Milwaukee M-12 Hatchet -The First one Ever-but what can it do??

This is the first tool/chainsaw combo I've ever seen like this. Milwaukee calls it the "hatchet'. Its a Mini chainsaw running on the M-12 powered platform. But does it work? We test their new power tool through the grinder to see what it can do in the real world.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I've had a lot of questions on run time- Here's what I found. The first tree with cutting everything up took a little over 1 full battery & about 1/2 of a second one. The last tree though took about 2 bars off of just one battery. Hope that makes sense.

[@michaelarbuckle13]

Could you do a speed test saw saw against this.

[@joshua_J]

I am super impressed with this little saw. I think it would be perfect for my wife around the yard

[@jmackinjersey1]

Just like any battery powered tool, there are a lot of variables. Pressure on the tool/blade/chain, type of material, etc. Many people try to force the tool, thinking that will make it work better, when in reality, it will not, and can actually make it bind up and work harder. The second tree looked like it was dead and dried out a bit more.

[@davidprins9401]

Thanks I was wondering that too. Makes sense

[@Moe7133]

Going camping and gathering woods for a fire will never be the same!

[@troyeager8877]

Thank you for the safety advice about the hand guard. Men being so good about reading manuals. This could save people from unnecessary trips to the ER!

[@szki272]

So the question on everyone's mind. Is there an available Picatinny rail mount? So it can be mounted on an AR rifle.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yes- that is whats on every ones minds haha. But it would look cool- I gotta admit that.

[@jmackinjersey1]

Come on, we all know the original mounting hardware is, and always will be Gun Tape or 100 mile an hour tape, or even Duct Tape can be used.

[@rileymannion5301]

@@jmackinjersey1 mechanics wire and tape combined for a stiffer hold

[@jmackinjersey1]

@@rileymannion5301 Don't forget the all time, go-to, J.B. Weld first, then wire and tape.

[@SFCSMOKER]

100 mile hour tape..haven’t heard those words in a while. Prefer 100 mile hour tape over 550!

[@liammullins7333]

Tested this machine about a year ago and it's still running strong with daily usage. Keep it up Milwaukee

[@Meater76]

If you've never had the bar chain oil go everywhere, then you've never used a chainsaw! Lol

[@JasonZais]

Everyone has filled it to the brim, and made the same noises he did.

[@Meater76]

@@JasonZais Yup. If you're smart you've only done that once. Lol

[@KK-dt4gj]

Happened to me once hasnt happened since. I have been extra careful to fill it

[@christiankocha8663]

Your your just to incompetent to just a chainsaw lol

[@harryhogan-shaw5472]

Very true haha

[@Pureservize1]

I thought it was not going to do much but I am impressed with it like you Stan. I might puck one up when they go on sale. Now let the other guys try it out and record there reaction. Thanks Stan

[@b.2221]

After watching your amazing video Sir, I cant believe what you have just achieved with this amazing tool, but your statement on the placing of the grip handle is imperative so kudos to you when you realised how it should be held 👍 Tam.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Wow, thanks!

[@augustreil]

Probably just saved a few hundred fingers and maybe a hand at least. Great info !

[@sebastian56309]

This is one of my favorite channels. It must be so much fun working for Stan, so jealous of you Frankie!😺

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@taco7317]

Thanks for this video. I've been wanting to buy this sucker ever since I saw this video back from last August. I bought it finally at my local home depot and i'm loving it!!

[@jmackinjersey1]

I'm so glad that you made that cutaway and explained the hand placement Behind the Hand Guard. I noticed that you were gripping it improperly in the beginning, and almost made a comment about it just before I saw your explanation.

[@andrewkiwi1]

That was a good honest demonstration. It looked very practical for your business. Battery technology has come along way in the last 10 years and without that theses saws would be useless. A lot quieter for residential work too.

[@nickwit21]

I can't believe how good that saw did! For a pruning and limb I bet that will be phenomenonal! I'm sold

[@pcatful]

Thanks! My wife just got me one for my birthday. So glad Stan posted this! Someone I can trust. Someone who will push a tool to the limits about 100 times what I would ever do. Another plus as a home owner, I don't have to worry about totally annoying my neighbors with a gas saw. A good companion with this video might be some safety rundown for the rest of us!😃

[@keats182]

Watching this work in a real world environment is the best advertisement Milwaukee can get. That things looks awesome. And it's something that the average homeowner could get a lot of use out of too.

