The Milwaukee 2635-20 M18 18 Gauge Double Cut Shear is a cordless sheet metal cutting tool for contractors and serious DIY users who need faster, cleaner cuts than hand snips can deliver. This is a double cut shear designed for cutting sheet metal, ductwork, roofing panels, and similar thin metal materials. Model Number: 2635-20. If your work involves long straight cuts in mild steel or stainless, this tool is built to save time while giving you more control over the cut.

Milwaukee rates this shear for 18 gauge steel and 20 gauge stainless steel, which puts it right in the wheelhouse for HVAC work, flashing, metal fabrication, and jobsite sheet metal trimming. The double cut design is optimized for straight cutting with minimum material distortion. In plain terms, it helps keep the workpiece flatter and the edge cleaner, which is exactly what you want when fit-up matters.

One of the standout features here is the tool-free 360 degree rotating head. That is not just a spec to fill a chart. It means you can change cutting direction to match the position of the panel instead of twisting your wrist or forcing the tool through an awkward angle. On ladders, rooftops, around installed duct, or anywhere you do not have perfect access, that kind of adjustability makes the job easier and more controlled.

The body design matters too. Milwaukee calls out a redesigned body with an inline wrist design, and that layout is a big part of why this shear is easier to guide than bulkier metal cutting tools. The handle position helps keep your wrist in a more natural line with the cut path, which translates to steadier tracking and less fatigue over repeated cuts. Add in the variable speed trigger, and you get the ability to slow down for starts and tighter control or speed up when you are moving through longer runs.

This is also a practical cordless option for users already on the M18 battery platform. It is compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries and M18 chargers, so existing Milwaukee users can add a dedicated metal cutting shear without buying into a separate system. Because this is the tool-only version, batteries and charger are not included. That is a plus if you already run M18, and worth knowing up front if you do not.

At 15.2 inches long and with a net tool weight of about 3.9 lbs, this shear is compact enough to move around installed work without feeling oversized. The built-in belt hook adds some jobsite convenience, especially for service work or punch-list tasks where you are climbing, moving, and setting the tool down repeatedly. Milwaukee also lists a minimum cut diameter of 6 inches, which helps define where the tool is happiest: straight cuts and broader curves, not tiny tight-radius work.

Who should buy it? If you do HVAC installation, sheet metal work, roofing trim, siding details, or general construction that regularly involves cutting thin metal, this tool makes a lot of sense. It is especially strong for users who want a faster alternative to hand snips and already own M18 batteries. If most of your cuts are in sheet stock and you value control, portability, and cleaner results, this is the kind of dedicated cordless metal shear that earns its place in the truck.

Milwaukee 2635-20 M18 18 Gauge Double Cut Shear Gets Sheet Metal Work Done Faster

This is the kind of dedicated cordless shear that makes a lot of sense once you are tired of wrestling hand snips through long sheet metal cuts.

• Who it's for: HVAC techs, sheet metal guys, roofers, remodelers, and M18 users who regularly cut thin steel or stainless on the job.
• Why it stands out: The rotating head, inline wrist design, and variable speed trigger make it easier to control than a lot of bulky metal cutting options.
• Worth knowing: This is a bare tool, so bring your own M18 battery and charger. It is strongest on straight cuts and broader curves, not tiny radius work.

• What battery system does this shear use? It is part of the Milwaukee M18 system and is compatible with all M18 batteries.
• What material thickness can it cut? Milwaukee rates it for 18 gauge steel and 20 gauge stainless steel.
• Does the cutting head rotate? Yes. It has a tool-free 360 degree rotating head for better positioning and control.
• Is this a bare tool? Yes. The 2635-20 is the tool-only version, so the battery and charger are not included.