Providing users high performance, advanced ergonomics and legendary durability, the M18 FUEL 4-1/2 in. to 6 in Braking Grinder is designed to complete the toughest grinding, surface preparation and cutting applications with all 4-1/2 in. to 6 in. accessories. It generates the power of a 13 Amp corded grinder, brakes all accessories under 3-seconds and has 6 in. grinding capacity. The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor provides users with 9,000 RPM, delivering industry-leading performance. REDLINK PLUS intelligence protects the angle grinder from overload, overheating and over discharge. The M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 Battery delivers users with more material removed per charge and unmatched run-time in all applications. Tool-free accessory changes using the FIXTEC nut and tool-free guard adjustments mean users will experience less downtime as they work. The cordless angle grinder’s grinding wheel is sold separately. The kit includes two M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 Batteries.
- POWERSTATE brushless motor: built for the M18 FUEL 4-1/2 in. to 6 in. braking grinder to provide the power and performance of a 13 Amp corded grinder
- REDLINK PLUS intelligence: ensures optimal performance and provides overload protection to prevent damage to the tool and battery during heavy applications, maintains compatibility across the entire M18 system
- REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 battery pack: provides 50% more power and runs cooler versus M18 REDLITHIUM XC battery packs, superior pack construction provides the industry’s best protection against jobsite conditions
- Rapid stop braking feature stops all accessories in 3-seconds or less
- Metal housing and Gearing system provides legendary durability
- 100% tool free: make all accessory changes and guard adjustments without a wrench for increased productivity
- Compatible with all M18 batteries
- Includes: 2981-20 M18 FUEL 4-1/2 in. to 6 in. grinder, slide switch, lock-on, two M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 batteries, type 27 6 in. guard, side handle, FIXTEC nut, backing flange, wrench
Jaden Will (verified owner) –
Grinder is awesome with 6Ah battery! The slide switch is a little hard for me and takes two hands to start with my weak hands.
Zita Hayes (verified owner) –
This angle grinder has the power of a corded tool with no cord I love using it works great for moving material with a flap disk. Also batteries last pretty good, especially if you use their High output batteries. Best one to use on this grinder is the 8.0 HO. Best part is the thumb switch lock.
Otho Howe (verified owner) –
Awesome, convenient, and fairly priced
Sonia Olson (verified owner) –
Heavy Duty completely portable grinder. You can’t beat Milwaukee for quality. This grinder gives full torque and speed 99% of the way through it’s battery life. You also have the option to use either 41/2 or 6 discs depending on your particular job. The guard goes on and off or adjusts out of the way of the work without the need for any tools, simply push a catch and twist. The slide switch is a little bit slippery when trying to turn the grinder on with leather work gloves but it has a full on catch at the end of the switches travel so you don’t have to keep constant pressure on it. I really like the grinder brake, I can’t count the number of times I have layed my Bosch grinder down after using it and having it skate off because the disc was still spinning. This grinder is well worth the cost.
Jillian Mayert (verified owner) –
Nice kit, including grinder, battery, rapid charger, and contractors bag. Very comfortable to grip for long periods. Plenty of power for what I used it for (cutting off nails on an old deck). I would think that this would have more than enough power for every job you could come across. Battery is a good sized 6.0 AH, to provide power for long jobs. The flexibility of using discs from 4.5″ to 6″ is awesome. The only thing I’d like to see included is a second battery, but that would jack up the price quite a bit.
Ladarius Hagenes (verified owner) –
This is a super serious, professional grade, battery powered 6 inch angle grinder ready to do real work. It operates every bit as smooth and powerful as you would expect from Milwaukee. It is feature packed beginning with the FIXTEC tool-less disk attachment. Just flip up the little handle and twist to tighten the retaining nut, then flip it down. A wrench is supplied to further tighten or loosen if needed. The guard attachment fixing and five position adjustment is innovative, secure and positive. The 6 inch guard is supplied with the tool with a 4 ½ inch guard available. The instructions caution to use the appropriate guard. The most dramatic feature is the brake which stops the rotation in less than 3 seconds reducing the chance of doing inadvertent damage. The kit includes a M18 Red Lithium High Output XC6.0 battery, rapid charger, accessory handle and generous sized tool bag that holds the whole package. This is my 4th angle grinder, the first battery powered, and it makes the others seem like toys.