[@jetenginethrust863]

Great job, thanks for sharing. I watched a lot of videos on this saw & your video is the best showing how to properly use it instead of constantly forcing the saw into the cut! I commented on a lot of Milwaukee tool videos for them to produce this saw when it was just a patent idea & they finally did so I'm happy about that. What I don't like about the saw is they should have made it more like a mini top handle pro chainsaw with a 8" bar & chain using their 18V batteries & metal bucking spikes/dogs! Also use dynamic electric braking of the motor & a manual safety brake as used on pro top handle type chainsaws. I'd use 2 bolts to hold the clutch chain cover on and make it out of metal and it's attachment points heavy duty metal components also designed to take heavy use & abuse & never break. I don't care for the cheap wimpy little auto adjustment type chain tensioners because they loosen & break too easily along with the cheap plastic mounts used to hold the bar & chain on.

[@stonewallpi1]

Simple tool with a simple concept. I'd imagine if I had a small to medium piece of property I would add this to my arsenal. Great video!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on

[@carbonfusion]

Hey Stan, I have a thumbs-up simply for the Appalachian word "extry", lol. Haven't heard that since my great-grandmother passed away. Last thing she said to me on the phone was, "Have ya got enough extry food too?" Love your heart.

[@jsuperman7672]

I need a break from watching all that work. Cool saw, I'll be looking into one of these for the small jobs, Thanks Stan.

[@MrTdogg175]

The one thing I really like about this little beast is that you don’t have to constantly have two stroke fumes going in your face and lungs lol. I’m a landscaper and mainly do lawn maintenance so weedwacking and backpack blowing with redmax’s I get that a ton! We have a set of loppers in our trailer but I’m going to show my boss this video so maybe he’ll get us a couple for cutting low hanging branches where we need to mow! Thanks for the video man this is badass!

[@jmackinjersey1]

Battery power is the way to go with OPE. Many places have laws that limit the amount of noise you and your crew can emit while cutting/maintaining, and as you can see, batteries are a heck of a lot quieter. The lawn guy I have on my team is starting to change over all of his tools as the gas tool stops working. He would like to get a Zero-Turn that would hold up to a full days service though.

[@ProxyFinal]

Thanks for the demo. It's a beast for a 12v. Great tool for demo work.

[@rodneystewart8958]

There you go again Stan showing something else I need to buy

[@99unclebob]

wow that little Milwaukee saw that things a ripper when you cut through that 12 inch piece, thats just crazy good, i could definitely use something this with all the small trees out in my back yard , like you said get the saw 2 batteries and 3 spare chains , i think the chain design is what makes it very efficient,👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on

[@Aepek]

Just sold me on buying one😅 What a great sales video 👍🏻

[@themikecranston]

A tool you never knew you needed until you used it!

[@hopkinstreeexperts759]

I’m actually pretty impressed, not quite something I would buy to use in the field but that’s just because I have different demands for my equipment. But shoot, that looks light as a feather, and that “double full comp” chain really did seem to make a nice smooth cut. These tools are great for just around the house pruning and limbing, especially light weight, I mean think about people who can’t physically pull a hand saw. The most impressive thing for me is that small battery and motor keeping up with that 6” bar with double full comp buried in that wood.

[@DrivingWithJake]

Fun little things, I just hate cordless tools sometimes when they run out and need to be charged! Looks like fun however and useful. Almost 500k congrats road to 1M!

[@michaellanglie5502]

That little thing is no joke..I need one of those in my life.

[@augustreil]

It does look like a really nice trimming saw, but they screwed up huge making the handle the way they did. Someone is going to get hurt bad, especially since it seems like second nature to hold it the wrong way. I'm glad you pointed it out and so should Milwaukee, so maybe they can retrofit a fix before someone loses a hand ? Thumbs up Stanley !

[@TylerDickey1]

Stanley points out his mistakes and learns from them, be like Stanley! Great video! Cool little saw!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on

[@williamwinder3466]

I want one. I don't need one. But it's not about what I need!

[@flash1259]

To only get what you need. What kind of life would that be?

[@Dennis-rj1vi]

I buy Milwaukee tools that I don’t need just because they look cool.

[@bullainsworth3130]

I’m a little late to this posting, but I just bought on of these saws because I have an M12 impact driver and I absolutely love the impact. This saw is just as impressive! My 18v cordless tools at the moment are Ridgid and my compact 12v stuff is Makita. These are the first Milwaukee cordless tools I’ve ever owned, but I guarantee they won’t be the last! Milwaukee Tools is killing it in the cordless world these days!

[@jasonpadgett8593]

This is going in my tree-stand hanging kit. Light and quiet... Talk about a great way to prep trees to hang stands, cut trails, and shooting lanes! Pole saws are great but they can work you to death trying to maneuver them in heavy cover.

