It's a great tool to keep in the camper for procuring firewood.

Ryobi makes an excellent 14" and 16" 40amp saw. Works amazing on some pretty large trees.

I have one of these, and the Milwaukee 16” M-18. Both are excellent.

I have the 10" Bauer from Harbor Freight. I didn't expect a lot from it, but it has been great. Works just as well as this one, but can handle a little bigger material. The 5 amp-hour battery outlasted me, too.

Interesting I guess, but I would pick a larger one over this pretty much every time. It can do everything this smaller one can do, but more.

Looks like a nice little pruning saw. I have had the DeWalt 20V 12" bar saw for about a year. I like that it can handle a bit more but is still handier than a larger gas saw. I like the way electric can go in the cab of the truck or in the back of the 4Runner without causing gas fumes. Nice to have on the trails and at the campsite.

Sound good enough for small time carpenter like me who did carpentry as hobby

Love this channel been here a couple years. I bought this on your Recommendation. With an extra 6.0 battery. I build fence and its an easy way to cut 2x4s to 4x6 post. But just trimming back bushes and tree limbs so much easier than a sawzall.

I have had one for a short time and love it for the small stuff, because it is easy to use with one hand while holding the branch with your other hand. I do agree the safety is a pain. I will probably disable it soon. You can always remove the battery if you are concerned with accidental activation.

I have a Dawalt chainsaw and it has been working out great for small jobs

I’ve done my research. Your video helped me finalize my decision. Just ordered one. Thanks for the review.

Stihl A brand to always consider. Just bought one myself recently. :) Downside is, you'll lose muscle as you wont be hand sawing! So convenience means you'll get more done,but become weaker muscular wise. And nothing beats swaing logs with a silky! :)

I have a battery powered sthil one, Its a 12in one and I use it on all size trees that I mess with. Anything up to about18-20 is where the max for me is. It would do this kinda stuff all day.

I like it. It looks light and easy to use. Anything that can help my aging hands and muscles.

That thing is cool! I’m not even all that into power tools and I’m impressed.

Thanks, @SensiblePrepper. I really need a small chainsaw. Lots of enormous limbs on my property that I have to cut into lengths that the yard waste people will pick up. I can't do it by hand, and this would be a great solution. Battery powered is a MUST.

Small, light weight, rechargeable with a solar battery and panel....this is a WINTER CAMPING winner....if youve ever been winter camping you realize that this piece of kit would be amazing and easy to transport!

Hate to admit it, but I'm definitely a Milwaukee fan boy. That M12 line is just incredible. Mostly have some of the automotive tools like the ratchet, torque wrench, die grinder etc. Just good stuff.

Soocth00!!! I didn't know you reviewed tools too. Your gun reviews are one of my go-to videos. This vid has pretty much convinced me that this M12 Hatchet is the way to go for my property.

I have a Black and Decker and surprisingly it works great I also have the old style Black and Decker pole saw and an battery adapter to be able to use the 20v max batteries!

Aww Heck … You just took the fun out of cutting firewood. :) With that said … If faced with future reality of possibly having to depend on wood for fuel and heat, an electric chainsaw that could be kept supported with solar for charging puts it on my ‘preparedness list’. I’ve actually been comparative shopping for one lately.

I've got a kobalt 10" battery chainsaw and I'm impressed with how well it works for small jobs.

I really like that your showing tools that peepers need. Great video!

I love my DEWALT battery powered chain saw. I've used it a hell of lot!

I have a Bauer and I call it El Jefe. My favorite yard tool. Lol.

Crossing your arms, not holding the toll, the roadway, ignoring to safety by awkwardly trying to press it with one hand… great educational video on how to lose an a hand

Thanks for the review! I bought one on Monday and will return today. I didn't think it was a superstar. The cuts weren't clean as noted w that cedar. I pulled out my Sthil kombi pole saw instead cut much easier. I wanted to love this based on the self oiler & battery life but couldnt.. I'm picking up a Sthil Gta26 today.

I love you sootch! From guns to gadgets, you got it down my boy.

having a solar system to charge it would be a great way to keep sawing in a grid down situation

Looks like a great tool to take car camping. Process lots of local wood with that.

Thanks for the review! Great example of a useful tool. 👍

Hey Sootch, I was surprised to see a familiar face pop up during a tool review search! I have enjoyed your firearm reviews and was pleasantly surprised to see you clearing some brush. This looks like something I could definitely use. 😉👍🏻

I bought the Kobalt 24V (I bought it because my Father has several of the 24V batteries.) Its Great for small jobs.. Wife discovered how useful it was for her pruning... It is a little larger but if you already have the batteries it a no-brainer.

Just waiting for mine to arrive! Literally bought it to replace my loppers! Though about the M18, but the extra expense was not worth it. For bigger stuff, I'll use my Husky 445 Rancher !

Battery powered saws work great, and you can charge the battery with solar! I have a 12" Ryobi and it lasts a good while, and you can get a 12volt charger.

Nice of you to finally drop this year old reciew

I used the Milwaukee M18 Sawzall on a Boy Scout project to cut through some roots. I bought one the next week.

Great video, I have been looking for this capability. Thanks for posting

You got me convinced! I got to have one of these! Thanks for the great video

Iv picked up a kit today with two 6ah batteries and carry bag. I was using a Black and Decker mini chainsaw but it was gutless and short run time.

