MILWAUKEE 2626-20 M18 CORDLESS MULTI-TOOL

Last month I reviewed the Milwaukee cordless drill/driver. I mentioned then that I own more than just a drill/driver for the M18 battery system, and now it’s time to look at the next tool.
If you’re interested in a tool that isn’t exactly cheap but is certainly interesting, read on.

Most people know this tool as a renovator, although its proper name is a little different: a multitool, or oscillating tool.
In my opinion, multitool is the most fitting name, since this tool can perform a great many different tasks. Of course, for some applications it can’t compete with an angle grinder or a sander, but there are jobs that are genuinely very difficult to do without one.

Before copying over the specifications, here’s a link to this tool’s page on the manufacturer’s website, along with its Russian version.

First, a general description with the basic specifications.


And here’s the more complete version. The key specifications are the mechanism’s oscillation angle and frequency.


To start with, a great many companies make these multitools, including well-known brands.
Strangely enough, though, they’re not very common. For example, it’s almost impossible to find accessories for one on our market—there are literally only one or two sellers. I found a few types of blades and scrapers at large hardware stores, but the prices are pretty steep for items like these.
If you’re interested, here’s a link to an article about the history of the multitool. Some of the photos are from that article.

I think there are several reasons why this tool hasn’t caught on:
It’s fairly expensive, and many people would rather just buy an angle grinder.
Not everyone understands what this tool is even for.
Sometimes people prefer to do the job with whatever tools they have on hand.
It’s not as productive as an angle grinder or a sander.


When choosing a multitool, I focused on Milwaukee’s products to go with my drill/driver.
The company offers just two versions of this tool: M12 and M18. I ruled out the first because it’s less powerful. Since I was buying an M18 drill/driver anyway, I went with the multitool from the same system.

To start, here are a couple of videos showing what you can do with this tool.
The first is from the manufacturer, but it features the M12 model.

The second is from another company and goes into more detail.

At the time I bought it, there were two main options: the bare tool, or the tool with a battery.
I chose the second option, since the price difference wasn’t very large, and an extra battery never hurts. The package contained nothing but the tool and the battery.






Most of the housing is rubberized, which makes it easier to work with, since the tool operates by vibration.


There aren’t many controls; the power switch is on top of the housing.


On the left is the oscillation speed dial, with a range of 2–12, or 12,000–18,000 oscillations per minute.


There is an LED work light at the front of the housing. Oddly enough, although the LED points forward, the diffuser directs the light where it needs to go. The illuminated area starts about 1–1.5 cm from the tool. As with the drill/driver, the light switches off with a delay: release the trigger and it stays on for another 10 seconds, then gradually fades out.


The accessory mounting point.
Each manufacturer has its own “pattern” for the locking mechanism, but accessory makers don’t share their view and produce universal blades, sanding pads, and so on, so in most cases there won’t be a problem.


Since I bought the tool in the US, it has a model number like 2626-20 (or 2626-22). Here, the same tool has a different model number: M18 BMT-421C or M18 BMT-0.
Country of manufacture: China.


A quick explanation of how to install an accessory.
1. Open the locking mechanism at the top.
2. Unscrew the bolt. No screwdriver needed; it comes out easily by hand.
3, 4. Install the blade (or whatever you need), choosing the most convenient working position.
5. Screw the locking bolt back in. Don’t tighten it; just screw it in until it makes contact.
6. Return the locking mechanism to its original position, and that’s it.


The operating principle of this tool is very simple. While it’s running, the shaft oscillates left and right at a high frequency (12,000–18,000 oscillations per minute), but through a small angle.
This model has an oscillation angle of ±1.7 degrees, or 3.4 degrees total.
These small movements are what make it possible to cut, sand, and so on. And because the movement is so small, the whole system is completely safe.


There are lots of accessories available: narrow and wide blades, scrapers, diamond sanding pads, and attachments for sandpaper.


Some of the jobs you can do with this kind of tool.


Interestingly, it came with a 2 Ah battery, not a 1.5 Ah one like the drill/driver did.
The battery looks exactly the same, with the same dimensions and charge indicator.


It has the same rubberized base, though the label is slightly different.


In my previous review, I already mentioned that I had doubts about whether the battery was genuine. What struck me then was that the drill batteries didn't have the capacity printed in large numbers, unlike the multitool battery. Maybe that's normal; I don't know.
The multitool battery is on top, the drill battery below.


At first, it seemed that the battery didn't fit very snugly in its slot, but I later found out that the socket is deliberately designed to have some give. It even has special rubber inserts that create this effect.


