Favorite Milwaukee M12 Tools?

[dr_clyde]

I recently bought a cordless tungsten grinder, the Sharpie from ArcZone. It is on an M12 rotary tool. Came with one battery.

I would like to get at least another battery, and since I'm now at least a little invested in the M12 platform, I figure I'll get a few more tools to outfit my work van for service calls and the like.

We're a welding and machine shop, so we don't do hardly any automotive stuff. Not that we wouldn't use auto based tools, but we'd be much more likely to use tools focused toward electricians, plumbers and those kind of trades.

What's your favorite M12 stuff?

 

[PugetDude]

1. Right angle die grinder
2. Rotary tool
3. Oscillating multi-tool
4. Right angle drill
5. Sander/polisher
6. Fuel Hackzall
7. 3/8" ratchet
8. 1/2 Fuel Drill
9. 3/8 Drill
10. 3/8 Impact

 

[M635_Guy]

Easy: 1/2" Stubby

 

[redragoon]

3/8 Non-fuel ratchet (Fuel head is too big for some areas)
3/8 Fuel Stubby Impact Wrench

 

[Joebass]

I'm in the same gig as you, as a fab and machine shop owner. I have the non fuel 3/8 ratchet, and the hackzall.
Probably going to get the 3/8 stubby and be done.

 

[04chase]

i have many m12 tools

stubby 3/8 fuel impact is the most used by far.
then id say the heated jackets , have 3 now and 8-10 3.0 cp batteries. use two for work with the outer shells and one for more formal stuff that stays clean.
RA die grinder
coredless ratchets
Rotary tool (not for tungsten)
small cut off tool w 3" wheel


gets pretty cold in so cal !!

 

[stonesfan68]

I use the rotary tool (M12 version of the Dremel) and also the screwdriver.

 

[nyy845]

3/8 ratchet
3/8 stubby gun
soldering iron

 

[PR1Gneon]

ratchets
impact driver
stubby impact
cut off tool
angle grinder


Sent from my SM-J337A using Tapatalk

 

[Rickster]

My favorite M12 tool is the right angle Die Grinder and it’s great.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Fuel ratchet and fuel stubby.

 

[tyyost]

One I use often enough I haven’t seen mentioned is the inflator, I also have the 3/8 non-Fuel ratchet, and a few others but those three are my most used M12.

 

[Stephenw]

I have the drill, impact driver, sawzall, bandsaw, and infrared camera. All have been great.

 

[plinker]

Dont really have a favorite per say, except for maybe the spotlight & that's at home.

I do use these all the time at work, and would not really want to do without any of them;
underhood light,
3/8 stubby impact
1/4 non fuel impact,
3/8 non fuel ratchet,
1/4 non fuel ratchet,

I really dont use it everyday and I could just use a hacksaw, but this is a very nice tool.
m12 portaband (very handy for small stuff & trimming bolts and such)

 

[DFB]

Boy that's a toughie as I have a bunch of them there all pretty good at what they do

For older fav's the 2457 3/8 brushed ratchet, 2364 Rover Light and the 2453 FUEL impact driver are probably my 3 most used tools, but the Fuel 2454 impact wrench, and 2452 hex screwdriver aren't very far behind.

My newer favs include the 2446 grease gun, 2488 solder iron and my 3 latest acquisitions the 2438 polisher /sander, 2554 3/8" Stubby and 2416 SDS rotary drill

The 2891 jobsite speaker though just has to be my all time favorite anything from Milwaukee and I will include it in this category as I exclusively run only a M12 4.0XC battery in it!

 

[Ign]

The 2438 is great for knocking burs off aluminum stock after a saw cut, or polishing out saw cut marks on the end of the work.

I actually like the 2522 cutoff tool for quickly nipping off small bolts and round stock. It's taken a beating here as underpowered and worthless but I can only figure guys are trying to use it to rip plate or cut square tube or something. It's meant to cut small things quicker than a hacksaw and with less drama than a powered reciprocating saw, IMO

Keep the M12 ratchet with the appropriate hex bit at your mills for swapping vise jaws and you'll wonder how you survived without it. Keep one of the small impacts (I use the uber old 2451) with the appropriate hex bit at your lathes for swapping chuck jaws and you'll wonder how you survived without it.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

1/4 long neck ratchet and the hacksaw , both in "fuel" trim.

 

[tarmy]

By far the handiest is the conduit cutter. I was very hesitant to buy it...but was laying several thousand feet of 1” conduit...that makes cuts clean and quick.

I have a lot of Milwaukee cordless in 18 and 12...but that specialty tool is the best...

 

[WittHay]

M12 favorites

• Stick light
• Grease Gun
• Radio
• Lantern
• Inflator

The following are good but would be better with the DeWalt style batteries.

• Spot Light
• Work Light
• 1/2 Fuel Drills

 

[PelicanPines]

Fuel Screwdriver hands down...

Oscillating tool next...

Not sure about the four in one tool yet... too new for me.

 

[Fly YX]

Most favorite soldering iron least favorite 3/8 inch stubby.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

-Inflator
-1/2" stubby
-Bluetooth radio

 

[sparky 1971]

Band saw.

 

[ovilla]

Everything in the drawer!

