Milwaukee 2680-20 Cut-off / Grinder Review
Editor Rating: 4.2/5
Great
Milwaukee 2680-20 Cut-off / Grinder Review
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Published on: January 31, 2019
Last modified:
January 31, 2019 @ 12:43 pm
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Milwaukee 2680-20 Review Summary:
When it comes to power tools, the cut-off/grinders are undoubtedly among the most versatile devices out there. Not only can they grind metal and cut pavers, concrete, and tiles, but can also be used for polishing and sharpening. A good cut-off/grinder is an integral part of every handyman’s toolbox.
Fortunately, one doesn’t have to turn to no-name, cheap brands if he wishes to saves some money when purchasing a device of this type. A few well-known brands, such as Milwaukee, offer affordable grinders that are still capable of assisting the user with most of the standard cutting and grinding applications.
The company’s 2680-20 model is one of such models. It’s a relatively budget-friendly cordless device with a robust 4-pole motor, a paddle switch, a tool-free guard, a 3-position handle, and intake vents that take care of harmful debris. Have a closer look at its features and find out if it’s the right choice for your needs:
2680-20 Specifications:
- Weight – 5.9lbs
- Dimensions – 16.1″ x 6.7″ x 5.3″
- Battery – Lithium-Ion
- Speed – 9,000 RPM
- Warranty – 5 years
Milwaukee 2680-20 – The Basics
Milwaukee advertises this cut-off/grinder as a device that combines ease of use, durability, and speed. Featuring the same well-known color scheme that the company uses for all their power tools, it’s a potent machine that operates on a frameless 4-pole motor. The engine turns the device’s disk at the speed of impressive 9,000 RPM (revolutions per minute) and makes it easy to engage in light-duty cutting and grinding operations.
Its integrated paddle switch provides the comfort of use, as does the overall ergonomic design and the model’s good balance. There’s also the tool-less accessory changing feature, as well as the 3-position handle and the L-shaped intake vents that protect the internal components from dust and debris.
Performance-wise, the Milwaukee 2680-20 is quite impressive – it can be used for tasks such as tuck-pointing, polishing metal, cutting rebar, and more. It’s not the most powerful device of its type out there, but it certainly does its job pretty well.
Milwaukee 2680-20 Features
Design
Having a shape and design that’s very similar to cut-off/grinders manufactured and sold by other companies, the 2680-20’s configuration will be familiar to all those who ever used a cordless grinder. With the weight of 5.9 pounds and the dimensions of 16.1″ x 6.7″ x 5.3″, it’s a relatively compact model that allows overhead operation and which can be used for long periods without inducing fatigue.
Other features that make this grinder so easy to use are its paddle switch and the 3-position handle. The paddle switch makes the model very comfortable to use in a wide variety of positions and allows the user to gain better control over the device. It also eliminates the need for the lock-on button. The side handle, on the other hand, provides a firm grip and makes it easy to exert physical force during the more demanding operations.
Power
As we said, the hearth of Milwaukee 2680-20 is a frameless 4-pole motor that spins the disc at the maximum speed of 9,000 RPM. The device is powerful enough to be of use to most metal workers, masons, welders, and other professionals, but isn’t your best choice if you’re often dealing with heavy-duty grinding and cutting tasks.
Although the bare-tool version of this grinder comes without any discs, it still sports the tool-less accessory changing feature. To remove an attachment, all that the user needs to do is to simply push and pull in the wheel lock in its spinning direction. This turns the accessory changing into a quick and easy process – you can do it with your bare hands.
Another feature worth mentioning here is the presence of L-shaped vents. Their purpose is to keep the harmful debris from entering the tool’s interior and damaging its vital components. As you can already guess, this significantly helps with the model’s lifespan.
Battery
As it is a member of the company’s M18 lineup, this grinder works with 48-11-1820, 48-11-1840, 48-11-1815, 48-11-1828, 48-11-1850, and 48-11-1860 batteries. It is, therefore, an excellent choice for handymen who already own a couple of Milwaukee’s M18 power tools – the battery packs are interchangeable.
Pros:
Solid performance
Paddle switch
Easy accessory changing
Debris baffles
Cons:
Not for larger jobs
The battery doesn’t last long
Things we liked about it
Although not really suitable for the more demanding applications, this cut-off/grinder does its job pretty well and is an excellent choice for smaller jobs. There’s a ton of things to like about it – it has an ergonomic design, it’s very easy to use, and comes with a couple of really convenient features.
For example, it provides the user with the ability to easily change the accessories, without having to use any additional tools. This is very important when it comes to cordless devices, as it reduces the downtime and increases the user’s productivity. The model’s intake vents, on the other hand, prolong its lifespan by protecting its vital internal components.
The fact that Milwaukee 2680-20 can be used with a myriad of the company’s REDLITHIUM battery packs is another advantage – interchangeability is always a welcome feature.
Things we didn’t like
Light-duty masons, welders, and metal workers will enjoy using this grinder, but the heavy-duty contractors might find it to be underpowered. Another thing that displeased us is the short battery life, even when you use the largest battery offered
General Impressions
Many of those who bought this grinder say that it’s their “go-to” tool when it comes to grinding and cutting. They praise its useful features, excellent balance, as well as the overall ease of use. However, some users aren’t that pleased with the battery life, saying that the model is only suitable for the brief light-duty applications.
Conclusion
Despite its shortcomings, the Milwaukee 2680-20 is still a great cordless grinder, especially when we consider its price. For tasks such as polishing metal or cutting rebar, the model offers a satisfying performance, while its additional features provide the necessary ease of use and comfortable operation. It’s a solid budget-friendly option and a recommended choice for light-duty plumbers, masons, welders, and other professionals.
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