Annabelle Robel (verified owner) –
Grinder is awesome with 6Ah battery! The slide switch is a little hard for me and takes two hands to start with my weak hands.
Leslie Bruen (verified owner) –
Awesome power! I upgraded from the 4.5″ to this and was well worth it with alot more power.
Adela Ryan (verified owner) –
This is a powerful, rugged grinder that can handle up to 6″ wheels/discs. This model has the slide switch on top for keeping the grinder on for continuous use.This model has the newer “FIXTEC nut”, which allows for tool-free wheel changes. It also has the newer spring-loaded clip design for the guard, which will work with the newer attachments, such as the “Surface Grinding Dust Shroud” (part 49-40-6101) vacuum attachment. The construction is solid and heavy duty, with a comfortable rubberized grip. The motor is very powerful, and you can feel the torque when the tool is turned on.This 6″ model is noticeably larger and heavier than the 5″ model. If you don’t need the 6″ capacity, I find the lighter and smaller 5″ model easier to work with, particularly for small or quick jobs. But if you need the 6″ capacity, need to cut larger material, or are doing heavier work or larger projects, this 6″ model provides the extra capacity and power. The Rapid Stop Brake feature is nice, as it reduces braking time, allowing me to put the tool down quicker.This kit comes with a fabric carrying case, which is much more compact and more convenient for me than the large plastic case from my older model. It also comes with a side handle.The included XC6.0 battery pack is pretty large (only slightly smaller than the XC9.0 packs), but it helps to balance the tool. I now have quite a few of the excellent M18 batteries for my other Milwaukee tools, and they have all worked perfectly.Also, the Milwaukee warranty service is excellent. I’ve only had to have one Milwaukee tool repaired, but I was able to drop it off at a local service center, and they shipped the repaired tool to me, no charge.
Muhammad Ryan (verified owner) –
The grinder is easy to handle and does the work of a corded grinder.
Caden Emmerich (verified owner) –
Over the years, I’ve had four different 4.5” grinders (actually 2 were the corded Milwaukee with the paddle switch). I had multiple homes, and kept a unit at each house, and I had a couple units wear out. Anyway, this grinder is a nice unit. Some of the positive features. 1. It’ a powerful unit 2. Being cordless gives you more freedom3. The wheel guard is easily adjustable without tools. Pushing a lever allows you to rotate it and a detent holds in in that position. You still have the option to operate without the guard on those unique operations where you need room in that area. Again, this can be done without tools. In the past, I seldom used the guard, as it seemed it was always in the wrong position.4. Unit has a braking system, so the wheel stops fairly quickly when you turn it off. Years ago, I had an accident with one grinder in which I had a chain saw attachment on it. I made the initial cut, turned it off, and was transferring the tool between hands when the spinning wheel trimmed the tip of my finger. Trip to the Emergency Room.5. The slide switch give you the option to be “momentary on”, or lock into the on position, and allows an easy touch to turn it off.6. A common wheel I use is the 1/16” cut-off wheel, and I had one grinder which would not grip this well. I had to add a spacer under the nut. This unit has no issues with this.7. I really like the “power meter” on the battery. Also, all battery tools warn against storing the batteries in a hot environment, but Milwaukee is the only one actually giving the critical temperature, which they list at 120 degrees. We live in the Phoenix area, so we can get 115-degree days. I like this information, as I hate to store batteries inside the house.8. The carrying bag is super deluxe. I really like carrying bags when using this type of tools, as you have multiple accessories which you want to have with you.9. The retaining nut has a flip up lever to by hand. I have pretty strong fingers, but have not applied high torque to this lever. Not sure it will take lots of torque without distortion. They do have a typical tool for loosening the nut also. Possible negative issues: 1. Unit is obviously heavier than the corded units, but it is well balanced. 2. This unit is also longer than the corded counterparts. I’ve been thinking back over the multiple applications I had over the years, and can’t remember of a time when this would have been an issue, but I guess it could be.3. The threaded shaft which holds the cutter sticks up 5/8” (above the 1/16” wheel I have installed), whereas I have an older corded unit that is only 3/8”. There are times when you like to make a deep cut, flush to the blade. Obviously, you can’t do this with any unit, but this is somewhat more angled than most. You could stack washers, but then the wheel won’t self center. I wish Milwaukee would make an adopter to space the wheel further out. I suppose they figure there is an advantage of possibly installing a thicker wheel. I’d recommend getting one. I’m sure you will like it.
