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M18 FORCE LOGIC die systems
Milwaukee Crimping Dies: W-Style & 12T U-Style Guide
Milwaukee's utility-crimping ecosystem uses two very different removable-die paths: W-style dies on the 2678-20 6-ton platform and U-style dies on the 2778-20 12-ton platform. Match the tool and jaw/head before choosing the die.
Do not cross the force-class systems
2678-20 = interchangeable 6T jaws and W-style/Kearney paths. 2778-20 = 12T U-die C-head. A similar connector size does not make W and U dies interchangeable.
Last technical review: August 26, 2026.
Milwaukee W-style dies for the 2678-20 6T crimper
Milwaukee's W-style die pages identify the 2678-20 M18 FORCE LOGIC 6T Utility Crimper and state that its W dies are compatible with crimping tools that accept W dies. The tool itself requires the appropriate crimping jaw. Milwaukee's fixed BG jaw (49-16-BGD3) and fixed O jaw (49-16-0OD3) explicitly accept Milwaukee and industry-standard W-style dies.
| W die | Milwaukee catalog number | Greenlee KD6 cross-reference |
|---|---|---|
| W-BG | 49-16-WBG0 | KD6-10 |
| W-O | 49-16-WO00 | KD6-11 |
| W-C | 49-16-WC00 | KD6-12 |
| W-K840 | 49-16-W840 | KD6-13 |
| W-161 | 49-16-W161 | KD6-14 |
| W-162 | 49-16-W162 | KD6-15 |
| W-163 | 49-16-W163 | KD6-16 |
| W-165 | 49-16-W165 | KD6-17 |
| W-166 | 49-16-W166 | KD6-18 |
| W-243 | 49-16-W243 | KD6-19 |
| W-247 | 49-16-W247 | KD6-20 |
| W-249 | 49-16-W249 | KD6-21 |
| W-164 | 49-16-W164 | KD6-22 |
| W-237 | 49-16-W237 | KD6-24 |
| W-239 | 49-16-W239 | KD6-25 |
The Greenlee cross-reference column comes from Greenlee's published 6-ton die compatibility table. It establishes the W/KD6 die-family correspondence; it does not independently approve every connector application.
12T U-style dies for the 2778-20
Milwaukee's 2778-20 service documentation identifies the tool as a 12T U-die utility crimper and publishes copper and dual-rated copper/aluminum U-die ranges. The published kits include #6 AWG through 750 kcmil.
| Example conductor size | Copper-only U die | Dual-rated Cu/Al U die |
|---|---|---|
| #6 AWG | 49-12-U006C | 49-12-U006 |
| 1/0 AWG | 49-12-U01AC | 49-12-U01A |
| 4/0 AWG | 49-12-U04AC | 49-12-U04A |
| 250 kcmil | 49-12-U250C | 49-12-U250 |
| 500 kcmil | 49-12-U500C | 49-12-U500 |
| 750 kcmil | 49-12-U750C | 49-12-U750 |
Use the exact connector instructions before selecting a die solely from conductor size. A connector series can call for a specific die index/profile and crimp count.
Check current Milwaukee crimping-die listings
Compare listings by exact W or U die catalog number. Do not substitute by color alone or assume a W-style die belongs in the 12T U-die head.
Where Kearney fits into the Milwaukee 6T platform
The 2678-20 also has a dedicated Kearney jaw (49-16-KEAR), and Milwaukee sells a 2678-22K kit with Kearney grooves. That is a separate jaw path from the D3/W-die system. If your existing utility tooling is Kearney-based, select that architecture rather than trying to force the job into W dies.
Use the Finder before interpreting a cross-brand die
The Crimp Die Finder checks whether the reviewed tool/head supports W, U, Greenlee or Kearney die families. For broader background see Milwaukee Crimping Tools and Crimping Dies. If a connector calls for a Burndy die index, the Burndy Die Chart is a useful starting reference—but the connector's current instruction table remains controlling.
Technical sources used for this guide
- Milwaukee 49-16-BGD3 Fixed BG Jaw — accepts Milwaukee and competitive W-style dies on 2678-20.
- Milwaukee W-O die — representative W-style die product page and cross-tool W-die statement.
- Milwaukee 6T crimping/cutting accessory sheet — W-die and jaw catalog-number list.
- Milwaukee 2778-20 service-parts list — current 12T U-die system identification.
- Milwaukee 12T hydraulic tools accessory document — copper and dual-rated U-die part-number tables.
- Greenlee 6-Ton Crimping Die Compatibility — published KD6-to-Burndy-W cross-reference.
Milwaukee Crimping Dies FAQs
Which Milwaukee tool uses W-style crimping dies?
Milwaukee documents W-style dies for the 2678-20 M18 FORCE LOGIC 6T Utility Crimper when it is equipped with a compatible 6T crimping jaw such as the fixed BG or fixed O D3 jaw.
Which Milwaukee tool uses U-style crimping dies?
The 2778-20 M18 FORCE LOGIC 12T Utility Crimper is Milwaukee’s U-die platform. Milwaukee publishes copper and dual-rated copper/aluminum U-die sets for that system.
Can Milwaukee W-style dies be used in another brand of W-die crimper?
Milwaukee states on its W-style die product pages that the dies are compatible with crimping tools that accept W dies. The connector application still needs to be supported by the relevant connector/tool instructions.
Is die color enough to identify the correct Milwaukee die?
No. Use the exact die catalog number/index and connector instructions. Colors can repeat across sizes or die systems and should not be the only identifier.
Does a Milwaukee die fitting the tool prove the connector is approved?
No. Tool/die fit is one part of the chain. The exact connector, conductor and approved combination must also be verified.