I don’t remember where it was asked (sorry!), but a reader brought a new Milwaukee M12 cordless power tool bundle deal to my attention, and asked if it was a good deal. Over at Home Depot, they have the 2494-22 M12 cordless drill and impact driver combo kit, bundled with 2 additional 1.5Ah batteries, for $129.
The Milwaukee M12 cordless drill and impact kit usually sells for $129 by itself. So for this bundle to include 2 more batteries at no added cost does make it a good bargain.
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But… the M12 cordless combo kit regularly drops to $99 during holiday shopping season, such as around Christmas and Father’s Day.
So, with this deal, you’re spending $30 more than the regular lowest price, but getting two bonus batteries. If you want to buy this deal NOW, this is a hard deal to beat. If you can wait, the $99 promo price is better.
Existing Milwaukee users can always use more battery packs as their tool collection expands. But, many existing Milwaukee tool users will already have a drill and impact driver, maybe even the brushless versions. However, with this kit as it is, you get (4) M12 Li-ion batteries, another charger, a carrying bag, and of course the cordless drill and impact driver, both of which are considered to be good tools.
Quite frankly, I’m not quite sure how I’d rate this deal. Is it a good bargain? Yes. In the context of other M12 promotions? Yes, but I personally find the other deals (such as the $99 promo) more compelling. More battery packs can be a good thing, but if I were starting out with Milwaukee M12 cordless power tools, I might be happier saving $30 than receiving two extra battery packs at this kit’s regular price. That $30 savings could go towards a higher capacity XC pack, or a bare tool.
There are pros and cons to this deal, but I find myself especially ambivalent about it.
I’m sorry for having forgotten who asked this question, but I’m interested to hear how you guys would rate it. Is it a good deal? A great one? “Just okay?”
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DR DB Karron
These are older versions of the same tools. It looks like it is a way for Milwaukee to dump older somewhat obsolete inventory.
Stuart
These are the updated versions. The older style was discontinued a few years ago. The combo kits sometimes have the same model number, but the contents are updated.
The 2407 drill has been around for a few years (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-m12-brushed-cordless-drills-drivers/%3C/a%3E%29, and as far as I am aware, there’s no replacement for it or the 2462 impact driver.
Or have you seen new tools that will be replacing the 2407 and 2462 tools included in the kit?
Anthony Castro
Milwaukee drills are only getting better. Very impressed with the m12 impact. It’s my go to gun. It’s giving my m18 combo kit a huge rest. Great for electrical if you have adapters and bits (Wich you should).
Drew M
Free 1.5Ah packs? pass.
When does the next quarter of deals for Milwaukee start?
Stuart
I’d bet we’ll see new deals in mid-late May ahead of Father’s Day, or definitely by June.
Brian A
Some deals expire in March, should have some new ones in April.
Drew M
Yeah, I was thinking the next quarter might start in April but I honestly can’t remember. However, I think their deal quarters don’t conincide with New Years so it might be May1?
Eric
Most of the holiday deals ran through January. So the next set should start May 1.
Eric
Agreed. The drill and impact are fine for something in the house for small jobs, but your going to want something in the 18v class out in the garage for the big jobs. And as far as the batteries go, I have no interest in the 1.5cp batteries. They’re fine for the tools in this kit. But for most of my m12 tools I’m going to want at least a 2.0 or one of the 4.0 or 6.0xc batteries.
DrewM
I actually love my M12 stuff because the Fuel tools perform at the level of most mid range 18v tools.
FWIW, the M12 Fuel drill actually has more torque in first gear than the M12 Fuel impact driver.
Also, the little non-fuel M12 drill is the best tool I’ve found for tapping M2.5-M4 holes in aluminum. The Fuel’s brushless system will get really hot with the constant stopping and starting but the dumb brushed drill handles it just fine.
Dave
Okay deal, but not great. I have the first-generation Fuel version of this impact, and while I like it there’s not much size savings over an 18v tool. Also there are 2.0 and even 3.0 amp stick batteries available, so 1.5 amp seems a bit weak – at least you’re getting a lot of them.
