Opinions on Milwaukee 12 volt cordless tools?

[dclark2171]

I just went to a garage sale a picked up a Milwaukee 12 Volt drill battery and charger. It's about 3 years old. I really like the size and may pick up some more smaller tools for inside the house vs my Makita, Ryobi, Metabo tools out in the garage. I'm looking for a halfway comfortable barrel Jigsaw and the Milwaukee 12v feels really nice. Are the 12 volt tools high quality for most around the house jobs?

 

[ecotec]

I just went to a garage sale a picked up a Milwaukee 12 Volt drill battery and charger. It's about 3 years old. I really like the size and may pick up some more smaller tools for inside the house vs my Makita, Ryobi, Metabo tools out in the garage. I'm looking for a halfway comfortable barrel Jigsaw and the Milwaukee 12v feels really nice. Are the 12 volt tools high quality for most around the house jobs?

I like them. They are more than strong enough for household use and much lighter than M18 tools.

 

[txvwnut]

The stuff I have in the M12 platform has been great. I even had to use Milwaukee's warranty once and it was a no fuss process.

 

[Firebrick43]

I just went to a garage sale a picked up a Milwaukee 12 Volt drill battery and charger. It's about 3 years old. I really like the size and may pick up some more smaller tools for inside the house vs my Makita, Ryobi, Metabo tools out in the garage. I'm looking for a halfway comfortable barrel Jigsaw and the Milwaukee 12v feels really nice. Are the 12 volt tools high quality for most around the house jobs?

Some of the non fuel tools are underwhelming. For example an M12 hackzall *****.

The m12 fuel hackzall is better than the M18 imho because of the power to size/weight ratio.

Same goes for the non fuel impactor.

 

[mngundog]

While the Milwaukee 12v Fuel's are generally great, their 12v jigsaw (not a fuel) doesn't have the dustline blower that their 18V's have. My 12v jigsaw has had limited use, but has worked great when I've used it.

 

[dclark2171]

While the Milwaukee 12v Fuel's are generally great, their 12v jigsaw (not a fuel) doesn't have the dustline blower that their 18V's have. My 12v jigsaw has had limited use, but has worked great when I've used it.

Good to know. I rarely need a jigsaw so the 12 volt is probably more than enough. I want to get rid of the big, bulky old ctraftsman in it's hard case. I'll use a multitool or some other cutter and take three times as long just so I do not have to get that big ol' Craftsman out

 

[Buckaroo5]

I have more of the M12 than the M18 tools. They are so much lighter and easier to get into tight places. Particularly like the 3/8" Stubby Impact and the Impact Driver.

 

[LS1-IROC]

I really like all my M12 fuel tools, I reach for them over the M18 stuff most of the time.

 

[Gangly]

I prefer the M12 Fuel series tools over just about anything. You can beat the snot out of them and they just keep going.

 

[Skyman]

Add me to the list of those who've been impressed with the M12 Fuel tools. I very much like the five that I own.

 

[gleman]

The surge driver has been great for me.




The plain hex screwdriver I got as a free tool works great for most of the around the house type stuff. I didn't think I'd like the form-factor but it really grew on me.

I love the pruner and wouldn't hesitate to buy another if it got smashed.

 

[captain14]

I’ve been on the M12 system for a few years for homeowner use, it’s been great. Small, lightweight and as mentioned above can get into smaller spaces.

 

[WWheeler]

I have a few, fuel and non-fuel M12 tools. Their M12 ratchets are great, and for many years have been my most used tool. They didn't waste any time getting me so spoiled I don't want to use a regular ratchet any more unless it's an instance where I can't use a cordless for some reason, which isn't all that often. They just save an incredible amount of time and are so much easier to use, they make having to use a regular ratchet seem a bit archaic and tedious. That said, I have more recently come to prefer the Dewalt 12v ratchets more now that they finally came out with their versions, but not by much and not in every instance. The Milwaukees still stay in the mix. Most recently I've added an M12 rotary tool (their non-fuel version of a cordless dremel), and it's been handy, and picked up a Fuel 3/8 stubby impact and a driver off GJ Classifieds that have yet to earn their keep, but I know they will.

