I have to disagree about M12 drill being sluggish at the start. I have the same M12 drill and in drill mode it starts right up. It's a feature, not a bug. In the video the M12 drill is set at the lowest clutch setting 1. The M18 is set to drill mode. On the lower settings both of them will start up slowly. On higher settings like 15/16 or in "drill" mode they will start right up. The clutch settings are for not for drilling but for driving delicate fasteners like cabinet screws. Both drills will start up slowly on the lower clutch settings. This is so you don't accidentally strip or over-torque some tiny screw. What this M12 drill is indeed pretty weak at is at hammer drilling anything 5/16" or above in concrete, but like that's to be expected. Also, the hammer mode selector engages too easily. I keep accidentally putting it into hammer drill mode when tightening a drill bit.
I like to use the clutch at a low setting and no, I don't agree it's a feature. I have other drills with good clutches that are zippier and I don't strip screw heads or break fragile parts. Even the brushed M12 drill is better for that in my opinion. The M12 Fuel drill spinup on low settings is slow because they chose to use an electronic clutch instead of a mechanical clutch. It saves weight, size and cost but I won't use it on low settings. Even if one excuses the low acceleration, that doesn't excuse the time from pulling trigger to actually start turning. That's the part that really bothered me most.
I have a lot of both M18 and M12 tools. What I found is that unless I need big power, I will ALWAYS end up grabbing my M12. And for several reasons. 1. The M12 stuff will do almost all the work I need it to do. 2. M12 is much lighter and more compact. 3. (actually 2a I guess) You can fit WAY more tools in your box with M12 because there is no wide-ass battery mount on the handles that take up space. 4. The batteries take up less space as well. For production sawing and heavy drilling, M18 is obviously the way to go, but for nearly everything else, M12 get it done with less fatigue and allow you put multiple tools with batteries in your tool bag/box/bucket/tray so you make fewer trips back to the truck/shop.
I agree with the other m12 drill owners. I have both the m18 and m12 fuel drill and both impacts. Yes, for drilling concrete I will reach for the m18 but I will also say that for anything that I can get away with using the m12 stuff for, that's what I will pick. The weight savings and balance/ergonomics make the m12 stuff so nice to use.
In the m12 hammer drills defense, you did have the clutch, which is also a speed control(not to be confused with the gear selector on the top of the drill) set to the lowest and slowest setting. That’s meant for controlled starts. I own a lot of m12 tools and work in commercial construction. Having the most powerful tools is cool, but not as cool as having to lug heavy 18 volt tools around a job site and up and down ladders all day. I’ve found the power to weight ratios on the m12s to be spot on. The only thing the hammer drill lacks in is drilling into heavy arrogate concrete, but anything more than a few small holes I’m breaking out the corded SDS drill.
M12 is Milwaukee’s standout line, there is no real competition for the form factor, power and price. Dewalt and Makita both offer serious competition at 18v (my preference going to makita).
Last Best Tool guy, I catch myself watching a lot of your videos and appreciate your outlook on these items. This collection of power tools, like the rest of your tools, is very impressive. To have a complete set of M18 as well as the corresponding M12 set is impressive to say the least. You seem to get second best on anything. I know it's probably been posted before , but what do you do for a living that you can afford first rate of everything. I know there are guys out there that have everything, but by the time I get a complete set of anything, they are obsolete, and nobody is interesting in them..... Thanks for sharing
Good to read a lot of these comments. I went with M12 only because I don’t do construction for a living but more maintenance oriented tasks with the occasional bigger job. I am very happy with the M12 line so far after a year and a half and I love the small size and portability. Milwaukee really knocked M12 out of the park in my opinion.
I prefer m12 because I'm constantly working overhead and in tight places. Times where a more powerful drill is far and few for me. If majority of your work a lighter drill works, then I'd take the lighter drill. But slow-time versus lighter matters, depending on task.
I totally agree. I have Ridgid tools that have done nothing but collect dust since I started getting M12. They do anything you want and I’m always needing to be mobile so M12 is a no brained. That being said I never need to do one task all day long like drill 500 holes or cut 300 2x4’s.
I have the m12fuel drill. You have it on setting one which it starts off slower on. When you put it higher in the clutch numbers or on drill it starts just as quick as the 18v
Thanks for the video. Im a DIYer and considering getting into the hvac trade. For now, im gonna go with the M12 fuel impact driver/hammer drill. And likely got with the m18 line for everything else including lights and accessories
I have mostly M18, and some M12. I wish I had mostly M12 expect for the few examples in which the M18 is either clearly and vastly superior or is the only option (like the tire inflator and track saw respectively.) The good M12s are just amazing for the size and weight. My M12 Fuel Installation driver might be my favorite tool and I was going to get an M18 Surge impact driver, but now I’m just going to grab the M12, as it’s plenty of power, and just so amazingly small.
