Looking to buy Milwaukee cordless

Wanna Ride · Oct 5, 2014

I've got a couple Home Depot gift cards totaling about $325. Not my favorite place to buy tools, but oh well. I've been wanting to update my Milwaukee cordless tools for a while now, but it just seems like there's dozens of different drills and drivers to select from anymore. Which damn ones do you buy?

I know how to sort through all the specific power and battery ratings, but which ones are duds, and which ones should I lean towards?

I really have brand loyalty to Milwaukee, but if there's better stuff at HD for the money, I'm open to suggestions. But please don't say Ryobi. I want stuff that really has guts, and good battery life. And I'm not opposed to throwing some more cash at the purchase to go with the gift cards, if I have to.

I have the last generation of 14.4 and 18 volt stuff. I'm going to sell it all off once I decide what to replace it with.

This isn't my picture, but this is the series of stuff I'm replacing...

I have two drills (one 14.4v 3/8, one 18v 1/2) a 14.4v 3/8 square-head impact, an 18v circular saw, two chargers, and several of each batteries (one of the 18v batts is dead). Other than the one batt, it's all still in good shape and I don't want to spend nearly a $80 just for one battery, but more importantly, I just have the itch to update.

What I'd like to have in a set:
- two drills (identical)
- impact driver
- circ saw
- two chargers
- min of three batts

I like having two drills for when working on a project that requires different bits, I don't have to keep changing them out. I'm not 100% on the square-head impact, but are the hex-tip impacts durable? It seems like there's a lot more options with those. No need for a worthless flashlight or a recip saw. Whats the differences in the types of battery/series they offer now? There's ones that look thinner than others?

Open to all opinions, suggestions and input...

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

Go Milwaukee m18 Fuel, you won't regret it. Local supply houses are running better deals on kits thru the end of October. I'd pick a kit up there and maybe use the Home Depot gift cards to grab some bare tools.

The 2797-22 Kit is a good start. $369 @ Home Depot. I just picked one up at a smaller hardware store for $269.99.

Wanna Ride · Oct 5, 2014

Whats the difference in the "Fuel" line and the standard?

chrisexv6 · Oct 5, 2014

Wanna Ride said:
Whats the difference in the "Fuel" line and the standard?

Fuel is brushless. In the 12V line the Fuel versions get "bigger" i.e. 1/2" hammer drill instead of 3/8"

Ign · Oct 5, 2014

pl_silverado said:
Go Milwaukee m18 Fuel, you won't regret it. Local supply houses are running better deals on kits thru the end of October. I'd pick a kit up there and maybe use the Home Depot gift cards to grab some bare tools.

The 2797-22 Kit is a good start. $369 @ Home Depot. I just picked one up at a smaller hardware store for $269.99.

This.

Fuel is brushless. Generally more compact, more power, longer run times

Ign · Oct 5, 2014

Look for this deal at a local HD maybe? Good deal if you're looking to spend quite a bit
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264092

Wanna Ride · Oct 5, 2014

Ign said:
Look for this deal at a local HD maybe? Good deal if you're looking to spend quite a bit
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264092

Where/how do you find out if this specific deal is applicable to your local store?

Is the brushless stuff that much better? I don't work with my cordless tools daily.

cheechi · Oct 5, 2014

Why the need for two identical drills? Why the circ saw?

Hard to argue the M18 Fuel might be the best cordless out there, but still, cordless circ saw either doesn't have the power or doesn't long enough to matter.

Considering what you have, I would look up the specs of what they were new, divide in half (or 2/3 considering age if you dont think half is right) and then compare those specs to the M12 Fuel options. The old 14.4 is definitely on par with the M12 (non fuel, lower specs) the older 18v NiCad might be more powerful or on par I don't know. But I can tell you the M12 definitely has some benefits getting into that system over any other 12v, and if you don't truly need what the M18 offers that might be all you do need.

Coming from someone who has both 18v and 12v tools I have most recently been using the 12v about 95% of the time over the 18's.

Wanna Ride · Oct 5, 2014

Thanks for the insight and comparison info!