In any case, I now have three batteries (1 × 2 Ah and 2 × 1.5 Ah) and one universal charger to go with them. :)


While preparing this review, I did a “check” weighing.
The multitool itself weighs 1266 grams; with the battery installed, it comes to almost the stated 1700 grams.
By the way, the batteries weigh the same, so for actual use, it's better to buy the 2 Ah version rather than the 1.5 Ah one. I think the same applies to the 4 Ah and 3 Ah versions; they probably weigh the same too.


Of course, I measured the battery capacity. The result was 1849 mAh.
It's a little odd that the capacity is also slightly below the stated figure. The same thing happened last time.
I charged the battery using the original charger. The graph also shows some strange steps. I know what caused the last one—I nudged the tester contacts—but the earlier ones are a mystery.

In any case, the battery works fine. I've already used it several times, fully discharging and recharging it.


Since this tool is fairly new to me, naturally I wanted to take it apart.
I started disassembling it the wrong way, and only figured out the correct order while putting it back together. It turns out the tool is very easy and convenient to take apart.


Photo with the tool completely disassembled.
On the left is the battery platform, fitted with six rubber shock absorbers.


Let's put everything back together and move on to the test. Unfortunately, I only have one cutting blade on hand for now. I wanted to buy a few different ones at the store, but the prices were discouraging, and the selection was poor too. For example, the only paint scraper they had was concave, which is better suited to stripping paint from pipes, while I needed a flat or convex one.
This “blade” is suitable for cutting plastic, wood, and soft metals.


I've had this tool for quite a while, so its first use was a practical one: I used it to cut an aluminum heatsink for a review of a bench power supply (photo from the review). It turned out to be very convenient. Most importantly, I could do it right in my apartment; an angle grinder was out of the question, and a regular hacksaw would have been less convenient. The alternative is a jigsaw, but you have to clamp the workpiece firmly when using one.


I also made a short test video and took photos of the materials I cut.
The test materials were:
Pine paneling
Pine trim
A piece of furniture baseboard (metal + plastic).

I also wanted to include a copper tube left over from installing air conditioners, but I couldn't find it :(


As another demonstration, I tried repairing holes in a piece of wood: first I drilled the holes, then widened them, hammered wooden dowels into them, and cut the dowels flush with the board. Of course, this wasn't quite a complete demonstration of what you can do—for example, I should have fitted a sanding pad and sanded the repair—but still.


Video.


Test results.


“Restoring” the wooden board. I did this test twice: the first time my camera shut off, so I had to shoot it again. The results from the first attempt were better, and the dowels were longer, which made them easier to hammer in.
First, here's what was in the video.


And this is what didn't make it into the video.


And now for the cuts.
The multitool handles wood best. The cut is cleaner, without the chipping you get with a jigsaw, and it's not much slower.


There's a little residue here from cutting plastic. I was experimenting between filming sessions and only noticed it afterward.


It does a little worse on the baseboard. But it's worth noting that choosing the right speed setting makes a big difference. Cut plastic at settings 2–4, or it may melt; wood at 6–12, and metal at 10–12.
Keep in mind, though, that the blade isn't new. I've already used it, including to cut an aluminum heatsink.


The tool is very comfortable to hold; I have no complaints about the ergonomics. With one grip, your finger naturally lands on the switch, which doubles as a rest. With the other, you hold it like an angle grinder, with your thumb braced against the raised part of the housing. Since the tool is fairly long, its rear end rests against your hand, which is also quite comfortable.


So now I have this set of M18 tools. I'm waiting for an M12 tool next—a more compact addition to what I already have.


I realize I haven't really explored the tool or shown what it can do, but even what I've tried it for is more than enough to draw some conclusions.
Pros
Excellent build quality.
Versatile.
Good ergonomics.
Sturdy construction.
I didn't specifically test the runtime, but it runs for quite a while even with the original battery.
Work light.
Motor speed control.

Cons.
Some difficulty finding accessories; price and availability.
Price.

My take. First, I want to explain what I like about the multitool itself.
Compared with an angle grinder, it's quieter, safer, and much cleaner. For example, you can use a multitool to clean the grout between tiles without making a mess or kicking up dust—something that's almost impossible with an angle grinder. That's a big plus for working indoors. The trade-off is slower work, but greater precision. I'd also say it's much safer than an angle grinder or jigsaw. And, of course, it lets you cut flush against a surface, which is especially handy in tight spots where a jigsaw or angle grinder simply won't fit.
So for me, buying this tool simply means making DIY jobs around the house more convenient.
The only disappointment was the price, although compared with a cordless drill, it's not as expensive as it might seem. And it's worth remembering that this is more of a supplementary tool than a primary one.

That's all. I hope you found the review useful.