Given the usual M18 charger includes an M12 socket, I think Milwaukee is pushing for customers to use both systems. What you use for a task depends on what you need. I go with my 12V things where I don't need the brawn to get a tool that's easier to tote, and the batteries without the base make it even more compact. I rarely use the bigger square base batteries but I will probably start just so they're being used. I went for many years with my 12V Bosch drivers and only went 18V for certain tasks.
Yeah there is nothing wrong with my m12 drills I have two one I've owed one for 4 years haven't run across anything it won't do from steel to concrete used the hell out of it one of my favorite tools.
Wow to have a M12 set on a clutch setting and say it was sluggish, most of our younger guys are on Milwaukee tools and struggle with M18’s too much power, I use M12’s all day every day. Less weight less cost winner.
Perhaps I'm late the conversation, but I just got an M12 Drill and Driver combo as my gateway into Milwaukee...funny how that works. Both start off with a rip at the touch of a button and have so much torque immediately. It's weening me off Dewalt, which was my first true battery op power tools (again drill/driver). Anything new from now on is M12 for me. Plenty of power, compact, and who doesn't like red?
Yeah I have the m12 fuel hammer drill like that and it doesn't start as slow as the 1 you're showing. Yeah the m18 is definitely more powerful in the whole line up. But definitely if you're a diy person or homeowner special whatever you want to call it...lol. The M12 really will do just about everything you need to do.
Would be very interested in an m12 vs m18 SDS-plus drill comparison/thoughts. Also interested if you have used the Milwaukee chuck adapter on an SDS-plus drill for standard drill bits and how you find that?
Yeah, my mistake. It starts up faster when in drill mode, not clutch mode. I'll do a followup video. But it is considerably slower across the board than my M18.
Hey @Last Best Tool I'm currently an M18 Milwaukee guy, but as my drill/impact set gets on in years, I've been thinking of going back to DeWalt. What do you think of DeWalt?
Your m18 drill is one generation newer than the m12 comparing to.(look at the chuck) As an electrician I run the m12 fuel 1/2” and if going m18, it’s gonna be hole hawg. Lol cheers!
M12 is really just diyer. I’m sorry. Almost everything I have is m12 besides my sawzall and hackzall. If an m12 tool doesn’t say fuel on it, it’s for dad and his garage. The soft start up on the m12 fuel hammer drill, has a purpose in the lower settings. I can’t remember what it is, but I remember reading about it in the manual, and still forgetting about it when I got to my customer’s house and getting frustrated. I just turned it up, I think. It’s probably a beautiful benefit when starting screws, and that’s what you buy a small drill for.
I'm in the DEWALT line and I'm trying to switch over to the into the 12 volt If you talking your drill there sometimes it's better for to spin up slowly or you break bits if he is been up too fast on the smaller sizes
Just to be clear, I was just kidding around. From watching his vids regularly, he's obviously doing quite well in life, but I don't really think he's rich haha.
I think that the whole m12 line is overpriced and underpowered. I have 7 m18 fuel products...and love them all. I purchased a m12 cutoff--horrible..stopped and overheated constantly. This whole line was no doubt the brainchild of some 23 yr old MBA who knows nothing about tools. Milwaukee damages it's brand every time they sell one.
I have to disagree about M12 drill being sluggish at the start. I have the same M12 drill and in drill mode it starts right up. It's a feature, not a bug.
In the video the M12 drill is set at the lowest clutch setting 1. The M18 is set to drill mode. On the lower settings both of them will start up slowly. On higher settings like 15/16 or in "drill" mode they will start right up.
The clutch settings are for not for drilling but for driving delicate fasteners like cabinet screws. Both drills will start up slowly on the lower clutch settings. This is so you don't accidentally strip or over-torque some tiny screw.
What this M12 drill is indeed pretty weak at is at hammer drilling anything 5/16" or above in concrete, but like that's to be expected. Also, the hammer mode selector engages too easily. I keep accidentally putting it into hammer drill mode when tightening a drill bit.
Outstanding observation. Yes, my m12 is faster when on drill mode. Still slower than the m18, but much better. Thanks!
Was just about to say the same thing!
I like to use the clutch at a low setting and no, I don't agree it's a feature. I have other drills with good clutches that are zippier and I don't strip screw heads or break fragile parts. Even the brushed M12 drill is better for that in my opinion. The M12 Fuel drill spinup on low settings is slow because they chose to use an electronic clutch instead of a mechanical clutch. It saves weight, size and cost but I won't use it on low settings. Even if one excuses the low acceleration, that doesn't excuse the time from pulling trigger to actually start turning. That's the part that really bothered me most.
