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Pro Tool Reviews examined Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel 16-Gauge Scroll Shear (2487), a cordless tool designed for controlled cuts in sheet metal, including tight curves. The report lists capacities of up to 16-gauge mild steel and aluminum, 18-gauge stainless steel, and a 1/2-inch minimum cut radius; it gives a $299 bare-tool price. Real-world speed, runtime and long-term durability were not established by extensive testing.
Pro Tool Reviews has reported on Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel 16-Gauge Scroll Shear, model 2487, a cordless sheet-metal tool built to follow curves and intricate layouts as well as make longer cuts. The report lists a 1/2-inch minimum cut radius and a $299 bare-tool price, making the tool most relevant to tradespeople who regularly need controlled cuts in ductwork or sheet metal.
Milwaukee lists the shear’s capacities as 16-gauge mild steel, 18-gauge stainless steel and 16-gauge aluminum. The tool can also cut seams in 26-gauge spiral duct, a specification of particular interest to HVAC workers. These are material-specific limits, not a general promise that the tool can cut any metal at those thicknesses. The report says the 1/2-inch turning radius helps it follow tighter curves and shapes.
The 2487 has five speed settings, from 2,300 to 3,600 strokes per minute, and a variable-speed dial. An Auto-Load mode starts at a lower speed for positioning and, according to the report’s description, ramps up when the tool detects a load. Milwaukee’s listed maximum cut speed is 17 feet per minute; that specification is distinct from independently measured jobsite performance.
The report gives the bare tool’s weight as 2.80 pounds, rising to 3.25 pounds with a CP2.5Ah battery, and its length as 10.25 inches. Other listed features include a metal finger guard, LED work light, two-position belt hook and replaceable blades. The tool uses Milwaukee’s M12 battery platform. The reviewer said the smaller battery made the tool feel front-heavy and found that a larger battery improved balance, while adding about half a pound.
A Shear Built for Tight Curves
The central distinction is the tool’s focus on controlled, curved cutting, rather than treating sheet metal work as only a straight-line task. A stated 1/2-inch turning radius and adjustable speed could suit jobs involving shaped openings, layouts or ductwork where keeping to a line matters. The report also describes the cut as fast and debris-free, but that characterization comes from the source material and is not backed here by extensive comparative testing.
For readers weighing a purchase, the $299 bare-tool price and specialized purpose are key considerations. Contractors who frequently work with sheet metal and tight curves may value a cordless tool designed around that task, especially if they already own M12 batteries. People who only cut metal occasionally may find it harder to justify a dedicated shear; the report does not establish that it replaces other cutting methods for every job.
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How the 2487 Fits M12
The 2487 is part of Milwaukee’s M12 cordless system and has a barrel-grip design. Pro Tool Reviews compares its general size, weight and profile with Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel 16-gauge nibbler, model 2476. Both tools are presented as compact options, but the scroll shear’s stated capabilities and 1/2-inch radius are the relevant specifications for readers considering curved sheet-metal cuts.
The review also describes the finger guard as a practical feature: it covers the forward part of the grip and can redirect cuttings away from the hand. This does not remove the need for appropriate work practices around sharp sheet-metal edges. The tool’s replaceable blades, LED and adjustable belt hook are additional listed features, while the article’s hands-on comments about comfort and balance are the reviewer’s observations rather than measured performance results.
““The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 16-Gauge Scroll Shear makes the most sense for Pros who regularly cut sheet metal and need the flexibility to follow curves and intricate layouts.””
— Pro Tool Reviews
Performance Testing Still Needed
The source material does not provide extensive test results for real-world cutting speed, battery runtime or long-term durability. The listed 17-feet-per-minute maximum cut speed is a specification, not a reported average across materials or job conditions. The review praises the tool’s potential and cites Milwaukee’s track record, but that does not substitute for longer-term testing of this model.
The report also does not provide a comparison of the 2487’s price or cutting performance against competing shears, snips or other cutting tools. The supplied material gives a $299 bare-tool price, but does not state a date or retailer, so current availability and pricing may differ.
Check Fit Before Buying
Pros considering the 2487 can compare its material-specific capacities with the metals and thicknesses they cut most often, and confirm the current bare-tool price with a retailer. Users already on M12 can also weigh whether an existing battery gives the balance they prefer or whether a larger pack better suits the work. The report offers no announced follow-up test or product milestone, so further evidence about runtime, cutting speed and durability remains dependent on additional hands-on use.
Key Questions
What materials can the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2487 cut?
The report lists capacities of 16-gauge mild steel, 18-gauge stainless steel and 16-gauge aluminum. It also says the shear can cut seams in 26-gauge spiral duct. These limits vary by material.
How tight a curve can the scroll shear cut?
Milwaukee’s stated minimum cut radius is 1/2 inch, according to the Pro Tool Reviews report.
What does the tool cost?
The report gives a price of $299 for the bare tool. It does not provide a pricing date or retailer, so buyers should check current listings.
Does the review establish the tool’s runtime or durability?
No. The report says extensive hands-on testing would be needed to draw conclusions about real-world speed, runtime and long-term durability.
Who is the shear best suited for?
The report says it is most relevant to professionals who regularly cut sheet metal and need to follow curves or intricate layouts, including workers handling ductwork. Occasional users may not need a dedicated scroll shear.
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