Cordless Expansion Q - Stick with Same Platform?

[Spudland_Dave]

So, I've about had enough having my tools "in the other place"..specifically my cordless. I've adopted the M18 with open arms...been quite a few years now, and more then ever before it seems like whenever I need my drill or impact driver its wherever I'm not (Toss up between my detached shop, attached garage or basement shop) So I've told myself I NEED to get another drill at the very minimum. I've got the 1/2" Fuel M18 as my current cordless drill. I was thinking of just going with the standard brushed M18 as my "House Drill until I stumbled upon this M12 set at Home Depot on Friday...its been weighing on my mind...for all intents & purposes, 3/8" Drill would be fine for the house, small impact driver seems handy for the house too, and if I needed some steam, I could always run out to my shop for the M18.

I normally wouldn't even ask a question because I would never change to another brand/platform normally but in this case I am torn because the M12 platform seems so versatile & wide ranging, it might be a beneficial platform to adopt. So my question is 2 fold...

A) Are the M12 tools like the drill & impact driver in this kit powerful enough to be reasonably useful?

B) M12 a worthwile series to buy into? vs getting a bare M18 drill or even one of the refurbed' drill kits and just add to my existing fleet?

 

[itguy08]

A) Are the M12 tools like the drill & impact driver in this kit powerful enough to be reasonably useful?

B) M12 a worthwile series to buy into? vs getting a bare M18 drill or even one of the refurbed' drill kits and just add to my existing fleet?

I'll tackle this as I own both systems...

Originally started out with the M12 in 2011 - the hammer drill, impacter, and multitool. I'd imagine those tools are very similar since they are newer.

The hammer drill is surprisingly useful. Nice, compact, and with a good amount of power. Won't be the best drill but for "around the house" type of things it's perfect. I've used a 1" paddle bit - slow going but it got the job done. For smaller holes and not a lot of them it's perfect. The hammer function is also useful for setting small Tapcons or other masonry things.

The M12 Impacter is my go to screw gun. It works very well and is perfect for household things - drywall screws, etc. We even built a ramp for our shed with it. It won't build a deck (or if you do you will need lots of batteries!) but for things around the house it's perfect. Putting together furniture, hanging things, etc.

The only downside to the M12 is battery life - I've got the RedLithium smaller batteries and in continuous use the tools will drain them quick. Building the ramp, I think we blew through 3 batteries (but did use 8 screws per board). The multitool will blow through them quick too. But for short tasks they are perfect.


No reason not to own both. I use the M18 where power is needed, like the Fuel hammer drill, Hackzall, Vacuum, Blower, etc. For the larger stuff, it can't be beat. The M18 will run and run and run. But the M12 fills a very useful slot in those around the house type things where you want light weight and are not going to be using it continuously.

Hope that helps. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[BK13]

I initially bought into the M12 system, thinking I would get the M18 later, but haven't yet made the jump. I will at some point, but for right now, the 12 volt system has been adequate.

Whoops, just remembered, I DO have an M18 drill/driver I bought and left at a friends's place....

 

[donthelegend]

I just bought in into the M12 line when that combo was on sale for $99. Already have an M18 drill and 1/2" impact. There are tools only available in the M12 line that I plan on getting in the near future like the ratchets, heated hoodie, and stick light.

Both lines have useful tools and with the cost of that combo kit it's easy/cheap enough to own both lines of tools and use whichever is best for the situation at hand.

 

[justme-]

I used to have a similar problem - didn't know if a tool was in the shed, basement or my fathers in the old box. Made a zero cost solution... rather than needing duplicate tools I stopped leaving them places and gave them homes. Certain tools live in the shed - small assortment of mechanics tools. Construction tools live in the basement, and almost everything has been removed from the old box, including half the old box.

not knowing where I left a tool is akin to loosing it, and depending on where I happen to be working, not leaving it in the correct place results in loosing it. Especially true when you do construction at sites where you may not be back for a couple days. regardless of buying the M12 set, do yourself the favor and get into the habit of putting your tools back in their home after use. (makes it much easier to teach/instill that into your kids when they start "borrowing" your tools too.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a 18v fuel 3/8" dr impact in my service truck, i was looking for a drill to keep in there as well.
12v 3/8" drill and LED flashlight worked out for me.

if i need a 1/2" drill i can always start the air compressor, and use my air drills

the charger for the 18v also charges 12v batteries.

at home i have a ridgid 18v li-ion drill and driver, and 12v drill that stays in the house.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I used to have a similar problem - didn't know if a tool was in the shed, basement or my fathers in the old box. Made a zero cost solution... rather than needing duplicate tools I stopped leaving them places and gave them homes. Certain tools live in the shed - small assortment of mechanics tools. Construction tools live in the basement, and almost everything has been removed from the old box, including half the old box.

not knowing where I left a tool is akin to loosing it, and depending on where I happen to be working, not leaving it in the correct place results in loosing it. Especially true when you do construction at sites where you may not be back for a couple days. regardless of buying the M12 set, do yourself the favor and get into the habit of putting your tools back in their home after use. (makes it much easier to teach/instill that into your kids when they start "borrowing" your tools too.

Hmm, I was about to pounce on this deal till I read donthelegend got it for $99

But seriously, my M18's have homes...all my tools do. My basement shop is my woodworking/model building shop, out in my detached shop its heavy fabrication. Technically my M18 set lives out in the shop, but I often need a cordless here in the house and this time of year when its only 19 out, ***** running out to get it. I've got duplicate sets of the common chrome sockets for example in both places. Its one thing to run out for a specialty socket or tool. On something as common as a drill. Best to have multiples.