Like I said earlier, when working on projects, I like to have two drills so I'm not constantly changing back from drill to screw bit, or drill to counter-sink, etc. A lot of stuff I work on has lots of need to change bits back and forth constantly, and it just saves a lot of time. Something which I never have enough of anyways. I wanted to do that last time around and resisted, and regretted it ever since on every project I've worked on.

As for the circ saw, I'm constantly working on a project where I only need to cut one or two boards and dragging out cords and rewinding them for one cut is another waste of time, and aggravating.

Kracin · Oct 5, 2014

if you're buying from home depot, don't forget to try and use harbor freight 25% off coupons. the one near me always accepts my 25% off coupons when i buy milwaukee power tools. good deals to be had like that. they are supposed to accept competitor coupons, but its more up to the supervisor at the time.

dnschmidt · Oct 5, 2014

Personally, I have all Milwaukee and all Fuel if the particular tool is made in the brushless variety. That stated HD's Ridgid line does have one hot smoking advantage and that is that they will replace the batteries free for life which is sort of hard to look the other way from. Since you have HD gift cards that's the way I'd go. I've never broken a cordless tool. The batteries always die first and the batteries always cost more than the tool. Free batteries for life is a very attractive offer.

Cato · Oct 5, 2014

Well, if I had money to burn I'd get an M18™ Cordless LITHIUM-ION 6 ½" Circular Saw.

SASORacing · Oct 5, 2014

I would get fuel on your most common tool, for me its the impact, second would be my drill.

With the Milwakke impact I would strongly reccomend the 3/8th drive impact wrench fuel version, or the fuel hex impact. The hex has 1200 vs 1400 inch pounds but is slighly cheaper.

Also the fuel items come with 2.0 batteries, these can be used in non-fuel tools to boost power and life vs the standard 1.5 batteries.

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

Cato said:
Well, if I had money to burn I'd get an M18™ Cordless LITHIUM-ION 6 ½" Circular Saw.

I would wait on the circular saw as they just came out with the 7 1/4 Fuel Version, should be hitting stores soon.

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

SASORacing said:
I would get fuel on your most common tool, for me its the impact, second would be my drill.

With the Milwakke impact I would strongly reccomend the 3/8th drive impact wrench fuel version, or the fuel hex impact. The hex has 1200 vs 1400 inch pounds but is slighly cheaper.

Also the fuel items come with 2.0 batteries, these can be used in non-fuel tools to boost power and life vs the standard 1.5 batteries.

Actually, the M18 Fuel Versions now come with XC 4.0ah batteries. 5.0ah should be hitting shelves soon also.

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

Wanna Ride said:
Thanks for the insight and comparison info!

Like I said earlier, when working on projects, I like to have two drills so I'm not constantly changing back from drill to screw bit, or drill to counter-sink, etc. A lot of stuff I work on has lots of need to change bits back and forth constantly, and it just saves a lot of time. Something which I never have enough of anyways. I wanted to do that last time around and resisted, and regretted it ever since on every project I've worked on.

As for the circ saw, I'm constantly working on a project where I only need to cut one or two boards and dragging out cords and rewinding them for one cut is another waste of time, and aggravating.

If you need two drills, but want to save money, I suggest the Fuel Combo Kit i posted above (2797-22). In addition to it, you can pick up a new body only of the 2603-20 for $ 75-100 on ebay, or $ 129 at depot to go with the above mentioned kit.

As far as the circular saw, I would wait for the 7 1/4 version (2731-20 body only or 2731-22 if you want 2 batteries) and skip the smaller one.

SASORacing · Oct 5, 2014

pl_silverado said:
Actually, the M18 Fuel Versions now come with XC 4.0ah batteries. 5.0ah should be hitting shelves soon also.

I was talking about the M12 stuff, but you are right. I also think the m12 stuff accepts the XC 4.0, but has less power still. I like the M12 stuff because I use the impact on any bolt I can get to with it. I like to think of my 3/8 m12 milwakke impact as a ratchet, only 20x faster on and off. Because I use impacts so much on small bolts up to about 17mm the m12 has enough power and I have not needed a more powerfull m18 yet. I think I will save the M18 for 1/2in so I can do lug nuts down the road.

