Power tools are moving more and more toward being cordless these days. Thanks to the improvement of battery technology, cordless tools can now last longer while being more powerful than ever.
If you’re looking for a good model to buy, this Milwaukee 2680-20 review article may just have what you need. Launched by Milwaukee fairly recently, this angle grinder has ample performance and plenty of battery life to get you through a tough job.
See for yourself whether it’s a good fit for your toolbox!
About Milwaukee Angle Grinders
Founded by A.F. Siebert in 1924, Milwaukee has been developing and manufacturing power tools for close to a century. The company gained prominence when it introduced the Hole-Shooter – a lightweight, portable drill.
Over the years, it has dramatically expanded its offerings. It now gives you the option to buy saw cutters, pliers, screwdrivers, trims, cordless drills, angle grinders, and more with the Milwaukee brand.
Milwaukee power tools are amongst the most reputable grinder brands on the market, right alongside household names like BLACK&DECKER, Dewalt, Bosch, and Makita.
Milwaukee 2680-20 Review: Key Features
Powerful and Efficient Motor
Equipped with a capable DC motor, the Milwaukee 2680-20 can achieve a decent no-load speed of 10,000 RPM right off the bat. With load, you can reasonably expect a speed of around 9,000 RPM, which is great for light-duty tasks like cutting PVC pipes and sharpening tools.
But this model is capable of handling heavier-duty tasks like shaping composite flooring, working with concrete, stone, and cutting rebar, too. The trick lies in its 4-pole motor. It produces quite a lot of power for its size.
Of course, when you put it on a ranking table, this model won’t score very high in terms of power. Nevertheless, for its size, its cordless design, and its price, the Milwaukee 2680-20 is decent at what it’s supposed to do.
The motor comes with an in-built overload protection system. If the load is too high for the motor to handle, it’s going to automatically shut itself down to prevent damage.
⅝-11 Arbor & 4 ½ inch Grinding Wheel
The arbor size of the Milwaukee 2680-20 is ⅝-11.
In-line with the compact and lightweight design of the Milwaukee 2680-20, the tool accepts 4 ½-inch cut-off wheels. Grinding wheels of such size are great for general use: grinding, polishing, removing rust, deburring, and removing weld splatters, and so on.
Lightweight and Compact Design
Milwaukee set out to make the 2680-20 model as portable as possible. That reflects in the very design specs of the angle grinder. It weighs 1 pound and has a dimension of 16.1″x 6.7″x5.3″. You can carry it around and work in confined spaces without any issue.
Durable Construction
The rear of the tool is made from impact-resistant plastic. It reduces the weight of the tool, improves the user’s comfort, and – when needed – can resist a tough fall. The gear housing at the front is made from metal alloy, which can protect the user from being electrocuted as well as shield the sensitive components inside from damage.
To fortify the tool even further, Milwaukee has added an L-shaped molding close to the grinding wheel. It picks up any stray dirt and debris, keeping them from entering the tool and wrecking the components inside.
Paddle Switch and Adjustable Side Handle
You can activate the tool via a paddle switch at the bottom. This switch is quite large, so you can activate it comfortably even while wearing thick protective gloves. There is no lock-on button, unfortunately, so you’ll have to constantly keep your fingers on the switch.
The side handle is adjustable into three different positions. You can pick whichever that works best for you. Depending on whether you’re left-handed or right-handed, you can re-install the handle to either side of the tool, as well.
Battery Life
When you press the order button for the Milwaukee 2680-20, you’re just buying the tool. The battery, the charger, and the case must be purchased separately.
This sounds like a hassle (and it is), but there’s a silver lining. You can pick and choose whatever battery model that works best for you and your job.
The Milwaukee angle grinder 2680-20 is compatible with six battery models: Milwaukee 48-11-1820, 48-11-1840, 48-11-1815, 48-11-1828, 48-11-1850, and 48-11-1860.
Each type of battery has different charge capacities and is available at different price points. If you need to do heavy-duty work, you can select the Milwaukee 48-11-1837 High Output battery. It can give you the extra kick that you need to get the job done.
Need a longer-lasting battery? The 48-11-1828 High Capacity battery model will do. Larger and having more capacity in its cells, it can drastically extend your working time compared to other models.
And if you only need a small battery to do some DIY work now and then or some home renovation, try the 48-11-185 Compact model will do the trick. It is cheaper and more compact. But, in return, it doesn’t hold as much charge or has a high voltage as the other two batteries.
Buying the batteries yourself also works in your favor if you own other cordless Milwaukee tools. Depending on the model, they may use the same battery that this angle grinder uses. So, one or two battery cells can basically power your entire toolbox!
Tool-Free Guard
The blade guard for Milwaukee 2680-20 can be freely adjusted. All you have to do is to press the button on the guard and you can rotate and adjust it however you see fit.
What I Like About Milwaukee 2680-20
- Good performance power with 4-pole motor
- Ergonomics paddle switch
- Lightweight, compact design
- Robust construction with L-shaped molding
- Adjustable side handle
- Tool-free blade guard
What I Don’t Like About Milwaukee 2680-20
- Have to buy the battery, charger, and the case separately
- Doesn’t have a lock-on feature
Review Summary
Although there are many other models on the market that perform better, have a greater design, and longer battery life than the Milwaukee 2680-20 M18 cordless grinder, that doesn’t make it any less good of a tool.
For the price and for what Milwaukee has advertised it as – a dependable, portable angle grinder – the Milwaukee 2680-20 has fulfilled our expectations nicely.
I hope this Milwaukee 2680-20 review article has been of use to you in searching for a new cordless angle grinder to buy!