matthewg96
New member
Been looking for something for smaller spaces and lighter work and was looking for suggestions. I found these two systems at homedepot and don't know which one to get. HELP!
12 volt makita or Milwaukee
- Thread starter matthewg96
- Start date
Roobaix
Well-known member
I'm a fan of the Milwaukee M12 Fuel stuff.
Ainsley
Well-known member
I have the makita but wish I had gone with the Milwaukee. The fuel is brushless and they have way more tools available.
I love my Milwaukee stuff but since you say you want them for smaller spaces, Makita is probably what you want. Milwaukee's m12s are big and powerful. My m12 drill is a hair longer than my m18 drill, it's just skinnier. It's also nearly as powerful as the m18. Makita's 12v is tiny in comparison.
bcradio
Well-known member
Milwaukee Fuel gets my vote
stihlntime
Well-known member
I love the M12 Fuel products. Exceptional performance.
shockwave
Well-known member
The Milwaukee is the way to go I have had both and sold the makita for Milwaukee and plus the easiest had electric ratchet there is and the fuel drill is nice with a 1/2 chuck too
smittyjones
Well-known member
M12 has a ton of tools that use their batteries, Makita only has a few. Makita 12v 1/4" has like 800 inch pounds, compared to the M12 Fuel at 1,200 inch pounds. That's what sold me on the M12.
TK-421
Well-known member
I went with M12 and I couldn't be happier. There are a ton of tools to choose from, batteries are cheap and plentiful on eBay, and the stuff is very powerful for its size. My M12 Fuel hammer drill rivals my old 18v Ryobi drill, at half the size and weight.
TK-421
Well-known member
What model numbers? According to the specs from Milwaukee, the 2403 is shorter than the 2603.
kctyphoon
Banned
If you just need a basic drill, impact driver, screwdriver, ect - id take a hard look at the dewalt 12v max stuff if you don't want to spring for the m12 fuel line, or plan on expanding our into other tools in the m12 line. I have both non fuel m12 stuff and dewalts 12v max. The dewalt is just as powerful and SOOO much more comfortable to hold. The tools lighting is also much better..
If you think u might want a ratchet or hammerdrill, then by all means go Milwaukee, but I actually like the dewalt impact driver , drill and screwdriver much better. It just fits perfectly in the hand. The one handed Chuck on the dewalt hex drive is also a nice plus..
If you think u might want a ratchet or hammerdrill, then by all means go Milwaukee, but I actually like the dewalt impact driver , drill and screwdriver much better. It just fits perfectly in the hand. The one handed Chuck on the dewalt hex drive is also a nice plus..
Dirtydan69
Well-known member
I'm a big fan of the Bosch 12 volt system. I have just about every tool they make. Great product and most all of them fit in tight spaces. The mini saws all is fantastic.
Yep, my first though when he mentioned smaller tools, particularly since Bosch seems like they might start getting serious about brushless tools.
stihlntime
Well-known member
I have to respectfully disagree. I bought the DeWalt first, the 1/4" driver,drill and 3/8" impact. I used it a couple of months then wanting a bigger more powerful drill I bought a 20v max 1/2" drill and it came with a 20v 1/4" impact as well. My oldest son didn't know I had all of this and bought me a Milwaukee Fuel 12v 1/2" hammer drill and 1/4" driver. The Milwaukee 12v Fuel just kicks the DeWalt 12v max in every way. Battery life is much longer and the have more torque. I did an impromptu test between the 12v fuel drill and the 20v max drill. The 12v Fuel drilled between 38 and 41 5/8" holes with a wood bit compared to between 11 and 13 for the 20vmax. (Drilling holes in tree stumps to put tordon in to kill the tree) I took the 20v DeWalt max set back to Lowes after the test. The 12v DeWalt stuff rarely gets used any. I know it comes down to a personal preference. I've since added the fuel 12v greasegun and sawzall and love them sq well,next is the 3/8" ratchet.
finn
Well-known member
I've got a small 12V Milwaukee saw (Hacksall?), and, while the size is nice, I'm not happy with the battery life compared to a small Bosch 12 V (driver) I have. (I do realize they are different tools and the saw probably draws more juice, but Bosch also included two batteries)
I wouldn't buy another 12 V Milwaukee tool.
I wouldn't buy another 12 V Milwaukee tool.
kctyphoon
Banned
You are comparing amilwaukee brushless line to dewalts brushed tools.. Youre not "disagreeing" with what I said. The fuel line is not the same as the regular m12 or comparable to the dewalt 12v . I was comparing both brushed since I own both. The regular m12 line and dewalt 12v max are basically identical performance wise. I can sink 3" screws side by side with both impacts drivers and they will tie every time. Also - most of the m12 fuel stuff comes with 4 amp hour batteries. The dewalt comes with 1.5/amp hr with the biggest you can buy being 2/amp hours.. Of course your run tests are worlds apart. They should be, and the prices of what u mentioned will reflect that.
However, if you take the regular m12 drill and impact driver with a 1.3 or 2.0/battery, and run them against the dewalt 12v max with their 1.5 or 2.0/battery, the test will not reveal any worthwhile gap in performance or runtimes.. You have to compare comparable tools.. Run times aside, for me, the ergonomics and grip of the dewalt 12v line is something that makes a big difference. Better lights, better belt clip, one handed bit insert and realease of the 1/4" hex Chuck are some more differences.
You want or need brushless or a larger tool line - yes, I agree it's Milwaukee for that.