 

[LopezBart]

We have the M12 nibbler, and it's been a great help w/ the sheet metal on our shop project. Light, powerful, and cuts quickly. The 1.5 AH battery overheats and shuts down if one pushes it, but the larger capacity M12 batteries seem to solve this. My wife much prefers her M12 drill for household use.

 

[Hammer1963]

Absolutely. I have used them since their inception with good success. They continuously update the M12 line which is always a plus when faced with deciding what platform to go with

 

[dclark2171]

I'm also looking for a 6 inch mini saw and have been looking at the Makita. The M12 6 inch looks really nice and more compact. I

 

[IndyGarage]

I have several - drill/impactor i think bosch 12v is better, but they work fine. The M12 LED lights are all great. I really like the lantern. The rotary tool is great too. I rarely use my Dremel corded anymore. The 3 inch cutoff tool is the best of the small ones. 3/8 stubby impact is great.

 

[pbon]

I find the M12 circular saw to be disappointing. I like the drill (the highest power one), the new style impact, the fuel hacksaw, the tower light, the ratchets, and the new stubby impact. The jigsaw is OK.

 

[merkyworks]

M12 non-Fuel multi-tool is okay at best.
M12 Fuel bandfile and Fuel Gen2 right angle die grinder is awesome.

moral of the story is always get Fuel.

 

[jhelrey]

I'm also looking for a 6 inch mini saw and have been looking at the Makita. The M12 6 inch looks really nice and more compact. I

Get the M12. Keep one brand so you don't have a ton of batteries. I've really put mine through it's paces. I believe it's called the Hatchet.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

That's what its like to own Milwaukee!

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[mngundog]

I find the M12 circular saw to be disappointing.............

x2 The slightest pinch or bind, stops the blade or drains the batteries instantly (even the largest 12v's)

 

[finn]

My 12 v tools are M12 non Fuel, M12 Fuel, Dewalt Extreme and Bosch.

The only one I don’t like is the universally hated Milwaukee non Fuel 12v Hacsall, the only non Fuel tool I own. The M12 Fuel tools are fine, on par with the Dewalt Atomic.

Bosch is good, although I only have a couple of their 12 v offerings.

Between M12 Fuel and Dewalt 12v Extreme, I have much more M12 Fuel, for no particular reason.

I don’t see having multiple battery platforms as a disadvantage, and feel putting that limitation on your purchases makes you miss out on some great tools and bargains.

 

[drmarkr]

I'm also looking for a 6 inch mini saw and have been looking at the Makita. The M12 6 inch looks really nice and more compact. I

I have both and the M12 is way easier to use, in my opinion.

 

[Blt2Lst]

Was looking to upgrade my non fuel versions of these tools below, seems like a good deal at the HD for that set with the extra high capacity batteries.

 

[dclark2171]

Fuel and non fuel will take same battery correct? You can run a Fuel battery on a non fuel tool...etc

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Fuel and non fuel will take same battery correct? You can run a Fuel battery on a non fuel tool...etc

Yes.

Some of the more power-hungry tools will perform better with larger capacity and/or high-output (HO) batteries however.

 

[Bert_]

I had some m12 stuff. I think one m12 fuel 1/4" impact. They will do some stuff but not everything. I have just switched over to M18 for everything. The m12 just isn't worth owning if you also have m18

 

[pbon]

I have tons of both and definitely appreciate the M12 tools for their compactness and lighter weight. In the past few years, I have started reaching for them first. 90% of the time they are sufficient to get the job done — my jobs at least.

The big M12 disappointment for me is the circular saw that, as noted in a post above, easily binds and stops. I know some other M12 are useless so I have not bought them, like the vacuum and blower.

If I am doing off site work and won’t have access to all my tools and think it might be necessary, I’ll bring the required M18 tools, but my go bags are now M12.

 

[dclark2171]

I would think the M12 Jigsaw would easily cut 1/4 MDF board. That's about as thick as I would cut. I will not be doing countertops, butcher block, etc.

