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Thoughts On Milwaukee M18 Multi Tool?

mopac01

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HomeDepot has these "special buy" at $99 regularly $129. I'd have an occasional need (once-twice a year) for cutting out drywall. I'd also be interested in using this to cut 1/2" copper pipe for an air compressor dryer project if it would be any good for that.

Just curious if anyone else has opinions on the usefulness and the quality of this particular tool.

(I'm an occasional hobby guy - really just taking care of around the house projects - mostly repairs.)
 
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sayoda

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It a fantastic tool for remodeling and rot repair, I have 2 of them and use them almost every day.

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Reese

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For cutting copper pipe I would think a tubing cutter is easier.
 
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mopac01

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It a fantastic tool for remodeling and rot repair, I have 2 of them and use them almost every day.

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Are you referring to the Milwaukee version or just Multi Tools in general? What I'm reading seems to give the hands down top of the line award to Fein. But I'm just a hobby guy and the Fein is at least twice as much. It's corded and includes a case etc. But if the Milwaukee version is decent then I already am in that cordless ecosystem.
 

dsimatt

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I already have M18 batteries and chargers. So that's a sunk cost already.

As you already have the battery platform I'd say go for it as I rarely use mine but its worth every penny when it is needed. I've beat on mine and never had any issue, now compared to corded it big and bulky but holds up to abuse.
 

mc4life27

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I have one and it was worth every penny. Not used very much but when needed it’s really needed and never has let me down. I wouldn’t try to cut copper pipe with it thought. It would destroy whatever blade you used and leave a crappy cut a cheap pipe cutter will cut it way better. But if
You can wait then wait till the new fuel one comes out. Sure it will be more but it’s supposed to be a big improvement. I’m going to get one when it comes out and I already have one currently.


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signcrafter

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No battery, no charger. That would be hard for me to justify,

Hard to justify? Its 99 bucks for a bare tool. If 99 bucks is hard to justify stick to ryobi or harbor freight for you. Or stick to the 5 dollar jab saw for drywall. Most guys asking about a bare tool already have batteries and charger and for 99 bucks it's a great tool. I've paid over 300 for a m18 bare tool and it was well worth it.

M18 multi tool is a great tool and has many uses. Copper tubing isnt one of them unless you are just cutting it out for garbage. It will chew it up pretty good.
 
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mopac01

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Hard to justify? Its 99 bucks for a bare tool. If 99 bucks is hard to justify stick to ryobi or harbor freight for you. Or stick to the 5 dollar jab saw for drywall. Most guys asking about a bare tool already have batteries and charger and for 99 bucks it's a great tool. I've paid over 300 for a m18 bare tool and it was well worth it.

M18 multi tool is a great tool and has many uses. Copper tubing isnt one of them unless you are just cutting it out for garbage. It will chew it up pretty good.

Since my only upcoming project involves cutting copper tubing, and after reading in the post above yours about a possible 2nd gen FUEL version, I think I'll pass on this and wait on the 2nd gen. It looks like the FUEL M12 is a definite with nothing released about a FUEL M18. But I think it's probably a reasonable bet that a FUEL M18 would come out at some point. The FUEL wet/dry vac looks to be a good improvement (brushless being part of it) over the prior wet/dry vac. I'm betting it'd be worth the wait to put this $100 towards a FUEL M18 Multi Tool.
 

danski0224

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Since my only upcoming project involves cutting copper tubing, and after reading in the post above yours about a possible 2nd gen FUEL version, I think I'll pass on this and wait on the 2nd gen. It looks like the FUEL M12 is a definite with nothing released about a FUEL M18. But I think it's probably a reasonable bet that a FUEL M18 would come out at some point. The FUEL wet/dry vac looks to be a good improvement (brushless being part of it) over the prior wet/dry vac. I'm betting it'd be worth the wait to put this $100 towards a FUEL M18 Multi Tool.