Last edited:
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
I am a Makita guy myself, we have 100's of tools and I couldn't be happier with them. Repair depot is local when se need something repaired (which is very rare). Tools are powerful and batteries have great life. Also they carry a wide variety of Tools, including things like hedge trimmers and chainsaws. So with that being said you can't go wrong with Milwaukee either. Tough tools and the fuel line is awesome. Either choice will be great.
That
That
bcradio
Well-known member
Good!!! More for us!
Yes, but he was also comparing it to the 20v DeWalt system.
kctyphoon
Banned
Some of the brushed 20v dewalt stuff is nothing spectacular.. The m18 brushed impact driver I have at work will sink lags faster than the brushless 20v dewalt model I have. Dewalt keeps trying to improve their 20v line which is why there's about a half dozen different models of drills and impact drivers.. A brushless m12 hammerdrill with a 4 amp hr battery outlasting a brushed 20v dewalt with a 1.5 amp hr compact battery isnt a great feat either.. Between 2 work trucks outfitted with different Cordless tools and my collection at home, I have alot of lines and models to compare.. The fuel line has A/C motors that are digitally controlled. It's just a matter or programming to outperform a brushed tool - and there is no substitute for having a battery with more than twice as many amp hrs, brushless or not..
Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
Do note the DeWalt 12V Max stuff has small grips, I have large hands and I can only wrap three fingers around the grips of the DeWalt 12Vax stuff, I have all of there tools, I also have all of the 10.8V/12V Bosch tools available in the US. The Makita 12V 3/8" impact wrench is longer than their 18V models.
TheGrooveking
TheGrooveking
FourOneTwo
Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2014
- Messages
- 10
Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/2" Hammer Drill/Driver (#2404-22). Workhorse, lots of power, great battery life (comes with extended capacity battery and compact battery), brushless. Probably thinking 12 V Hammer Drill. The hammer function actually works really great. YouTube / Google search the tool to see some real-life using of the hammer drill.
guy48065
Well-known member
OP wants tools for tight spaces. Go with the Bosch 12V system.
Sal Bandini
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 995
guy48065
Well-known member
Exactly--and double that volume again for the M12 Milwaukee line. All good tools--just not what the OP asked for.
AGREED.... Bosch offers by far the most compact line. And they are introducing new brushless stuff everyday.
I own the M12 Fuel line, its great, but its large.
Dont even touch the non Fuel stuff, lame glitchy electronics.
I own the M12 Fuel line, its great, but its large.
Dont even touch the non Fuel stuff, lame glitchy electronics.
TomB19
Well-known member
IMO, the M12 Milwaukee base line of tools are not that great but probably OK value for what they cost. The battery system is good but the M12 drill spits out drills in a way that is so frustrating as to cause the user to arm themselves. The M12 impact has the least convenient collet in the business, including the junk brands, but it works OK.
Meanwhile, the M12 FUEL is excellent. While the price is extreme, the quality is very good so the value is still OK.
The point being, M12 has some low end and high end items. It depends on which line the OP is referring to and I suspect it is the low end line. It's nice to have the option to go high end in the odd tool, though.
Personally, I'd have a look at the DeWalt 12v Max line as price and availability is excellent. If the line meets his needs, it might suit him well.
Meanwhile, the M12 FUEL is excellent. While the price is extreme, the quality is very good so the value is still OK.
The point being, M12 has some low end and high end items. It depends on which line the OP is referring to and I suspect it is the low end line. It's nice to have the option to go high end in the odd tool, though.
Personally, I'd have a look at the DeWalt 12v Max line as price and availability is excellent. If the line meets his needs, it might suit him well.
bcradio
Well-known member
FigureItOut
Well-known member
Eighth vote for Bosch in 12 volt. Size, power and cost all considered it's the way to go in 12 volt. M12 Fuel is freaking awesome stuff, but it's nearly full size, in both power and actual size. Bosch 12 volt is an incredible line, very compact, very capable, lots of tools, and affordable.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
Ign
Well-known member
Bosch continues to introduce a slew of products in EU that won't come here. They've made it clear the U.S. market is not their priority. Monte doesn't have that concern.
zendigital
Well-known member
I got a Makita 12v max 1/4 hex gun for Xmas and it has been my goto for tearing off valve covers, undertays, and door liners. I've even had success breaking off rotor screws with some help from penetrating fluid.
Battery life is excellent, lasting about a week and a half to 2 weeks of daily use. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone needing something for tight spaces that is pretty affordable.
Battery life is excellent, lasting about a week and a half to 2 weeks of daily use. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone needing something for tight spaces that is pretty affordable.
ilovevocs
Well-known member
did somebody say Bosch
The Bosch impact driver owns my Milwaukee m12. By far my favorite impact I've ever owned.
Seems like HD is a big player for dewalt and Milwaukee though.
I remember when Milwaukee wasn't a popular home store brand. My friend used to be an independent Milwaukee dealer and still is but he does more service than sales.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'd definitely get the impact and drill combo. The impact can drive huge fasteners and also drill huge holes with spade bits and such.
Have any 18V tools? If not, I'd probably get the 18V stuff first. 18V Milwaukee impact will have twice the torque as a 12V impact. Unless you're talking 12V Fuel, then it's only like 20% less powerful than a 18v impact.
bcradio
Well-known member
Do they sell Drill/Impact Wrench combos? I'm only aware of drill/driver combos.
My DeWalt drill doesn't have a wobble. I'd return it.