As of right now I really like the M12 fuel 3/8 impact. No hex to 3/8 adapter which is nice. I also recently bought all 3/8 sockets that are a mix of phillip, flathead, hex/ allen/ long hex / allen, and of course I already have a full 3/8 impact socket set that works perfect with this M12 fuel. So there is virtually nothing I cant do with it now, except drill. I also recently bought the non-fuel m12 drill/ hackzawl combo when they were on sale for $99. I am using the fuel 2.0 batteries with these for better performance. I only have 2 2.0 batteries but its not a hassle rotating them between 3 tools.

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

SASORacing said:
I was talking about the M12 stuff, but you are right. I also think the m12 stuff accepts the XC 4.0, but has less power still. I like the M12 stuff because I use the impact on any bolt I can get to with it. I like to think of my 3/8 m12 milwakke impact as a ratchet, only 20x faster on and off. Because I use impacts so much on small bolts up to about 17mm the m12 has enough power and I have not needed a more powerfull m18 yet. I think I will save the M18 for 1/2in so I can do lug nuts down the road.

As of right now I really like the M12 fuel 3/8 impact. No hex to 3/8 adapter which is nice. I also recently bought all 3/8 sockets that are a mix of phillip, flathead, hex/ allen/ long hex / allen, and of course I already have a full 3/8 impact socket set that works perfect with this M12 fuel. So there is virtually nothing I cant do with it now, except drill. I also recently bought the non-fuel m12 drill/ hackzawl combo when they were on sale for $99. I am using the fuel 2.0 batteries with these for better performance. I only have 2 2.0 batteries but its not a hassle rotating them between 3 tools.

Makes sense.

I just picked up the M12 Fuel Impact Driver with 2 2.0 batteries, The M12 1/2" Drill with 1 2.0 and 1 4.0, and Home Depot was running a deal on the M12 Fuel Hackzall, where you buy the body for $ 153 and they'll throw in a 4.0 batt for free....

Small and definitely pack a punch. I wish I bought the M12 first, I would have skipped the M18 all together.

cheechi · Oct 5, 2014

Wanna Ride said:
]when working on projects, I like to have two drills so I'm not constantly changing back from drill to screw bit, or drill to counter-sink, etc.

I would say the drill for drilling holes and countersinks and the impact driver (you did mean impact driver/1/4" hex vs impact wrench/square anvil right?)

drill holes.
drill counter sinks.
drive screws.

since the impact driver has a hex quick change you could do 2/3 of those with it, though me personally i have no issue changing to the countersink bit after i finish with the spiral bit. It's easier in my mind to have 2 tools and a loose countersink in your work space than 3 drills.

Either way no matter what system you get a bare drill or driver could be bought. Here's my suggestion on that. Either buy a kit, 3pc 4pc doesn't matter; the more tools you get in the kit the less each costs. so buy your kit, you are going to get both a drill and impact driver. decide if you still need another drill, if so buy the drill as a separate kit. now you have your extra drill and at least one more batt/charger if you decide you need it.

chrisexv6 · Oct 5, 2014

I'm in the middle of trimming down my tool count. I plan on getting rid of most of my 18v stuff and replacing or with the m12 fuel impact driver and m12 fuel hammer drill.

I have a few "specialty" tools (circ saw, multitool) that I will hiold onto until I get them in m12.

I think you would do fine with the m12 fuel hex impact driver and the m12 fuel drill or hammer drill. Use the impact for your driving bit and the drill for your drill bit.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Tapatalk

ihateminimumwage · Oct 5, 2014

Wanna Ride said:
Is the brushless stuff that much better? I don't work with my cordless tools daily.

My M12 Fuel 3/8" impact with the XC batteries easily keeps up with all my coworkers' 18v Dewalt impact drivers. Using it all day at work, batteries can last at least a couple of days.

Just bought a M18 drill (brushed), and it'll eat through batteries pretty fast. Will be spending the extra cash on the Fuel version when I buy a 1/2" M18 impact wrench.

The non-Fuel versions are still great tools. For how cheap some of the non-Fuel versions are getting, you can't really be beat at the prices. Also there are "Free Tool" and "Free Battery" promos that come around a few times a year.

Ign · Oct 5, 2014

pl_silverado said:
If you need two drills, but want to save money, I suggest the Fuel Combo Kit i posted above (2797-22). In addition to it, you can pick up a new body only of the 2603-20 for $ 75-100 on ebay, or $ 129 at depot to go with the above mentioned kit.

