Milwaukee M12 and sheet metal?

[GreenLBZ]

Been reading lots of great things about the M12 tools, but has anyone used the drill or driver for attaching R panels to the walls or roof of a building? I'm talking about using a 5/16 self tapping screw through the sheet metal and into a standard purlin.

Does it run a few holes and die?

Or can you do 8 sheets in one setting,

 

[blaynefossati]

Im gonna be honest,i have a makita li ion 12v that is about the same as the m12.My father is in the garage door business and im in automotive.So I have general knowledge of what tools are good for what,the problem with the 12v is that when you run the lags in they automatically impact they dont drive Ive tried it.
Your best bet if you wanna stay cheap is a ni cad 18v something.Hope I could help if not,let me know im a jackass haha.

Blayne

 

[FriendOfYours]

I can drive about 80 drywall screws before my 12v impact needs a recharge

They go pretty well. I'd go with the 18v fuel and compact batteries

 

[toolslinger]

the problem with the 12v is that when you run the lags in they automatically impact they dont drive Ive tried it.

Well, they only impact if you've got an impact driver...

I have a few of the plain drivers, and they're handy for what I do (mostly wood), thought they might be a tad slow for your sheet metal work. Battery life has been surprisingly good. (coming from the Dewalt 14v and 18v world) We have also picked up a couple of the Fuel hammer drills. They have plenty of speed, and almost too much torque for their size. First time up I managed to bend a hole saw arbor when the saw caught. Just about took my wrist with it since I really wasn't expecting the drill not to stall. Haven't run the Fuel units enough to speak on battery life yet.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I use the M12 Fuel impact daily in an auto shop. It'll drive self tappers no problem, as many as my heart desires, although that's probably a lot less than you desire doing sheet metal work. I don't think I've ever had to swap batteries more than twice a day, usually more like every few days. It snapped off a few running into a trailer frame yesterday, and has broken several socket adapters.

IMO the M12 line is inexpensive enough there's little reason not to go for brushless for professional use. They come with better batteries (2ah vs. 1.5ah), much more power, and much longer runtime. Plus with lower power draw and less frequent charging the batteries should live longer too.

 

[tshetter]

I can drive about 80 drywall screws before my 12v impact needs a recharge

They go pretty well. I'd go with the 18v fuel and compact batteries

I think theres something wrong going on there with your batteries.

I've installed drywall all day long with my Bosch 12v using the 1.5ah batteries and they usually last, at a minimum, 1/2 a day.

Honestly, that would have to be hundreds of 1-5/8 drywall screws per battery.

Some people don't like using an impact with hanging drywall but I like it and have never had any issues.

 

[tshetter]

Been reading lots of great things about the M12 tools, but has anyone used the drill or driver for attaching R panels to the walls or roof of a building? I'm talking about using a 5/16 self tapping screw through the sheet metal and into a standard purlin.

Does it run a few holes and die?

Or can you do 8 sheets in one setting,

For setting the screws I would definitely go with the M12 impact, and the Fuel version if you can afford it.

I've also used my 12v to set Tapcon anchors without problem. When you do get up to 1/4"x6" Tapcons, the 12v just cant fully set them. They are about 90% there though. And even with those smaller Tapcons, 3/16x3", I've probably set upwards of 50-100 before battery died.


12v tools have really come a long way. And after trying, you can always return it to HD and buy the 18v if needed.

 

[FriendOfYours]

I think theres something wrong going on there with your batteries.

I've installed drywall all day long with my Bosch 12v using the 1.5ah batteries and they usually last, at a minimum, 1/2 a day.

Honestly, that would have to be hundreds of 1-5/8 drywall screws per battery.

Some people don't like using an impact with hanging drywall but I like it and have never had any issues.

I should have stated they are 2.5inchers