The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Cordless Table Saw (2736-21HD) is the sure new addition to the M18 Fuel line of cordless tools. One of its few competitors includes the DeWalt FlexVolt table saw model. We can at least draw some comparisons between these cordless saws. But if we're talking about moving to a completely cordless job site, I need this table saw to get the job done well and make the convenience of being cordless worth the price.
advantage
- sufficient strength
- smooth cut
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Excellent feature set and tuned design
shortcoming
- Can secure itself as primary table saw with AC adapter option
- Has the ability to move up to a 10" blade, but stick with the 8-1/4"
Milwaukee Cordless Table Saw Height Adjustment
All-metal gearing allows for smooth blade height adjustment. Instead of the SawStop's 1-turn dial, it has 14 turns to fully expand the blade, not as many as most table saws do.
Adjust bevel
The standard version lets you swing the blade angle to the left. There's nothing special here other than Milwaukee put the scale on the right half and it has a nice contrast to make it easier to see.
Milwaukee 2736-21HD Tearability
Milwaukee is following the rack-and-pinion trend of adjusting rip length. Smooth action and easy to dial in to the length you're looking for. A simple lever down the right side locks the length.
Using a Milwaukee M18 Table Saw for Fencing
The fence on the Milwaukee 2736-20 has clip locks on both sides with swivel extensions to secure material once you move off the edge of the table. The fence's two hard contact points ensure you get square and full range from 0 to 24-1/2 inches.
Pro tip: Be sure to calibrate your table saw when it comes in. We need to make 1/8" fence adjustments on both points of contact.
Install the riving knife
The release on the back disengages the riving knife clip. Getting it to stay in the right place is super easy, and it's easily one of the best designs available.
Speaking of riving knives – you have two options for riving knives. You can take it with or without a blade guard. Going that route adds an extra section, but you don't have to fool @#$%! Blade guard installed. You'll still need to install the anti-kickback pawl yourself, though.
Milwaukee One Click Integration
While there are no tool controls (what would you like to customize?), you get the tool tracking, lockout controls and asset management features provided by the Milwaukee ONE-KEY.
power off safety switch
If your battery dies or you lose the connection to the trigger, the saw will not spin the blade immediately when you insert the battery. You need to turn it off first.
Single wrench blade replacement
Using a push-button blade lock similar to a miter saw, all it takes is a wrench to loosen the nut to change the blade.
If you choose to purchase the $79 scissor stand for the Milwaukee 2736-20 cordless table saw, assembly is fairly simple. Clamping the saw is an easy process, although you will need to carry the saw and stand separately to and from the job site.
The legs splay wide enough to provide a stable platform, and a single adjustable foot will help with walking on any uneven ground. Given that the saw weighs only 41 lbs, ditching the gravity lift stand isn't a huge deal this time around.
Additional features
- Brushless Motor
- Electronic knife switch
- push the stick store over the fence
- The miter gauge has a metal stem with a plastic lock and gauge
- Dual Channel Miter Gauge
- Anti-kickback pawls are mounted with standard spring clips
missing features
- AC power: I wish there was an AC adapter, at least as an option
- Flesh detection (groan): Hey, if you want to use it with SawStop, it's available, but we don't want others to have it
- Premium stock blade: I'd like to see a new blade from Milwaukee that ships with the saw
Milwaukee M18 Table Saw Performance
Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Brushless Motor is a new large frame design that spins an 8-1/4" blade at 6300 RPM. A standard 10" table saw has a no-load speed of 5000 RPM. Taking into account the difference in blade diameter, the Milwaukee has a tip speed of 159 MPH—10 MPH faster than the corded 10-inch model.
That's all well and good if it's on Final Jeopardy, but you'll need some torque to get to that speed. I set up my M18 Fuel table saw for multiple test cuts: 3/4″ OSB, 2x untreated pine, and 2x pressure treated pine. It took me initially more time than usual for the saw to catch up. Obviously I didn't This needs to be done.
After several members of our Pro team made test cuts, the results were consistent—the Milwaukee cordless table saw cut like the corded model. In addition to having plenty of power, the cuts are smooth even with regular Milwaukee blades.
With the power Milwaukee gets out of this saw, I think they could move to a 10" blade. You probably don't need the extra capacity for most of the jobs we see on residential job sites, though.
Milwaukee 2736-21HD Dust Collection
The M18 Fuel table saw is designed to collect dust above average. You'll notice a soft, canvas-like layer that moves with the blade bevel, helping to transport more dust to the port. Even if you're working outside where you can shoot it, sawdust won't build up under the blade like a few of our other saws.
Interestingly, Milwaukee went with a metal design on the dust vents. While most of our saws are happy to use plastic, I would go for the extra durability.
price and value
The Milwaukee Cordless Table Saw with 12.0 Ah High Output Battery (216 Wh) and Fast Charger is $599. That's significantly higher than a typical 10-inch corded table saw, and we've come to expect that premium.
DeWalt's current price is $449 with a 2.0 Ah battery (108 Wh). To exceed the Milwaukee's capacity, you'll need DeWalt's two-battery kit, which costs $648. This will give you 2.0 Ah and 3.0 Ah for 270 watt hours. Or you can buy an additional 2.0 Ah battery pack for $149. Whichever way you go, Milwaukee is the better deal and you get one-click integration.
Milwaukee 2736-21HD Bottom Line
this The Milwaukee 2736-21HD Cordless Table Saw is powerful, powerful and expands the M18 Fuel range. In my opinion, it surpasses the DeWalt as the leader among the very few cordless table saws. The question is whether it can be used as a primary job site table saw, or if it is just a secondary tool.
It's self-contained if you don't need to rip more than 2-1/2" in capacity. You'll have to decide if you need a second battery, though.
Milwaukee Cordless Table Saw Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2736-21HD
- Power: M18 RedLithium battery (high output recommended)
- Blade Diameter: 8-1/4″
- No-load speed: 6300 RPM
- Tear Capacity: 24-1/2″
- Maximum cutting depth: 2-1/2″
- 45° Depth of cut: 1-3/4″
- Maximum bevel angle: 47°
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 22 x 22.5 x 12 inches
- Weight: 41.6 lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $599 (kit with 12.0 Ah high-output battery), $399 (bare)
- Booth: $99