Research-based guide: We have not hands-on tested this model. Specifications are manufacturer-supplied; the buying judgments are editorial. Checked September 15, 2026. This page contains affiliate links.
Who should consider it?
The strongest fit is an M18 owner making curved shelf brackets, plywood shapes, fitting cuts, or openings that a circular saw cannot easily follow. A D-handle puts the grip above the body and offers familiar trigger control. Try the grip and balance if possible: a comfortable handle matters more during careful cutting than a maximum-speed figure.
For long straight sheet cuts, use a guided circular or track saw where appropriate. For repeated identical furniture parts, a template-based process may be more consistent. A jig saw is flexible, but its relatively narrow blade can deflect below the surface even while the visible cut follows your pencil line.
Model and package check
Milwaukee specifies a brushless motor, 0–3,500 strokes per minute, four-position orbital action, T-shank blades, and tool-free blade and bevel adjustments. The saw has a cut-line light and switchable blower. The listed package includes an anti-splinter guard, dust tube, dust cover, hex wrench, and shoe guard. Battery and charger are not part of the bare-tool purchase.
Amazon's listing text references a blade, while Milwaukee's displayed box list does not promise one. Treat that as a package detail to confirm with the selected seller, not a reason to assume a particular starter blade arrives. Order the appropriate blade for the first job independently if the contents are unclear.
Blade choice comes before the speed setting
A narrow scrolling blade follows a tighter radius than a broad blade intended for straighter work. A stiffer blade can help resist wandering but cannot be forced through a turn it was not designed to make. Choose tooth form and pitch for the material and thickness; wood, laminate, plastic, and metal do not share one ideal blade.
Check that blade length provides clearance through the full stroke and the workpiece thickness. Inspect the underside of the cut area, not just the line on top. Clamps, a bench edge, concealed fasteners, and supports can all be in the blade's path. Remove the battery before fitting a blade or adjusting the tool, and confirm secure installation before use.
Orbital action: speed versus surface quality
Orbital action adds a forward component to the stroke. More action can speed rough wood cutting, but the tradeoff may be a rougher edge. Start conservatively for a visible surface or tight curve. Use the blade maker's and tool manual's guidance for the material instead of keeping the highest setting for every cut.
Make a trial cut in scrap with the same thickness and face finish. Inspect both faces and the cut edge. Tear-out direction depends on tooth orientation, so “good face up” is not a universal rule. The supplied anti-splinter accessory may help in suitable setups, but it does not replace the correct blade, support, and feed rate.
Do not force a square edge
If the saw feels slow, check the blade and settings before increasing forward pressure. Forcing the tool can bend the blade and leave a sloping edge. Keep the shoe supported, let the blade reach the appropriate speed, and guide the cut deliberately. Use relief cuts where suitable for tight waste-side turns rather than twisting the blade sideways.
For a fitted opening, lay out the clearance carefully and check the finished dimensions before removing too much material. For curved parts that will be refined later, leave a controlled amount of waste for sanding or another finishing process. See our random orbit sander guide for flat-face preparation; shaped edges may need hand tools or a different sanding approach.
Visibility, dust, and safe support
Keep the cut line visible without putting hands under the work. Secure the workpiece and support the waste so it does not drop unpredictably or pinch the blade. Wait for the blade to stop before lifting the saw clear or setting it down. Use eye and hearing protection and appropriate dust controls; identify unknown materials before cutting.
The blower and dust tube solve different problems. Blowing chips off a pencil line does not capture dust from the room. When using extraction, follow the manual's blower setting and check hose compatibility and routing. A hose or battery that catches the work can disrupt a careful curve.
Battery and purchase tradeoffs
For short fitting cuts, portability may matter more than maximum runtime. For repeated cuts in thicker material, plan battery capacity and a spare rather than assuming one charge covers the day. A larger pack adds weight; compare the balance of the complete setup you will actually use.
Confirm 2737-20, seller identity, condition, accessories, return terms, and warranty eligibility before ordering. Compare a complete kit if you need batteries and a charger. Also compare handle styles in person when possible. If demolition is the main job, the SAWZALL guide describes a different class of cutting tool.
Sources checked September 15, 2026: Milwaukee's 2737-20 specifications and package and matching Amazon listing. Marketplace offers and contents can vary.