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Milwaukee M12 vs M12 FUEL?

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Drock93

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Deciding on the M12 platform, I noticed Milwaukee is launching their M12 FUEL brushless series in just a couple days. Comparing it to the original M12 Drill and Impact, it blows it out of the water. 325 vs 250in-lbs (350 vs 275 for the hammer variants) on the Drivers, and 1200 vs 850in-lbs on the Impacts.

All that power comes with a price though, the standard fuel drill/driver kit is listing for $179 (Hammer for $189) and Impact kit for $169. Compare this to $129 for the Regular M12 Driver and $99 for the Impact.

Also, the Fuel will not have any combo kits at launch, where as the Standard M12 has a Hammer Drill, 1/4" Impact, and Multi-Tool for $179.

At that price point for the Fuel, wouldn't it make more sense to just get an M18, which would be cheaper and more powerful? I know I want an M12, but it's hard justifying the extra cost. I was wondering what your thoughts were?
 
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cheechi

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If you need more than just the impact driver, I don't know that the fuel hammer drill is enough for me to want to pay that extra. It is still a 12v tool after all. I would pay extra for the fuel impact, but considering it is still pretty limited compared to 18v ones you can get.

That combo you mentioned I picked up with an extra battery when HD was doing that promo in december. They're all decent tools and since I already have 18v drill & impact I haven't really had to push any of them, but I personally probably won't bother with the fuel version of either since I have those and the 18v. Just not a gap that needs anything to fill it.

What do you do with them? Just driving fasteners get the driver. Drilling holes & fasteners get both or a combo (I would go for the hammer but that's me). However, drilling holes & bigger fasteners I would go with a bigger tool anyway.
 
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Drock93

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Mostly home owner/hobby stuff. Couple of projects I'm thinking: New work bench, install a breaker box (get rid of fuse panel), build some shelving in the basement and garage, put up some paneling.

My only fear of getting the regular M12 is having the prices drop dramatically on them because of the Fuel line coming out. Or getting the regular, and having the fuel drop to its price only after a month or two.
 
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cheechi

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I doubt the price is going to drop dramatically. HD will just keep them on the shelves in perpetual 'not marked down enough' markdown prices. I have never seen a dramatic price decrease from HD anyway.
 
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Drock93

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So do you think they will phase out the standard m18 or keep it alongside the Fuel?
 
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03protege

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I have the regular m12 impact driver and hammer drill and I am completly satified with them and have no desire for more powerful units.

The m12 fuel hammer drill will have a 1/2" chuck which will be nice upgrade.

I do plan on adding the M12 Fuel 3/8" Impact wrench to my collection, as I feel the extra power could really come in use there.
 
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TheGrooveking

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With owning almost the whole M12 line I have noticed that the standard M12 1/4" impact driver kit price has dropped. As to the M12 Fuel drills compared to standard M12 drills you need to remember that the standard M12 drills are 3/8" were as the M12 Fuel drills are 1/2" so its not an apple to apple comparison. Of all of the M12 series the only tool IMO that is less than what I thought it should be from a performance standpoint is the Hackzall.

Based on the specs of the new M12 Fuel they are definitely in the range of 18 volts tools but until get my hands on them.

TheGrooveking
 
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dsmnickk90

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The regular m12 stuff started dropping in price right before the announced the fuel line. In a few months I see the price on the fuel stuff going down as well. Im waiting till mid summer to start buyin some m12 fuel stuff
 
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Drock93

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You guys think the regular m12 stuff is enough power for most DIY/home owner jobs?
 
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Drock93

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Talked to 2 different Home Depot's, neither even knew what the M12 Fuel was, figures.

I think I'll either get the M12 combo or just the driver for now (really want a hard case), or just get an M18 combo (not sure if it'd be overkill for my uses).
 
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BrokewrenchLS1

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Drock93 said:
You guys think the regular m12 stuff is enough power for most DIY/home owner jobs?
Click to expand...

Yep. We have the cheezy Craftsman 12v stuff here at work and I've done various stuff with it, including drilling some metal plates, without much problem. Given the quality of Milwaukee over Craftsman, their 12v stuff should be more than enough for homeowner projects.
 
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lasthope05

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So far I have the 1/4" impact driver, drill/driver, 3/8 ratchet and radio. I've been waiting to pick up the M12 fuel 3/8 impact and hammer drill when they come out. Will probably put up the drill/driver once I get the hammer drill. I honestly dont think the prices are that bad.
 
