Milwaukee M12 Tools

[walhondingnashua]

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.

 

[Gearhead660]

I have some M12 tools, got them around 10 years ago. Got the stick light, hex driver, drill, impact. Still have the batteries from 10 years ago. I found the impact lacking in power, but the hex driver and drill work well. I added some 3.0 and 4.0 ah batteries. Would suggest getting some of those. They work great for homeowner tasks. Wouldn't suggest for construction/heavy use.

 

[Duds13]

Take a look at the Ridgid line. If you register them they will have a lifetime service agreement which means lifetime replacement batteries and tools. I recently had 18-20 year old batteries replaced as well as an 18V drill, no questions asked.

 

[GG Woody]

I have many M12 tools, they are all light and compact. I have the bandsaw, impact, plumb laser, 3/8 stubby impact, rachet and probably many more, they are all great, super handy. Are any of them super powerful? Not really, they are super compact. I have lots of M18 for the bigger stuff. The M12 must be good because I keep buying it, I must have bought my first M12 in 2008? but I bought the M12 to compliment the 18 volt stuff.
The M12 bandsaw is awesome for cutting down anything under 1.5", I find myself using it lots to whack things down in length. It's not deep throat but probably my favorite.
The bigger batteries (xc?) sure help with power.

 

[coal and wood man]

I have the 2 drills, circular saw, and hack saw. Not the most powerful but they are light and small and very good when in a cramped area. Put a metal roof on my garage a few years ago (30 X 40 feet in size) and used the drills and kept rotating 3 batteries. Never had to wait for a charge. The move power hungry tools like the circular saw run out a charge fast but with extra batteries I can keep working.

 

[walhondingnashua]

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.

 

[ozarkoak]

I have the m12 90 degree grinder, and 1/2, 3/8 ratchets. Along with a rather large assortment of m18 tools. M12 tools are great for what they are. They dont get used all the time but when they do they save a ton of time. Dewalt is great but for farm and automotive the Milwaukee lineup is better for me.

 

[hedge wood]

The only M12 tool I have is the Pex expander have had it for about seven years and its been great. I have just completed a complete change over from Dewalt 18 V tools which had served me well to Milwaukee M18 tools I should have done it sooner I really like the M18 line up.