The Fuel upgrade will happen just as soon as Milwaukee also releases jobsite lasers... :bounce:

For occasional use, why spend the extra dough for the Fuel brand premium?

I've used mine a bunch, and it is close in performance to the Fein, but cordless.

An oscillating tool would NOT be my first choice to cut copper tubing with. Tubing cutter, bandsaw, Sawzall with a fine tooth blade or the Hackzall with a fine tooth blade would be much better choices.

Definitely need some fine tooth metal cutting blades and keep the speed down for the oscillating tool.
 

Rinspeed

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For cutting copper pipe a Ridgid tubing cutter would be much better.
 
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jpaw

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I bought one a few months ago for some drywall work, it works well but it is big and clunky. If the new m12 fuel is anywhere close in performance I would recommend that one due to the smaller size/weight.
I looked long and hard at the Dewalt because the form factor just felt way more natural in my hand but in the end I couldn't bring myself to buy into another platform when I already have Milwaukee and Makita.
Also as everyone above has noted, use a tubing cutter for pipe unless it's demo work.
 

nmk_61802

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The Fuel upgrade will happen just as soon as Milwaukee also releases jobsite lasers... :bounce:

For occasional use, why spend the extra dough for the Fuel brand premium?

I've used mine a bunch, and it is close in performance to the Fein, but cordless.

An oscillating tool would NOT be my first choice to cut copper tubing with. Tubing cutter, bandsaw, Sawzall with a fine tooth blade or the Hackzall with a fine tooth blade would be much better choices.

Definitely need some fine tooth metal cutting blades and keep the speed down for the oscillating tool.


Fuel M18 multi tool is scheduled to come out by the end of the year:

https://toolguyd.com/new-milwaukee-cordless-power-tools-2020-m12-m18-pipeline-rundown1/
 

Firefighter1406

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The multi tool is an awesome tool. When they first came out I couldn’t hardly see a use for it. I have had one for a couple years now and use it on almost every job I have. Great addition to your box.
 

jpaw

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The m18 fuel version looks disappointing IMO. I was hoping for a less bulky grip design and if that Home Depot price ends up being for real I'm not sure they will sell many.
 
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mopac01

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The m18 fuel version looks disappointing IMO. I was hoping for a less bulky grip design and if that Home Depot price ends up being for real I'm not sure they will sell many.

I appreciate the link. That price is battery, charger and some blades as well as the bag. I'm hoping maybe $150-175 tool alone.

This has convinced me to wait, now that I know the M18 Fuel version really exists.
 

Tduby

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I appreciate the link. That price is battery, charger and some blades as well as the bag. I'm hoping maybe $150-175 tool alone.

This has convinced me to wait, now that I know the M18 Fuel version really exists.

If I didn’t have a m12 I would be jumping on the $99 lately the gen1 fuel tools have been hit or miss and they seem to be coming out with gen 2 very quickly I think you would be very happy with the current model but it is your money just be prepared to pay a premium for when it comes out.
 

theoldwizard1

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472scout

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They are handy, but for that little use just get a cheap corded and put the savings towards something more important.
 

MushCreek

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I use a multi-tool a fair amount, and am tempted by the M18. I blew up my Makita, and bought a really cheap one at HF. It works, but nothing like a good one, and it is LOUD and vibrates like crazy.

I bought all of my M18 stuff before Fuel, and the only Fuel tool I have is a drill, because I killed my older drill. I don't see much difference, to tell the truth. I might pick up one of the current ones while they're still available.
 

HenryAZ

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My wife has taught me many things an oscillating multi can do (we have the Bosch, as we are well into the Bosch 18V system with plenty of batteries and chargers). She picks it up for just about anything, and now I use it a lot more as well. And I was able to teach her one thing, too. You don't use the multitool to cut off a pile of 1x2s. We have a miter saw, and once she saw that work, she grabs it for any appropriate cutting jobs. I still haven't been able to teach her about setting a stop, though. She wants to do things her way.
 
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