[Closed] Milwaukee power tools - M12 or M18

I don't know about the radio but with impact drivers, more power(torque really) is better.

You are more likely to switch batteries between drills and impact wrenches or other tools that with a radio I would have thought

I have an M18 drill and driver. The driver is really too powerful for PZ2 screws. It doesn't have much in the way of modulation and shatters the driver bit quite often (currently using deWalt bits. Maybe others would be stronger). Much prefer my Bosch 12v driver for smaller screws, even if it is a bit slower. If you could get a driver with adjustable torque that might be a good bet.

Radio might as well match whatever battery platform his other tools are.

From reviews I've read, the M12 Fuel series is pretty powerful for its size and might match other 18v tools. Depending on how heavy his work is I'd tend towards M12 for the driver.

A stocking filler too, brilliantly handy bit of kit -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B081QJ9YM9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry - hadn't realised you couldn't modulate the driver. Do what he ^^^ said

It does have modulation, but it's very sensitive so feels quite binary. Bit like jumping on Shimano 4 pot brakes if you've been used to Hope mono minis all your life 😉

I have a couple of pro mates who use the Milwaukee 12v stuff - it's really amazing how light get powerful it is. For everything except v heavy duty jobs it's more than enough imo.

More power is usually better but for taking doors off and the like and 12v impact driver will be plenty powerful. It'll be a nice light tool too. No idea about radios but I do agree that the same battery would sensible. In your situation I'd go for M12. There's some other nice tools in that range to add in later as well

spot on, 12v it is then, i'll go looking at some of the different models and see if i can find one thats a good balance of efficiency and value.

thanks for your help.

spot on, 12v it is then, i'll go looking at some of the different models and see if i can find a radio and driver that're a good balance of efficiency and value.

thanks for your help.

nah everyone knows you need MOOOOOORRRRRRRRREEE POOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWEEEEERRRRRRRR.

ive got the M18, and yes it's a bit agricultural but you can conrol it.

I've got both M12 & M18.

M12 is great for specialist tools and is very powerful and capable. The 6ah battery makes a big difference and powertoolmate.co.uk were doing them for £40 a while ago.

I only get the M18 out for big jobs like impacting coach bolts or big hole hawg holes, which aren't applicable to decorator trades.

Start on M12, but get the bigger batteries. Go M18 if needed later. Oh, buy the dual charger to cover this eventuality.

Love my Milwaukee gear!

I needed a drill and the M18 brushless twinpack was on offer. So I also have an impact driver, and can confirm that it's 'kin powerful! Not sure what you're supposed to use it for, is it for slamming down acres of decking and that's it? I used to use it on the car for spinning off the wheels until it shattered two socket adapters, so I stopped that. Yet to find a use for it.

Also, site radios are the spawn of the devil. I don't work on building sites but I have worked in private houses that are being done up in some way and the guys have got some obnoxiously loud site radio tuned to an obnoxious commercial station that is merely adding to the overall cacophony of shouting/SDS drills/routers etc. What is the bloody point? It must be an audio arms-race on a building site with every tradesman whacking out Shithead FM dawn till dusk. Mind you, if they're all tuned to the same station...

🙂

As others have said 12v will be fine for that. I also have the radio and it is also fine, Bluetooth, usb, and charges the batteries so saves getting the charger out too!

then he realised an impact driver would also be helpful as he takes a lot of doors off and back on again.

Unless they're solid oak he really doesn't need any torque at all. Most modern doors are not much more than compressed cardboard and I would have throught stripping the threads in the hole is the biggest risk. Our office fire doors were endlessly falling off their hinges as the material wasn't solid enough to hold the screws.

I have M18 drill, impact, radio and other bits. I’m not a trade but into major diy / renovation.
I’m sure either are good, but agree it’s best to go with one battery type. I’ve seldom used the impact driver as the drill is so powerful and controllable. m18 impact is defo the wrong tool for taking doors off, too much power.
DAB radio is superb sound and can go quite loud.
All in great kit but it is heavy.

If you go M18 for an impact , make sure you get one with different torque settings (one key is better as you can set them on an app)
M12 should be good enough , my lads use the M12 impact wrenches on bolts up to M12 now. Very powerful and with a 6ah battery up it’s arse will last most of the day 😉

Recently replaced a dead 10v Stanley with a 12v Milwaukee screwdriver. Main difference is the screwdriver has adjustable torque where and impact gun just spins and wacks. Bin use it is an impact gun with a torque setting. Much more useful for driving screws into different materials especially if the holes already exist.

As for radio, if it can be plugged in to also use as a charger (and charges usb) then go for it. If not then why bother with a system radio and go for whatever Anker speaker is on offer. Usually have enough battery for 2-3 days continuous use and some are even wet resistant.