My concern was mostly is the M12 powerful enough to be useful. I don't expect it to be the same as my Fuel 1/2" Drill, but I also expect it to twist 3/8" Drill bits in steel if needed... AND the 2nd part of that was if getting a new system was beneficial or harmful.

THANKS To all! I think performance wise it will be fine around the house...so i'll probably pull the trigger on that set tomorrow unless I find a better deal on something similar in the next week.

 

[Ign]

A) Are the M12 tools like the drill & impact driver in this kit powerful enough to be reasonably useful?

B) M12 a worthwile series to buy into? vs getting a bare M18 drill or even one of the refurbed' drill kits and just add to my existing fleet?

The impact driver, by its very nature, is powerful enough to be VERY useful, yes. The 3/8" chuck brushed drills are definitely only for light duty use, but the compact size is awesome on ladders or under cabinets, sinks etc. I use the hell out of all of my little drills, primarily for de-burring thousands of holes in light production environment. If I need to drill a hole bigger than, say, 5/16", a bigger drill comes out.

The M12 platform is awesome and AFFORDABLE. You'll find all kinds of deals if you watch the sales. While battery life is less battery packs are WAY more affordable and charge time of the standard packs is 30 minutes.

A few more tips:
1)while all the new drive tools come w a belt clip, Milwaukee makes a soft-sided holster which I personally love for use on ladders. But I'm not a tool belt guy as I'm not even remotely a carpenter.
2)get the LED light (just the worklight aka flashlight) and keep near your front or back door in your house. Awesome light, run time is forever, and no more buying D cells or whatever
3)You'll probably eventually want the XC batts for some future purchase like the small bandsaw, grease gun, or even the drill for heavier use. The 2 pack of XC's at HD right now for $79 is a really, really good price, albeit 3.0s the tools do perform better & longer on them.

You can see its a slippery slope!!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

3)You'll probably eventually want the XC batts for some future purchase like the small bandsaw, grease gun, or even the drill for heavier use. The 2 pack of XC's at HD right now for $79 is a really, really good price, albeit 3.0s the tools do perform better & longer on them.

You can see its a slippery slope!!

The free XC Batt included with this set is what turned me onto it...2 normal batts, Charger, and the XC Batt (plus the 2 tools) makes this a great deal as far as I can tell.

Seriously Seriously tempted now....gonna sleep on it...

 

[Ign]

Also for a 3/8" bit in steel I PERSONALLY would reach for M18 or V28. In sheetmetal it'd be fine, maybe up to 1/8" plate. But for 3/16" or repeat holes in 1/8" the small drills would be maxed with a 3/8" bit IMO. The low speed is too low in this situation, and high is either too fast or stalls too easily.

But then again I'm working with metals all day in the shop and don't have time to finesse a small drill when bigger ones are an arm length's away.

Not homeowner I realize: I think every machinist should have an M12 drill loaded up with a 5/8" countersink at their mill though; makes quick work of cleaning up most holes. Likewise I keep the brushed 3/8" square impact at the lathe for quickly swapping jaws, and the ratchet makes swapping Kurt mill vise jaws a quick affair.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I really, really like M12 Fuel for most drilling uses, and anything with a hex impact. I had an M18 Fuel drill for a bit, and ended up selling it because it was just so comparatively bulky and heavy.

I did finally find the limit of my drill yesterday. It wasn't terribly thrilled with a 1-1/8" hole saw going through the FOPS roof of the Bobcat to make a hole for a blinky light connector. I was probably running on a half battery, though. Added perk, it gets you 2 & 4ah batteries, so the runtime is probably >2x what a brushed tool would get... for not much more than what brushed M18 would cost, if any.

That said, I use the piss outta mine and bought them knowing I would. So I've never used or considered brushed 12V tools. So maybe it would be good enough for more keep-at-home use. Then again, buy the Fuel ones,and your M18 tools might end up being the ones in the basement for occassional use.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Also for a 3/8" bit in steel I PERSONALLY would reach for M18 or V28. In sheetmetal it'd be fine, maybe up to 1/8" plate. But for 3/16" or repeat holes in 1/8" the small drills would be maxed with a 3/8" bit IMO. The low speed is too low in this situation, and high is either too fast or stalls too easily.

But then again I'm working with metals all day in the shop and don't have time to finesse a small drill when bigger ones are an arm length's away.

I know what you mean...FWIW, if I had a stack of 3/8" holes, I'd use my M18 Fuel...I just want to know IF it would punch even a single 3/8" Hole in a 1/4" piece of steel. If it does that, it will be fine for my house/wife/basement.

That said, I use the piss outta mine and bought them knowing I would. So I've never used or considered brushed 12V tools. So maybe it would be good enough for more keep-at-home use. Then again, buy the Fuel ones,and your M18 tools might end up being the ones in the basement for occassional use.

The M18 Fuel 1/2 Drill IS a hog when you got the big boy batteries on it....Performance to match so I wont *****. That's an underlying reason for pondering the smaller size of the M12 series. I'm not usually in this position. Typically what happens is I buy a new/bigger/better version of something for the shop and bring the old one into the house....If they released a 3/4" M18 Fuel Ultralight Drill tomorrow I'd get it

Got the green light from SWMBO, think in the next couple days if I gotta drive by HD for work I'll pick that M12 set up.

 

[Beemer533]

My solution is easy; just buy 2 of everything!

While I personally use Dewalt, I can say that for most jobs (I guess the caveat here is it depends on what you consider typical) the new 12v tools from both Milwaukee and Dewalt can handle 80% of the typical jobs That the 18v versions can.

I guess it depends on what are frequently doing really.