School me on Milwaukee

[muddinguy]

I have had 18v dewalt for years, but their quality seems to be going down... The set I bought almost two yrs ago is about hit.. Our shop drill is Milwaukee and another guy in the shop has Milwaukee and they seem much heavier duty! Plus they have the big and huge batteries now
My main question is what's the "fuel" line all about.. I thought it meant brushless but I see they also have brushless labeled units.
Also, is the "one key" stuff worth it for an individual mechanic in a shop?
Obviously I'm looking at the m18 stuff..

 

[burnedonice]

If you're a mechanic, the M12's are awesome. Fuel impacts and ratchets do wonders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[muddinguy]

I guess I should clarify I'm a heavy truck mechanic of sorts.. I work a tow truck dealership..

 

[CJM8515]

Fuel is generally the more powerful and better built brushless line. I have a fuel drill, 1/2, 3/8 impacts, a non fuel 1/4 hex impact driver and an 18v led flashlight. I use the XC batteries in them all, some 4.0 and some 3.0 All of them work super well, are very powerful, and the batteries last a LONG time. I think I have 800 bucks wrapped up into it all.

The 1/2" impact is (or is close to) the most powerful on the market. It can remove a honda crank bolt which usually needs a 3/4" air impact. I have had no problems with any of the tools. I bought a non fuel set for a steal at home depot and found the compact drill VERY lacking. Then I bought everything else piece meal (much cheaper than a set imho).

 

[Roddyo]

I break the tracks on my bulldozer with a 1/2 inch Milwaukee impact. It's also what I use to put them back together.

 

[Milwookie]

Mikwaukee has a few different lines. The M12 line is the lowest powered, although still plenty good for most stuff. The M12 Fuel is brushless, and in some cases can compete in terms of power and performance with other companies 18V lines. Next is the M18, then then M18 Fuel, and finally the M28 line if you absolutely insist on having the heaviest tools known to man.

I use M12 exclusively, except for an M18 shop vac, light, and Fuel Hackzall.

 

[scissorman]

I love my Milwaukee stuff but last year I bought a Ingersoll Rand 1/4" hex Impact, 3/8" Impact and a 1/2" Impact gun and what a difference over the Milwaukee stuff. Now i'm going to purchase the IR 1/2" drill kit as well. This is all the 20 volt stuff.

 

[arz71]

They are owned by a company called TTI same place that makes Ryobi.

All made in China.

I would look at Dewalt or another brand myself, way overrated.