 

[Opa]

dr clyde, how does that sharpie tungsten grinder work for you? do you recommend it?

 

[dr_clyde]

dr clyde, how does that sharpie tungsten grinder work for you? do you recommend it?

I love it. Works fantastic. I use it mostly for mobile work, but it is very handy to keep nearby on the bench so I don't have to get up and go over to the bench grinder.

 

[Opa]

thanks dr clyde. i am taking a tig course and this would help avoid long lines at the tungsten grind station.

 

[pwschuh]

3/8” extended head Fuel ratchet.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I invested into the M12 lineup for the ratchets and stubby impacts.

The variety of M12 LED lights are great. I snagged some stick lights for cheap off eBay and they're great. They have a 1/4-20 thread on the back of them so you can mount a magnet to the back. I find myself using them a lot just to throw more light out to take pictures of stuff with my camera phone haha. And they last about 5 hours on a 2.0AH battery.

I would think the M12 die grinder would be a great tool for use in a machine shop. The M12 rotary tool is a neat cordless dremel that works about the same as a Dremel 4000 without the cord. Don't know if that small of a rotary tool is useful in a production shop.

 

[mc4life27]

Band saw.

Agreed the little m12 and then the deep cut band saw both my favorite and both have their place. but the RA grinder is a very very close second.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[MikeF2316]

My favourite 3:

3/8 stubby impact
1/4 bit impact driver
5 1/4 circular saw

 

[billford]

Most favorite soldering iron least favorite 3/8 inch stubby.

I was thinking of buying the soldering iron, would like to ask your experiences with it.

Can you solder 14 gauge wires with it?
What do you use it for? What capacity battery do you use and what is the soldering time per charge?

Thanks.

 

[billford]

-Inflator
-1/2" stubby
-Bluetooth radio

I was thinking of buying the inflator but have read some negative comments on it. Whats your opinion? What do you inflate with it?

Thanks

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I was thinking of buying the inflator but have read some negative comments on it. Whats your opinion? What do you inflate with it?

Thanks

I love it.

Cons are:
-it eats batteries pretty quick
-gauge isn't accurate at lower pressures (15psi or lower)
-not terribly fast
-doesn't go to super high psi

Mostly used for topping off tires. I check every trailer and UTV tire before going out. I also use it frequently on bike and stroller tires and other kid's stuff. I used to have to drag a small 12v compressor (Puma-also a badass tool) and hose everywhere, but this is so much more convenient.

For example of a typical use; this weekend I was headed to an offroad race in California where I crew chief on a UTV team. I topped off 5 trailer tires in my driveway. Threw it in the truck along with my other m12 tools. While at the race I used it 3 times to adjust tire pressures on the UTV. The week before we went out shock tuning, so I used the inflator to set my tire pressures (in conjunction with a dial gauge for accuracy). No waiting on a compressor, no dealing with hoses.

Keep in mind, this is no replacement for a compressor, but it's super handy. I use it far more than I thought I ever would. I've even used it to fill some tires from flat when in a pinch (slow process, big 6.0 battery).

 

[ovilla]

I was thinking of buying the soldering iron, would like to ask your experiences with it.



Can you solder 14 gauge wires with it?

What do you use it for? What capacity battery do you use and what is the soldering time per charge?



Thanks.

So far I’ve used it mostly for swapping out capacitors on tv circuit boards. Also used it on a 12 gauge wire splice. It heats up within 15 seconds or so and takes a good 10-15 min to cool down. I’ve used it with 3.0 batteries and have used it for a good hour or so with zero issues. I keep the tip clean and tinned and it works just like any hot iron. At first I found it a bit bulky as I was trying to use it like a pencil - like you would hold a traditional iron, but then I found that if I use it with a 90 degree bend I have the same type of control. Anyway not having the constant drag/pull of an electrical cord is the best part as it makes the tool feel totally free to move around, as needed. I highly recommend it! I doubt I’ll ever use a corded iron again.

 

[MushCreek]

You guys are killin' me. I'm on the fence about going into M12 tools. I have lots of M18 tools, but keep finding a need for lighter, smaller tools.

 

[PelicanPines]

You guys are killin' me. I'm on the fence about going into M12 tools. I have lots of M18 tools, but keep finding a need for lighter, smaller tools.

I wanted 1... then 3... now I have

A full cart... Drills, Polishers, Impact, Hex...
A wooden box full... Jig, Sawzall
A portable bandsaw in a case on the floor
A bag with a circular saw
A drawer containing their Occ Tool
A drawer containing their Rotary Tool
A go bag with their 4 in 1 Tool

All M12

 

[IndyGarage]

The lights are the best for me - I use the lantern continuously.

I also have the Rocket Light - which is fantastic, but eats batteries and the flood light, which also uses batteries a lot.

 

[DFB]

You guys are killin' me. I'm on the fence about going into M12 tools. I have lots of M18 tools, but keep finding a need for lighter, smaller tools.

Take the dive

Some things you can only get in M12 platform really...like the ratchets, solder iron rotary grinder and cut off tool.

Others like a stubby wrench or new die grinders well like you want they are smaller and lighter versions than the M18 counterparts

 

[MushCreek]

The main thing is a smaller lighter driver. The M18 1/4" driver is a bit over the top for smaller screws.