So I'm gonna replace my makita 12 volt stuff at the shop with the m12 line a piece at a time or so. I just bought the 3/8 ratchet kit at Home Depot. I plan to get the refurb cordless drill kit off there web site since its only $79. And I want the led work light and 3/8 impact. Ill be using them in the auto industry. Anyone else have these and use them under pro use how do you like them?
Milwaukee m12 tools
- Thread starter joedodge
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Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
I can't speak for the automotive industry but my M12 1/4 impact is doing a fine job in a machine shop environment. I still use a braker bar to tighten things good but the M12 is pretty much leaving things good enough for what I use. Which typically are 7/8 nuts and 1/2-13 bolts for fixtures. Nothing that requires torque specs.
I bet the 3/8 impact will kick **** in the automotive industry.
About the LED light, I find a headlamp 3x better than type of lamps.
I bet the 3/8 impact will kick **** in the automotive industry.
About the LED light, I find a headlamp 3x better than type of lamps.
i have the drill 3/8 impact and 1/4 hex impact. they are good tools for their size. my 3/8 is the brushless version. not super powerful but handles m10 bolts easy. i have done some m14 and it works if they are not seized up. the drill is good for most tasks(drilling holes really) but you wont mix paint with it
softailgarage
Well-known member
Did somebody say, "Milwaukee M12"?...So far I have the 3/8 impact, 3/8 ratchet, rotary tool, compact driver, jigsaw kit and my favorite (so far) the hackzall. That Hackzall is a mutha, it'll cut anything. Next is the circular saw and then the power supply. I've always been a fan of their corded tools, but the M12 series is unstoppable, best cordless tools ever.
I have the m12 1/4 ratchet and love it use it for every thing.ive done 6.0 injectors and only needed air to remove the injector hold downs.also recently I've had a head ache of a 6.4 engine and have used that ratchet to r&r the engine fuel system drop cab then re raise cab and replace fuel system again.only used air to impact cab bolts and ratchet to remove master cylinder and injectors.got the free battery and only switch it out every other day.the snappy man is trying to talk me into their new cordless ratchet but ill wait and see how it does.
Glad to hear you guys like them so much. Lol no battery for me I bought it yesterday on the first lol. Ill prolly get the drill kit and impact and light this week off the website I think. Would you guys get the led light or just the standard xenon bulb light. I'm leaning towards standard xenon bulb.
Just ordered the refurb drill set with charger and 2 batteries and the xenon light since I have a led stinger but like the xenon for wiring and such were I don't want so much reflection. Anyone ever got one of the refurb tool kits it was $50 cheaper
firebox40dash5
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I've got the Fuel impact driver and drill, and the rotary tool and Hackzall. Glad you didn't waste your money on the LED flashlight, I've got one and it's a good flashlight, but for auto work I'd wait for this one to hit the streets.
The Hackzall really is impressive. My current "slow times" project is scrapping an old S-O stepvan, and I was using yesterday to cut the rear fenderwells. It did take me pretty much 2 fully charged 4.0 batteries, but that fender is probably pushing 7' in total cut length, 1/8" aluminum with a bunch of double wall. I had tried my 18v Makita on the other side and gave up because of the battery life, so getting anything useful out of 2/3 the voltage surprised me.
The Fuel drill is probably overkill for auto work, I rarely need much torque, but I bought mine for the 4.0 batteries as much as anything else. The impact is freakin' sweet, and the battery life still has me scratching my head. I don't think I've had to swap a battery twice in the same day yet, and even the compact batteries have been lasting me most of a week of intermittent use.
The Hackzall really is impressive. My current "slow times" project is scrapping an old S-O stepvan, and I was using yesterday to cut the rear fenderwells. It did take me pretty much 2 fully charged 4.0 batteries, but that fender is probably pushing 7' in total cut length, 1/8" aluminum with a bunch of double wall. I had tried my 18v Makita on the other side and gave up because of the battery life, so getting anything useful out of 2/3 the voltage surprised me.
