Over at Home Depot, you can pick up a five-piece Milwaukee M12 cordless power tool combo kit, 2498-25, for $199 with free shipping.
The kit includes the standard M12 drill and impact driver, along with a Hackzall compact reciprocating saw, 3/8″ ratchet, and an LED* work light as well as two 1.5Ah batteries, charger, and a carrying bag.
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* Update: Home Depot has confirmed that you get the 49-24-0146 LED worklight with this combo kit.
All of the tools are the brushed, non-Fuel models but this is a good set nonetheless for your average DIYers, weekend warriors, homeowners or just as an extra kit for the truck or elsewhere around the house.
Friends — and even random people on Twitter — often ask me to recommend a good “beginner” drill set, and 99 percent of the time, I steer them toward Milwaukee’s M12 line. It’s a strong platform, and while it doesn’t have as many options as, say Ryobi’s ever-growing and budget-friendly ONE+ 18V line, the main tools that an average user will need are not only readily available, but also competitively-priced.
I was actually in that very same boat. I had started out with Craftsman’s C3 drill/impact combo kit and later added the heavy-duty drill (a tool which, by the way, I really, really liked) and then got it in my head that I needed a 12V set for “everyday tasks.” I ordered the Ridgid set on a one-day deal from Home Depot and a day after they arrived, I happened to see the M12 kit still on the shelf, complete with the bonus third XC battery.
I ran home, grabbed the Ridgid, went back to do the exchange and was hooked ever since. I eventually added the M12 jigsaw, hackzall and Fuel circular saw to my arsenal, and those tools accounted for a good 75% of my use. I sold the drill and driver kit last year and upgraded to the Fuel version, which remains my go-to choice unless I’m working with larger fasteners that need the M18 Fuel boost.
In and of itself, it’s probably not a run-to-the-store-right-now kind of deal, and advanced tool users probably won’t see much of a need for this set. But it’s worth mentioning since, if you’re anything like me, you have no idea what to get for the various weddings and housewarmings on your schedule this summer. A good set of power tools is a strong — and often overlooked — gift idea, especially at $199.
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Price: $199 with free shipping
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The deal is only available online, and is said to valid thru July 30th, 2018.
fred
The price and purported discount look appealing but I’d be a bit conflicted about recommending this kit. Maybe its a good starter kit – but I’d be looking at the other HD special buy M12 kits as possible alternatives.
The Drill and Impact driver – while not the Fuel (brushless) versions are quite serviceable tools.
The 2457-20 ratchet seems like a nice tool.
The Hackzall is really wimpy. Our guys loved them – but just for cutting out plastic pipe in contorted locations. They found it useful for that – but with its short stroke and wimpy motor it was useless for much else. It got replaced once the M18 version came along.
I guess that the flashlight is OK as part of a bundle – but I thought that it is the older 49-24-0145 – not the LED one.
The included batteries are the 1.5Ah variety – while some other kits come with more capable batteries.
If you only really need the drill and driver – HD sells a $149 kit with one 2Ah battery and charger. buying a second 2Ah battery would add $49. With the same spend, you would get the 2 essential tools – more capable batteries – but lose the nice ratchet, wimpy Hackzall and just-OK flashlight.
Stuart
The product description mentions the 49-24-0145, but they also say “LED worklight” a few times, and when looking at the 360° of the flashlight, it appears to have a surface-mount LED emitter.
fred
LED does make the deal better
BTW – one of my favorite M12 tools is the very easy to control power screwdriver:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-1-4-in-Hex-Screwdriver-Tool-Only-2401-20/202196516
TonyT
I love pocket drivers, but the manufacturers don’t seem to push them. The kits almost always have drill/drive and impact driver, not pocket driver (only exception I’ve seen is Bosch’s CLPK27-120, which is what I bought, but M12 line such as the 2401 was a close second).
I’ve also yet to see a 18/20V pocket driver….battery is probably too big. Anyway, I love the combo of compact size, adjustable clutch, and standard battery.
Michaelhammer
I agree with you wholly. My two cents; that driver is fantastic. Very often the homes I’m working in are occupied, sometimes with small children (including my own) and an impact driver is to obnoxious. Plus it hurts my own ears. I use the screw driver now and everyone is happy.
