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Milwaukee M18 strut shearing
Milwaukee M18 FORCE LOGIC Strut Cutter / Shear Guide
Milwaukee’s 2933 single-channel strut shear is a die-based system. The critical compatibility question is not merely whether the tool is M18—it is whether the installed 49-16 die matches the exact strut profile and whether the material stays within Milwaukee’s published 12-gauge, non-stainless limits.
Milwaukee strut-shear selection chain
2933-20/21 tool → strut profile → exact 49-16 die → up to 12-ga published limit → non-stainless material → clean/square setup.
Last technical review: August 27, 2026.
2933-20 and 2933-21 are the same shear platform in different packages
Milwaukee lists 2933-20 as the M18 FORCE LOGIC Single Channel Strut Shear and 2933-21 as the kit. The 2933-21 package includes the shear, a strut-shearing die set, M18 XC5.0 battery, M12/M18 charger and contractor bag with die pockets. The tool-only configuration includes the shear and 1-5/8 x 1-5/8-inch dies with a carrying bag according to Milwaukee’s current product page.
When comparing listings, confirm whether the seller is offering 2933-20, 2933-21, a die set, or a replacement/used tool without the profile you need.
Milwaukee strut die compatibility chart
| Milwaukee SKU | Published die size | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 49-16-0158 | 1-5/8 x 1-5/8 in | Single |
| 49-16-1316 | 13/16 x 1-5/8 in | Single |
| 49-16-0078 | 7/8 x 1-5/8 in | Single |
| 49-16-0138 | 1-3/8 x 1-5/8 in | Single |
| 49-16-1158 | 1 x 1-5/8 in | Single |
| 49-16-1212 | 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 in | Single |
| 49-16-1234 | 3/4 x 1-1/2 in | Single |
| 49-16-1513 | 13/16 & 1-5/8 x 1-5/8 in | Combination |
| 49-16-1578 | 7/8 & 1-5/8 x 1-5/8 in | Combination |
Milwaukee states that these strut shearing dies are exclusively compatible with the M18 FORCE LOGIC Single Channel Strut Shear. Do not treat them as generic channel dies for another press or hydraulic frame.
Up to 12-gauge does not mean every 12-gauge channel
Milwaukee’s die pages publish the supported profile and state a limit of up to 12-gauge strut for the applicable profile. The die opening therefore matters alongside gauge. A 13/16 x 1-5/8 die is not a substitute for a 1-5/8 x 1-5/8 die simply because the material thickness is the same.
Stainless steel is explicitly excluded
Milwaukee’s current strut-shearing die pages state “Not for use in stainless steel strut.” Keep that exclusion attached to every die size. The tool’s ability to physically close on a stainless profile does not establish an approved application.
Die life is a published service parameter, not a universal guarantee
Milwaukee states up to 10,000 shears per die set and uses two sharpened edges. Actual life depends on material, profile condition, alignment and use. The important compatibility point is that die replacement is tool-free and laser-etched markings identify the size, so crews can keep multiple profile-specific sets with one 2933 platform.
The strut support plate is part of repeatable layout
Milwaukee documents a strut support plate with a 4-inch / 10-cm measurement offset. That can speed repetitive field fabrication, but it does not turn the shear into a length-stop production machine. For high-volume prefab work, compare the portability of the Milwaukee platform with hydraulic bench/floor systems in the Strut Cutter Guide.
Do not confuse the Milwaukee strut shear with a press-tool attachment
The 2933 is a dedicated M18 FORCE LOGIC strut shear. RIDGID’s STRUTSLAYR, by contrast, is a shear head driven by compatible RIDGID Standard Series/32kN press tools. The two approaches solve the same fabrication problem with different power-unit compatibility.
Check current Milwaukee strut shear listings
Verify 2933-20 versus 2933-21 package contents and confirm the included die. If you already own the tool, search the exact 49-16 die SKU rather than a generic “Milwaukee strut cutter die.”
Technical sources used for this guide
- Milwaukee — M18 FORCE LOGIC Single Channel Strut Shear 2933-20 — tool-only platform, included 1-5/8-inch die, support plate and jobsite features.
- Milwaukee — 2933-21 Strut Shear Kit — kit contents including XC5.0 battery and charger.
- Milwaukee — Strut Shearing Dies — current SKU/size matrix, 12-ga limit and stainless exclusion.
- Milwaukee — 49-16-1316 Dies — 13/16 x 1-5/8 profile, exclusive tool compatibility and material limits.
- Milwaukee — 49-16-1158 Dies — 1 x 1-5/8 profile and current specifications.
- Milwaukee — 49-16-0138 Dies — 1-3/8 x 1-5/8 profile and current specifications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Milwaukee strut cutter model number?
Milwaukee’s M18 FORCE LOGIC Single Channel Strut Shear is model 2933-20; 2933-21 is the kit configuration with battery, charger and bag.
What size strut can the Milwaukee 2933 shear?
Milwaukee offers profile-specific die sets including 13/16 x 1-5/8, 7/8 x 1-5/8, 1 x 1-5/8, 1-3/8 x 1-5/8, 1-5/8 x 1-5/8, 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 and 3/4 x 1-1/2, plus combination dies.
Can the Milwaukee strut shear cut stainless steel strut?
No. Milwaukee’s current strut-shearing die pages explicitly state that the dies are not for use in stainless steel strut.
How thick can the Milwaukee strut shear cut?
Milwaukee publishes the strut shearing dies for up to 12-gauge strut within the exact profile supported by each die.
Are Milwaukee strut shear dies compatible with other tools?
Milwaukee states that its strut shearing dies are exclusively compatible with the M18 FORCE LOGIC Single Channel Strut Shear.