Milwaukee M18 Fuel vs. M18

9GUY9 · Nov 25, 2014

I am planning to purchase the Milwaukee M18 6 piece tool kit. I currently have a M18 drill and little impact. I have been very happy with them for the several years I have had them. Now it time to replace the rest of my cheap cordless tools with good stuff.

My question is for those who have used both the M18 and M18 Fuel tools. Is the 40% price increase for the fuel line worth it?

Im looking at this set
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200516414_200516414

Or the same set but with Fuel tools
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200625336_200625336

Tarheelgarage · Nov 25, 2014

yes it is

GortonsFisherman · Nov 25, 2014

As a contractor, it certainly is to me. Just using around the house, I don't know that the average DIY'er would ever use them to their full potential, thus warranting the premium.

9GUY9 · Nov 25, 2014

I've read all the advertising hype, but I guess I'm looking to hear real world examples of how they are superior.

Batt life is not super important for me, as I will have a hand full of them, and they charge quick enough to keep me in business.

Is the size, and weight of the tools similar?

ihateminimumwage · Nov 25, 2014

Absolutely. Major difference in power and run time.

Neither of the sets you linked are Fuel, just the 6pc and 9pc sets (just in case that was missed).

Also might want to look into starting out with a drill/impact driver set, and buying separate tools on sale as needed. No point in even having 1 extra $100+ tool that's just going to lay around. Better to buy the Fuel versions of the tools you will use daily, and the brushed version of tools you don't use often.

9GUY9 · Nov 25, 2014

ihateminimumwage said:
Absolutely. Major difference in power and run time.

Neither of the sets you linked are Fuel, just the 6pc and 9pc sets (just in case that was missed).

Also might want to look into starting out with a drill/impact driver set, and buying separate tools on sale as needed. No point in even having 1 extra $100+ tool that's just going to lay around. Better to buy the Fuel versions of the tools you will use daily, and the brushed version of tools you don't use often.

whoops, I just looked at the prices for the sets I linked. Its fixed now.

I have a dewalt cordless grinder at work and use it all the time, its been one of the handiest tools I use. I use my cordless sawsall, and circular saws at home on a pretty regular basis.

Maby I will have to price out piecing them together, with Home Depots deal on the drill driver set now, it may be worth it. I'm mainly after the drill, grinder and saws. The impact driver I already have the non fuel version, and I have never used a cordless tool flashlight.

blatterjr · Nov 25, 2014

9GUY9 said:
I've read all the advertising hype, but I guess I'm looking to hear real world examples of how they are superior.

Batt life is not super important for me, as I will have a hand full of them, and they charge quick enough to keep me in business.

Is the size, and weight of the tools similar?

The size and weight are similar depending on tool. For example:

M18 Hammer Drill: 525 in-lbs torque
M18 Hammer Drill: 725 in-lbs torque (FUEL)

Voi · Nov 25, 2014

9GUY9 said:
I have a dewalt cordless grinder at work and use it all the time, its been one of the handiest tools I use. I use my cordless sawsall and circular saws at home on a pretty regular basis.

I lost all of my "save for future reading" GJ threads but there have been a few where more than one poster has indicated that brushless really shines in the tools highlighted in bold above. If you use those three in particular a lot it seems worth the price increase.

Ign · Nov 25, 2014

IMO most of the Fuel tools are a bit heavier.

I don't think they're worth 40% more, no. But neither does Milwaukee, REALLY, which is why you're starting to see the killer deals and sales pop up. I'd go the route of piecing together what you need, waiting for sales and promos. If Milwaukee priced the brushless close to the brushed, the brushed might as well just be discontinued and the Fuel would not "seem"'as superior.

Ign · Nov 25, 2014

I'm unable to give apples to apples. The best I can do is 2601 brushed drill: 2.962 lbs.

2604 Fuel hammer drill: 3.568 lbs.

I'd need a brushed hammer drill for better comparison.

BajaBound · Nov 25, 2014

Totally happy with my Fuel stuff.

chrisexv6 · Nov 25, 2014

Ign said:
I'm unable to give apples to apples. The best I can do is 2601 brushed drill: 2.962 lbs.

2604 Fuel hammer drill: 3.568 lbs.

I'd need a brushed hammer drill for better comparison.

2607 brushed compact 1/2" hammer drill/driver: 3 lbs

You are correct about brushless being heavier since it requires more electronics to do its thing. I think it applies to brushless in general, regardless of manufacturer.

Ign · Nov 25, 2014

Some M12 specs for fun which don't uphold my contention that Fuel is heavier, this is apples to apples

the first 1/4" hex impact, brushed 2450: 1.906 lbs
the re-designed brushed 2462: 1.978 lbs
the brushless 2453: 1.866 lbs

Ign · Nov 25, 2014

chrisexv6 said:
2607 brushed compact 1/2" hammer drill/driver: 3 lbs

You are correct about brushless being heavier since it requires more electronics to do its thing. I think it applies to brushless in general, regardless of manufacturer.

From who? If not a digital scale, they're just rounding up or down for shipping weight or general specs on a web page.

chrisexv6 · Nov 25, 2014

Ign said:
From who? If not a digital scale, they're just rounding up or down for shipping weight or general specs on a web page.