Benjamen
I’ve actually used the short stroke to my advantage. There have been a few times I couldn’t get a Sawzall to work in a really tight space because there was no room for the longer stroke, but was able to complete the task with the old Hackzall.
fred
Sort of like using an “imp” tubing cutter for close quarters work where a longer cutter would not be able to swing.
Stuart
I’m told that the included worklight is the 49-24-0146 LED worklight.
KeithInKC
I actually picked this kit up last year in November. It’s a fine kit for homeowner use and that’s exactly what I do with it.
Being less powerful has advantages. My son was able to use that hackzall on a few projects that involved cutting some pvc pipe and I didn’t worry about it getting away from him. The drill hasn’t been used yet, but the driver does get some attention for hanging picture frames, light switches, wall outlets, etc. Basically anything that needs a lighter touch. The light is kind of weak, but with a 3aH battery in it, the light has a nice stable base due to the larger battery and I use it where I can set it down and aim a it like a mini work light.
I did actually use the driver at a job where I was replacing almost every light swtich and outlet in a house. Those screws are so long and have such fine threads, that it saved my wrist a lot of pain while not being so overpowered that I was stripping screws.
It’s a good kit for home use.
Evadman
The description is confusing, there is a comment from Milwaukee on the product page, repeated below. Note that the comment refers to item 2498-24, but the item on the web page is 2498-25. It looks like home depot copied over the comments and such from an old item number. Who knows what you will get since I can’t find anything that matches. If you really want a LED light with this kit, you may end up having to return it.
Milwalkee’s Comment:
The 2498-24 Milwaukee® M12™ Cordless LITHIUM-ION 4-Tool Combo Kit does not include belt clips for the impact driver or drill/driver. The flashlight uses a standard Xenon incandescent bulb. If interested in a LED flashlight, we offer the 49-24-0146 Milwaukee® M12™ 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless LED Work Light which is available online at HomeDepot.com. Also available on HomeDepot.com are the 2453-20 and 2402-20 Milwaukee M12® FUEL™ 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver and 1/2″ Drill/Driver, both with belt clips.
I did check ont he old item number, and it still exists online in a few places. For example, CPO has the 2498-24 here, which does not have the ratchet: https://www.cpomilwaukee.com/milwaukee-2498-24-m12-12v-cordless-lithium-ion-4-tool-combo-kit/miln2498-24,default,pd.html
The item number on the flashlight from the old 2498-24 kit (49-24-0146) is a LED light: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Lighting/Handheld-Lights/49-24-0146
The item number for the flashlight on the new 2498-25 kit (49-24-0145) comes up as non-led (xenon): https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Lighting/Handheld-Lights/49-24-0145
That means Milwaukee’s comment was incorrect on the 2498-24 (the light was LED) but on the 2498-25, it is correct since the light is not an LED. This is going based on the item numbers of the tools in the kit listed in the description, so it is entirely possible that HD made another mistake on the descriptions when they apparently merged the web page for 2498-24 into 2498-25.
I wonder if all 5 tools and charger with actually fit in that tool bag. If so, it may be worth it for a ‘grab and go’ tool bag that can be grabbed if you don’t want to hunt around for a set of tools. I’m considering it for that reason.
Stuart
Home Depot syndicates reviews, and presumably questions and comments as well.
I was going by the current description and perhaps more importantly, the product image.
https://www.thdstatic.com/spin/79/202043579/DAXSPIN_Milwaukee_202043579__M1212-VoltLithium-IonCordlessLEDWorkLightTool-Only_R04_C18.jpg
Hmm. But they’re showing 2 different worklights.
The top photo shows one work light, but the “kit includes” photo shows the LED worklight.
BUT it could be that the the “group image” is inaccurate. Or the model number they give for the worklight.
I’ll try to get an answer on this.
Stuart
Emailed our contacts at Milwaukee and Home Depot, and also updated the post.
At this time, further investigation confused the matter further.
The image I had been looking at references SKU 202043579 in the URL, which is for the LED version of the worklight.
