Milwaukee M18... Brushless vs Fuel?

I guess I was wrong but I thought Milwaukee's "Fuel" label was a way to identify if the tool was one of their newer brushless motor powered tools but I recently found out that they apparently have some brushless models that are labeled "Brushless" instead of "Fuel"?

Specifically... I want to pick up an M18 drill/driver. I was comparing model 2701-20 "M18™ 1/2" Compact Brushless Drill/Driver" vs the model 2703-20 "M18 FUEL™ 1/2" Drill/Driver"

For my purposes (general around the house stuff, drilling joists/studs for running cables, etc.) I think the compact model is the one I want? Lighter, smaller but should have enough power and run time for what I need?

I'm just trying to figure out the difference between tools marked "Brushless" and those marked "Fuel"?

From a previous thread -

January 28th, 2015

The very interesting thing here is that these Milwaukee brushless tools will not carry the Milwaukee “FUEL” name as their other M18 and M12 brushless currently does.

The FUEL will continue to be reserved for the high performance tools with the “POWERSTATE” brushless motor, as more of their cordless tools move to brushless it would appear they want to differentiate the various motor technology.



http://www.coptool.com/milwaukee-m18-compact-tools-going-brushless/


1-25-2014
Milwaukee M18 Fuel vs. M18
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270264

The Milwaukee website can clear that right up for you.

As for your needs, that is for you to decide.

LB-1911 - Thanks for the link and info, that was very helpful

bcradio - Why did you even bother replying?

cgv69 said:

LB-1911 - Thanks for the link and info, that was very helpful

bcradio - Why did you even bother replying?

Click to expand...

To point you in the right direction.

More just messing with you though really

Simply put, there are 3 levels with Milwaukee for their 18v platform. M18 (brushed), M18 brushless, M18 Fuel (also brushless).

The "brushless" I believe are only available for the drill and impact driver. Basically they are a middle ground. They offer a brushless motor, but give the same torque ratings (power) as the regular brushed version. In my mind, I would either stick with the regular brushed options, or goto the fuel variations.

I have both brushed and fuel version of the same tools. The brushed versions are more than adequate for professional use, especially in the 18v platform. the fuel just gives you a little extra power and runtimes. If cost is a consideration, don't think that your giving up life changing options by NOT going with fuel versions.

However, the fuel is the top tier, and there is a difference - but all the brushed stuff I have is still great and does everything I need and ask them to. The brushless forms utilize a newer and more complex technology to drive the tools, which give some benefit like runtime, torque, and longevity under heavy use. Either versions will impress you.

The fuel tools use Milwaukee's best brushless motor design that give the highest torque and power output. The brushless ones still have a (different) brushless motor, but performance wise, you can expect the same as you would out of the brushed variety. You just gain the newer brushless technology, and the added benefits brushless designs provide, but no gain in power with those.

Nobody NEEDS the fuel tools. Homeowners and professionals alike have survived for decades with the time tested brushed tools. Today, they offer lithium batteries, and built in overload protection too. They exceed anything that was available in the past, and as stated - will impress you. The fuel will impress you more so, and you get the online bragging rights that you own them. Just to add, brushless anything does not automatically mean they are more powerful than anything brushed available from someone else. In the Milwaukee platform though, "Fuel" guarantees it is the best they have to offer for that particular version or tool size. Things like cordless circular saws will have a few "fuel" options though. That said, not all tools are offered in a fuel version, but most are.

I have both the older brushed and brushless. I'm a homeowner who uses these tools hard, but not professionally.

I can say with the M12 line, I really don't see a difference with the brushed and brushless.

I'm found the brushed M12 to be a little more compact so that helps sometime when working in tight spaces.

With M18, all my impacts are Fuel and the I have a brushed drill. When doing heavy stuff, the batteries seems to last longer with the Fuel tools.

I hope that helps.

bcradio said:

To point you in the right direction.

More just messing with you though really

Click to expand...

I guess it got lost in the translation

kctyphoon said:

Simply put, there are 3 levels with Milwaukee for their 18v platform. M18 (brushed), M18 brushless, M18 Fuel (also brushless).

Just to add, brushless anything does not automatically mean they are more powerful than anything brushed available from someone else.

Click to expand...

kctyphoon - Thanks for the detailed response.