As far as the circular saw, I would wait for the 7 1/4 version (2731-20 body only or 2731-22 if you want 2 batteries) and skip the smaller one.

I was thinking this exact same thing. But for the brushed drill consider the 2601 if you don't need the hammer capability (this can obviously be the OP's countersink drill, etc). They're dirt cheap on ebay, although I don't think you'll get a warranty if these are private party sellers. Search ebay for 2601-20, lots of options under $55 shipped, here's a new one for $52 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-M...w-/141419939838?pt=Drills&hash=item20ed4907fe

I really like my 2601. I'm surprised at the power for the size of the drill overall. And while Fuel is great, the brushless tools are heavierthan their brushed counterparts.

quattroJoe · Oct 5, 2014

I think you're right to go with Milwaukee, I don't see anything else at HD being comparable. The free batteries for life sounds like a good deal, but, and I haven't read into the fine print, are they replacing them with new batteries? Refurbs? And is it forever, or as long as that line of batteries are produced? Are you going to be SOL when they update the line and change battery formats?

If you're not in a huge hurry, hold out for a promo. I've made three large Milwaukee purchases this year, and each time came out with free batteries or extra tools. Only bought two bare tools off promo, one because I "needed" it now (3/8 ratchet) and one because the deal was too good to pass up (jigsaw.) I'd bet they'll run a similar promo again before the end of the year. Also try to catch a Milwaukee rep in the store. I've seen a few guys on here say they've talked to a rep at HD while shopping and they threw in a battery or tool to close the sale. I've never seen one, but I work weekends and I'm assuming that's when they're around. Milwaukee has a decent warranty on batteries, on the M12 I believe it's two years on the 2.0 and three on the 4.0. I've got so many spare batteries from the promos (nearly a 2:1 ratio to tools) that I just rotate them, hopefully they'll last me longer that way. I've found that the M12 Fuel line is powerful enough for nearly everything I do, and the light weight/compact size makes them more useful to me as there are more places where I can use them.

A note on the multiple drill situation- I have the M12 hammer drill, never really use the hammer function but it was only like $10 more. I use it occasionally for odd and oversized bits, but most of the time I reach for the hex drill/driver. Bought a set of drill bits with hex shanks at the base and it's actually faster for my usage to swap bits than have two loaded drills. The hex chuck has a collar that you slide to release the bit, then locks back in automatically when you insert the next bit. No tightening and loosening the chuck to swap bits. I often alternate between a Phillips driver and drill bit, or a Phillips and a nut setter, or two different sized nut setters. That's just what works for me, but I find it easier to carry and keep track of one drill and a couple bits when it's that fast to swap bits.

kctyphoon · Oct 5, 2014

Just throwing this out there, if anybody wants a good deal on tools, I just bought the m18 fuel / milwaukee 2797 (refurbished) drill driver kit w/4ah batteries for $219 from cpo outlets online.. They raised the price to $306 now, but I think the prices go up and down. They sell refurb tools on every major brand and appliances also..

Also, the impact driver has taken off every bolt I've tried so far.. Even the axle nuts on my Honda.. Not bad from a 1/4" drive hex impact.. Thing is amazing

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

kctyphoon said:
Just throwing this out there, if anybody wants a good deal on tools, I just bought the m18 fuel / milwaukee 2797 (refurbished) drill driver kit w/4ah batteries for $219 from cpo outlets online.. They raised the price to $306 now, but I think the prices go up and down. They sell refurb tools on every major brand and appliances also..

Also, the impact driver has taken off every bolt I've tried so far.. Even the axle nuts on my Honda.. Not bad from a 1/4" drive hex impact.. Thing is amazing

I bought one new for $ 269. They have the $ 100 trade in deal this month, although I had nothing to trade in. They gave it to me anyway.

Wanna Ride · Oct 5, 2014

Thanks for the insight, guys. The largest part I needed the help on, was the timing on when to buy, and the promo rotation. I already know what I want, just needed to know when's the best time to strike!

As I suspected, I'm staying with Milwaukee. I've been very happy with them for well over 25 years.