Either there is a mistake in how the product page images and description was compiled, or there was a chance not reflected in the group image and part of the description.
Hopefully we’ll know soon, but a question like this will have to pass through multiple people, and it’s a holiday week.
Evadman
Thank you for finding out that it is the LED version. I ordered a set to use as a ‘grab and go’ set. Can’t really be beaten for the cost.
Flotsam
I bought this set last year when it was essentially the same except no flashlight. To be honest I had been in the market for the ratchet itself which was $150 by itself with a battery pack & charger not having any M12 tools prior. It has been quite worth it.
I have used the Hackzall quite a bit and in the close quarters trim type work it has worked well. No complaints.
The ratchet has been great, no rusted nut busting torque but it has been more than adequate.
The drill and driver have been a nice bonus. I find i used them for daily household tasks and they are quite compact.
rick
This is actually a nice bit of kit. Having all the pieces (except the flashlight) and also having the fuel saw /impact/ hammerdrill, It is worth having, but I don’t know about having all the pieces. How often will a homeowner generally need a 3/8th ratchet?It doesn’t come with any sockets, so you still need those, and for the few times you do need to use the sockets, a regular ratchet usually works just fine.
As for the sawzall, it is anemic by todays standards, but its really the short stroke that hurts it the most for general around the yard and house use. It makes it somewhat slow for pruning trees, and somewhat too short of a stroke to take advantage of the larger more aggressive blades You want to preferably get the special blades made for these saws (but are often NOT carried at the big box stores).
Even the fuel version, suffers from the similar short stroke.
Run times on the non brushed versions are fine for the drill and impact gun. But there is a pretty large performance hit. Driving 3″ deck screws is no problem for the fuel (still slower than a 10 year old ridgid impact brushed) but can be very very slow or impossible for the non fuel m12.
The slow speed is good for cabinet work, and wont exhaust your 1.5a batteries.
Joe
Cordless framing tools ,all Flexvolt, nothing else close. 12v Tools all M12 have the whole the line, all fuel ,except where not available……but…..I do not recommend m12 for DIY ,first time buyers….much much better deals from Ryobi , you’ll get more tools,bigger batteries and a huge line of tools….much better bang for your buck ,especially at holidays.
M12 ,non fuel older versions like these are not more powerful,or longer lasting , or more durable,then Ryobi cordless tools…..my company still has some Ryobi tools a dozen years old working strong still….
For advanced DIY I’d say m12 fuel……
fred
It’s always nice to have the right tool for the job. In 2014 My wife had a batch of landscaping structure projects in laid out for me to make happen. Not wanting to borrow a engine driven compressor (too far from the house to trail extension cords or air hoses ) for my pneumatic impact wrench – I looked over the options and bought a Milwaukee 2765-20 – that sports a 7/16 hex drive. I ended up using it for lots like: drilling clearance holes with 7/16 hex shank auger bits; driving big lags and driving construction screws.
The tool would have no place in my woodshop – where I like the 2401-20 that I posted a link to above.
Vic
Just purchased 3 of these set recently. I’m sure the flashlight is LED one. Don’t need confirmation from HD. I CONFIRMED.
bob
When I see a flashlight in a combo kit, I stop looking.
Joe D
So I’m guessing this set isn’t available anymore?
Stuart
Sorry, it looks like it sold out very recently, maybe earlier today or yesterday.
Joe
You have missed the boat on similar deal i found off amazon- 5 pieces all the same except for ratchet and that one comes with multitool. Sameeeee price
omar kabbara
When will this item be in stock again
Stuart
Home Depot looks to have sold out for this year, but some other retailer still have it in stock.
Tool Nut: $199 Deal Price
Will Dixon
Is there anyway I can please still order this?
I would be very grateful if I could please please please.
Stuart
Unfortunately, every retailer I checked just now is sold out of this kit. It is unlikely for it to be quickly restocked, or if it is, it probably wouldn’t be this same price.
Will Dixon
Do you know any where else I can find this kit?
L3
Grainger has what appears to be the same kit with a different number for $269
https://www.grainger.com/product/MILWAUKEE-M12-TM-349VG1