Milwaukee M12 VS M18

[OldNeons]

Once you use the M12 your 18 will become paper weights except for the rare occasion when you have a really big job to do (many lags, lug nuts, sawing a bunch of lumber etc).

The variety of m12 tools continues to impress me. The addition of brushless fuel tools makes them even better.

I use them for drilling (regular and fuel) driving screws, lighting(flashlight, stick light, lantern) , ratchets (3/8 regular and fuel), impact, cut off tool, hackzall, circular saw, radio, Bluetooth speaker, and if you do any plumbing the PVC shear and copper tubing cutter are amazing!

If I could only have 12 or 18 there is NO question. Come get my 18. The m12 line is amazing.

 

[Plastikosmd]

M12 for most home tasks/wood shop, garage shop/fab/outside activity =m18
Love both and use both. I have the 6bank (3x12 3x18) charger. Always ready

M18 maybe heavy for general use but drilling 1” auger holes though telephone poles measuring 12-18” diameter was eye opening. I could do 9 holes with one #5 battery with torque enough to spin you off ladder if not careful. (Or really hurt wrists-accessory handle was a must)

 

[ScottsGT]

All I use when wood working is my M12. My M18 collection is basically yard tools, fan and their biggest impact wrench.
I found using the actual screw driver is safer than using the impact driver on pocket screws.

 

[marineman]

I have both. The M12 is mostly used at home and the m18 at work. For woodworking the m12 barrel grip jigsaw is the cats meow.

 

[sparky 1971]

M12 Fuel impact will do about 90% of what you ask, maybe more. I only get out the M18 when driving lags. The M12 drill on the other hand is pretty pathetic for anything more than drilling <3/8 holes in wood. Other M12 tools I have and have been impressed with are the: rotary hammer, bandsaw, ratchet, and the rotary (Dremel type) tool. I used to have the M12 non fuel screwdriver, but my van was broken into and it was stolen. I didn't replace it because I really didn't use it much. It really wasn't more than the drill/driver with a quick lock chuck instead of the traditional chuck.