Milwaukee 6180-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Abrasive Cutoff Machine

Reviews of Milwaukee 6180-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Abrasive Cutoff Machine

1.) Finally - Milwaukee has made a good abrasive chop-saw
Reviewed by: D. MOORE Houston, TX, USA
Rating:
March 2005 -
I've owned two Milwaukee 6176-20 chop saws, both purchased from Home Depot. Both had problem after problem - two switches, a broken arm, broken handles and finally a burned out motor. So when I decided to replace the dead unit, I looked at some reviews and my first choice, a DeWalt unit, was not highly recommended. So I checked, reluctantly, into what Milwaukee has to offer. On Milwaukee's website, they listed a new unit, the 6180-20 so I went ahead and purchased the unit.

I'll jump right into it - this is without a doubt a much better chop-saw. Some of the highlight are:

* A higher and heavier base - That keeps it from running the wheel into the floor when you use it on the ground and you have a new wheel. It also seems more stable since it's a overall slightly larger saw.

* The pivot point of the arm is raised up - This keeps the centerline of the wheel even when it comes down at it's lowest point.

* The arm (I broke one on my last saw) seems much sturdier.

* The handle is now "D" shaped and allows easier down-pressure on the arm than the typical pistol style grip.

* The lock to keep the arm down when transporting it isn't a chain now, it's an actual pin that is easier to set and un-set. It seems to me to be questionable since the pin rests up against the arm without much backing, though I'm sure someone tested this.

* The motor seems to be more powerful, I noticed it pop-ed a 15amp breaker that the old saw could not. It also cut quite a bit faster (though not nearly as fast as a dry cut saw).

* It's completely tool less. The backing plate slides up and down to allow for larger stock just by pushing down on a spring loaded pin (though it is a bit hard to do with gloves on). The angle is also tool less, though it could have been designed with a bit more thought, though it does work. Don't expect precise setting of the angles, you will still need a protractor or framing square to get it right 100% of the time.

* The quick release is also improved, it's now just a simple lever that turns 180 degrees to allow quick adjustment of the clamp. The clamp release/screw is even better - it isn't just a L shaped section of rod that you struggle to open when it's tighten down, it's now a nice flatten section of metal and the overall size is bigger, allowing it to me more easily opened.

* The warranty is now 5 years... though it does say at Milwaukee's discretion, you mileage may vary. It is still better than the old 1 year warranty.

Overall I am very happy the unit so far, though time will tell if it holds up.
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Dec 2006 - Update....

I've had this chop saw for over a year now. I would guess that I have run 15 or more blades through it in that period of time. I've done some pretty thick material - 2" solid square stock, stainless and small items. I've cut extremely tight cuts (32"nds) in square tube and through it all this saw has been a performer. Other than the weight of the saw - this thing is a real performer. I've only had one problem with the unit during this time - I tried to use pliers to tighten the "tool-less" arbor nut and it broke. I can now see that you shouldn't use pliers on it. They did have them in stock for $25 at the dealer though. Still I highly recommend this saw to anyone looking for a metal chop saw that is better than just a "once a year" tool. I've also noticed that if you perfer a "dry cut" saw with teeth instead of an abrasive cutoff wheel, they sell the unit 6190-20 also. The advantage (other than ongoing costs) is they don't leave that "layer" of abrasive black dust all over your shop and cut area. I personally find them a little more dangerious.

2.) Worth it over the 6176-20
Reviewed by: Celad
Rating:
If you're only doing 90° cuts the 6176-20 is okay, but I needed 45° on square stock. The cuts were badly oblique because the stamped steel vise was not square vertically. I returned the 6176-20 and got 6180-20. It has a machined vise which is much better than the stamped steel one on the 6176-20. The motor has more has more power and the handle is a better orientation as well.


3.) Best price.,best unit.
Reviewed by: Alfred Zampieri Millsboro ,De.
Rating:
Time for a new cut off saw.My Mikita saw gave me twenty good years.Needed a new saw that didn't bog down or kick out circuit braker.This unit had five horsepower.All the other brands had only three horsepower.Best price I could find was from Northern tool catalog for $220.Amazon as always, had the lowest price at $195....and another $25 off for sale over $150.So I spent over $300 to take advantage of sale (spend $300 or more and get off $50) bought a new Wilton bench vice and Wilton bench grinder.This saw cuts like butter and I like all the features that I read in all the customers reviews.

4.) Wow, this Saw is great......
Reviewed by: Sidewinder_Guy_53
Rating:
I ordered this saw from Amazon about Christmas time and actually received it after the holidays. Prompt delivery. Saw cuts well and is built very tough. So tough that moving it by hand is a bit of a work-out. It weighs a bunch.

