Milwaukee 12V and Bosch 12V

[bchee]

I didn't do an extensive search - if this has been discussed please link the thread. thanks

I saw these Milwaukee 12v cordless tools at home depot, and they look very similar to the Bosch stuff. I don't know how long they have been out. I was just wondering how similar they are. The specs are pretty close. I doubt the batteries are interchangeable, but if someone knows otherwise I would be interested to know.

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=PS20-2A
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductId=2401-22

 

[Bolster]

I'll eat the stick my gopher's roasting on, if the batteries are interchangeable...but I really don't know.

This isn't what you're asking, but here's some friendly unsolicited advice...

Don't overlook the Hitachi 10.8V aka 12V (same thing, marketing hype makes it "12V"). The Hitachi is a good tool and has the advantage of being more grippable because most the batt is at the bottom of the grip. Doesn't have that oversized fat grip.

If you MUST have the Bosch, consider the one with a chuck...

 

[The Muffin Man]

I'm pretty sure Milwaukee was a late comer to the 12v Li-ion scene. Though they seem to have higher torque specs than the competing brands.

I have the Bosch PS-20. I really don't use as much as the PS-40, but overall its a solid drill/driver for its size. These small drill/drivers are perfect for under-dash work and practically whenever space is limited.

Not sure on the batteries between the two, but the Craftsman, Hitachi, and Bosch ones are ever so slightly different to prevent using another brand's battery. There maybe patents on each one too.

 

[bchee]

I believe zuspiel has that one and likes it. I don't like that it's not as compact as the other two. The bosch grip doesn't really bother me

 

[-B-]

Milwaukee massive torque out of this puppy I like it but for work rather have the convience of the SO rocker reversing trigger.

 

[mrb]

I have a couple of the ridgid ones with chuch, i LOVE them. I end up using them more than my normal 18v drill.

 

[mattwgrizwald]

I own the the milwaukee 2401 have for eight months now. I like the battery indicator light. lithium ion batterys rock. plus come with little light when you pull the trigger . has a good grip in your hand.I like it and haven't looked back My co-worker owns the bosch also nice . I think the bosch one costs a little less. as far as the snap on one goes another co worker own that one we hooked them together to see who could out torque who and it was about dead even . I do like the little rocker switch on the snappy one. One other co-worker owns the little black and decker version and thats lithium ion not bad but I think the direction control switch ***** it got some power and it can be had at menards for about $50.00 but only comes with one battery It's all about what you like and how your gonna use it

 

[walrus]

I keep the 28 volt stuff in the truck now that I have a 12v milwaukee, works great, light, plenty of power, battery life seems to be very good

 

[cas95]

I have the hitachi impact driver. Picked it up at lowes for 58 bucks on clearance, very nice tool.

 

[boiler7904]

I was originally planning to buy the Milwaukee until last year's sale where the Bosch standard 1/4" hex driver was free by mail in rebate if you bought the impact version for $99 at Home Depot. No complaints about either tool after about a year. I could see uses for some of the Milwaukee tools that have come out since then though.

 

[Major Ramifications]

It comes down to a choice between buying the originator (Bosch) or an imitator (everyone else). I LOVE my Bosch PS40 (Impactor) and PS20 (drill/driver).

 

[Hip2u77]

I was originally planning to buy the Milwaukee until last year's sale where the Bosch standard 1/4" hex driver was free by mail in rebate if you bought the impact version for $99 at Home Depot. No complaints about either tool after about a year. I could see uses for some of the Milwaukee tools that have come out since then though.

Same reason I went with Bosch also. I've got the PS20 & 40 myself, and while I like them I much prefer Milwaukee's selection of M12 tools. So much, that I went ahead and ordered the Hackzall / screw gun combo a few days ago. Milwaukee has the free tool rebate going on so I'll use that to get the 1/4" impact.

I did ask Bosch if they had any type of hacksaw coming out and they said no.

I'll compare the screw guns and impacts when they get here.

Oh, and no surprise since TTI makes them both, (I think) but Milwaukee is also coming out with a 2 speed drill, with chuck, (2410-22) that looks a lot like the Ridgid version. Emailed Milwaukee about it a couple days ago as it's not on their website yet and they said the release date has been pushed back. You can see it on the above linked rebate form.

 

[bchee]

Oh, and no surprise since TTI makes them both, (I think) but Milwaukee is also coming out with a 2 speed drill, with chuck, (2410-22) that looks a lot like the Ridgid version. Emailed Milwaukee about it a couple days ago as it's not on their website yet and they said the release date has been pushed back. You can see it on the above linked rebate form.

you mean milwaukee and bosch? Do you have a link for TTI?

 

[Zorro13]

Hi,

I doubt that TTI is involved into Bosch power tools. Bosch makes them themselves.

 

[Jeepguy]

the big DIFF is that the Milwaukee is a true 12V, and the bosch is technically a 10.6 or 10.8 i cant remember....

 

[boiler7904]

Hi,

I doubt that TTI is involved into Bosch power tools. Bosch makes them themselves.

TTI is Milwaukee and Ridgid, and possibly Ryobi

Bosch is Bosch, Dremel, and Skil

 

[boiler7904]

the big DIFF is that the Milwaukee is a true 12V, and the bosch is technically a 10.6 or 10.8 i cant remember....

Nope.

They're all a true 10.8V but the initial charge is 12V. Put the battery under load and it drops to 10.8. Bosch only changed the name of the 10.8V tools to 12V Max to match the marketing hype from the other companies. They even put it on the packaging.

 

[Bolster]

It comes down to a choice between buying the originator (Bosch) or an imitator (everyone else). I LOVE my Bosch PS40 (Impactor) and PS20 (drill/driver).

That's brandist spin, fanboy! You could have said: a choice between the first producer of a compact LiIon tool (Bosch), or competitors, who offer various improvements on the concept. First doesn't mean best. Snap-on was "an imitator" if you look at it historically.

While I own plenty of Bosch tools, and like them, I didn't see Bosch as inherently superior on this particular tool. Tools in this class are remarkably similar, so I'd make a decision based on other tools you might want to purchase that would use the same battery, or value for price (what can you find on sale), or feel, or features. That said, if Bosch meets those criteria for you, buy it! The Bosch 12Vs certainly aren't bad tools.

And I'll add this positive note for Bosch: At least they started out honest, calling it 10.8V. Their heart was in the right place. Then they got caught up into the "12V" marketing puffery. Hey, my ****** is 6 feet long (if I measure it starting from the adjacent room, that is.) Marketers, you gotta love em.

 

[Bolster]

the big DIFF is that the Milwaukee is a true 12V, and the bosch is technically a 10.6 or 10.8 i cant remember....

Nope. Milwaukee is also 10.8. It's marketing hype.