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M18 FUEL thoughts

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isuhunter

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Looking at upgrading from my RYOBI setup because all my batteries are dead and drill took a dump.

M18 Fuel with deep batteries, Hammer driver and impact set and extra battery at Acmetool is $349... Good deal?

No regrets with going with the M18's right?
 
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87slosohc

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They have been clearing them out at my local Home Depots for $300.

Haven't used the new models coming out so can't compare, but haven't had a complaint from my set that's a year old.
 
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TomB19

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danski0224 said:
The latest Fuel 1/4" impact driver is a significant improvement over the outgoing model. The drill is likely similar.
Click to expand...

It's hard to imagine anything being significantly better and, even if it is, I cannot imagine it is necessary. The old FUEL drill will break your arm and the compact impact driver is ridiculous for driving fasteners.

The 4.0Ah batteries are way more than necessary, also. Even on the circular saw, they are plenty sufficient.
 
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Stuey

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FMC1959

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isuhunter

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I need to check out my local HD's. Is having a 3rd battery worth it the extra 50?
 
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LB-1911

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isuhunter said:
I need to check out my local HD's. Is having a 3rd battery worth it the extra 50?
Click to expand...

Depends on your user level and frequency that you would be using both tools at the same time.

While we are spending your money you may want to consider adding one of the various M-18 lights to your list.

Milwaukee M12/M18 TRUEVIEW LED Lantern/Flood Lights - 2363 / 2362
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=186&v=NyC2mbmA_ks

Milwaukee M18 LED Flood Light

are two choices.

:beer:
 
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isuhunter

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Ok -- So i stopped by the local HD today and looked. For $299 you can get a brushless drill and impact kit a 4.0 and and a 2.0 battery and cloth carrying bag.

Whats the difference between FUEL and brushless? Some stuff was "brushless" and some was FUEL brushless.
 
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Zeroek

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I know here next week I might end up with the M18 fuel brushless 3/8" impact set from Home depots website. 259.99 comparted to 394.99 on the Tool Truck. Same thing.
 
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TomB19

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isuhunter said:
Whats the difference between FUEL and brushless? Some stuff was "brushless" and some was FUEL brushless.
Click to expand...

FUEL is also brushless but it manages the power system to keep usage within the battery profile. If you draw more current than a battery can handle, it will take on some damage the first time that happens.

This isn't as big of a deal as it used to be, as modern batteries can source a ton of current safely and the tools have never been more efficient.

As well as this, FUEL tools have more and better quality features than the standard line. For example, the drills have better chucks and the impact drivers have one handed collets where the non-FUEL versions of these tools have neither.
 
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SAATR

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isuhunter said:
I need to check out my local HD's. Is having a 3rd battery worth it the extra 50?
Click to expand...

Probably not. I use my M18 3/8" impact more than any other impact I have, and even tearing down engines have a hard time draining the battery completely in 2 11hr days. The second battery recharges from totally dead in just a couple of hours, so unless you are using it to do some tool intensive projects or have multiple M18 tools running simultaneously, you probably don't need 3 batteries. Though, for 50 bucks it would be hard to pass up...

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
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danski0224

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TomB19 said:
It's hard to imagine anything being significantly better and, even if it is, I cannot imagine it is necessary. The old FUEL drill will break your arm and the compact impact driver is ridiculous for driving fasteners.

The 4.0Ah batteries are way more than necessary, also. Even on the circular saw, they are plenty sufficient.
Click to expand...

It depends on how much you want to spend, how you use the tool and how often you use the tool.

There is a significant change in the driver electronics and communication with the battery.

The impact driver adds a "self drilling screw mode".

Both drill and impact driver are slightly smaller.

You will probably get more run-time out of the latest models.

There is also an updated grinder coming out.

If the OP wants to keep the tools for a while, and if the cost difference is manageable, yes, I would get the most current versions.
 
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Shredwagon

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Hopefully the chucks are better on the new M18 Drills. Drill has plenty of power (read - break your wrist), but the chucks chew drill bits. My 10 year old Dewalt 14.4 has a way better chuck design FWIW.
 
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FOCUS.FREAK

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Stuey said:
YES!

Here are the differences:

Drills: http://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m18-fuel-brushless-drills-2703-2704/
Impacts: http://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m18-fuel-impact-driver-compact-wrenches-gen2/

But... if you can get the 1st gen M18 Fuel tools at a steep discount, that might be the better option. Latest and greatest at full price, or last-generation at clearance prices? Could be a tough decision.
Click to expand...

I hate you now for posting this... lol :lol: I just purchased my fuel and now they come out with the new line.
 
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hoston23

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I was in home depot last week and they had a special you buy the 2797-22 fuel drill/driver kit and you either get 1 more battery free or one of the lights
 
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Jamie V

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I just bought the last 2797-22 in my store on Monday and saw no mention of a free battery. Do you have any info on that?
 
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isuhunter

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Jamie V said:
I just bought the last 2797-22 in my store on Monday and saw no mention of a free battery. Do you have any info on that?
Click to expand...

I was there today and that wasn't an option acmetools dot com has that promo.

So I'm still a bit unclear what the FUEL line offers that the brushless doesn't... just battery management?
 
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FOCUS.FREAK

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Jamie V said:
I just bought the last 2797-22 in my store on Monday and saw no mention of a free battery. Do you have any info on that?
Click to expand...

I believe your confused. When i went to look at the Milwaukee line at HD i saw a promo for a free battery with purchase of kit. The kit i saw was this...


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-0-Ah-XC-Battery-2697-22-48-11-1840/204308870


I believe you have the two kits mixed up the Base Kit listed above comes with the free battery.


The FUEL kit you and i have didn't come with free battery.
 
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Jamie V

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FOCUS.FREAK said:
I believe your confused. When i went to look at the Milwaukee line at HD i saw a promo for a free battery with purchase of kit. The kit i saw was this...





http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-0-Ah-XC-Battery-2697-22-48-11-1840/204308870





I believe you have the two kits mixed up the Base Kit listed above comes with the free battery.





The FUEL kit you and i have didn't come with free battery.
Click to expand...


hoston23 said:
I was in home depot last week and they had a special you buy the 2797-22 fuel drill/driver kit and you either get 1 more battery free or one of the lights
Click to expand...





Jamie V said:
I just bought the last 2797-22 in my store on Monday and saw no mention of a free battery. Do you have any info on that?
Click to expand...


I was just going off what was posted. I never saw anything.
 
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isuhunter

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