If you’re just buying into the M12 system, anticipate being a fairly light duty user, and don’t have or plan to buy a set of 18v tools, this could be great – it’s a high-end homeowner/hobbyist set. For anyone else, I’d wait until the price drops on the basic set and preferably until Milwaukee reps are doing an in-store demo day, as they’ll give free batteries to pretty much anyone who chats them up for a minute and then buys a tool.
Yadda
I agree. Okay, but not great.
Mike
I bought a similar kit from Home Depot a couple of years ago for $99.00 and it came with a free 4ah battery. This was just the start of the addiction. I now have red boxes showing up at the house all the time but the ones I use the most are those original two M12 tools.
PETE
I’m in the same boat. Bought the same kit for $99 and now I can’t get enough m12 tools fast enough!
Matt J
Obviously depends how many M12 tools you have and how many batteries you already have. If you just need a drill and driver and you have no other M12 tools yet, it’s a decent deal as it would basically allow you continuous use of the two tools, and you can expand your set with bare tools if you wanted to.
If you’ve got a complete arsenal of M12 stuff that you use all the time and are just adding to it, I think it’s great as you’re not going to find 2 batteries less than $30 otherwise and some of those batteries will die eventually.
Compared to the $99 kit without the extra batteries, it’s kind of a wash to me. Looks like OEM M12 1.5 Ah 2 packs are going for about $36 bucks on eBay now, probably right around $30 after shipping and fees are accounted for. So I’d say if you need the batteries, go for it, you won’t get a better price. If you don’t need the batteries but need the tools and are willing to go the eBay route, go for it cause it’s a wash. If you can wait, and don’t want the eBay hassle, see what happens on Father’s Day.
And hope that Acme messes up and has a $50 promo code on top of a $50 discount like they did around Christmas.
Adam
You guys aren’t buying enough at HD. When bought with the $79 batteries, the kit rings up at $129 * (129/208) = $80, and the batteries are $49. Nothing is “free,” otherwise in at least some states, you would be allowed to return the paid for item, and keep the freebie. The way HD rings it up is it proportionaly takes the “free” item off all the items in the package, allowing you to return one or the other.
Say you want the 10″ miter. It’s comes with a free $250 battery. The saw on the receipt is $599 * (599/848) = $423.
Adam
So at $80, I think it’s a decent homeowner kit. I really wouldn’t want any extra 1.5ah batteries if I was to expand my M12 lineup though.
Eric Saffell
Owned an M12 kit for a month and the clip housing on 2 of the batteries broke within that time. Needless to say I took back $400 with of M12 Tools and picked up Ridgid instead, with the lifetime warranty on Ridgid you can’t go wrong.
Adam
It’s a “lifetime service agreement,” not a warranty. Need a lawyer that figure out the differences and there some, but essentiallyit gives Ridgid more leeway in denying repair, which they have been on own to do.
I bought Ridgid because of the lifetime gimmick. Then I ended up having 2 bad batteries within 90day return period. Returned, bought new set. Same thing, but outside return window. HD was helpful still, and returned it for other tools. Yeah, they would have swapped batteries over & over, but at what point is dependibility more important? This was probably 6-7 years back and was their 12v line. I would give them a try again (18v octane stuff, but not 12v), but Milwaukee rarely let’s me down.
Aaron
You realize that they would have replaced that under warranty? And that Ridgid is made by the same company as Milwaukee but it’s their lower end brand?
Mrkoolio
I think they replace once. By the second fail, you r past the warranty time, from first sale
Dave
My gripe is that on 2 of the 3 Ridgid tools I’ve bought, they’ve claimed the serial number doesn’t exist and refused to even register my warranty. I’m just hoping to get enough use out of them before they die that I won’t feel ripped off.
Meanwhile, I had one of my Milwaukee impact drivers die a couple months ago (due to kit buying and 12v/18v crossover I somehow ended up with 3). Walked it in to the local Milwaukee service center (granted, this may not be a thing if you don’t live near a major city), and 2 weeks later, to the day, a brand-new free replacement arrived in the mail. Never had to fill out a warranty card or argue with anyone – just showed it to the clerk and got a “Yeah, no worries, you’re covered.” That customer service experience alone locked me into the brand – until it happens again and things don’t go as smoothly.
