Milwaukee 2626-20: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-19

Summary

The 2626-20 is a bare-tool 18V oscillating multi-tool with a brushed motor, 11,000-18,000 OPM, a 12-setting speed dial and tool-free blade change; no battery or charger is in the box. The complaints that follow it are vibration, a blade-change mechanism that Pro Tool Reviews scored 6.0/10, and weight — 3.7 lb with a battery. Running cost is whatever you pay for an M18 battery and charger if you do not already own them; the kit version 2626-21 with a 2.0 Ah battery and charger is $254 at Home Depot. It is an economical addition for existing M18 owners at a sale price near $100-120; at the $149 MSRP the brushless M18 FUEL 2836-20 at $249 is the stronger tool.

Common problems and fixes

Melting incident (unconfirmed) — a Reddit thread references a “M18 multi-tool (2626-20) melting” incident, but the full thread could not be retrieved. Treat it as a single anecdote, not a known defect; no fix was documented. [9]
Heavier than average — Consumer Reports calls it “much heavier than the average for the tested tools” at 3.7 lb with a battery. No fix; it is the brushed-motor layout. [7]
Battery compatibility return — one kit buyer returned the tool because “the new battery type is incompatible with my other older Milwaukee tools”; a battery-compatibility complaint, not a tool defect. [10]
Brushed motor — it predates the brushless upgrade and lacks the M18 FUEL’s auto-load and advanced vibration control. No fix; the 2836-20 is the successor. [6][11]
Loss of speed (service bulletin) — Milwaukee bulletin TIY503 covers brush-spring replacement on some M18 tools with “loss of speed,” but the 2626-20 is not explicitly listed among the affected tools. [12]

Parts and consumables

M18 REDLITHIUM battery — sold separately; the kit version 2626-21 with a 2.0 Ah battery and charger is $254 at Home Depot. The tool runs on all M18 batteries, including FUEL packs. [2][3][10]
Brush spring — the TIY503 service part for “loss of speed” on some M18 tools; the 2626-20 is not explicitly listed as affected. [12]

Yearly running cost

Not enough data. No battery price, replacement interval or electricity figure was reported. The ownership cost that is documented: the tool is sold bare, so anyone new to M18 must add a battery and charger — the kit version 2626-21 with a 2.0 Ah battery and charger is $254 at Home Depot. [2][10]

When it is a good buy

$96-119: a reasonable buy for users already invested in the M18 platform who can accept a brushed motor with moderate vibration; it undercuts the M18 FUEL 2836-20 by $100 or more. [4][6][11]
$149 (the bare-tool MSRP at Northern Tool, Acme Tools, Hane Supply and Factory Authorized Outlet, 2026): the value case is thin — for $100 more the FUEL 2836-20 adds a brushless motor, 20,000 OPM, a 4.2-degree oscillation angle, auto-load and advanced vibration control. [2][3][4][11]
Reconditioned and used: a reconditioned 2626-80 is $84.99 at Acme Tools, and used open-box 2626-20s appear around $63 on eBay. [4][14]

Alternatives: the M18 FUEL 2836-20 brushless version is the better choice when vibration control or cutting speed matters and the budget reaches $249; the DeWalt 20V MAX DCS356 kit at about $199 is the brushless cross-brand option with a quick-change accessory system; the M12 FUEL oscillating multi-tool is the lighter-duty Milwaukee option. [11][17][18][13]