I switched to Milwaukee recently and after careful consideration between M18 and M12... I decided to go with both.
This is clearly the right answer 😂
I have a lot of both M18 and M12 tools. What I found is that unless I need big power, I will ALWAYS end up grabbing my M12. And for several reasons. 1. The M12 stuff will do almost all the work I need it to do. 2. M12 is much lighter and more compact. 3. (actually 2a I guess) You can fit WAY more tools in your box with M12 because there is no wide-ass battery mount on the handles that take up space. 4. The batteries take up less space as well.
For production sawing and heavy drilling, M18 is obviously the way to go, but for nearly everything else, M12 get it done with less fatigue and allow you put multiple tools with batteries in your tool bag/box/bucket/tray so you make fewer trips back to the truck/shop.
The M12 circ saw is the bees knees. So light and compact!
I agree with the other m12 drill owners. I have both the m18 and m12 fuel drill and both impacts. Yes, for drilling concrete I will reach for the m18 but I will also say that for anything that I can get away with using the m12 stuff for, that's what I will pick. The weight savings and balance/ergonomics make the m12 stuff so nice to use.
In the m12 hammer drills defense, you did have the clutch, which is also a speed control(not to be confused with the gear selector on the top of the drill) set to the lowest and slowest setting. That’s meant for controlled starts. I own a lot of m12 tools and work in commercial construction. Having the most powerful tools is cool, but not as cool as having to lug heavy 18 volt tools around a job site and up and down ladders all day. I’ve found the power to weight ratios on the m12s to be spot on. The only thing the hammer drill lacks in is drilling into heavy arrogate concrete, but anything more than a few small holes I’m breaking out the corded SDS drill.
I agree. It makes a big difference, but not all the difference. That's why I made the second video: ruclips.net/video/uYfmhIRG_Fc/видео.html
M12 is Milwaukee’s standout line, there is no real competition for the form factor, power and price. Dewalt and Makita both offer serious competition at 18v (my preference going to makita).
I have both. I love the M18 Impact driver. I also LOVE the M12 screwdriver and the multi tool!
Last Best Tool guy, I catch myself watching a lot of your videos and appreciate your outlook on these items. This collection of power tools, like the rest of your tools, is very impressive. To have a complete set of M18 as well as the corresponding M12 set is impressive to say the least. You seem to get second best on anything. I know it's probably been posted before , but what do you do for a living that you can afford first rate of everything. I know there are guys out there that have everything, but by the time I get a complete set of anything, they are obsolete, and nobody is interesting in them..... Thanks for sharing
Solid overview. I agree…I converted to the M12s after much research and really like them - I’m a dyi-er so I don’t need the heft of the 18V system.
Good to read a lot of these comments. I went with M12 only because I don’t do construction for a living but more maintenance oriented tasks with the occasional bigger job. I am very happy with the M12 line so far after a year and a half and I love the small size and portability. Milwaukee really knocked M12 out of the park in my opinion.
The tools are awesome, but I have to appreciate the Rolex Sub. Great watch!
I prefer m12 because I'm constantly working overhead and in tight places. Times where a more powerful drill is far and few for me. If majority of your work a lighter drill works, then I'd take the lighter drill. But slow-time versus lighter matters, depending on task.
M12 all the way. I have "18v" tools and I always grab for my m12 stuff first.
I totally agree. I have Ridgid tools that have done nothing but collect dust since I started getting M12. They do anything you want and I’m always needing to be mobile so M12 is a no brained. That being said I never need to do one task all day long like drill 500 holes or cut 300 2x4’s.
I have the m12fuel drill. You have it on setting one which it starts off slower on. When you put it higher in the clutch numbers or on drill it starts just as quick as the 18v
Thanks for the video. Im a DIYer and considering getting into the hvac trade. For now, im gonna go with the M12 fuel impact driver/hammer drill. And likely got with the m18 line for everything else including lights and accessories
I have both M18 & M12 devices. It’s like comparing 1 ton and 1/2 ton trucks, one is a heavy hauler and the other is an EDD - everyday day driver.
I have mostly M18, and some M12. I wish I had mostly M12 expect for the few examples in which the M18 is either clearly and vastly superior or is the only option (like the tire inflator and track saw respectively.) The good M12s are just amazing for the size and weight. My M12 Fuel Installation driver might be my favorite tool and I was going to get an M18 Surge impact driver, but now I’m just going to grab the M12, as it’s plenty of power, and just so amazingly small.
Given the usual M18 charger includes an M12 socket, I think Milwaukee is pushing for customers to use both systems. What you use for a task depends on what you need. I go with my 12V things where I don't need the brawn to get a tool that's easier to tote, and the batteries without the base make it even more compact. I rarely use the bigger square base batteries but I will probably start just so they're being used.