Sorry about that, I thought you pulled it from Milwaukees site (that explains why theirs isnt as precise as fractions of a pound)

Milwaukee says 3 lbs but yeah the chances of exactly 3 lbs are probably slim to none.

FMC1959 · Nov 25, 2014

9GUY9 said:
I currently have a M18 drill and little impact. I have been very happy with them for the several years I have had them....

Im looking at this set
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200516414_200516414

Or the same set but with Fuel tools
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200625336_200625336

This says a lot, spending more for Fuel, they may be more powerful or last longer, but real world they won't do much more (drill the whole 7 seconds faster?).

With extra batteries, and if your drill bits and saw blades are sharp, most tools you won't benefit much. My advice would be to get Fuel bare tools on items where the difference is worth it. Like a grinder, rotary hammer or reciprocating saw, these are tools that even corded can bog down, so every ounce of power you can get, Fuel is warranted.

chrisexv6 · Nov 25, 2014

FMC1959 said:
This says a lot, spending more for Fuel, they may be more powerful or last longer, but real world they won't do much more (drill the whole 7 seconds faster?).

With extra batteries, and if your drill bits and saw blades are sharp, most tools you won't benefit much. My advice would be to get Fuel bare tools on items where the difference is worth it. Like a grinder, rotary hammer or reciprocating saw, these are tools that even corded can bog down, so every ounce of power you can get, Fuel is warranted.

How about someone breaking into Milwaukee at this point?

Is it worth the extra to go Fuel, not just for the brushless but for the newer battery packs that come with the kits?

tbaggz · Nov 25, 2014

one thing with fuel is the electronic protection means more to go wrong.I. have already had to warranty my drill.

Spudland_Dave · Nov 25, 2014

I've got both Fuel and non-fuel M18 tools...Seriously speaking, I dont know if its worth the difference. Would boil down the the savings and price really. I got on the pre-order list and got the Fuel 1/2" Drill/Driver the day it was released and have loved every minute of it...but I bought it as a tool only, price was very reasonable thru a Friend and I still use my brushed ones all the time.

Wont argue the performance is superior on the Fuel. But at some of the prices I see the brushed versions available for, its hard to argue against it. I just got the M12 brushed set for the basement...at 129.99 for 2 tools, battery & charger, not worth doing without.

Put it this way...from my point of view, its not worth upgrading my brushed impact driver to the fuel version "just cause". Bang for the buck definetly tilts the tables towards the Brushed versions. Top of the line performance goes to the Fuel. Nice thing is, either way you go, your not stuck...you could always get a bare tool Fuel or non-Fuel at any time to add to your system.

JVB · Nov 25, 2014

I have owned the m18 compact impact and drill set and now recently bought the fuel set.
I can tell you that the fuel runs longer and has more power with my use. In terms of price, I would not pay 40% more for the fuel. However, like others have said, there are sales going on quite often. I purchased the fuel set when a great deal came up and I do not have much extra into them after I sold my old set of non fuel. The m18 non fuel in general has plenty of power for most jobs. Depending on what you plan to use them for and what kind of deal you can find, I would decide on them with that in mind. Good luck

Just a FYI: my m12 tools would do most of the same things that the m18 does, just not as quick. Who doesn't want more power on tap though?

FMC1959 · Nov 25, 2014

Because the tools and batteries can be interchanged, it is a best of both worlds scenario. Save the money on items that the extra performance will not really be a real world benefit, and pay the extra cash for Fuel when it is warranted.

In my toolbag there would be many brushed, and a handful of Fuel.

chrisexv6 · Nov 25, 2014

FMC1959 said:
Because the tools and batteries can be interchanged, it is a best of both worlds scenario. Save the money on items that the extra performance will not really be a real world benefit, and pay the extra cash for Fuel when it is warranted.

In my toolbag there would be many brushed, and a handful of Fuel.

Im only thinking of Fuel right now because of the deal at HD....figure the 2797 (hammer drill, impact driver, 2 4Ah packs, charger) comes down to about $250 ($399 - 150 for buying another tool)

While the equivalent non-Fuel kit starts $100 less, since its only eligible for $100.00 off instead of 150 like the Fuel kit, the prices of the 2 kits end up within $50 of each other. So the question is, is Fuel worth $50 bux? Im guessing yes, if even just for the higher capacity battery packs alone.

FMC1959 · Nov 25, 2014

For the $50 I would take the Fuel, no question. I would not take the Fuel for $300 more form the first post ($699 vs $999)

9GUY9 · Dec 1, 2014

Well, I just bought the M18 fuel drill/impact combo, and M18 jig saw from home depot. With the $150 off deal it came to about $405.

I then bought the M18 Fuel bare sawsall, M18 Fuel bare 6.25" circular saw, and bare 4.5" M18 fuel grinder. With their cyber Monday 30% off that came to $405 as well.

So for $810 I got the M18 Fuel Sawsall, Hammer drill, 1/4" Impact, 6.25" Circular saw, 4.5" Grinder, jig saw, and 2 4.0xc batteries and a charger.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel vs. M18

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