Where's the best place to unload all my stuff I'm replacing? It's all still in great shape, just one batts dead as a doornail (that expression never made any sense, but it's habit).

pl_silverado · Oct 5, 2014

Ign said:
I was thinking this exact same thing. But for the brushed drill consider the 2601 if you don't need the hammer capability (this can obviously be the OP's countersink drill, etc). They're dirt cheap on ebay, although I don't think you'll get a warranty if these are private party sellers. Search ebay for 2601-20, lots of options under $55 shipped, here's a new one for $52 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Milwaukee-M...w-/141419939838?pt=Drills&hash=item20ed4907fe

I really like my 2601. I'm surprised at the power for the size of the drill overall. And while Fuel is great, the brushless tools are heavierthan their brushed counterparts.

The 2603 is the brushless non-hammer drill, equivalent to your brushed one. For another $ 25, id definitely go brushless.

The non fuel tools are also tough, I use and abuse them at work on a daily basis and they keep on kicking. They've seriously impressed me, which is why everything at home is getting upgraded to Fuel.

955point9cummins · Oct 6, 2014

My vote is on M18 Fuel tools. Can't really go wrong with any from that line.

Frank Dukes · Oct 6, 2014

I'd hold out and see how this promo plays out.. would be great deal for you when ever it goes live. christmas deals will be plentiful soon enough.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264092

chrisexv6 · Oct 6, 2014

Frank Dukes said:
I'd hold out and see how this promo plays out.. would be great deal for you when ever it goes live. christmas deals will be plentiful soon enough.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264092

Too bad no M12 stuff

pl_silverado · Oct 6, 2014

This is the current promo thru the end of Oct.

Not sure if home depot will honor it, but the local milwaukee dealers should be running something similar.

Wanna Ride · Oct 6, 2014

pl_silverado said:
This is the current promo thru the end of Oct.

Not sure if home depot will honor it, but the local milwaukee dealers should be running something similar.

Where'd you get that? Doesn't look like an HD ad.

pl_silverado · Oct 6, 2014

Wanna Ride said:
Where'd you get that? Doesn't look like an HD ad.

Local hardware store.

ihateminimumwage · Oct 6, 2014

pl_silverado said:
This is the current promo thru the end of Oct.

Not sure if home depot will honor it, but the local milwaukee dealers should be running something similar.

I want that M18 Fuel 1/2" kit SOO BAD...

Wanna Ride · Oct 7, 2014

Found this at Farm & Fleet tonight, looks like it goes through the first week of November, so I have some time to compare.

hondacivic247 · Oct 8, 2014

I love my m1 fuel combo kit I bought. The impqct driver has tons of torque and run time Same with the drill driver and the hammer function is a nice for drilling through cement

Wanna Ride · Oct 11, 2014

Checked out several different Home Depots in the last few days. No special deals or promos to be had yet. But I did get a bare tool M18 drill, new on e-bay for $52 shipped free. That's part of my new kit. I'll wait to see what pops up at HD and other sources in the next couple weeks.

Which Milwaukee M18 impact do you guys prefer? The 1/4" hex tool, or the 3/8" square drive?

pl_silverado · Oct 11, 2014

Wanna Ride said:
Which Milwaukee M18 impact do you guys prefer? The 1/4" hex tool, or the 3/8" square drive?

I use both. 1/4" hex is more useful around the house, 3/8" square for automotive work.

retfr8flyr · Oct 11, 2014

pl_silverado said:
I use both. 1/4" hex is more useful around the house, 3/8" square for automotive work.

Have the best of both worlds. Get the 3/8's impact and a 1/4 hex adapter. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/fastening/48-03-4405 I have this combination and it works out well. The only time it's a problem is if you are working in very tight places because it's a little longer then the straight hex tool.

Ign · Oct 11, 2014

retfr8flyr said:
Have the best of both worlds. Get the 3/8's impact and a 1/4 hex adapter. http://www.milwaukeetool.com/accessories/fastening/48-03-4405 I have this combination and it works out well. The only time it's a problem is if you are working in very tight places because it's a little longer then the straight hex tool.

This. If you can only have one get the 3/8" square with adapter to hex, not the other way around.

Looking to buy Milwaukee cordless

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