As you might recall, Milwaukee is coming out with a new M18 Fuel compact drill and hammer drill. The redesigned drill/drivers are built with brushless motors and look to be optimized for their RedLithium battery tech. Official specifications have finally been made available.
650 in-lbs of Torque
We’ve seen 650 in-lbs mentioned in Milwaukee’s official specification listings, but it can deliver up to 725 in-lbs of power if you pair it with a high capacity XC battery, which bests even Bosch’s newest offerings.
Advertisement
8.1″ Length and 4.5 lbs
This isn’t terribly compact or lightweight, but it does give Milwaukee a slight edge over the competition. In comparison, Bosch’s heavy duty hammer drill weighs in at 4.9 lbs, and Dewalt’s 20V Max premium version weighs 5.2 lbs.
Milwaukee Compact M18 Hammer Dill (2602-22) vs FUEL (2604-22CT)
Milwaukee’s current same-class non-Fuel M18 hammer drill can deliver 525 in-lbs of torque. It is also slightly longer at 8.5″ and a bit heavier at 4.9 lbs. Note that the 2602-22 is weighed with an XC extended-capacity battery, and the 2604-22CT a compact M18 battery.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hammer Drill Full Specs
- 650 in lbs torque
- 2-speed gearbox 0-550 / 0-1,850 RPM
- hammer mode 31,450 BPM
- 1/2″ metal single sleeve ratcheting chuck
- 8.1 in length
- 4.5 lbs weight (with compact battery)
- 5.0 lbs weight (with XC battery)
- on-board fuel gauge
- LED work light
- 2604-22CT kit includes 2 M18 compact RedLithium batteries
- also include 30-minute M18/M12 multi-voltage charger
- (unconfirmed) 22 clutch settings
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
The 2-battery kit typically runs about $249.
Peter A
Regarding the torque rating. I have come to realize that what the manufacturer claims and what is reality are usually much different. I own both the Bosch DDS181 and the Dewalt DCD785. The Bosch is rated at having the higher torque value of the 2 drivers yet the Dewalt in any situation I have put it in has always preformed the same task faster and with less trouble.
Stuart
I completely agree with you. Although torque ratings are supposed to be standardized as a way to compare drill/drivers, I find it hard to rely on numbers these days. Things like over-current protection can muddy things as well.
Head to head comparisons can be misleading as well, making it difficult to determine if one tool is absolutely better than another. I’ve seen tests where one drill leads the pack when used with certain bits and trails behind with others.
Joe
Looks like dewalt has all these companies running scared check out the rubber overmold looks similiar to dewalt
Stuart
Possibly. The big push these days is towards improved ergonomics and user comfort. We’re at a point where increasing torque for the sake of claiming best in-class power just isn’t a primary R&D concern anymore.
I wouldn’t blame them if Milwaukee engineers were inspired by Dewalt’s 20V Max tools. The new Dewalt pistol-grip designs are fantastically comfortable!
Harold
I have to completely agree with you regarding the Dewalt 20V tools in terms of their ergonomics, balance, and grip. I’ve been really impressed so far with my impact driver/hammer drill set.
David
Holding a Makita and a new 20V MAX DeWalt side by side … I would still have to say the Makita is more comfortable to use, although DeWalt has come a long way.
fred
Torque delivery is also a function of being able to hold onto the tool as it tries to break your wrist, I always get a chuckle out of folks who try to use a cordless tool or even a corded tool with a wimpy side handle to drill a pipe clearance hole with a big self-feed bit. I realize that cordless tools have come a long way – but an 18V hammer drill is not the equivalent of a big corded rotohammer which can’t compete with a pneumatic jackhammer which is not the equal of a hoe-ram and so on
Blair
@ Fred, if I had a dollar for every time I have seen some guy try to mix, drill, Etc., without even using the side handle, then getting the bad surprise……well, you know!
Peter42
Makita is part of the Power Tool Institute, which tests power tools fairly. It seems all of the companies came together to agree that the PTI standards of testing were fair, but no other company will allow published testing results of their tools. I find the muddy water of specs on power tools to be a joke at this point. Each company claiming 100in/lbs more with each new tool release.
Stuart
I agree – unless an objective 3rd party is the one publishing torque ratings, I take the claims with a grain of salt.
With how complex cordless power tools have become, torque ratings mean less and less. In a tool test a couple of months ago, a tool with a higher torque rating conked out sooner than one with a lower rating after its current-overdraw protection kicked in and powered the tool down. The lower-torque-rated tool finished the job quicker and easier.
wyeaton3
I find that DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee are all pretty reliable tools. In my experience people with complaints don’t understand how to use there tools or expect a cordless drill to do everything. I like the 20v max grip its extremely comfortable, Makita batteries charge super fast and the tools just last. Milwaukee is heavy duty like they say, they take a beating and perform the same.
Gary
I bout the 2604 withthe XC batteries (I believe 2604-22). Great drill no doubt. But when I got it, the chuck did not look like the one we all have been seeing. I was worried I got dupped by maybe some gray market crap, even though I got it from a big box store. So I emailed the pics to milwaukee what I got, and they responded :
“Thank You for your recent purchase. As a valued Milwaukee customer we appreciate your support of the Milwaukee brand. Our website photos of the 2604-20 M18 UEL Hammer-Driver/Drill are not representative of actual production – the keyless chuck you received on your 2604-20 is the chuck from current production.
Again, thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you. If we can be of any further service please let me know.
Corby Garb – After-Sales Service — Technical Support”
Now, even on the owners manual and the package front the chuck looked just like the ones you see on the website. Now, what is the difference??? The chuck looks much like my 2602 Hammerdrill one? But finally, I did see this chuck in some Milwaukee Ads….in the video above, you can see the chuck…fast foward to 1:36. Stll am curious why they would not depict the actual tool correctly on everything else???
John
You’re lucky, I have both chucks. The one you have is much better. The one on their site couldn’t hold a 1/2″ bit for more than a hole or two.
Joe
The truth is you don’t need all that torque with impact drivers delivering massive torque without twisting your arm off there is no need for anymore then 400lbs to 500lbs of torque.
Toolfella
True, you do not need all the extra torque 95% of the time. However, let me explain it another way. The reason being for all the extra torque is nice to have. Look at a vehicle for example. If you run the vehicle in the red all day every day your vehicle just isn’t going to last. If you have the extra gap in torque between general use and maxed out rating your tool is going to last longer, period. Milwaukee lasts. Dewalt and Makita’s new product don’t even hang.
John
Drilling a 3/4″ hole in SS with a drill with less than 500 in/lbs of torque. It is almost impossible. Not everyone drills large diameter holes in steel but torque is critical for guys like me. Dewalt’s DCD985 couldn’t make a single hole for example.