The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 10-1/4-in. Rear Handle Circular Saw, model 3026-20, is built for professional carpenters, remodelers, and general contractors who need big-blade cut capacity without going to a corded platform. This is a rear handle circular saw designed for framing, ripping sheet goods, and cutting thick dimensional lumber on the jobsite. If your work regularly involves 4x material, long rips, or heavy structural cuts, this saw is built for that kind of workload.

The big reason this tool matters is cut depth. With a 10-1/4 in blade and 3-13/16 in depth of cut at 90 degrees, it can cut up to 4x material in a single pass. That means faster framing cuts, cleaner workflow, and less flipping stock over to finish a cut from the other side. At 45 degrees, it still gives you 2-3/4 in of depth, which keeps it useful for bevel work on thicker material. Milwaukee also rates it at 3,250 RPM, so it is not just about blade size. It is meant to keep production moving.

Milwaukee pairs that cutting capacity with a rear handle layout that will feel familiar to users who prefer worm-drive style saw balance and control. The rear handle design helps when you are pushing through long rip cuts or working across sheet goods because the saw tracks naturally and gives you a stable grip position. The all-magnesium guards and shoes matter here too. Magnesium helps keep weight down while still holding up to real jobsite use.

This saw is part of the M18 system and uses a POWERSTATE brushless motor with REDLINK PLUS electronics. In practical terms, that means cordless power with built-in protection against overload, overheating, and over-discharge. Milwaukee specifically calls out up to 250 cuts per charge in 4x4 material when paired with the M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 battery, sold separately. It also maintains compatibility with all M18 REDLITHIUM batteries, which is important if you are already invested in Milwaukee cordless tools and want to keep battery management simple.

Jobsite details are solid. The electric blade brake helps bring the blade down quickly after the trigger is released, which keeps transitions tighter between cuts. An LED work light helps in dim framing bays and interior remodel spaces. A multi-sized rafter hook gives you a practical place to hang the saw when you are moving around a build. Milwaukee also includes a vacuum adapter, which is useful when you want better cleanup during interior cutting or when you are trying to keep dust down in a finished space.

Safety and control are a big part of this saw's value. AUTOSTOP advanced kickback protection is one of the standout features because it shuts the power off when a severe kickback event is detected. That is the kind of feature that matters more on a powerful large-blade saw, especially when you are cutting wet lumber, pressure-treated stock, or material that can shift unexpectedly.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 10-1/4-in. Rear Handle Circular Saw is a strong fit for framing crews, deck builders, remodelers, and general contractors who want cordless freedom without giving up large-blade performance. It also makes sense for serious DIY users who are building additions, sheds, decks, or timber-heavy projects and want one saw that can handle bigger stock cleanly. If you mostly cut trim or light sheet goods, a smaller circular saw may be easier to live with. But if your day includes structural lumber and production cuts, this is the right kind of saw.

Big-Blade Cordless Saw for Crews Who Actually Need the Capacity

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 10-1/4-in. Rear Handle Circular Saw is the kind of cordless framing saw that makes sense when your work is heavy enough to justify the blade size.

• Who it's for: Framers, remodelers, deck builders, and general contractors cutting thick lumber and structural material on a regular basis.
• Why it stands out: It combines true 10-1/4 in cut capacity, rear handle control, manageable tool-only weight, and kickback shutdown in one M18 platform saw.
• Worth knowing: This is a bare tool, so plan on adding a battery and charger if you are not already on M18. It is more saw than most trim or punch-list users need, but for framing work, that is exactly the point.

• What battery platform does this saw use? It uses Milwaukee M18 batteries and is compatible with all M18 REDLITHIUM batteries.
• Can it cut 4x material in one pass? Yes. Milwaukee states it cuts up to 4x dimensional lumber in a single pass, with a 3-13/16 in cut depth at 90 degrees.
• What is the bevel capacity? The maximum bevel capacity is 57 degrees, with bevel detents at 22.5 and 45 degrees.
• Does it include kickback protection? Yes. It features AUTOSTOP advanced kickback protection that shuts power off during a severe kickback event.