If you are looking for an alternative to a bandsaw for average use; but need accuracy -this saw is it. A real Milwaukee....

5.) Milwaukee 6180-20 14"
Reviewed by: James Mcgrory
Rating:
Great machine, lots of power, I would say best in its class. I use this machine to cut 1/2" plates and 4" sch80 pipe and it cuts right through with no problem. Would recomend this product highly to serious metal worker

6.) Weekender-Do-It-Yourself-R
Reviewed by: Soundman Tucson, Az. UofA
Rating:
I have used it to cut Schedule 80 and 40 water carrying conduit and electrical conduit (1/2" to 4" including 1-1/2" schedule 80. The unit had no problems cutting 4" PVC drainpipe. It was also used to cut Number 3 rebar and I experienced no problems what-so-ever. The shavings will collect at the back of the unit forming a conical structure. When cooled, just tap with something and it falls right off.

In my opinion, the 6180-20 was definitely worth the money in the amount of time it saved me to do my backyard project. Hand-cutting rebar or using a PVC-Hand-Cutter doesn't even compare to it. I plan to use it to cut steel studs etc.

The quick release vise is great. I have not used the vise for precise cuts. It does seem like it could make a good accurate angled cut if needed and is a very sturdy vise unit. However, as the name implies it is a "Cut-off" saw.

My reason for purchase was due to Rigid's Miter Saw (previous purchase) specifically states that their unit cannot be used as an abrasive cut-off saw. So I now have two very good machines. Rigid's compound Miter Saw and Milwaukee's 6180-20.

If you have the money to make the purchase, you will like it too. Justify to your spouse or significant other based on how much time could be saved and spent with them.

7.) Quality Saw
Reviewed by: Jerry E. Diebel Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Rating:
I received my saw in excellent condition. It replaced my Makita 12 inch which is about 20+ years old. It has the power to do the cutting job. I especially like the "D" handle. It is easy to operate on a higher surface. This is a quality machine that I can highly recommend.

8.) Weighs a ton and cuts perfect.
Reviewed by: E. Christenson South Lake Tahoe, CA USA
Rating:
Tried a few other saws and this one is by far the best. Super solid and worth every penny. Cuts 2.5 x 2.5 x 1/4 steel perfectly. Buy it and you won't be disappointed!

9.) GREAT SAW
Reviewed by: M. Halverson
Rating:
I just got my new chop saw. I was cutting angle, flatbar, and square tubing. It cut through everything with ease, even 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1/4 squre tubing. That impressed me.

10.) Really good
Reviewed by: Winker Montana
Rating:
This is the best chop saw I've ever used. I sent many years in a repair shop, and cut lots of iron. It would have been a better saw than I ever had to use. The quick angle change feature is really nice. I would recommend this to anyone.

11.) Heavy Duty!
Reviewed by: George Staunton,VA
Rating:
This is a very brawny, well made tool. Much better than the competition (the only one I've seen that is even close is the DeWalt, but it is no competition.) A typical Milwaukee tool--excellent!

12.) Milwaukee Cutoff Machine
Reviewed by: George Newaygo Michigan
Rating:
This have performed very well. Seems to be well built and solid. A full swing of angles on the clamp to the right and left both would be nice. The quick release is great.
This saw has done everything we've wanted it too for the most part. Been used on pipe, various sizes of tubing, channel & angle iron plus re-rod.


13.) milwaukee cut off saw
Reviewed by: T. Lutkehaus Granbury, TX
Rating:
Purchased this saw based on some other reviews. I found the saw to function as well or better than anticipated. The clamping system works very effectively. The saw has plenty of power for the jobs it is designed to handle. Of course chop saws have a little trouble cutting straight lines in thick material but if you take your time it does a good job. Have not had it long enough to see how it wears and how it will hold up. To date it feels good and is running strong. I would recommend the saw for your use.

14.) Great quality product!
Reviewed by: Janet E. Smith Eastern Washington
Rating:
I live quite remote and had not been able to fine a quality, heavy-duty metal chop saw. This machine does the job on our sheep farm and then some.

15.) Top Notch
Reviewed by: Tool Junkie Colorado
Rating:
This tool was top of the line from all the selections as far as I'm concerned. It is solidly built without being to heavy to move. The spark guard is a nice feature. Adjustments are intuitive & simple to make. Handle is ergonomic & has a smooth solid motion.

16.) Milwaukee 6180-20 cutoff saw
Reviewed by: Bryan P.
Rating:
I have used other abrasive cutoff saws that can't match the efficient quality of this saw. It's extremely powerfull and cuts through metal with speed and ease.
Bryan P.