Excellent review..just ordered one.

lol ffs! youre sootch00! i just realize this after years of watching both your channels!

After you press the safety and press the trigger, keep pressing the trigger and you don't have to keep holding the safety. I'm an old 78 yr old woman and I love my m12. Good luck.

Love to see more on Milwaukee chain saws!!! I love that hatchet!!! Liked#708 and now subscribed too!!! I would like both, Chain Saw & Hatchet!!!

thanks great review. just bought one :) > loved the vid. cheers Iain UK

Been using this saw for 6 months. Very pleased with it .I have stepped up to the 6.0 battery. I use it to cut small pieces of wood for my BBQ smokers

I have a 12" dewalt electric chainsaw and it is awesome! Isn't going to fall a large tree, but that isn't what I use it for.

Get the M18 (which may have come out after your video). The M 12 is nice, but the M18 kicks ass.

Compare with the Dewalt 20 volt 12". Great saw

Could you mount optic in that? Or laser dot?

Very nice little saw. Interesting.

I love mine.

😆 I think you were having lots of fun with this tool

Great video to give people an understanding of other things to prep.. I follow all your vids brother.. flip side try the ryobi in the future, made by the same manufacturer as the Milwaukee but you have way more options to use the batteries with, such as inverters, saws, light fans, usb chargers, toothbrushes, etc.. stay up brother, we’re prepped here in east Texas.

Great little saw liked it so much I bought another one only thing I didn't like is battery don't last long

In Alaska running a chainsaw can be like a moose call. As moose know that branches will be available to eat. In a SHTF prepper situation having a quiet saw could be the difference of life and death. I will probably buy a much larger one!

Look at the milwaukee m12 grinder. Perfect for an urban get home bag for the odd lock or two you might need to cut through. Use the 6ah battery.

Eye protection is a must!!

The 18v Milwaukee saw kicks rear. Its about the size of a medium gas saw.If you have a couple batteries you can go for ever. It can hack off 6in. limbs one right after the other.

With battery generators, may not be a bad idea. Depends on battery life, longevity, and recharge time. 120 cuts? Wonder how they define "a cut"?

Definitely hard to catch that safety and trigger at the same time for small hands.

Good Video! Never seen one. I've got the cordless vacuum cleaner, love it.

I swear I’m trying to be a serious prepper, but now that I know that I can rock a Fallout Ripper in real life I’m tempted… time to start saving bottle caps! Seriously though, looks like a handy little tool.

Reminds me of the "ripper" from the fallout game series

Seems like a really cool little Gadget to have!

Black and Decker has one that uses the 20volt lithium battery with a 10 or 12” blade ot cuts a bigger trunk then this Milwaukee and the saw cost me about $100 and the batteries are about $40 I already had other batteries from other tools in same system I have 4 batteries these work great

EVO Is a good one with their larger battery... much longer bar as well. For the small stuff you were cutting though, I just grab my US Mil machete to trim smaller branches.

Good looking saw and review , thanks for sharing ,God bless !

I ride quads every Sunday and always have it with me I've cut 10in logs with it works great but I'm looking for a old non working battery to do experiment

I have a dewalt and it’s wonderful

I bought the Milwaukee M18 16’ chainsaw. It’s great but I should of bought the m12 cause it is better sized for what I do.

I have one. I love it. The problem is i dont have many branches to utilise it 😂

I have been thinking of getting a Ryobi 40v I like Ryobi because of their battery system.

Not what I’d expect on this channel but I like it

Disappointed you did not use your Lyman trigger gauge to test trigger pull LOL Side note maybe you should include these types of reviews on your Channel with your prepper school that you do

Support hand INSIDE the handguard!!

Where’s Your Safety Glasses???

Makes me think that could be a viable alternative to a sawsall for construction in some applications. Stealth camping also come to mind.... less noise than a real chainsaw?

A dude and his toys. Thanks for the look-see. Welcome home.

I have a Stanley v20 in England.pretty awesome

That's a neat tool

I have the lowes kobalt chainsaw, it just works and it works great…..

Be careful with the larger battery… “ they” may ban the higher capacity one for our protection! 😂😂😂

Awesome little too, would beat using my stihl saw

I'm all about versatility and in my opinion the M18 Fuel Hackzall is the winner I think. It has the versatility of swapping blades out extremely quickly and easily, cuts a variety of materials, one handed, larger m18 battery capacity, blade variety resulting in different sizes not just limited to 3 inch limbs. Not to mention multi purpose. I also forgot to mention durability and ease of purchasing replacement blades. If you bend the hatchet bar it renders it useless. You could straighten the hackzall blade or even just replace rather than order a bar. Not to mention you don't need oil for the hackzall.

Not bad at all! Just have a couple extra batteries and your set!

It will need some form of shield for the blood.

#1 safety rule is to wear eye protection.... Gloves help too.... Safety first. :)

And where is the PPE. Preach it on the range but not in the field using a power saw?

Can you disable that safety button? I know I won't be able to use that.

I love my Milwaukee But removing the M12 battery is impossible for a 5ft old lady with some arthritis

I have a battery powered chainsaw and use it on my property.

Just look at the DeWalt chainsaw as well

I like it but it is so hard to take the battery out, i have small hands and female, had it for a year and now it does not charge the 2 lights kept blinking even if i charge it for 24 hours

What about recip saw instead?

Cute!