Milwaukee Tool has introduced the M18 FUEL 10-1/4” Rear Handle Circular Saw, a cordless saw aimed at professional carpenters, remodelers and general contractors who cut large framing lumber. The bare tool, model 3026-20, is listed at $429 USD and the kit, 3026-21HD, at $599 USD on Milwaukee’s US site.
What Milwaukee says about the saw
The saw runs at 3250 RPM and cuts 3-13/16” deep at 90 degrees and 2-3/4” deep at 45 degrees, with a maximum bevel of 57 degrees. Milwaukee lists the bare tool at 10.3 lbs and 13.6 lbs with the REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 battery, and calls it the lightest 10-1/4” circular saw on the market. The company also claims class-leading peak power and says the saw can cut 4x material in a single pass.
Safety gets a headline feature. AUTOSTOP Advanced Kickback Protection, which Milwaukee says is new to the circular saw category, is described as detecting a severe kickback and shutting the tool down faster than a human hand can react. The product page adds an electric blade brake, an LED work light, a multi-sized rafter hook, magnesium guards and shoes, and a removable auxiliary handle. Warranty is 5 years on the tool and 3 years on the battery.
The kit includes the saw, an M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 battery, an M18/M12 Rapid Charger, a Thick Kerf 10-1/4” 28T framing blade, a dust plug, a blade wrench, a vacuum adapter and a contractor bag. The blade has diamond venting and cobalt-infused carbide teeth, and Milwaukee says it gives the straightest cuts and longer life in wood.
What the other sources add
ToolGuyd reported on June 8, 2026 that the saw was due in July 2026, confirmed the same $429 and $599 prices, and noted both versions listed at Acme Tools. It also reported detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees and labelled the performance statements as manufacturer claims that have not been verified independently. The site pointed out that Milwaukee’s charts do not name competitor models and carry no numeric scale, and that the weight chart shows the saw up to 4 lbs lighter than competing models.
The two sources agree on specs and pricing. They differ in tone: Milwaukee’s release says the saw outperforms all major competitors, while ToolGuyd calls that wording vague. The product page also claims up to 250 cuts per charge in 4x4 with the HD12.0 battery, and no test data is published. Torque Digest has not tested the saw.
Price and availability
Both prices are in US dollars from Milwaukee’s US site. The release gives no ship date and points to a Where To Buy page, and none of the sources gives a Canadian price or Canadian availability. Canadian readers should check Milwaukee Tool Canada or a local dealer.
Who it suits
- Framing carpenters: the 3-13/16” depth at 90 degrees and the 4x claim target structural lumber. Check how the saw feels on your own cuts, since the speed claims come from Milwaukee alone.
- Remodelers and general contractors on M18: the bare tool at $429 works with batteries you already own, but you need a high capacity battery to match the runtime claim, which is made with the HD12.0.
- First time buyers of a worm drive style saw: the kit at $599 includes the battery, charger and blade, so it is the simpler start. Confirm the 13.6 lbs loaded weight suits you for overhead or rafter work.
- Crews that care about safety: AUTOSTOP is the main draw, but it is a Milwaukee claim, so keep normal kickback habits.
- Homeowners and occasional DIY users: this is a professional saw priced like one. A smaller circular saw is likely enough for light work.