I have some of both Milwaukee "Bushed" and "Fuel" lines (both M12 and M18) but its that middle option "M18 brushless" that I didn't know existed until today.

I'm not looking for a power house and know that brushless doesn't automatically mean more power but it typically does mean longer run time for the same amount of power. Considering that and the fact that the price difference usually isn't all that much between them, I typically go with the Fuel version these days.

Banjorear said:

I have both the older brushed and brushless. I'm a homeowner who uses these tools hard, but not professionally.

I can say with the M12 line, I really don't see a difference with the brushed and brushless.

I'm found the brushed M12 to be a little more compact so that helps sometime when working in tight spaces.

With M18, all my impacts are Fuel and the I have a brushed drill. When doing heavy stuff, the batteries seems to last longer with the Fuel tools.

I hope that helps.

Click to expand...

I use my tools like you and most of my current ones are Fuels but in this case I think the middle "brushless" option may be better suited to my needs/usage?

I like that the "Brushless" version is both lighter and smaller and don't see a need for the crazy torque numbers the Fuel version offers (1200 in/lbs vs the Brushless's 500 in/lbs).

Something to also consider is LI batteries.
They live and die by charge cycles, not so much age. They are also pretty expensive.
Say the more efficient tool gets 20% more runtime per charge, that is convenient, but also if it lasts 5 years, the battery of the less efficient tool wold need replacing on only 4.
Also it makes sense to have less larger batteries where you can.

On my phone so maybe someone can confirm but I believe you can only get One Key torque/speed control with the Fuel set. Probably not necessary for around the house stuff but worth reading into the benefits before you decide. As I recall the main benefits of One Key control is mostly on the low end for small fasteners.

There are some demonstrations on YouTube.

Voi said:

I believe you can only get One Key torque/speed control with the Fuel set. Probably not necessary for around the house stuff but worth reading into the benefits before you decide.

Click to expand...

I have read about the One Key stuff and all I can say is no thank you.

If I was deciding between 2 identical drills with the only difference being that one of them had the 1k technology and was on sale for less than the non 1K version, I'd spend the extra money to get the non 1k version.

I can't offer you much help really except that I have the M18 brushless impact driver and drill. I'm impressed by them every time I use them. I haven't used the brushed or FUEL models so I can't give you a direct comparison, but I do love my brushless set.

For my uses which is avid homeowner/garage projects, I can't see a reason I would need the FUEL drill/driver. I went brushless for the run time benefits, along with the fact that at the time of purchase they were running a deal on the brushless kit that included two "free" XC batteries. I would like to pick up a FUEL circular saw though. I feel like that is a tool where every extra bit of power I can get is a benefit.

Maddog10 said:

I can't offer you much help really except that I have the M18 brushless impact driver and drill. I'm impressed by them every time I use them. I haven't used the brushed or FUEL models so I can't give you a direct comparison, but I do love my brushless set.

For my uses which is avid homeowner/garage projects, I can't see a reason I would need the FUEL drill/driver. I went brushless for the run time benefits, along with the fact that at the time of purchase they were running a deal on the brushless kit that included two "free" XC batteries. I would like to pick up a FUEL circular saw though. I feel like that is a tool where every extra bit of power I can get is a benefit.

Click to expand...

I'm have "shops" in both the basement and the garage of my house and I don't want to run back and forth for tools. The basement is for woodworking and gunsmithing. I already have M12 Fuel versions of the drill/driver and impact driver for the basement shops.

The garage is for car stuff and basic home stuff and all of the other cordless Milwaukee tools in the garage are M18's so it makes sense to go with an M18 drill/driver there.

I really like the weight and compactness of the M12's but I wouldn't mind a slightly more powerful option in the garage assuming I don't have to pay a large penalty in weight/bulk. I don't need anything super powerful because I have other options for those types of jobs when the infrequent need arises.

The toughest job this drill will ever see is drilling studs and I think the Brushless model is more than up to that task and appreciate the compactness and weight of the Brushless model over the "Fuel" equivalent.

The main point of this thread was for me to understand the difference between the "Brushless" and "Fuel" lines (aside from the torque and rpm ratings) and I feel like I do now thanks to all of you.

FYI - I do have the Fuel 6 1/2" circular saw and I absolutely love it. Its everything I've ever wanted in a hand held circular saw except maybe an effective dust collection option.