Opinions on the BRUSHED M12 tools?
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finn
Well-known member
I have one M12 brushed tool, the Hacksall.
It’s a weak sister, and based on that one tool, I would avoid the brushed Milwaukee tool lineup.
Depends on your expectations, though.
It’s a weak sister, and based on that one tool, I would avoid the brushed Milwaukee tool lineup.
Depends on your expectations, though.
signcrafter
Well-known member
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I have many m12 fuel tools including two of the impact/drill kits and my mom has the m12 brush impact/drill kit. There is a huge difference between them. For my mom to do little things around the house the brush version is fine. For me, the fuel is worth the extra money.
Well, it depends.
So much of the criticism I see on the brushed tools focuses more on what they are not than what they are. They are not brushless. They are not a hammer drill. They are, after all, light duty tools. The basic stuff including the drill, impact, screwdriver, basic ratchet, can be had on sale in kits for about $30-$35 per tool. Could you build a deck with the impact? Probably. Could you hang drywall and drive drywall screws with the drill/driver? Absolutely. It has a clutch after all. Many certainly are not industrial tools but in many home use/DIY settings would perform as needed.
So much of the criticism I see on the brushed tools focuses more on what they are not than what they are. They are not brushless. They are not a hammer drill. They are, after all, light duty tools. The basic stuff including the drill, impact, screwdriver, basic ratchet, can be had on sale in kits for about $30-$35 per tool. Could you build a deck with the impact? Probably. Could you hang drywall and drive drywall screws with the drill/driver? Absolutely. It has a clutch after all. Many certainly are not industrial tools but in many home use/DIY settings would perform as needed.
Used but in good condition M12 brushed drill and impact driver and 2x 1.5 hr batteries and charger for $125.
HD has what I'm guessing are the same brushed drill and impact driver new plus a drill bit set for $118.97. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...Bit-Set-15-Piece-2494-22-48-89-4630/312421913
They also have other packages with those two tools that includes other bits sets for a similar price.
I have the the brushed drill, impact driver, and hackzall. As mentioned they are pretty underwhelming compared to the fuel versions that I also have. However, I bought the brushed ones as an inexpensive set to keep in the house for occasional small tasks so I do not have to go to the oubuilding where most of my better powertools are kept. For this application they've been fine aside from the time I tried to use a 1" auger bit on the drill. I wouldn't want to use them for any sort of large project, but for making a small cut, drilling a few smaller holes, or driving a few screws, they are fine. I also gave a similar set to a family member who uses them for light tasks and as far as I know, they have been happy with them.
Not a good deal. You can find that new for $100. Ebay is a place to start. Watch HD for a sale. If I was willing to commit $125 used for that, I believe I would look at a Dewalt 20v max brushless atomic 2 piece kit for $150 from HD.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...ag-DCK278C2/308067489?ITC=AUC-199613-23-12145
I found several of the M12 kits for $99 from authorized sellers on ebay. it might be worth it to consider other options along with the offering you are currently looking at
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...ag-DCK278C2/308067489?ITC=AUC-199613-23-12145
I found several of the M12 kits for $99 from authorized sellers on ebay. it might be worth it to consider other options along with the offering you are currently looking at
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a few brushed m12 and can't say u would rebuy them. The brushed impact and it is damn near useless. The drill is OK for really light duty stuff. The hackzall is fine for light duty, like a pipe here or there.
WHen one dies, I'll likely replace it with m12 but no question it will be brushless.
WHen one dies, I'll likely replace it with m12 but no question it will be brushless.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
With the non fuel tools they leave off some feature you will miss every time you use it unless you never touch the real deal.
HPRifleman
Member Emeritus
I have the M12 brushed right-angle drill. I bought it because I needed to drill a hole in a tight space and I don't think Milwaukee makes a Fuel version. It works just fine although some of the overmolded rubber is coming off the casing.
When you need a specific tool to solve a specific problem, it doesn't matter if it has brushes or not.
When you need a specific tool to solve a specific problem, it doesn't matter if it has brushes or not.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
That sums it up ! For light duty, not long running, it will be fine.
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milkovich
Well-known member
Brused are good for a tool you don't use often. Fills the gaps while staying within the battery family (without costing a fortune).
BikeRider
Well-known member
Out of my current 6 M12 tools 4 are brushless and 2 are brushed. The brushed ones are the entry-level ratchet, which I prefer because it's compact and affordable and does what I need a power ratchet to do, and the rotary tool, which is the only one they make are just fine for my needs and also affordable. My brushless tools are the 3/8" stubby impact wrench, right angle die grinder, and Gen 2 hammer drill and driver.
For some users and sues the brushed versions are fine and sometimes even preferable.
For some users and sues the brushed versions are fine and sometimes even preferable.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
The difference between M12 brushed and brushless tools is huge. The difference between M18 brushed and brushless is much less. For example the Hacksall brushed in M12 ***** big time. In M18 it's very good. The major difference in the M18 Hacksall is the size of the tool with the brushed being bigger than the FUEL.
Daveyclimber
Well-known member
M18 and M12 brushed are sad in comparison to the newer brushless. Got to watch those deals that may not be such a deal after all.
plinker
Well-known member
I've got a mix of brushed & brushless, The brushed are ok in general, though brushless are generally better. The 2554 stubby 3/8 is a drastic improvement over the 2454 3/8 impact, both fuel models. So there can be a difference with brushless.
The drills I have are brushed, they're ok, nothing super special. probably 2407's. I'm sure the fuel model are better but I've not upgraded yet. I do prefer the brushed 1/4 impact, 2461, it does good enough for 1/4 drive stuff, I did replace the motor in mine after seven years. The 2456/2457 m12 ratchets are nice, though newer fuel models outclass them by far with torque. Still a decent tool though, and more compact then older fuel models. Essentially a nut runner.
Expectations may vary.
The drills I have are brushed, they're ok, nothing super special. probably 2407's. I'm sure the fuel model are better but I've not upgraded yet. I do prefer the brushed 1/4 impact, 2461, it does good enough for 1/4 drive stuff, I did replace the motor in mine after seven years. The 2456/2457 m12 ratchets are nice, though newer fuel models outclass them by far with torque. Still a decent tool though, and more compact then older fuel models. Essentially a nut runner.
Pretty much this. Good enough is just that for some. I've got an m18 recip. saw for exhaust at work, does fine for me in that area.
Expectations may vary.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Of all the impacts that Milwaukee makes the Stubby seems to get the most love. Just a perfect balance between size, weight and power it can handle about 75% of automotive needs. It's designer should get a healthy raise.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
The stubby can save time, but the high torque saves work. So I think your use case is a factor, and it is better if you have both.
I'd far rather hand spin 50-100 13 mm bolts and watch a machine rip 40 450ftlb lug nuts off than the other way around.
I'd far rather hand spin 50-100 13 mm bolts and watch a machine rip 40 450ftlb lug nuts off than the other way around.
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Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
They don't care what we think, Milwaukee calls it stubby.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
There several, but a search for "Milwaukee stubby" will get you there.
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Just like the immediately prior post to which I was responding 
Most people mean the 3/8” stubby (2554) when they say ‘m12 stubby’. It’s really good, as @dnschmidt said, perfect balance of weight and power.
Per the OP, in general I prefer brushless, but there’s the odd tool where I looked at the brushless varient and brought the brushed one - like the drill because the grip is massive on the fuel version, and the ratchet because the head is way smaller and lighter on the brushed.