Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw stopping

[AL P]

Is anyone having the following issue with their Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw ? ?  The unit is about six months old, bought new, and has worked flawlessly until recently when the blade just stops mid cut. Tried different batteries, blade, etc., nothing jammed inside the blade guard. I can hear the thing running slower than it ever has even before beginning a cut. The saw has never been dropped or banged around and the depth and angle of cut are both set correctly. Blade is tight on the tool. Tried some canned air inside the vent holes for the motor with no improvement. Lastly, the tool is being used correctly in that the base is in full contact with the wood and the speed with which I push the saw is not the problem. Just cutting 2 X 4 pressure treated wood. Any input greatly appreciated.

[AL P]

Found my answer. As a newbie, there is much to learn, including the value of keeping the saw aligned with what you are cutting. I was inadvertently tipping the thing side to side during the cutting operation and not keeping the blade perpendicular to the work, causing the blade to bind. Once I realized this and corrected it, the saw worked perfectly.  

[NickSerbian]

My one stopped and doesn't want to start at all looks like milwaukee wasn't best choice

[Sfcomp1]

I have the same problem and only used mine 4 times. I only have done small cuts with it. Other then that, it's been sitting in a Milwaukee storage/work tote. 

[Eric - TIA]

Mine has still been working like a champ.  Wondering if yours is defective.

[Earl]

I have the same issue with my m18 fuel 7 1/4. Sometimes I have to double pump the trigger to get it to start working. Seems worse in cold and hot weather. But will do it consistently. Doesn’t matter if I’m using one of my 5.0 or 12 amp batteries. 

[Bendingnailssince1985]

On 9/16/2020 at 11:14 PM, NickSerbian said:

My one stopped and doesn't want to start at all looks like milwaukee wasn't best choice

Did you get it fixed..what was the problem mine went dead today..

[demilioP]

Mine is fairly new (within a year)

Intermittently stops working.. 

Good batteries, 

One day I accidently knocked it of the saw horses and it worked when I picked it up..

Next time it did it,I smacked it with my hand..  slightly tapped it with a hammer handle..

Nothing..

So I dropped it..😂 

Picked it up and works fine😮

(I'm not suggesting anybody drop a $250 saw on the floor deliberately)

 

 

[fm2176]

12 minutes ago, demilioP said:

Mine is fairly new (within a year)

Intermittently stops working.. 

Good batteries, 

One day I accidently knocked it of the saw horses and it worked when I picked it up..

Next time it did it,I smacked it with my hand..  slightly tapped it with a hammer handle..

Nothing..

So I dropped it..😂 

Picked it up and works fine😮

(I'm not suggesting anybody drop a $250 saw on the floor deliberately)

 

 

 

That's the old mechanic's trick.  Starter solenoid sticking?  Tap it with a handle.  Headlight bulb blown, smack the lens with your palm.  Not a permanent fix, but if it works it works.

 

Unfortunately, your issue is probably only going to become prevalent as mass-produced "quality" tools get more technologically complex.  A bump here or there isn't bad, but it's literally hit or miss as to whether the drop will deadline your tool.  With relatively primitive corded tools, it would take a broken housing or damaged motor, but now it's the electronics board, battery connection, and (especially for Milwaukee) trigger mechanism we have to worry about.