Have you ever started something, taken a break, and completely forgotten what you were doing? This must have happened to me, because according to this post’s time stamp, I started working on it 2 months ago. I must have taken a break after getting it started, forgetting all about it until I happened across it in my drafts folder this morning.
I don’t even remember what I wanted to say. All I saved the post with was the draft and the image shown here.
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Milwaukee is coming out with an M12 Fuel multi-head attachment drill/driver, at least overseas. It looks like it’s still not out. I believe I grabbed this image from a Milwaukee catalog or flyer, but I can’t be certain.
Milwaukee came out with an M12 4-in-1 drill/driver back in 2014, but they have yet to release it in the USA. Now, there’s an M12 Fuel brushless version, but I’m not as excited as I should be. Wait. It’s a percussion drill. Or, as we’re more familiar – it’s a hammer drill. That’s new, I think.
So, it’s a new Milwaukee M12 Fuel modular multi-head hammer drill/driver. That seems useful. It comes with a 1/4″ bit holder, at least it’s presumed to, an offset 1/4″ hex bit holder, a drill chuck, and a right angle attachment.
They say the tool can be used in 6 different combinations. Let’s see if we can identify them all:
- Driver
- Drill
- Offset driver
- Right angle driver
- Right angle drill (using 2 heads)
- Right angle offset driver (using 2 heads)
Yep, 6 possible combinations.
The new drill chuck opens to 13 mm, or 1/2″.
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Another upgrade compared to the previous version is that this kit comes with two 6.0Ah XC battery packs.
Specs
- 13mm chuck capacity (~1/2″)
- 0-450/0-1700 RPM
- 0-25,500 BPM
- 44 Nm max torque (~389 in-lbs)
- Weighs 1.5 kg with battery (3.3 lbs)
- Kit comes with (2) XC 6.0Ah battery packs
- Included charger can recharge a 6.0Ah battery in 90 minutes
Here’s another look at the new M12 FPDX sub-compact hammer drill with removable chucks.
Maybe it’s my imagination, but my excitement for the tool seems to be coming back. So is my disappointment in how unlikely it will be for us to see this model released here in the USA. The tool and its attachments should still work with M12 Li-ion battery packs from any region.
ETA: May 2018 in Europe
Tools like this are of interest here in the USA, but I don’t think many pro users have been clamoring for them. Bosch’s 12V Max FlexiClick seems to have been well received by users, and so maybe Milwaukee will be convinced enough to bring their versions to the USA as well.
Ignoring pricing considerations for a moment, would you buy something like this?
Nathan
so the red version of the bosch system. Nice to see – hope they sell them over here one day.
It’s one of the few things I’d consider getting into 12 v for.
Joseph Dodge
I live in France and I’ve just bought one. Vastly superior to the Bosch modular product you mention.
Trust me, you really do want one.
Ammar
yes, i must agree vastly superior in every way EXCEPT the most important aspect for me. The offset chuck that allows close access to surfaces is permanantly on my bosch however the milwaukee’s is inferior according to milwaukee themselves who have told me (after I enquired) the offset chuck gets as close as 17mm across corners whereas the bosch’s is 12mm.
TJ
I have the Festool T15 version and the other chucks are really handy when you need them. Since I already use M12, I would probably sell my Festool to buy this and eliminate a battery platform.
DOMINQUE
Yes yes and yes. I have a growing collection in the m12 line. I just got the brushless hammer drill which I cherish….. I’m saving my pennies now
pete
I don’t see myself needing this but it would be cool if it was available. I did however just pick up the m12 stapler. Holy cow is that thing cool! While it is $99 which is 5x the cost of a basic stapler the time it will save will be huge. Not to mention the ability to set the depth is a huge help.
Pete Huben
I also picked up the new stapler in April, it does a great job. It can use a variety of Staples and I found it to be extremely useful in the automatic mode.
Koko The Talking Ape
I think you might not need an offset or right-angle driver often, but when you do, you really need it. Sure, I’d get one.
fred
I always thought that the offset head on the Bosch might be useful for our installers – but back then (before I sold up and retired) I could not see it being useful enough to buy into another battery platform. If the M12 option would have been available – I would have bought at least on to let the crews try out.