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cheechi

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BrokewrenchLS1 said:
Yep. We have the cheezy Craftsman 12v stuff here at work and I've done various stuff with it, including drilling some metal plates, without much problem. Given the quality of Milwaukee over Craftsman, their 12v stuff should be more than enough for homeowner projects.
Click to expand...
I have both. The Cman is going to my brother's home until he can get something nicer. You know I'm still waiting for them to make a 12v sawzall. Glad I didn't hold my breath.
 
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TheGrooveking

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Figured I'd throw this up:

M2tools.jpg


I've added a few more since this picture. By the way the bandsaw is a great, great tool.

TheGrooveking
 
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Conductor562

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cheechi said:
I doubt the price is going to drop dramatically. HD will just keep them on the shelves in perpetual 'not marked down enough' markdown prices. I have never seen a dramatic price decrease from HD anyway.
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:+1:

The prices of the brushed models will not continue to drop. You can still find Ni-Cad and V series kits that are now 2 and 3 generations old selling for close to what the brushed Red Lithium powered kits are going for. As retailers thin out their old stock the pre-fuel stuff will get harder to find, but they will not keep dropping in price. I've got a lot of the M18 and M12 stuff and you can rest assured they are solid tools. Brushless stuff is nice, but it isn't world changing in 99% of instances.
 
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noctone

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Conductor562 said:
:+1:

The prices of the brushed models will not continue to drop. You can still find Ni-Cad and V series kits that are now 2 and 3 generations old selling for close to what the brushed Red Lithium powered kits are going for. As retailers thin out their old stock the pre-fuel stuff will get harder to find, but they will not keep dropping in price. I've got a lot of the M18 and M12 stuff and you can rest assured they are solid tools. Brushless stuff is nice, but it isn't world changing in 99% of instances.
Click to expand...

I agree that the brushed line is very solid and the brushless line isn't necessarily world changing, but there are some pretty significant advantages to the FUEL line. To wit: more power. For example, the M12 FUEL 3/8" impact wrench is a whopping 40% more powerful than its standard M12 counterpart (1400 in-lbs vs. 1000 in-lbs).

Personally I like the look and ergonomics of the FUEL line a bit better as well, but that's subjective.
 
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noctone

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It'll drop below $150 eventually, probably not for at least a few months unless you can get lucky with a store doing a sale for whatever reason.

I don't really see how you can call it "quite expensive," considering what it is.
 
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BrokewrenchLS1

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noctone said:
It'll drop below $150 eventually, probably not for at least a few months unless you can get lucky with a store doing a sale for whatever reason.

I don't really see how you can call it "quite expensive," considering what it is.
Click to expand...

A 12-volt drill going for similar (or higher) prices than 18-volt counterparts is what I'd call "quite expensive". Especially when the 18-volt versions are of equal or better quality and also brushless.

I guess if you specifically need the small-pattern 12-volt stuff, it's worth it, but I'd personally buy everything I need in 18-volt first and then buy the 12-volt stuff as backup/specialty use stuff.
 
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noctone

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Where are you seeing 18V brushless impact driver kits for $169 or less? Pretty sure they don't exist. Makita, Hitachi and DeWalt are all $250 or more.
 
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FiendFX

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noctone said:
It'll drop below $150 eventually, probably not for at least a few months unless you can get lucky with a store doing a sale for whatever reason.

I don't really see how you can call it "quite expensive," considering what it is.
Click to expand...

It's cause I bought my M18 for $150 + tax from HD. It's stronger but it's not FUEL.
 
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BrokewrenchLS1

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noctone said:
Where are you seeing 18V brushless impact driver kits for $169 or less? Pretty sure they don't exist. Makita, Hitachi and DeWalt are all $250 or more.
Click to expand...

I've seen Makita, Dewalt, and Hitachi all on sale for around that price.

No, I don't pay full retail for tools that go on sale quite often, especially when I can get a kit - driver, impact, charger, and 2 batteries - for roughly the same price as just the impact at normal prices.
 
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noctone

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BrokewrenchLS1 said:
I've seen Makita, Dewalt, and Hitachi all on sale for around that price.
Click to expand...
Sounds dubious to me but whatever.

Bottom line point I'm making is that $169 is a pretty effin reasonable initial price (relative to the market) for a compact 12V, brushless motor driver with 2Ah batteries that outputs almost as much torque as most brush motor 18V drivers.

I mean really, what do you people think would be a reasonable price?
 
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fdtrucks

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Fort Bragg, NC
I've had the M12 for over a year now and I like them. The impact can go through a battery when running lag bolts in wood. But, when I've use it at the shop it seemed to last forever.
 
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