Milwaukee M12 Tool Line

JeepHead · Oct 30, 2024

Both Dewalt and Milwaukee makes good tools and there is nothing wrong with owning a mix both. I have been extremily pleased with both brands and have some Dewalt 20V batteries that still work after 10 years. I have dropped my impacts off of roofs more than a few times only to pick them up and still function 100%. There are some tools that one brand does better than the other. Dewalt seems to have better tool promotions and battery pricing than Milwaukee does.

LittleBittyBigJohn · Oct 30, 2024

bdhsfz6 said:
I would have said the same thing up until 2 days ago when one of my 2 year-old M12 batteries died. First time I ever had a problem though.

I had it in a drill and used it until the low voltage cutoff in the tool activated. I let the battery cool before putting it in the charger, but it will no longer accept a charge.

I've had that a couple of times on the 18v, typically if the battery got hot while I was using it. My guess is if you are really drawing from the battery it will drop just under the charge necessary for the charger to "see" it. I have had luck either trying several times in rapid succession, by putting a good battery in the charger until the charger starts charging then switching out for the discharged one real quick, or by putting the battery in the unplugged charger then plugging the charger in. One of those 3 has always worked for me.

LittleBittyBigJohn · Oct 30, 2024

Speaking of batteries.... I have gotten new batteries here and there. When I need (want...) a new tool I can usually wait unit there is a good sale or free battery thrown in. I just got a jig saw that was both on sale with a free battery for cheaper than the bare tool typically is. I already have plenty of batteries in rotation now. I wonder if it's better to not open it until I need it far in the future or if it's better to go ahead and put it in rotation with the others? I think this one will make 5 batteries, I really don't need that many.

JeepHead · Oct 30, 2024

Here lately Dewalt has been having the deal where you buy 2 5AH batteries for $199 and get choice of a free tool. I have done that a few times to duplicate tools or get ones I didn't have. But here lately I have been working on getting several of the power stack batteries.

cdaigle430 · Oct 30, 2024

I have 100s of M12 and M18 tools. The M12 brushless tools really carry there weight. For example-I have the M18 Chainsaw and the M12 Hatchet chain saw. Although the blade is shorter it is my go to for chopping up trees and stuff. Nothing wrong with the M18-but the M12 is easier to grab on the go.

I also have the M12 and M18 multi tool-the M12 version is my go to tool. Same with the m12 and m18 (sold the m18 last year) propress crimpers-m12 is my go to.

I chose the m12 nibbler over the M18 and the M12 pump over the m18 and my M12 ratchet wrench is also my go to. I love all of them-only had problems with two tools from Milwaukee in the past 8 years-the M18 trim nailer, and the 2nd generation hammer drill-They still work its just that one jams often and the other the trigger works when it wants to. I also own two M12 heated jackets.

Next up I will buy the M12 impact stubby.

As for Milwaukee vs others-no on and I mean no one has more tools selection than Milwaukee period.

I also have many 40v Ryobi tools and just had to replace the first 40v 2amp battery last month.

dfkrug · Oct 30, 2024

I have about 10 Milwaukee M12 tools, and I love them. Plenty of power. I don't use any of the larger capacity batteries, since the small ones work well enough, and it is easy to carry extras.

About 3y ago, I decided to get yet another battery-powered tool system, and I wanted a 12v system for weight. I use them in the forest where 120V is not an option, and 18V is unnecessary and heavy. I also let kids use them in my volunteer work at a middle school.

Anyway, my favorite brand would be Makita, but they don't do small 12V. So, the choices were DeWalt or Milwaukee. Glad I went with the M12, cuz the DeWalt system seems to be on its way out. The DeWalt website shows a few 12V Max tools, but I do not see any in the stores.

I love the M12 assembly driver, and the 3" reversible abrasive cutoff tool. Small, light and very powerful. All my original 2.0Ah batteries still work. I also have the $10 battery adapter for a future project. I bought a used M12 bluetooth radio, which crapped out right away. Shoulda bought new. Almost everything I got came from HomeDepot, on sale, plus I get 10% off thru my credit card.

Note that there are very good-looking fake Milwaukee batteries out there. Probably don't last long.

dadohead · Oct 30, 2024

I was in the trades back in the late '70's when cordless tools were pretty new. As you know, professional corded drills and drivers were 'in-line' gripped then (vs T-handle). At first PC and others were making in-line cordless drills (80's)... but then T-handled drills started taking over (yuk). A tool rep told me it was magazine "drill shoot-out" articles that drove it. The authors operated the in-line drills with their trigger finger (vs ring finger like pros did) and constantly wrote negatively about it. The rep said the tradesman he talked with were pretty upset about T-handles taking over. I'm one of them... I still keep old corded inline drills in the shop. Luckily, Festool makes a decent inline cordless too.

Too many Kubotas · Oct 30, 2024

dfkrug said:
Note that there are very good-looking fake Milwaukee batteries out there. Probably don't last long.

Yep, I suspect that many battery failures are because of cheap(er) fakes.

And I get the impression that most of you value portability and light weight. When working on the BX25D the M12s would probably be fine, but most of what I do calls for beefier tools, which is why I prefer the M18 stuff.

After all, there's a reason I have an impact good for 2,500 ft.-lbs.