The Fuel drill is probably overkill for auto work, I rarely need much torque, but I bought mine for the 4.0 batteries as much as anything else. The impact is freakin' sweet, and the battery life still has me scratching my head. I don't think I've had to swap a battery twice in the same day yet, and even the compact batteries have been lasting me most of a week of intermittent use.
chadster1
Well-known member
The M12 tools are a home run for Milwaukee. I switched my personal small cordless tools to the M12. I have the screw gun, 3/8 impact, 1/4 ratchet, and the hackzall. I have sold a bunch of sets off my truck and I have not had a single complaint.
Oh, I also have the heated camouflage jacket that uses an M12 battery.
Oh, I also have the heated camouflage jacket that uses an M12 battery.
braol
Well-known member
I only have the M12 1/4 ratchet. I use it all day everyday the battery usually lasts 1 day and has a little charge left. While I do like it, I will say you cant abuse it like you can a Mac or SO air ratchet. The anvil is just not strong enough compaired to my Mac and SO air ratchet. I have used my Mac for years and never broke the anvil, but broke the anvil on the M12 inside of 3 months. I need to get a 3/8 to take some the work load off the M12 1/4, waiting to get my hands on the new SO before I decide only because when I get a 3/8 I will be tempted to crank on it harder so I think the SO may be a better choice for me than the M12 3/8.
firebox40dash5
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Wish I had.
Downside is no one seems to have one yet, and it looks like it'll be $80ish. Oh well, I spend that on my EZRed lights, and they break after a couple falls, which are inevitable with the plastic hook, plus I can't just swap batteries. The LED flashlight is coming home for power outages when I get that one, I've got the 1.5ah battery and charger from the rotary tool just for that purpose.
I just don't get the draw of the ratchet... power ratchets are great for tight spots, but cordless ones are freakin' huge.
I'd be tempted to say they'd be better off with a 'semi cordless" design- keep the body small, and have a belt clip or something for the battery pack.GortonsFisherman
Well-known member
I've got the M12 Fuel 1/4" hex impact and the Fuel driver/drill, plus a bunch of the M18 stuff that I use as an electrician. Love them all. Got a free extra battery with each of them, which just ended at Home Depot. Anything that one of the M12 tools will do well with the smaller battery, it will do even better with one of the 4.0 XC batteries.
Also have the M12 LED light, which is great as I use, but agree, maybe not the best for automotive work. I think I'll try a ratchet next.
Also have the M12 LED light, which is great as I use, but agree, maybe not the best for automotive work. I think I'll try a ratchet next.
Have you tried the ratchet yet? I have not found a spot were the cordless couldn't go and the air could.its a great feeling when you can work on top of an engine or under the dash with out tugging on an air line or getting tangled up in it. It's a lot easier to focus on the repair and get it done.
firebox40dash5
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Can't say I have. Honestly 90% of stuff like that, I use the impact with extensions and swivels to get into tight spots, and it works. Has a bunch more torque, too. I just can't see spending $100+ on the bare tool for something I'd probably only use when the impact won't fit.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have the M12 1/4 drive ratchet, drill, fuel impacts in 1/4 and 3/8 square drive. Since getting them, my hand tool use has decreased further. If I can use an M12 tool to reach something, I grab it. The fuel impacts have two settings 1 is slower and less powerful than 2. 1 is great for plastic engine stuff and trim. 2 is balls out speed and power. They're a little loud if your ear is close to them but, I think they were one of the best purchases made recently. I also like the bright led lights on the noses to shine on fasteners. Battery life and power are both great to me. Shop around for the best deal for free batteries, shipping, or money off. that CPO place had some great deal recently. I personally don't see anything from any of the tool trucks that can complete with the value, quality, and performance offered by the M12 series but, that's just me. Every auto tech should try them out
Man glad to hear so many convincing reviews. I know I loved my makita 3/8 impact but its long in the tooth. I can't wait to get the milwaukee the ratchet has me excited I can see my hard line ratchets and smaller air tools hitting the side lines.
If you watch the video closely, the new Knipex eCrimp runs on M12 Batteries.
ChrisF250
Well-known member
I had the fuel impact driver, the casing Cracked after about 2 weeks of use. Went to home depot and got it replaced we will see how this one fairs.