17.) Excellent!
Reviewed by: Shaun Budka Watertown, MA
Rating:
built a rotisserie for my 1969 Porsche 911 with it. Excellent quality all the way around. Get this one vs. the DeWalt.

18.) awesome
Reviewed by: Machinists wife
Rating:
This saw was a gift for hubby for christmas.. It was just as described. He was very happy with it. And I was very happy with the transaction. Very fast shipping. Thank you..

19.) The best in its class
Reviewed by: Mel D. California
Rating:
Does anyone like the Milwaukee 6176-20?

The Milwaukee 6180-20 is better in every respect and worth the extra $50 in my opinion.

- base is cast and sturdy vs. typical thin pressed junk
- vise is better machined
- vise winder knob has better ergos
- handle has better ergonomics
- power switch is easy to hold for long duration cuts in hardened materials
- double spring easier to control
- pin-locking vs. chain
- chip deflector is larger and effective
- blade guide is better and rides smoothly on the base
- wide base with feet planted at the corners

I looked at Makita, Hitachi, Porter Cable, Dewalt, Ryobi and Ridgid before seeing the virtues of this Milwaukee chop saw. I love Makita but this one has it all.

5 out of 5 stars.

20.) Milwaukee cutting at it's best
Reviewed by: John Dodd CANTON, GA, US
Rating:
Product works great. I have used it a lot for cutting uni-strut with no problems. Very satisfied with my purchase.

21.) Milwaukee 6180-20 cutoff saw
Reviewed by: Anghel Ene Portland, OR
Rating:
Awesome piece of machinery very well built and the price is out of this world compared to the other brands that are not even as good as milwaukee.

22.) Another Excellent Milwaukee Product
Reviewed by: Family Craftsman Madison, Wi
Rating:
I do allot of metal fabrication for farmers and build skid-steer attachments. Purchased this saw to replace a Jet band-saw. Having read others reviews I purchased this saw with no regrets. Performs real well with plenty of power. My shop if full of Milwaukee tools and this one too is an excellent product. Would highly recommend and would certainly purchase again.

23.) Best chop saw I've used.
Reviewed by: Bradley W Walker
Rating:
I've had a metal shop for over 20 years and this is the best chop saw I've ever used. I would recommend it to anyone. I shopped around quite a bit and this was a great price.

24.) Milwaukee 6180-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Abrasive Cutoff Machine
Reviewed by: Jerald A. McKinley Melissa, TX, US
Rating:
The cutoff machine has performed better than expected.
It does not bog down when crowded!
Very pleased with it's operation.
We are highly skilled in the use of this machine.

25.) Great chop saw
Reviewed by: Create your Pen Name: Example: Mark Twain Buffalo
Rating:
After a good deal of research, I went with the Milwaukee chop saw and it was a great decision. Sturdy construction, holds items firmly for cutting, easy to use, and works effortlessly.

26.) Solid Saw
Reviewed by: 2112 Harley Gilbert, AZ United States
Rating:
I was tempted to get the 6190-20 but elected to get this one mostly because I know it will cut anything. I questioned the dry cut blade's ability to do the same. One problem I had with it was I was tripping a 20 amp breaker. I called Milwaukee and the guy told me I was using a Square D system and they are more sensitive to the amperage spikes on startup. I put a 10' cord between the saw and recep and fixed the problem.

27.) Not All Cutoff Saw are Created Equal
Reviewed by: Frank Trozzo Brevard, NC
Rating:
Out of the box Milwaukee quality is a joy to work with. Soft start motor is great. Adjustable fence is a great feature, though I use it very little. Miter adjustment is the best design I've seen. 2 x 2 x 1/4" walled tubing will put a strain on any cutoff saw and the Milwaukee motor did smoke up on the tail end of the cut. Motor must be given time to cool and cuts have to be done slowly. These saw are not replacements for horizontal band saws. The spark catcher is well designed. Vise has to be fully closed for saw to locked closed for transport. Generous sized based makes for easey positioning. Cutoff saws in general wear down the wheel diameter and limit the cut capacity adding expense to production work.

28.) Milwaukee cut off saw
Reviewed by: Big Z
Rating:
Well improved design. I used to have the older model but the "D" handle and cast plate are much better to work with. The clamp is also a good improvement. I put it a notch above the De Walt.

29.) Milwaukee Cut Off Saw
Reviewed by: bultaco boy oklahoma
Rating:
Saw if very powerful and does the jobs I have very well. It is as advertised.


