A few months ago, we saw several comments and emails mentioning a new line of Hilti 12V compact cordless power tools. Thanks everyone for the heads-up!
At the time, I had been waiting for more details to come out, or more vendors to start carrying the new combo, but there weren’t any new developments, and so the post ended up backburnered. Sorry guys!
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A press release came out recently, jogging my memory of the new lineup and tools.
First off, Hilti direct offers the best pricing on a new combo kit. It comes with a hammer drill, impact driver, and screwdriver, for $299. The only other place I could find this combo was on Amazon, where a 3rd party seller has marked up the price considerably. There are also individual kits and smaller kits available.
So if you want to give these tools a shot, you should go straight to Hilti.
So why should you care that Hilti came out with a new 12V cordless power tool lineup?
Hilti tools have a reputation of being tough and powerful. I’ve never used any Hilti tools, and have the impression that they’re generally best designed for masonry applications, but they do offer 18V versions of popular construction staples, such as drills, drivers, saws, and a grinder. And of course rotary hammers.
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Here are their words about the new lineup:
Hilti has launched its smallest and lightest range of cordless tools to help customers reach new levels of productivity, control and accessibility in everyday light-duty drilling and screwdriving applications.
The new tools were also designed for working in tight spaces, dark corners, and occupied spaces where noise level is a concern.
They come standard with a 2.6Ah Li-ion battery pack, each with a 4 LED fuel gauge.
There are only 3 tools released into the lineup so far:
Hammer Drill/Driver SF 2H-A: The new compact hammer drill can drill with a speed of up to 1500 RPM, and can deliver up to 212 in-lbs of fastener-driving torque.
Price: $179 for the 2-battery kit
Cordless Screwdriver SFD 2-A: The screwdriver has a 15-position torque clutch, and can also deliver up to 212 in-lbs of torque.
Price: $169 for the 2-battery kit
Impact Driver SID 2-A: Said to be ideal for driving self-drilling metal screws, smaller diameter concrete screw anchors, and wood screws, the new compact impact driver can deliver up to 973 in-lbs of torque.
Price: $179 for the 2-battery kit
Kit Options
In addition to the standalone kits, there are several different combo kits. Hilti also offers a kit option where the tools come with a 12V to 18V battery charger adapter, instead of the 12V battery charger, and it lets their 12V batteries be charged by a Hilti 18V or 36V charger. That might be a better way to go if you already bought into Hilti’s 18V lineup.
Expansion?
Your guess is as good as mine. It would be nice to see Hilti come out with some other masonry-work-focused tools, such as a compact rotary hammer, and a bandsaw for cutting rebar. If Milwaukee can do it – they offer an M12 brushed motor rotary hammer and an M12 Fuel brushless rotary hammer – surely Hilti should be able to.
List Price: $299 for the 3-tool combo
Buy Now(Combo via Amazon)
Buy Now(Combo via Hilti)
Promo Video:
Robert
I believe when this kit was introduced last fall they had a $239 price. This still seems pretty good.
Stuart
That kind of sounds familiar, but I can’t find mention if it in my inbox. I’ll try to check again later.
Amazon sells Hilti tools directly, but not any of these (yet?). I assume the inflated price listing is from individuals that bought many of the combos at the promo pricing.
rhyino
You are correct, the intro price was 239 for a few weeks
Milwaukee tool Steve
the price isn’t to bad if you really consider it.
Larson
Very true, for Hilti not a bad price at all. For most I think there’s too many in that class with more tools but if you just need some drivers it might be hard to buy the Dewalt or Makita when comparing to these for a little extra $$
Blythe M
I don’t understand why makita, dewalt, and now hilti use a slide pack for their 12v line. I love that my Bosch 12v drill and impact can fit in the hammer loops on my tool belt, which is so nice when you’re up and down a ladder. In that situation I want light weight and easy carry- aka 12v
Dacan
That was my first thought also. The M12 drills are nice and compact with the non-XC battery. But if the smallest battery is 2.6ah they might of figured go with slide instead of using the more exp batteries to get that runtime in a 12v.
Jon
The reason is because the stem packs require that the handle of the tool is a certain minimum diameter. It turns out a skinnier handle is far more ergonomically comfortable and so while it might not fit in your belt hole any more it fits much better in the users hand.
This is the same reason that 18 volt packs changed from stem packs to slide packs years ago. Makita first developed the slide pack (presumably to fit Japanese peoples more slender hands) and it caught on across the entire industry as the better solution.
Jason
When Milwaukee redesigned the Brushed M12 tools and launched M12 Fuel line they tried to slip the grip up as much as possible. I do like how compact the M12 stem pack tools are though.
Mike
To be honest why would you go with a 12 volt system when 18/20 volt systems are almost as compact with a lot more power, I always said when you go squirrel hunting go loaded for grizzly
Buddy
12v is wayyyy easier to carry on your hip all day long.
Guy
What he said^^^^
Matt
I believe they entered the game at the wrong stage and although the price may be attractive the features are lacking.
– brushed motors
– 212 in lbs? For a 12v hammer drill u find this(underestimated?) number to be unappealing with brushed milwaukees and bosch guns coming in at over 250 and which have also been on the market for years
– collet isnt one handed magnetic quick load
– system is lacking supplemental tools and although new to the game, in my opinion, when youre entering a market such as this, bring your A game.
Joe323
Even tho the Milwaukee 12v in particular have a little more power, I have been looking at the hilti, and makita also, as I have a hilti store near me. The Hilti ergonomics and build quality are legitimately way better, and the location of the LEDS (lower) provides much better light. Also, the hilti has hammer function on its 12v drill for light masonry drilling. Makita only recently came out with a 12v hammer drill. It is pricey, however, and not avail in a combo kit as of Nov 2017. The makita is a close 2nd but for me the Hilti set is looking real good. I have had one of their 1/2 in corded drills (not very expensive) for a while and it has been great.
Larson
Stuart,
Speaking of new tools (apologize if I missed the posts) a few I’ve been waiting to hear about is the Dewalt backpack leaf blower and the Milwaukee 18v hammer but the D-handle instead of the short ones like they had
Chris Fyfe
I handled one , appear to be nice units . These little guys are made in China , hence the price .
I would try one , but I don’t want to introduce another platform .
Chris
Mik
If the cordless line is as tough and durable as the powder actuated and corded lines then they’ll have a winner.
Chris Butigan
They arrived too late at the party…
Rob
For the naysayers: I really haven’t come across any Dewalt, Makita or Mikwaukee trucks, headed toward jobsites for their deliveries. 😉
The risiculously low price does have me a bit spooked, though.
Rob
“risiculously” :0
Dave
For the next couple of months the 3 pc kits are priced at $249 and individual tools are $159. The tools and batteries are Guarenteed for two years against any kind of failure so you can’t go wrong at this price.