One of four tools in our test of 18-volt cordless oscillating multi tools (OMTs), this model is Milwaukee’s first in this category of these useful cutting, sanding, and scraping tools. Since Milwaukee doesn’t make their own blades they made this tool compatible with Bosch “OIS” style blades, which are available from a variety of brands.
Milwaukee 2626-22Specs
Battery: 3.0 Ah
Battery gauge: 4 bars on battery
Weight: 4.3 pounds
Oscillations per minute: 11,000-18,000
Angle of oscillation: 3.4 degrees
Price: $299
Includes: Tool, 2 batteries, charger, 1 blade, sanding pad, sandpaper x5, blade adapter, fabric kit case
Also available: 2626-22CT (kit with compact batteries) $229; 2626-20 (tool only) $120
Country of origin: Tool China; battery assembly China
Comments and Ratings
Very Good to Excellent overall; This first full-size OMT by Milwaukee did everything well and stood out as one of the top-two tools of the test (the other was the Bosch MX180BL).
Ergonomics
Switch: Very Good; Well placed, properly recessed out of the way, and easy to operate even with gloves on.
Speed dial: Very Good; Within easy reach and away from the main grip area
Grip: Very Good; Lots of rubber grip surfaces, especially on the bottom of the tool. Could benefit from rubber on the nose too.
Vibration
Very Good; Very low felt vibration, battery damping very effective with no buzzing at all.
Features
LED headlight, battery fuel gauge, slow-start.
The slender body of the Milwaukee is easy to wrap your hand around and features plenty of rubber grip surfaces. The extra rubber along the bottom is especially beneficial for a comfortable grip at all angles and positions. However, some rubber up around the nose could be added to help with shallow pivoting cuts such as when removing grout.
To remove the blade, you first flip the spring-loaded lever on top of the tool up to release the clamp tension and then unscrew the blade-clamp pin a few turns before pulling it out. To adjust the blade position, you only need to partially unscrew the arbor pin until the blade is loose enough to rotate into position on the raised “nubs”. Pushing down the lever to secure the blade can be done with one hand and in any position since screwing in the blade-clamp pin prevents the blade from moving. The lever on the tool has a dampened spring action which keeps it from “mousetrapping” closed on your fingers.
The loose blade-clamp pin that has to be unscrewed is my least favorite aspect of this tool--especially when it’s hot--but at least it’s easy enough to turn with work gloves on. On the plus side, its simple design and the included Milwaukee adapter plate allows for maximum flexibility for fitting a variety of styles of blade arbors. And it’s easier to use than OMTs with bolt-on blade attachments.
A bright LED headlight helps to illuminate the area above and adjacent to the cutline. When I used this tool to cut out access holes in the back of a bath cabinet, this simple feature was well appreciated. For applications where the light points towards you or causes unwanted glare or shadows, a small piece of electrical tape kept stored on the tool provides a quick fix.
The main story and detailed reviews of the other models tested can be found by clicking the links below.Main Story
Bosch MXH180BL
DeWalt DCS355D1
Makita XMT035
Fein’s 14.4- and 18-volt models haven’t changed since 2012 and can be found in Full-Size Oscillating Multi Tools in the summer 2012 issue of Tools of the Trade. Note: Some of the other tools in the 2012 story—including the cordless tools from Makita and Porter-Cable—are not their companies’ newest models.
