Milwaukee Tools has slated the Milwaukee M12 Fuel series for a release in February 2013. These tools, which are an expansion of the already popular M18 Fuel series, not only feature brushless motors and other upgrades to the internal mechanics of the tool, but will be accompanied by the release of M12 REDLITHIUM batteries in new 2.0 Ah and 4.0 Ah capacities. These new features will combine to make a tool with significantly more run time, power, and torque that Milwaukee hopes will be able to compete with other brands’ 18V compact tools.
How the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Stacks Up
The Milwaukee M12 Fuel ½” Drill/Driver Kit 2403-22 features 350 in-lbs. of torque with a max RPM of 1700, and comes with one REDLITHIUM 4.0 XC battery and one REDLITHIUM 2.0 CP battery. In comparison, the Bosch DD180-02 has 400 in-lbs of torque and 1700 max RPM, but it only comes with two 1.3 Ah batteries, which would give the tool a significantly lower run time than the Milwaukee M12 Fuel. The M12 Fuel is also a smaller and lighter tool with a redesigned handgrip to increase comfort and reduce fatigue. There is almost no price difference between the two tools, so from all the evidence I collected the Milwaukee M12 Fuel seems to be far and away the better bang for your buck. You will find a pretty similar story vs other pro brand compact 18v kits from Dewalt, Hitachi, Makita and their own Milwaukee compact 18v kits.
Milwaukee M12 Fuel Tools Available
Along with the drill/driver, the Milwaukee M12 Fuel line will feature a 2-speed screwdriver, a hammer drill/driver, an impact driver, as well as 1/4” and 3/8” impact wrenches. As stated above, the anticipated launch is in February, but you can pre-order any of these tools from Ohio Power Tool today if you want to be sure to get one as soon as possible.
As always, if you have any questions about the M12 Fuel tools, Milwaukee, or any other power tool, you can call a pro at (800) 242-4424 and Ohio Power Tool will take care of you.