I went for many years with my 12V Bosch drivers and only went 18V for certain tasks.
Yeah there is nothing wrong with my m12 drills I have two one I've owed one for 4 years haven't run across anything it won't do from steel to concrete used the hell out of it one of my favorite tools.
Wow to have a M12 set on a clutch setting and say it was sluggish, most of our younger guys are on Milwaukee tools and struggle with M18’s too much power, I use M12’s all day every day. Less weight less cost winner.
I'm glad that I had a chance to get started with used tool because now I have milwaukee m12 m18 and dewalt and ridgid
Perhaps I'm late the conversation, but I just got an M12 Drill and Driver combo as my gateway into Milwaukee...funny how that works. Both start off with a rip at the touch of a button and have so much torque immediately. It's weening me off Dewalt, which was my first true battery op power tools (again drill/driver). Anything new from now on is M12 for me. Plenty of power, compact, and who doesn't like red?
I had all my tools stolen moving in the military but I recently decided to do all my tools in 12v OR look for 2nd handed corded tools
Yeah I have the m12 fuel hammer drill like that and it doesn't start as slow as the 1 you're showing. Yeah the m18 is definitely more powerful in the whole line up. But definitely if you're a diy person or homeowner special whatever you want to call it...lol. The M12 really will do just about everything you need to do.
Been looking for just this one answer forever. Thank you.
Would be very interested in an m12 vs m18 SDS-plus drill comparison/thoughts. Also interested if you have used the Milwaukee chuck adapter on an SDS-plus drill for standard drill bits and how you find that?
Gateway drug 😂😂 mine was the m18 impact wrench 😂😂 now I need intervention 😂
The new m12 gen 3 drill is crazy good now.
My m12 drill doesn’t start up slow like that, I have even used a hole saw on it and it almost broke my wrist
Yeah, my mistake. It starts up faster when in drill mode, not clutch mode. I'll do a followup video. But it is considerably slower across the board than my M18.
Thanks for the Drill info, exactly what I wanted to hear. 18 for sho
What are you using the m18 jig for that the m12 jig won’t do?
Odd I've never even noticed the m12 slow start till now. Must have in rush limit for some reason
An M12 Super Sawzall would be really interesting. Or even a M12 x2 for 24v and satisfying people with 20 small m12 batteries kicking around.
I wonder if the new generation of the hammer drill changes your mind on the m12 drill
I’m in the trades, I use both.
Hey @Last Best Tool I'm currently an M18 Milwaukee guy, but as my drill/impact set gets on in years, I've been thinking of going back to DeWalt. What do you think of DeWalt?
Both the M12 and M18 Hammer drills are not ment to compete with each other. I have both and use both for different jobs and tasks.
Your m18 drill is one generation newer than the m12 comparing to.(look at the chuck) As an electrician I run the m12 fuel 1/2” and if going m18, it’s gonna be hole hawg. Lol cheers!
The new m12 has the quick trigger.
M12 is really just diyer. I’m sorry. Almost everything I have is m12 besides my sawzall and hackzall. If an m12 tool doesn’t say fuel on it, it’s for dad and his garage.
The soft start up on the m12 fuel hammer drill, has a purpose in the lower settings. I can’t remember what it is, but I remember reading about it in the manual, and still forgetting about it when I got to my customer’s house and getting frustrated. I just turned it up, I think. It’s probably a beautiful benefit when starting screws, and that’s what you buy a small drill for.
Really helpful, ty
why is the sluggish afterthoughts setting on 1?
Thx for sharing
Like your videos Doc. 👍🇺🇸🧰🪛🗜⚙️🪓🔩🪚
I'm in the DEWALT line and I'm trying to switch over to the into the 12 volt If you talking your drill there sometimes it's better for to spin up slowly or you break bits if he is been up too fast on the smaller sizes
Send the m12 drill For warranty they will fix it
That M18 drill was my first cordless tool 🤣
Yo the m12 drill wrong sheeesshhh
Must be nice being rich lol.
Most of people owning these tools are hardworking trade people.
@@manjimbo9830 i own a lot of these but i have 30 years of DIY experience. I'm no expert but i am pretty proficient
It’s called (HARD WORK)
Just to be clear, I was just kidding around. From watching his vids regularly, he's obviously doing quite well in life, but I don't really think he's rich haha.
Either single or no kids
I think that the whole m12 line is overpriced and underpowered. I have 7 m18 fuel products...and love them all. I purchased a m12 cutoff--horrible..stopped and overheated constantly. This whole line was no doubt the brainchild of some 23 yr old MBA who knows nothing about tools. Milwaukee damages it's brand every time they sell one.