[@alexleklund]

Great little saw. After i used the M18 pole saw attachment during the Iowa derecho it has made me want to try other Milwaukee tree saws.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very cool!

[@sloth9669]

That back cut on the pine tree stump 😳

[@patrickandrews9156]

Thanks for a awesome video. Based on this. I just went and got one. I ordered the 4 and 6amp battery. Thanks again.

[@trashandtrail]

I have the Makita version...18v, love for limbing and volunteer trail maintenance and it's fantastic when running my chipper.

[@superduty4828]

Nice video, that would be the ultimate trail tool for trail riding in the Jeep or a SxS. I’m sold thanks!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good call!

[@Wolfhound.]

that saw looks like a joke but when you start cutting nobody is laughing

[@Dirtmonkey]

well said

[@MikeCris]

It was putting out some nice chips.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Exactly

[@jackberdine]

@@RambosParadise its a perfect tool for my grandma... definitely has its uses. A lot cheaper than a 170 as well.

[@straight-up-shots]

This is maybe good for pruning around your house but not much beyond that...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very impressive little chainsaw

[@PhamVans]

Nice house bruh. That thing looking like the ultimate firewood gatherer 😎

[@scorpio6587]

Seriously impressive. I thought for sure it would run out of torque on those bigger cuts. Small form + big power = awesome tool.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on

[@justjacqueline2004]

Handy little saw nicely designed hope its robust.Nice video.

[@aaronho4242]

This looks amazing great video

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks so much!

[@donaldtrumpshairdoo]

Seems like an outstanding tool, despite the silly looks. I could see myself use this for all sorts of tasks. I bet I could plungecut a beam to fit a velux, mortises for half timber and in general use it as a large fein cutter. And on the m12 platform no less.

[@jmackinjersey1]

I was thinking the same thing. A bit easier to use than a full chainsaw and maybe even faster than a recip with long blade. Can be a nice tool to use to cut the tops of pilon or 6x6/12x12.

[@nfttoedipper5015]

So close to half a million subs. Keep it up.

[@terryhites1]

I love how you toss the saw around... lol!

[@imchris5000]

AVE has been using the bosche version for years now its good for opening boxes

[@sourtrail]

Bruh I was thinking this is just a Milwaukee version of that

[@turnbullfl4114]

He is on his second one after burning up the first due to tape adhesive. Those are neat, but expensive and not available in the US.

[@SKC640]

Lol Aves isn't even close to the size of this Milwaukee that Bosch couldn't even cut a 2 in branch lol

[@perfectdiversion]

That Bosch is literally made for pruning bonsais or a rose bush lol

[@SKC640]

@@perfectdiversion exactly, comparing these two tools to each other just doesn't work lol

[@johnthomson9558]

Thanks for the review , i always wondered about this one !!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Happy to help!

[@bobbiemitch]

Glad to see that Milwaukee finally get into the game. Being third does have it's advantages.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video you rock on the demonstration wow I can defenitly use this tool pretty powerful little unit

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on

[@jmackinjersey1]

I can see a lot of guys in the construction industry using this, in place of a larger bar chainsaw, to cut larger 6x6 or even the ends/tops of 12x12 pilons etc.

[@BlueCollarBachelor]

I bought one. The battery life is amazing. The ONLY problem I have with it is the oiler. It overoils and runs through that little reservoir quickly. If you were in a bind, you could rivet a pico chain around there. It's 28 links. I expected it to do what I wanted, which was be a quick pruner for putting up fence and around the yard on the farm, but it exceeded my expectations, and now rides in the truck all the time.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Amazing job on the video Stanley

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Bro!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@Dirtmonkey no problem keep up the great work

[@capitalcanecorso1314]

That things amazing..great video

[@TimberTrainer]

Neat little saw. It would be nice to see a chain brake/ hand guard. As a pro climber used to running chainsaws, I automatically bump the chain brake after each cut. With nothing between the handle and chain, some of us might throw out our left hand without thinking. Impressive power anyway from such a small saw.

[@MaximusPrime118]

The Cabin in the background during the 11:59-13:12 timeframe is my family’s :)

[@jdisdetermined]

Wow, nice place, so is the key under the mat? 😁👍

[@loewservicesllc6218]

I love Milwaukee tools but I laughed when I seen that little guy the first time but I am truly impressed with how well it looks like it did. With all that said I still wouldn’t buy it but I love the video thanks for showing it to us😎

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on

[@jimjim753]

Beautiful home.. love the channel......when you need log siding refinished keep us in mind... first class sandblasting restoration, big lake mn.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Sounds good!

[@robocox9mil882]

I was waiting for that kickback and that left hand to slip.

