Milwaukee M12 Tool Line

[walhondingMF]

Not sure if this is the correct spot for this thread....

I will start out by saying I am a big fan of Dewalt tools and have several 18v. Been using them for years and have zero complaints. I have noticed though how much smaller and convenient the Milwaukee M12 line is. I understand Dewalt makes a 12v line but they still seem bulkier than the Milwaukee M12. It seems they are really expanding this line also with there being a wide range of tools now. I do not want to replace my Dewalt 18v tools but they are very wood-working specific. I would like to build up more mechanical tools (ratchet, impact, air compressor, etc) in the Milwaukee M12.
Anyone with experience with these smaller Milwaukee tools? What is the battery life like? Do they still have good power? Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[grsthegreat]

Im in the construction trade, and The goto tool line is the dewalt 20v line of tools. Just about every tradesman on the job has them.

The power and length of use between charging vs the Milwaukee 12v is huge. I have 2 sets of older 12v tools on my storage shelf….probably never to be used again. Heck, i even once ventured into the 28v milwaukee line. Way way too heavy to use all day long.

 

[JeepHead]

I have a pretty extensive set of Dewalt 20V tools, both mechanic and construction tools. I do have a few of the Milwaukee 12v tools too, mostly impacts. I prefer the Dewalt and the battery deals are much better for the Dewalt. I own a ton of batteries and continue to add them when they have specials. I do wish I had purchased the Milwaukee cordless die grinder instead of the Dewalt though, it's my only regret.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I do not want to replace my Dewalt 18v tools but they are very wood-working specific. I would like to build up more mechanical tools (ratchet, impact, air compressor, etc) in the Milwaukee M12.

I like the M12 versions when not much power is needed, or space is concern. Other than that, it's M18 for me.

I wouldn't even consider an M12 impact, and even my little 3/8-inch is an M18. Also, I have an M12 compressor, but since buying the larger M18 model I don't think I've used the other one a single time.

And there's nothing wrong with having some of both. The chargers accept either battery.

 

[dstig1]

I have a few M12 tools and also the similar Bosch drill/drivers, which came out first (where I first learned of this class of cordless tools). They are fantastic for cabinet work and electrical too. Fit in your tool bag on your waist and the perfect size to drive fixture screws fast and easy. Very handy in cabinets and woodworking where you don't need the big power, and they are easier to fit into small areas. If you need bigger power, they are not suitable, but for lighter work they are excellent. I don't see it as either/or decision but rather complementary tool sets.

 

[rgr33]

I have several Milwaukee tools, both m12 and m18. They all work well and have been really durable.

When just working in the shop, I always reach for the 12 v, but for tire work and big time jobs, the 18v comes out.
I probably go with the m12 80% of the time.

 

[kenmbz]

I have m12 drill and impact (3/8).
M18 hammer drill, air pump, trimmer, pole saw, blower and light.
I have had the M12 drill/driver for more than 10 years and it's my goto for a lot of small jobs.

I was using a wired Milwaukee for drilling cement block and got tired of the weight and chuck which loosened up all the time, bought the M18 hammer drill and it's so nice to use for the 1/2 to 5/8 drill bits. Though I have used it with some larger hole saws on the cement block and it did just fine.

Never had a battery fail so far on either platform.
I use the trimmer/pole saw for hours at a time, using three batteries in cycle.

I do find a huge difference 8ah vs 5ah for speed, not just usage time.

The little blower goes through batteries real quick, but it's great for paths and in the garage or upper outdoor deck.

 

[rScotty]

I still have a full set of the first Milwaukee cordless and several good 28 V batteries for them. Quality construction.
I originally used them for boat building - that was years ago. All are 28 volt & heavily built. High quality, but heavy to lug around.
Lately I've been buying the Milwaukee 18 volt line.

The availability of inexpensive rare earth permanent magnets is what reduced the wattage demand on the battery side for all tools - and everything else - that runs on batteries.... Rechargeable or not..
rScotty

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Of what I use frequently, the angle grinders probably run out of (M18) batteries the fastest. The trimmer runs surprisingly long, but it also has a larger battery.

In M12 it's mostly the bandfile and 3/8" ratchet that gets used.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have a good collection of DeWalt 20V tools, but there are some made by Milwaukee that DeWalt doesn't have. Consequently, I bought Milwaukee M12 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet wrenches, and their small compact M12 drill driver. Yes, the small M12 batteries have somewhat limited capacity, but their light weight and small size make them perfect for the tools I bought.

The M12 compact drill driver is one of the handiest tools I own. I would have bought from DeWalt if they had something comparable.

 

[bigtiller]

I have several Milwaukee tools, both m12 and m18. They all work well and have been really durable.

When just working in the shop, I always reach for the 12 v, but for tire work and big time jobs, the 18v comes out.
I probably go with the m12 80% of the time.

I do the same.
I have a 12v. drill with 1/8" bit that is always in the chuck. And a 12v. impact driver that always has a Philips head screwdriver in it.

They are small/light enough to fit in my pocket.

 

[DGZRT]

I have a few M12 and they are awesome! Drills and impacts drivers are great when you’re on a ladder or out in the woods. I use them much more than the M18 . If your grinding or sawing then better off with the 18

 

[bdhsfz6]

I also use the small Milwaukee M12 batteries for a host of other 12V projects with this adapter:

Makes a great compact portable 12V power source.

Amazon.com

 

[kenmbz]

I also use the small Milwaukee M12 batteries for a host of other 12V projects with this adapter:

View attachment 1702153

Makes a great compact portable 12V power source.

Amazon.com

My favorite negative review of the M12 adapter is the one that complains the M18 won't fit.
Looks like a good Idea for projects.

 

[kozal01]

I have a couple M12 tools but the rest of my tools are all Dewalt 20V and one M18 tool. I do like the 12V Milwaukee line better than Dewalt's 12V stuff, I just wish the Milwaukee batteries weren't junk. Ive had my Dewalt 20V packs for several years and have never had one go bad but Ive already had to replace a couple of my M12 batteries and one of my M18 packs too in just a couple of years time.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Ive had my Dewalt 20V packs for several years and have never had one go bad but Ive already had to replace a couple of my M12 batteries and one of my M18 packs too in just a couple of years time.

Odd. I'm still using the battery my first M18 came with, an impact, and that one is at least six years old by now.

Never had an M12 or M18 go bad so in the past four years or so I've only bought bare tools.

 

[kozal01]

Odd. I'm still using the battery my first M18 came with, an impact, and that one is at least six years old by now.

Never had an M12 or M18 go bad so in the past four years or so I've only bought bare tools.

That's better luck than me. Ironically the oldest M12 pack I have that came with a Milwaukee heated hunting coat that is at least 10 years old is still fine.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Odd. I'm still using the battery my first M18 came with, an impact, and that one is at least six years old by now.

Never had an M12 or M18 go bad so in the past four years or so I've only bought bare tools.

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.

 

[kenmbz]

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 think you need to "jump" start it if the voltage got too low in an older battery.
Plenty of videos on that, but be very careful of over voltage/current!

 

[walhondingMF]

I spoke incorrectly in my original post. I had the Dewalt 18v tool set 15 years ago. They were great but switched over to my current Dewalt 20v set. Fantastic tools and batteries have been great. The compact size of the M12 line is just very appealing, especially since they are really expanding new tools for it all the time. I don't have any interest in switching over to full milwaukee but the addition of some new tool options is a good possibility.
The tools at the top of my list would be the ratchets, small impact, die grander and the air compressor.