30.) Works ok
Reviewed by: lumpy9500 Ridgecrest, Ca. United States
Rating:
Previously had a cheap chopsaw and it worked great but the motor was going bad, so I decided to spend the bucks on a Milwaukee.
Had a problem from the start after recieving chop saw. Blade was already installed with the "FIX-Tec" nut, and I checked to make sure it was tight by hand.
I put in a piece of 1/2" round stock and started to cut. I got about 1/4" into it and the blade started flopping all over the place. I checked the FIX-Tec nut and it was a little loose so I removed it and saw that the metal band in the center of the wheel had come out and was distorted. Bad wheel or FIX-Tec nut?
Luckily they also put a bag in the box with a spanner wrench and nut to use in place of the FIX-Tec nut so I went to town and got another wheel.
The saw works ok but still bogs down as bad as a cheap chopsaw.
I emailed Customer Service and they were great about sending all the parts that got screwed up (new wheel, FIX-Tec nut, wheel flanges).

31.) It's OK
Reviewed by: Sam
Rating:
Let's get to it quickly with the pros and cons:

Pros:
- powerful motor - my breaker will trip before the motor shows any sign of bogging down
- hefty machine, no vibration
- Vise clamps down well on piece


Cons:
- Vise only lets you go up to a 45 degree cut, lot of others let you go to 30 degrees. This is kind of important if you're doing saddle cuts on pipe
- straight cuts happen with a new blade, but you start getting skewed cuts as the blade wears
- the tool less blade change was tightened so hard from the factory that I had to users pliers to twist it loose. Have to use pliers most of the time now to yank the twist nut loose

Conclusion: I think this machine can use an upgraded vise that allows the piece to be held at 30 degrees. I mostly use a cold cut saw these days, but the abrasive saw still has its place, and you can't go wrong with any of the major brands.

32.) MADE IN TAIWAN...and it's starting to show
Reviewed by: tool fool Seattle, WA
Rating:
When I buy a Milwaukee power tool I expect the best that money can buy, and I am more than happy to pay for it. Unfortunately, this tool is not worthy of the Milwaukee name. I bought the unit six months ago for a light-gauge steel construction project. Here are my observations:

+ Heavy. I agree with other reviewers - it has a nice, solid base and rigid vise.
+ Ergonomic. The D-handle and power switch are great.
- Excessive vibration. Roughest running chop saw I have ever used.
- Mediocre power. All other Milwaukee tools, and other brand chop saws I have used, have plenty of power. This one is lacking.
- Bearing chatter. Major cause for concern given that the saw has only been in service 6 months - and 6 easy months at that. It is getting so bad that sometimes the saw just bogs down and refuses to cut.

I checked the box and sure enough, it has a little sticker bearing the words, "MADE IN TAIWAN." If I had wanted some cheap piece of junk from Asia, I could have gotten it from Harbor Freight for half the price. Milwaukee, what have you done?

33.) IT LOOKS A GOOD SAW ,BUT ITS NOT UP TO THE JOB.
Reviewed by: Klaus D. York
Rating:
I had an old Black and Decker Industrial saw which was obsolete .Having purchased several Milwaukee tools over the years I thought I couldn't go wrong by purchasing another tool from them.Boy was I wrong.
The first short coming was with the quich change blade nut .By hand I could not get the nut tight enough to prevent the blade from tearing out the blades mandrel.Lucky for me the old fashioned nut was included so using the enclosed wrench I was able to get it tight enough so the saw would work.
Since I had alot of Rebar to cut I tightened the quick change vise in it perpenticular position.In the course of my work I found the position kept chaging and I had to keep resettin it and tightening the quick change handle.The only way I could keep it in place was by pounding with a hammer to tighten it sufficiently.I'll probably change it out to a bolt and nut which would work much better.
I also found that while cutting the many lengths of 3/4" rebar that the saw would slow down and I would have to let up on the pressure so the saw could speed back up.This was annoying to me since I didn't have to do this with my old B&D saw .I would cut all of the way thru without slowing down.
The final problem was the quick release on the vise handle which for me I could never get it to release and I ended up breaking ot off and now have to crank the vise in and out for changes in stock thickness.
All in all I would look else where in the future for my chop saw needs .
This one is not it.
To make matters worse Milwaukee now makes this saw in Taiwan instead of the USA ,but looks like price doesn't reflect this.

Features of Milwaukee 6180-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Abrasive Cutoff Machine

1.) Powerful 5.4 HP/15-amp motor for fast cutting;
2.) Completely tool-free for simple fence adjustments and wheel changes;
3.) Quick-change abrasive wheel system for less downtime;
4.) Largest cutting capacity in class for larger stock; horizontal D-handle for optimal comfort;
5.) 1-year warranty;

Package Height x Length x Width: 25.4 in. x 25.4 in. x 17.6 in.
Package Weight: 60.2 lbs.

Accessories for Milwaukee 6180-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Abrasive Cutoff Machine