Toolgarage
Well-known member
i have the 3/8 m12 cordless ratchet and the m12 inspection camera. i use the ratchet every time i work on cars and love it. where i work they supply the tools, its only one of the owners / mechanic big *** snap on box with snap on tools mostly but i love my m12
braol
Well-known member
There has been a couple times, when doing timing belts, where the M12 ratchet wouldnt fit and had to use my Mac 1/4 air ratchet.
I think it'll work we'll doing dura max and power stroke stuff which I do a lot. The impact will be amazing I love the 3/8 makita so I know the Milwaukee will be awesome with more power. Not toe toon there's so much better deals on the Milwaukee batteries than makita.
Jeeper
Well-known member
http://www.tylertool.com/ has discounts on m12 bare tools along with free shipping. I ordered the hacksaw with $10 off and free shipping.
I have the non-LED flashlight, was better for the price. I can tell you for sure that it beats having no light in the dark, and with the magnet on the back you can position it fairly well. My LED bulbs should arrive soon so I'll have an LED light out of it anyway for less than HD wants.
I have the non fuel hammer drill & 1/4 hex impact. Both do well though I have 18v tools for when i need real power. The hackzall is amazing, when coupled with the kobalt kit its even better. I cleaned the grill with the wire brush last night. files, file cleaner, wire brush its not too much like a corded recip or the 18v is, its just right in a lot of cases. LOT less fatigue.
As a saw, I mostly use it for household maintenance & demo though. drywall, wood, and especially with a pruning blade its pretty handy. I've used it with a metal blade but not much, I have an 18v and a corded recip they're better suited.
I upgraded from another 12v kit that also had an oscillator & dremel tool with that kit, these are basically the same but the other parts are all better enough that it was worth basically buying the same tool again. My M12 kit is all still pretty new but almost all I've done with it has been either on cars or with scrap metal. They hold up pretty well when you push them a little harder than you should.
I have the non fuel hammer drill & 1/4 hex impact. Both do well though I have 18v tools for when i need real power. The hackzall is amazing, when coupled with the kobalt kit its even better. I cleaned the grill with the wire brush last night. files, file cleaner, wire brush its not too much like a corded recip or the 18v is, its just right in a lot of cases. LOT less fatigue.
As a saw, I mostly use it for household maintenance & demo though. drywall, wood, and especially with a pruning blade its pretty handy. I've used it with a metal blade but not much, I have an 18v and a corded recip they're better suited.
I upgraded from another 12v kit that also had an oscillator & dremel tool with that kit, these are basically the same but the other parts are all better enough that it was worth basically buying the same tool again. My M12 kit is all still pretty new but almost all I've done with it has been either on cars or with scrap metal. They hold up pretty well when you push them a little harder than you should.
M12 ratchet is amazing used it on every car so far today. Everything from leaking exhaust pipe clamps coming out of turbos to r and r bad abs module to bad blower motor this thing rocks can't wait for the others to come in the mail
softailgarage
Well-known member
Did you pick up the Hackzall as well? Let us know how you like it.
SHOCheapRacing
Well-known member
I have one of the Hackzalls. I can use it only for a limited time, even holding the rest against what I am cutting really makes my hand go numb. Being light it's really is hard to hold from vibrating like crazy.
Any serious cutting, I go to my corded sawzall.
jteck75
Well-known member
I've got the 1/4" impact,3/8 drill/,3/8 angle drill,and hacksaw in the M12 and they have been outstanding! I make my living with them everyday as a maintenance technician in industry and they've yet to cry uncle! Recently rebuilt 4 large fiberglass pultrusion machines,which involved,among other things,replacing all the puller fixtures which are held on by 2000 10-24 allen head screws per machine. I used the 1/4" impact with a 5/32 power bit in it and changed all 8000 screws. I could run in about 1000 on a battery. I also use it on tons of other work at the plant. I also stick my Lilse tap sockets on it for tapping open holes of 1/4" or smaller. My next purchase will be the mini 12V Porta Band,I saw it on the Milwaukee site and it looks like another winner!
ilovevocs
Well-known member
Another tool I didn't know that I needed. That think is freaking AWESOME!!!
Glad to hear you like the ratchet, did you get 3/8 or 1/4? I got the 1/4 and that thing rips off turbo clamps and cac clamps so easy.not that I like working outside but it's awesome taking out a turbo or Injectors outside with out air.