[@scotshabalam2432]

I noticed that safety guard being used as a handle right above the chain and at no point was it ever a safety guard. I knew Stan was fine or he wouldn't of uploaded or else prefaced us with "I jacked up my hand!" in the intro so I wasn't worried. Mil should put a sign on that rail that says "If you hate fingers put your hand here!" or "don't" -something.

[@augustreil]

@@scotshabalam2432, Very true, Milwaukee is making it too easy to use as a handle.

[@jacqdanieles]

@@scotshabalam2432 - seems like a major design flaw to me.

[@joelfarley8654]

What a neat tool

[@davidfeatherstone9652]

Can't believe you didn't smell it when you took out of box. New tool smell mmmmmmmmmmmm

[@marcosmota1094]

The handle slip is easy to solve. Get a long hex nut/coupling nut, and attach it at the bottom perpendicularly. Use 5/16" ID with washers on both sides. If you are afraid of coming off the nut, put a washer on the free end with a short/snipped bolt.

[@BG-vq9fd]

I have been interested in this saw since I heard it was coming. I considered the Stihl but did not want another battery platform. I have lots of the Milwaukee 12 volt tools.

[@coreyhunter7810]

I would like to have one in my side-by-side for clearing trails down at cabin

[@Dirtmonkey]

Its perfect for that

[@alexhoyer4315]

Would probably be sweet in a snowmobile too if you put a few hand warmers in with the batteries

[@flash1259]

It's nice looking and probably does a good job. I'm using 20v and flexvolt Dewalt Sawzalls. With a pruning blade that can be changed in seconds when broken or dull. They cut and my Vermeer 935 does the chipping.

[@AndrewBrowner]

@@alexhoyer4315 batteries work pretty good to like -20c and thats leaving them out all night, if you bring them out from the house itd take them a couple hours sitting in contact with snow for the actual cells to lose all their heat, when cold they just dont have any torque until they heat up, you definetly notice the cold but it doesnt kill the battery or anything

[@AndrewBrowner]

masewell just grab the m18 saw, easier to strap down and will deal with any tree blocking the path, yeah the hatchet will chew through a 20" tree if youre patient and take slice after slice out but after one cut itll be done and youll still have an 800lb tree sitting there, the m18 16" will dice it up into firewood and it can be kicked off the trail

[@cpufrost]

Good for getting your Christmas tree! Clark would be proud! :-) RE: Bar oil. Yes, I ALWAYS overfill the damn bar oil! Just like that.

[@erike7297]

Your house is super stylin.

[@raymondhogue1]

Thx for that safety tip👍

[@urmailingalen]

Looks like a beast for around the house jobs.

[@victorfox9623]

That would come in handy while camping and collecting firewood. I'm using a hatchet and handsaw but it takes a lot of work and time.

[@augustreil]

Have you ever tried one of those fold out Silky saws or a knock off from Ebay ? I bought a 12'' one off Ebay for 15 bucks and will cut a 3'' branch in maybe 12 seconds ? They're fast !!

[@IsraelistheJewsland]

Silky saw is way better and lighter than this joke

[@Evilslayer73]

perfect saw for hunting fishing in the wild

[@Dirtmonkey]

For sure!

[@crimmy0204]

I'd love a compact chainsaw so many uses and so little space used, I use a 10" black and decker right now and this thing is way smaller and probably more powerful.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I don't know about the comparison thing but this saw had amazing power!

[@crimmy0204]

@Travis Kunshier its not a bad little chainsaw, I've used it more than my 16"

[@stevewebb6021]

I would use that when pruning, not heavy constant use but would make those bigger branches a breeze

[@Dirtmonkey]

This thing is probably the best new tool Milwaukee has released

[@youthised58]

Son of a Gun! Nice video. I knew your hand was in the wrong place.

[@Yonder27]

Good idea Start small and stay safe.

[@ctbt1832]

Great video

[@richardsedorski1206]

Lovely quality vid very good.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@electroluxlad]

The thing is is I’ve never had an issue with any of my m12 and I like the M 12 drill driver better than I like the M 18 But they both have their advantages and disadvantages

[@cosminhusqy3138]

Great video !

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks!

[@cosminhusqy3138]

@@Dirtmonkey 👍💪💪💪

[@liamslawncare9300]

Love the videos

[@tsmall07]

I've got a couple old homelite saws that are about the same size. This one looks about 1/4 the weight and more powerful.

[@mikebullock5156]

Cool little saw looks like it would probably be nice to have cleaning up fence lines. At least maybe it wouldn't wear you out while walking down the fence lines.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good call!

