Milwaulkee right angle drill-help wanted

[oldwino]

I've been looking for a cordless right angle drill for general automotive work and have been thinking about the 18v Milwaulkee as I have several tools and batteries in that platform. Reviews have been all over the place as to quality and was wondering if any of you here had experience with one.
I would consider the M12 platform for lighter weight if they have the beans to do the job. Hate to set up another charging station, more batteries, etc if I can help it.

 

[LXCam]

I bought one last year and don't much care for it. Simply it's massive and doesn't fit into the areas I bought it to use on-in. Also I don't care for the location of the forward/reverse switch, but that's more subjective then anything else. If I were to do it again I'd purchase the 12V unit. As for quality I have no complaints but it rarely gets used. Matter of fact the only time it gets used is if my regular cordless drill is in use.

 

[DFB]

IMO M12 RA drill will easily do a lot. I find it a very handy tool and really really like the small size and the electronic clutch. Drills just fine with small bits in metal or larger sizes in wood the specs Milwaukee recommends are 3/8 metal and 1 inch wood and will easily drive various screws with different bits. Recently let a pal use it to do some cheap sheet metal/rivet work on his old truck and he remarked back how good it was for him to get in some tight spots. The head is only like 3 3/4". Note that the RPM is 800 max. so its not very fast for something like chucking up a wire brush. I picked a new in box bare tool for $40

If not currently vested in M12 series the 2415 drill can be had both as single battery kit the -21, or two battery -22 as well.

 

[kctyphoon]

I have the m12 and admittedly have not used it a lot. It's decent. Not overly powerful, but it's small and light with adjustable settings. I guess it would all depend on your use of it. For small holes I can't imagine it being an issue. If you have the m18 charger, then you already have an m12 charger on it.. in all honesty, these are not high investment tools. I'm sure you've spent more on items you've used less. If they come in handy a few times then in my eyes the convenience was worth the cost. A refurb unit at cpo is probably a good option for you on something like this.. the m12 is only $62. Buy one battery and you should have the charger already..

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/factory...river--bare-tool-/milr2415-80,default,pd.html

The m18 is only $99 as a bare tool new, and it looks like cpo has a deal right now that you get $20 off $150 purchase of Milwaukee stuff.. has to be new condition though

http://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwauk...river--bare-tool-/miln2615-20,default,pd.html

 

[dnschmidt]

Normally I always go M18 when faced with these decisions. In this case M12 makes more sense for the simple reason that you need a right angle drill to get into tight spots. ERGO: Smaller is better.

 

[DFB]

Tough call though the M18 head specs only 1/4" different but the RPM is just about doubled and torque is only slightly more at only 25 inlbs...guess the deciding factor is if the m18 slide style battery protrusion is a hindrance to the job at hand. Interesting that with a these Milwaukee RA tools and the impact driver being another specs generally are very close.

 

[bigpondonly]

I have 2; I keep one loaded with a 3/8" square drive socket adapter...poor man's ratchet.

 

[Hammer1963]

I have been very satisfied with the M12 version. Not overly powerful, but has done everything I have asked of it included cast iron and metal

 

[kctyphoon]

As an added benefit - (get ready for a sales pitch) - if you buy your first m12 tool, that gives you a pretty good excuse to get one or two more that can be very helpful. The m12 stick light is pretty great, and only $49 in hd now.. you can add the m12 ratchet next, which gets rave reviews on here from pros..

Before you know it, you'll realize what you've been missing.. maybe an m12 1/4" impact wrench next...

 

[Ign]

I'll have to differ with most: the M12 is underpowered. It lacks gear reduction and I personally never consider it for anything but wood. Smaller bits in sheetmetal, maybe, but I'd never try to drill 1/4" plate with it even in a tight spot.

It's still worth having "just in case" but it's not impressive.

edit: the first one I got had ridiculous wobble out of the box like the spindle was bent, but Milwaukee replaced under warranty.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have both the M12 and M18 right angle drills, the M12 is exactly sized right for being a 3/8" drill, for 18 volt go with the Bosch it's got twice the balls of the M18, and it is 1/2" unit.

TheGrooveking

 

[DFB]

I'll have to differ with most: the M12 is underpowered. It lacks gear reduction and I personally never consider it for anything but wood. Smaller bits in sheetmetal, maybe, but I'd never try to drill 1/4" plate with it even in a tight spot.

It's still worth having "just in case" but it's not impressive.

edit: the first one I got had ridiculous wobble out of the box like the spindle was bent, but Milwaukee replaced under warranty.

Ign we definitely know how much you dislike this tool


I have to say I also view M12 RA drill as light weight as is most all of the M12 lineup for what that matters but I just decided to see for myself. So I chucked up 23/64 steel twist bit (I chose that one because it was sharper than my 3/8") and set to drilling a hole in a piece 3/8" steel I locked in a vise.

Note here this was direct downward pressure and dry (no lubricant)

So these are my results It took about 4 minutes total during that I backed the tool off twice to clear away some chips and it caught the bit 3 times when breaking thru which each time caused to tool to shut down like its supposed too. I used up two lights on a 1.5 AH battery had shown 4 lights when I started but it didn't come directly off the charger either. The tool motor was slightly warm the battery was not. I know not very scientific

Would this be my tool of choice for routine jobs like this obviously not but for a few holes if need be its capable

 

[Badger 13]

I had used a Makita 9.6V right angle for years. It was great for getting into tight places on automotive installs of radio equipment. I switched out for the Milwaukee 12v and have no regrets, much better then the old Makita, and about the same size. I thought about the 18v since all my other Milwaukee tools are 18v, but I wanted to use it in tighter places, and this works just fine. As others have said it is not a high price item and certainly is handy when you need it.

Jim

 

[oldwino]

Thanks guys for all your input…we obviously have a consensus here on the Garagejournal
It kinda ***** that there are no places locally that carry the 18v for a hands on feel of the tool and my charger only does 18v so the winner is

18v on order. wish me luck and Thanks

 

[Ign]

Ign we definitely know how much you dislike this tool


I have to say I also view M12 RA drill as light weight as is most all of the M12 lineup for what that matters but I just decided to see for myself. So I chucked up 23/64 steel twist bit (I chose that one because it was sharper than my 3/8") and set to drilling a hole in a piece 3/8" steel I locked in a vise.

Note here this was direct downward pressure and dry (no lubricant)

So these are my results It took about 4 minutes total during that I backed the tool off twice to clear away some chips and it caught the bit 3 times when breaking thru which each time caused to tool to shut down like its supposed too. I used up two lights on a 1.5 AH battery had shown 4 lights when I started but it didn't come directly off the charger either. The tool motor was slightly warm the battery was not. I know not very scientific

Would this be my tool of choice for routine jobs like this obviously not but for a few holes if need be its capable

I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't like the 2668 right angle 3/8" square drive impact. As I said, the M12 drill is meh, ok.

A drill is different than a square drive impact "wrench." At least it is in my book and by industry standards last I knew.

 

[kctyphoon]

Thanks guys for all your input…we obviously have a consensus here on the Garagejournal
It kinda ***** that there are no places locally that carry the 18v for a hands on feel of the tool and my charger only does 18v so the winner is

18v on order. wish me luck and Thanks

What m18 charger only does m18 packs? Only one I know of is the 110AC/12DC model, and not many people have that.. mine came with my 7/16 utility impact..

 

[DFB]

I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't like the 2668 right angle 3/8" square drive impact. As I said, the M12 drill is meh, ok.

A drill is different than a square drive impact "wrench." At least it is in my book and by industry standards last I knew.

My mistake Ign I got that wrong then. I do always highly value your tool opinions.