Mike
It was me. I ended up going with the Fuel version of the kit. It was the usual kit price with 2 free batteries. I’ve been needing another set so it was just a matter of time and 2 batteries are better than nothing. The Fuel version had a 4ah, 2ah, and the 2 free 1.5ah included. The 1.5ah batteries, of course, aren’t the best anymore but they do fine for the stapler or lesser used stuff. I’ve got all my 1.5’s marked with some paint marker so it’s easy to grab them or avoid them. I’ll probably pick up another set on Father’s Day too, as that sale is almost a tradition to buy now. As my collection grows it’s harder and harder to find good deals on the combos. I’m hoping for some ratchet or impact deals this year.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-With-Two-Free-M12-1-5Ah-Batteries-2598-22-48-11-2411/308085064
FixItChuck
Target audience fit this kit is most likely first time owners of M12, entry level or DIY. Most likely they’re not preplanning on buying a bunch more M12 tools just yet.
I too say “the cheaper the better” for buyers of this kit, in other words, the version without extra batteries.
Aaron
The black November fuel kit at home Depot for $169 with a 4.0 and a 2.0 is one of the few deals I need a time machine for. Compared to that deal every other m12 deal is meh.
The other deal I compared to is the five tool kit that had this same drill and impact, 3 Batts, hackzall, omt, and light for $190 (usually$199).
That one at least should be back for Father’s day etc.
Flotsam
I bought the M12 kit somewhere around Father’s Day a few years ago. The set I got included the 3/8″ ratchet and hackzall as well. I have been very happy with it. I originally just interested in the ratchet and battery starter set for $149, but the M12 kit i got was $199 for all those tools. I thought that was a pretty good deal and if a drill/impact is what you are looking for then this is a good deal for you.
But make no mistake this is an around the house tool for random jobs. I have my 20v DeWalt set for larger jobs.
PT
For the professional – NO. For the occasion DIY – sure. The non-fuel tools eat up battery power and have a lot less power.
Mike
Why would anyone want to buy 12v now when 18/20 v tools are just as compact and more powerful
Aaron
They aren’t as compact or as light, and not all are as powerful. I’d say the only brand competing in the space you describe is Makita, but that isn’t at this price point.
evadman
I have dewalt 20v, and Milwaukee 12v; I chose to get into those 2 platforms because there is significant differentiation. The Milwaukee are smaller, lighter, and have less power than a similar (by my definition) dewalt. I have both because I use them for different things.
for example, I use the milwalkee impact driver probably 99% of the time, because it has no problem driving most of the fasteners I need it to. When I helped someone with their playset and I needed to drive 8″ lag screws, I used the dewalt. When I was doing very fine grinding work on an exhaust flange on my truck, I used the M12 drill. My dewalt wouldn’t even fit in the same space in the engine bay from under the car if I remember correctly. My jack stand wouldn’t go high enough.
Comparing something like the 12v milwalkee 2407-20 drill/driver to the dewalt DCD777 (one of my other drills) is not exactly a fair comparison, they have different use cases. If you can pick only one tool, then it depends on lots of factors to determine best for the person, use case, or business.
John Patel
I wouldn’t bite, I see fuel kits for more, but not too much more 1-2x/year. The fuel are much better. I come from old craftsman c3, they work fine, but aren’t made any more. My replacements will be upper tier when I can get a deal. But battery deals exist so I don’t usually value lower amp hour packs as a “deal ” in any case.
JoeM
I’ve been trying to build up the guts to ask this for a couple days now… When did Milwaukee start making “Cute” Tools? I’m not mocking them, I just look at that form factor and instantly say “Aww! Cute!” like I’m looking at a kitten.
I could totally see myself making a dual gun-style holster for this set, and giving it to a Milwaukee user who had it. And I’d feel no shame in doing so. That design just kinda screams “Gunslinger” like the old 1950’s Spaghetti Westerns. Cool and Slick.
