Last month, Electrical Business was honoured to be one of just two Canadian magazines (the other being Canadian Home Workshop) invited to a special Milwaukee Electric Tool sneak preview at the company’s HQ and training centre in Brookfield, Wis. Ever since, we’ve been dying for the green light from Milwaukee to tell you about what we saw. Today, we got that green light…

Milwaukee
has unveiled several new cordless products across its 12V and 18V
platforms (M12 and M18), but the one that I’ve been dying to tell you
about is this little gem: the M12 Hackzall reciprocating saw.



During
its presentation, Milwaukee execs referred to both incremental
innovation and “disruptive” innovation (like the iPod… something that
completely changes the landscape), and the Hackzall could be considered
both. It was definitely my favourite out of all the new products
showcased.



Perhaps
Milwaukee engineers and designers took their cue from the electric
knife that you’ll find in so many kitchens. They then pumped it full of
steroids and cut the cord to come up with Hackzall.



The
12-volt saw is compact and lightweight, and will cut over 80 pieces of
11⁄2-in. PVC on a single charge. It delivers a 1⁄2-in. stroke
3000/minute for a smooth yet aggressive cut, and employs a keyless
Quik-Lok blade clamp to ensure quick and easy blade changes. Additional
features include a built-in LED and battery fuel gauge.



The tool
will be sold with two 12V Li-ion batteries, 30-minute charger, two
Hackzall blades and carrying case. Look for this product in the
Canadian market in October.