 

[TRLKC]

All my Milwaukee stuff is for wrenching and metal fab. I've got LOTS of Milwaukee 12V stuff (like 20 pieces with some multiples) To me, they are the sweet spot. They tend to be the right size in hand and have good battery life for their size. While I have some Milwaukee 18V stuff it's only in tools that get very heavy use and need a long duty cycle, angle grinder, 1/2" impact, etc. The 12V ratchets, 1/4" and 3/8" impacts, bandfile, drill, screwdriver, etc have been great.

I'm going to admit, I love me some DeWalt also, and have a full lineup of their 20VMAX tools for woodworking many of which I've owned since 2011 when the 20VMAX system was released.

 

[mrjaw14]

Am I the only one that needs to use my middle finger to hit the trigger on a lot of the M12 stuff? I've seen videos where other people do this too. Thought I had freak hands or something.

I love my M12 stuff. usually plenty of power, it's size efficient, and a good range of tools. No regrets at all buying into the platform.

 

[macs_rock]

All my first-line tools are M12, mostly Fuel. My biggest complaint has been the battery release is incredibly stiff when new, especially when pairing a new tool with a new battery, but that seems to be fixed with the new 5.0 batteries. I have plenty of M18 tools also, but I only break those out when I'm doing heavier work. For a homeowner/heavy DIYer the M12s have been plenty powerful.

Regarding the circular saw, I have the original M12 5 3/8 saw. It's my "just need to trim this 2x4 real quick" and my plywood saw, though I recently upgraded to an M18 track saw for that. It's not great for much else. I haven't tried the new one, but if it's even 10% more powerful that's gonna be a welcome upgrade.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I prefer a stronger tool over a lighter weight. Holding an 8.0 and m18-F hackzall overhead is weight. Having a weaker tool struggle is pain.

The M12 sizing is better for the rotary. And topping off tires is better with bigger batteries. Milwaukee marketing wastes time for some jobs.

 

[markdtn]

I have an M12 Fuel 3/8 ratchet. It is great! Accidentally dropped it in a lake 2 years ago. Took about 2 minutes to get it out. I let it sit for a month and it works good as ever. About a month ago I had a project changing pontoons on a boat. I removed around 100 1/4" bolts and put back 80+ 1/4 and 5/16 bolts and still had battery life left. I bought another battery just for that project but did not need it.

All my other stuff is M18 but I have great respect for that one. I will probably get a 1/4" ratchet to go with it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Are the 12 volt tools high quality for most around the house jobs?

I started my "RED" collection with M12 3/8" impact and 3/8" drill strictly for household jobs and working on small engines. They are great !

Eventually add the M12 rotary tool (my Dremel speed control never worked right) and an M12 angle grinder. I love both of them !

Got my son started on M18 with a mid-torque 1/2" impact (perfect for lug nuts) a M18 1/2" hammer drill and an M18 vacuum.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Some of the non fuel tools are underwhelming. For example an M12 hackzall *****.

I have the M12 non-Fuel 3/8" dill. NOT impressive. But it beats the **** out of my ancient Black and Decker 2 speed Versa Pack !

 

[livinloud11]

I have mostly dewalt but I like my M12 screwdriver, ratchet and rotary tool, all non fuel. I also just today received my fuel 1/2 stubby (that I really didn't need but was on a huge sale) and i'm sure ill like this one as well.

 

[dscheidt]

I had some m12 stuff. I think one m12 fuel 1/4" impact. They will do some stuff but not everything. I have just switched over to M18 for everything. The m12 just isn't worth owning if you also have m18

I have a lot of both, with a fair bit of overlap in function. I rarely use the m18 if I have an m13 fuel option. Smaller, lighter, gets the job done. If I was driving deck screws all day, the m18 wins. But most of what I do, I spend more time planning what to do than doing it, so being a little slower doesn’t matter as much as ease of use.

 

[richfinn]

Anyone tried the new M12 subcompact impact driver (non fuel but is brushless and very small)?