In 2013, Milwaukee brought its brushless technology to the M12 line, creating the M12 Fuel – a product line that uses compact 12V batteries in tools that are powered by a brushless motor. Doug Mahoney wrote about the initial product release, which was an M12 Fuel Drill/ Driver. Scott Dornbush did an extensive review of the tool, along with an M12 Fuel Impact Driver. A new generation of the tools is set to be released this January, which Milwaukee says includes its most compact versions to date. I saw them this past year at the media event, and it was immediately obvious that this new batch of tools is impressively compact.
There are three new M12 Fuel sub-compact options available: a drill/driver, a hammer drill, and a ¼-inch hex impact driver.
M12 Fuel Drill/Driver and Hammer Drill: The drill/driver and hammer drill both feature an all-metal ½-inch clutch. Their brushless motors run up to 1,700 rpm and deliver 350 in.-lb. of torque (peak). Both drills weigh 2.8 pounds with a battery. The drill/drivers are 1 inch shorter than previous generations.
M12 Fuel ¼-inch Impact DriverThe impact driver also features a brushless motor that runs up to 3,300 rpm and delivers 1, 300 in.-lb. of torque. Four modes offer added control, depending upon the application. Mode 1 allows for greater precision, keeping the rpm between 0 and 1,200. Mode 2 is meant to prevent snapping heads and stripping screws by maintaining 0 to 2,400 rpm. Mode 3, which Milwaukee calls “performance,” runs at the full 0-3,300 rpm. A new “Self-Tapping” mode does three things. To start the screw, it spins it up to 3,300 rpm. Once the threads engage, it lowers the rpm to max out at 2,400. As the screw tightens, the driver slows further to 800 rpm to reduce stripping.
SPECS:
M12 Fuel 1/2" Drill Driver (2503-22)
- RPM: 0-1,700
- 350 in.-lb. of peak torque
- ½” all-metal chuck (included)
- Length: 6.6”
- Weight (w/ battery): 2.8 lb.
- Cost: $170 (Kit) $120 (bare tool: 2503-20)
- Kit includes: M12 Fuel 1/2" Drill Driver, M12 Redlithium 2.0 Compact Battery Pack, M12 Redlithium XC4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack, Charger, Belt Clip and Carrying Case
M12 Fuel 1/2" Hammer Drill (2504-22)
- RPM: 0-1,700
- 350 in-lb. of peak torque
- ½” all-metal chuck (included)
- BPM: 25,500
- Length: 6.6”
- Weight (w/ battery): 2.8 lb.
- Cost: $180 (Kit) $130 (bare tool: 2504-20)
- Kit Includes: M12 Fuel 1/2" Hammer Drill, M12 Redlithium 2.0 Compact Battery Pack, M12 Redlithium XC4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack, Charger, Belt Clip and Carrying Case
M12 Fuel 1/4" Hex Impact Driver (2553-22)
- 1,300 in.-lb. of torque
- RPM: 0-3,300
- IPM: 0-4,000
- 4-Mode Drive Control
- Length: 5.1”
- Weight (w/ battery): 1.76lbs
- Single-handed bit insertion
- Cost: $180 (Kit) $120 (Bare Tool: 2553-20)
Kit Includes: M12 Fuel 1/4” Hex Impact Driver, (2) M12™ Redlithium 2.0 Compact Battery Pack, Charger, Belt Clip and Carrying Case
M12 Fuel 2-Tool Combo Kits will be available as well:1/2" Drill Driver and 1/4" Hex Impact Driver (model 2596-22) Cost: $230
- M12 Fuel 1/2" Drill Driver (Bare Tool) (2503-20)
- M12 Fuel 1/4" Hex Impact Driver (Bare Tool) (2553-20)
- M12 Redlithium Compact Battery Pack
- M12 Redlithium XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack
- Belt Clips
- Charger
- Contractor Bag
1/2" Hammer Drill and 1/4" Hex Impact Driver (Model 2598-22) Cost: $230
- M12 Fuel 1/2" Hammer Drill- Bare Tool (2504-20)
- M12 Fuel 1/4" Hex Impact Driver (Bare Tool) (2553-20)
- M12 Redlithium Compact Battery Pack
- M12 Redlithium XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack
- Belt Clips
- Charger
- Contractor Bag
This article originally appeared in Tools of the Trade.