Randal Harber (verified owner) –
Bought specifically for the brake feature and it works great.
Leatha Jakubowski (verified owner) –
This grinder has more power than the 5 inch braking grinder without being much harder on the battery usage. My only complaint is the fact that they made the handle about an inch longer. I would have been happier with a handle the same length as the 4.5″ and 5″ grinders to save on the overall length.
Fredy Welch (verified owner) –
The shaft lock or the brake wouldn’t disengage. Tapped it with a hammer and it was fine after that.
Eloy Brown (verified owner) –
Love it!
Jensen Schinner (verified owner) –
AWESOME !!!
Marietta Rippin (verified owner) –
This Milwaukee grinder features a 9000 RPM brushless motor with electronic braking that stops the disc within 3 seconds (Milwaukee claims 1.5 seconds for cutting discs, 2 seconds for flap discs and 2.5 seconds for grinding discs). While it is bigger than a corded grinder, it is well balanced and feels good in hand. I like the ability to change between 6 inch discs and 4-1/2 inch discs. Unfortunately, only the 6 inch type 27 guard is included and nothing in the manual or Milwaukee’s site indicates the part number to order the 4-1/2 inch or 5 inch compatible guards. Finding 6 inch cut off wheels was fairly easy. However a type 27 grinding wheel in 6 inch was very difficult to find. Most grinding wheels are 5 or 7 inches.The grinder features a FIXTEC nut for tool free disc changes but I found they nut gets tight and I had to revert to the included bi-pin wrench to break it loose. Another feature of this product is the tool free guard adjustment. It has five different positions it can lock into. A simple press of a small spring loaded lever allows one to twist the guard to the various positions. Unfortunately, on my product, the guard was incorrectly installed and would not move. I had to loosen a Phillips screw on the guard, install it to its proper location and then tighten the screw. A simple process to correct but it is something that should have been caught on the assembly line.The included charger is a Rapid Charge model which will charge the battery in about half the time of the standard charger. The kit includes a durable bag, the grinder, a type 27 six inch guard, side handle, dust screen, wrench, two M18 XC6.0 high output batteries and the rapid charger.There are two models of this grinder. The one I used has a locking slide switch on the top. The switch is plastic and the locking point is also plastic. I worry the locking point may wear out over time. The switch is fairly small but activates without issue and unlocking is a simple press at the back of the switch. The other model of this product has a paddle switch on the bottom which is not lockable. Everything else is the same between the two models. In my testing I used a 6 inch cut off wheel with a 5/8 inch arbor hole as well as a 6 inch grinding wheel with a threaded mount to cut and grind on a 1/2 inch thick steel bar. I could tell no difference in power between this battery operated model and a corded model. Overall this is an outstanding product and recommended if you have a need for a battery based grinder. However, I did knock off one star because of the improperly installed guard lock mechanism. Not providing information for alternate size guards is disappointing.