But they’re still… Cute… In a good way, but Cute is the word. I know this sounds like mocking, coming from a vocal DeWALT guy… but I mean it with affection with these. Honestly, if someone asked me to make holsters for these, I’d totally do that, with pride, and without shame or any kind of regret. If this seems like some sort of crazy rambling, it’s because I’m not a Milwaukee guy, so I’m really not familiar with this line of tools. So, it may well be an accidental overreaction. I don’t know.
Dave
They’re definitely cute…in the way that walking around with a driver that can do virtually anything an 18v can clipped to my jeans without weighing me down is cute.
I hope they get so cute that someday I can literally pocket a device that will legitimately make a fastening project that was once a half-day affair into 20 minutes’ worth of work. Given that I’m only in my mid-thirties, odds are I’ll see that day before I’m done.
No knocks on DeWalt, I know they’re the tool of choice for carpenters, but the lack of depth in their line and failure to deliver any useful compact tools (maybe the Atomic line will begin to change that?) drove me to the red side…
JoeM
I can only agree to a point on that… I know Red is geared toward covering huge swaths of specific trades, in specific levels, at specific uses. But that’s what Red does best, is point to an individual, say “What do you need?” and then make everything for that person while someone else on Team Red asks the next person in line the same thing, and so on. Red is definitely the “Individual Centric” side of the coin. There’s some serious respect needed for a company willing to do that.
Where I CAN’T agree is the part where DeWALT lacks DEPTH to their line. Where you’re seeing a lack of choice, you’re actually seeing the other side of the coin. DeWALT focuses on the PROJECT, and builds for THAT. They’re always touted as rival companies, and in a business sense they are, but there’s always going to be a Project, and there’s always going to be Individuals to get that Project DONE. Team Yellow just focuses on the bones and labour side, and kinda expects any specialties to follow up behind that for any special needs the Project has.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Since Red and Yellow, despite being owned by different companies, are both flexible enough to be involved in both initial construction, AND involved in maintenance, renovation, and upgrades, really I see no conflict. They each have a niche where one ends, and the other begins. They’ve really only been “In Competition” from a Business standpoint. Why we still get into arguments over Red Vs Yellow still has become confusing to me.
But, I do mean no insult or disrespect over calling this set Cute. I make no reference, inference, or implication over these on a functionality level. Frankly, I am Team Yellow… What do I know about how they perform? I was talking Aesthetics and Design. They genuinely look like they could be used like a Gunslinger might use an old Western Colt Revolver. They wouldn’t be RED if they didn’t work well. So, I genuinely apologize if I came off as insulting toward them. I mean no such insult at all.
And, from a Yellow to a Red? Don’t hold your breath about the Atomic line being “Pocketable”… The 20 Volt battery will always prevent that. Closest thing we could’ve had was the 8V Max Line. They did some screwdrivers, and some specialty…Screwdrivers… And a Flashlight… All pocket-ready. But I think they ran out of ideas, which is sad to me. All they needed was more Battery selections, with higher Amp-Hour Ratings on that line, to extend the usefulness, and we could’ve seen some impressive tools, way ahead of this Atomic line. Micro-Impact, Adhesive/Filler dispensers, maybe a Nibbler or Wire Snip? I dunno. I have a huge number of ideas for the DeWALT lineup, and they wouldn’t come anywhere near the specificity that Red tends to put out. I deeply respect both.
I consider Red and Yellow to be at a specific “Level” of tool use. Makita, Metabo, Bosch, Dremel, all the rest? They’re not lesser or greater than the Red/Yellow level. They’re simply specialized to a different… Rung on the Ladder of Difficulty for the Job. Precision and Delicate work are done really well by other companies, and Battery Technology by yet others. It really does depend on the job YOU do. What rungs on the ladder do YOUR feet touch. The Business side will always make money off us, so why bother arguing? Buy the tools that best suit what you DO with them. You be Team You, I’ll be Team Me, and we won’t have these silly circular arguments over companies anymore.
Sorry for the rambling.
Steve
It’s a decent deal for the batteries and charger, but I’m lukewarm on the tools themselves. Maybe for beater diy tools or for getting grimey working under the hood. But Bosch really got their compact drill/driver set right, they are light and powerful, and I find myself reaching for those when I want control over torque or will be doing lots of overhead work.