[@carltrano1325]

If they came out with a poll Attachment for it that would be the Ultimate Accessory for setting up tree stands.👍

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

The weed whackers have pruning attachments.

[@matthewhoffman9242]

Dewalt has a pole saw so, ether Milwaukee has one or they are fixing to have one come out

[@deadthem]

I used to wear white sock with work boots. Somehow they magically turned brown at the end of the day 😆 Every time

[@tinbanger66]

Pants go on the outside of work boots.😉

[@NealD]

I hope Milwaukee sent you this for free, because I think you just sold them 1000 units from this demo!

[@funtyes1970]

lol all tools he get are free he sure dont buy them

[@xTHEmuffinMAN1x]

I'm sold, I'll be ordering mine soon.

[@angelicab.9735]

It was free. I know so. I just know.

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

I was going actually going to buy Milwaukee’s buy M18 Fuel chainsaw, but this thing will probably save me an arm or a leg, because I don’t know how to use a chainsaw. I can’t be the only person who has never use a chainsaw, it has no need for one, but is going buy this one! I thought the Bosch 12V chainsaw looked pretty cool when it first came out, but this seems so much more practical. This was a great video!

[@raydodge6015]

Nothing much more dangerous than chainsaw work. Stay vigilant. Never get too comfortable or you end up in the ER.

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

Ray Dodge Well I just use the Ryobi electric chainsaw for the first time today and I still have all my fingers. It was my first time ever using a chainsaw, watch a couple KZbin videos and now I’m definitely buying the Milwaukee M12! It just makes so much sense, because some of the branches I have to use my reciprocating saw to cut down first. And when you’re on a ladder, it’s hard to extend your arm with a chainsaw, or even a reciprocating saw because of the weight of it.

[@raydodge6015]

@@IppiopaidFEEDBACK - be sure to learn the 3 cut method.... and what the "collar" on a branch at the trunk is about... as in dont cut it off - the cells in the collar area help the tree heal !! Good luck!

[@anothernobody4411]

Good vid. I always enjoy your videos even tho im just now gonna hit the like n subscribe smh. Im also gonna order one of of them lil joints because you totally sold me with this video. Milwaukee should be proud of you lol

[@highjix]

to me, it sounds like someone needs to come up with a way to modify that "handle" to make it less likely that if you lose your grip it doesn't slip on to the chain. Honestly I watched you explain "don't use this as a hand hold, but use this" and all I could think of is that I would probably still grab that metal bracket that I shouldn't be touching.

[@chaddoan4659]

Bosch makes an even smaller 12v cordless chain saw but they don't sell it in the U.S. The AvE channel used it to open boxes.

[@normanbackzkiewicz4786]

Using winter socks are best when you work on your feet all day lol learned that from roofing

[@SeanBressie]

Great little saw... your Monopod with gopro caught my eye as well... what is the orange/red thing also attached? battery, monitor, external hard drive?

[@davegordon6943]

I have the DeWalt, I think it has a 12 inch bar but is excellent for limbing.

[@NightshiftCustom]

love the M12 line of tools there alot better then most ppl think when there hear 12 volts ?

[@v26224]

that seems really cool, kida like a sawzall with a chainsaw chain

[@Dirtmonkey]

its so much better

[@keithparady2594]

If my old man was still alive he wouldn’t know what to think about that lol

[@ron1martens]

Impressive. My concerns. At 12 minutes like you mentioned, gripping the front bar which is close to an unprotected chain. I hope Milwaukee sort that out once reviewing this machine. 2/ 4 amp hour batteries. Not too shabby.

[@megacleancab256]

Bought one solely based on your review.

[@abeltoomowlawncarecompany8481]

Great saw for my grandfather oh yeah and that's a scrench tool

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

how often do you have to fill the bar oil--how quickly does it go through it, and how long does the battery last? i'm sure its like 300 bucks for the tool only and then another 200 for a couple batteries....Is it worth that nuts cost?

[@westernfarms3885]

I love how he has a job or a problem he Has something conveniently sent to him by a company!

[@Dirtmonkey]

They had sent me the saw about 2 weeks before the tree fell. When I seen the tree on my jeep i had an idea to try the saw

[@luke8210]

Hey some of that rain my way.....110 every day for the last several weeks here in southern Arizona. This weekend its supposed to cool to 105.....somthing to look forward to I guess

[@augustreil]

Isn't it always like that where you live, or has it been abnormally hot this year ? Thanks.

[@luke8210]

@@augustreil Its above normal for this time of year. Usually were in the high 90s to low 100s by now. July is the hottest month. We touched 118 here. Winters are nice though. 50s and 60s.

[@augustreil]

@@luke8210, Thank you, appreciate your response.