Plumbers, MRO techs, and other Pros who need to cut steel pipe on installation jobs often turn to reciprocating saws or bandsaws to get the job done. They have some notable limitations, which is why the team at Milwaukee developed the M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter. I dug deeper into this odd-looking tool, and what I discovered was impressive.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter at a Glance
Key Features
- Capacity: Cuts steel pipe from 1/2 to 1 inch (up to 1-5/16” OD)
- Fence: Foldable cut fence delivers easy, square cuts
- Blade: Milwaukee carbide-tipped Steel Pipe Cutting Blade (48-40-4062)
- Blade Life: Up to 200 Cuts on 1-inch steel pipe per blade
- Cut Quality: Minimal burring reduces prep time
- Runtime: Up to 50 Cuts on 1-inch steel pipe per charge using a 5.0Ah battery
- Access: Reach into areas with as little as 2.5 inches of clearance
Additional Specifications
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 RedLithium battery
- Width: 5.8 inches
- Height: 10.5 inches
- Head Length: 14 inches
- Bare Weight: 6.6 pounds
A Deeper Look at the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter
How it Works
At first glance, you might think this tool uses a shearing action like a copper tubing cutter on steroids. That’s a big ask considering it promises clean cuts on steel pipe (including black pipe) up to 1-inch.
Instead, the guard hides a carbide-tipped metal cutting circular saw blade, more like a compact version of the blade on Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 8-inch Metal Cutting Saw. With the pipe secure against the fence, you pull the trigger and push forward to guide the blade through the cut.
When the cut is complete, the blade retracts back into the housing as you pull the tool away.
The fence is wide enough to ensure your cuts are perfectly square. For loose stock, you line up the cut, use one hand to hold the pipe against the fence, and then make the cut with the other.
If you’re cutting installed pipe, you press the fence up against it. If there’s enough access, you can still hold the pipe and fence to help stabilize the cut. When you have limited access, the fence folds back to get out of the way.
An Unusual Design
When I first looked at the M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter, I thought it looked difficult to wield with its large head section connecting to a pistol grip.
However, a lot of that odd shape is required to keep the blade guarded to reduce the risk of injury. The bare tool is actually only 6.6 pounds, and the handle angle brings the weight of the battery back to help balance it. Plus, with one hand wrapped around the pipe and fence, you’re managing the weight of the tool and the pipe with two hands.
By pushing into the cut with this design, it’s far easier to cut installed pipe in tight areas than trying to use a bandsaw. A reciprocating saw with a short blade could work, but the Steel Pipe Cutter has a few other advantages to reveal.
First, it cuts faster than bandsaws or reciprocating saws. Cutting 1-inch steel pipe, Milwaukee found a bandsaw cut took about 60 seconds, a reciprocating saw took about 50 seconds, and the M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter took about 13 seconds.
Another big advantage is that you can achieve consistent square cuts. Plus, the saw blade also leaves almost no burring. Whether you’re installing pipe that needs to be threaded or requires press connections, you simply cut, run a little sandpaper around the end, and then cut your threads or install your connector.
It’s easy to see that from the initial cut through installation prep, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter saves a ton of time.
It’s easy to see that from the initial cut through installation prep, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter saves a ton of time.
Kenny Koehler, PTR Editor-in-Chief
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter Price
The Milwaukee 3469 is available as a bare tool for $399, and replacement blades are $49.97. There are no kit options for this one. As usual, Milwaukee backs the tool with a 5-year warranty.
At the time I’m writing, it’s available for pre-order with an estimated shipping date in the back half of June 2025.
Should You Buy It?
If you install galvanized steel, black pipe, or even EMT and RMC in the 1/2-inch to 1-inch range, the M18 Fuel Steel Pipe Cutter is a no-brainer. The time savings and frustration reduction you’ll experience add up quickly. Plumbers, MRO techs, and electricians can all find a reason to have it in their arsenal.
You might be tempted to make cutting out small diameter steel pipe in demo applications faster, but that’s certainly not the primary target for this tool. Also, stainless steel pipe isn’t on the menu, so stick to your current methods for those cuts.