James C
Sigh, this again. I’d just about forgotten how much I wished the previous version were available in the US.
Mnoswad
I like this for cabinet assembly
. But bosch’s version is smaller in the hand. Generaly I’ve been disappointed at the size of m12 tools as far as bulk of the body goes. Placed next to compact 18v drivers there’s not enough difference as I’d like.
GM
Agree. Haven’t handled the 2nd gen M12 Fuel drill and driver, but the 1st gen is as big and heavy as many compact 18v tools.
I’m also really happy with the Bosch 12v Flexiclick and bought the brushless impact to go with it.
D
Also agree.
Look at how heavy this is. Too heavy. The Bosch version is around 1Kg I believe, which means this M12 is 50% heavier!
Marvin McConoughey
Concur. I have the Bosch 5 piece kit and find the drill and attachments plenty heavy enough when I’m working in a difficult location with my arms at awkward angles. Slim and elegant is what I like in portable power tools.
Joe
Interesting how it has more torque than the gen 2 drill that was just released. It’d be nice if they offered just a regular hex chuck so that you can use it like the screwdriver and slap on the ratcheting chuck if you really need it to drill something.
Julian
The Bosch verdion’s chuck is just about useless. Aside from the fact it’s only 3/8”, it’s shape and slippery texture make it near impossible to securely tighten.
I’ve had the festool setup like these; super duty quality, but crazy prices.
Bought into the Bosch flexiclick around Black Friday as there really are times these heads will allow what no others will, but they’re certainly not “Brute Tough”
Looks like maybe the MW version should be a bit heavier duty.
taras
I’m working on a hotel re-model right now< and have thought more than a few times where the Bosch would come in handy (I didn't know that RED made one overseas). I'm on the M18 system, but have an M12 lamp, and have been looking to grab some M12 tools too. This would be a definite purchase for me if available here in NA.
Brian
Please Milwaukee. I don’t know why they refuse to bring these to the US. Hopefully they’ll change their mind on the Fuel version.
Matt
2 6Ah packs and 90 abilities!? Yes please. Doing electrical service work this could come in really handy at times. I’m already looking at the Gen 2 M12 set because my G1 set doesn’t fit in some places I need it to go.
nigeldh
I certainly am interested in one – I have thought about the Bosch version but I already have too many battery platforms. I got a Milwaukee M12 rotary grinder and M12 soldering iron because I already have M12 batteries.
Jeremiah
Just thought of this now, but they should offer a very low profile 1/4 or 3/8 square head too. Not an impact tool but would make it shorter than an adapter for any hex fasteners, a big plus with right angle option over a seperate tool.
Joe
Bosch has a great line of 12v tools, things Milwaukee doesn’t have, really useful tools,planers,routers,good vacuums,,,,but Milwaukee has tools Bosch doesn’t…
I’m in the M12 line, it’s ok..generally they have more power then Bosch….I have Bosch 12v also, and generally their more compact and lighter then. M12. If Bosch 12v was easier to buy including new tools I’d stay all Bosch, but for now it’s mostly M12 I have. I’d get that 6/1 tool if available….
Your always damned if you , damned if you don’t …it’s like storage ,parts cases…HF has cheap cases but not good variety bins, Stanley has a great case and you can get extra bins but at $1 each, ouch..next Bosch l boxx better but no storage racks( build your own,I quess) but taking time to build a storage rack instead of working,is an enormous loss of income …so not worth it…..festool doesn’t have removable bins….Sortimo is great and has storage racks, WorkMo, and others,but crazy expensive…especially if you do two levels…..then I just saw Raaco ,looks real nice equal to sortimo quality , but very difficult to find (uk amazon) …….sometimes I wish I was a cook instead of a builder…
John Blair
I self imported the 4-in-1 from UK on a trip. Its probably my most used driver. Things I don’t like:
It is big and heavy
The no head 1/4 inch socket doesn’t have any retention
Today the Bosch Flexiclick is available in the US. Time machine second guessing, since I use both Bosch 12v and Milwaukee M12, I probably would have liked the Bosch with its 1/4″ bit retention head better.
Brent Malicki
Milwaukee (An American company) should give Americans first dibs on new tools, it will be an insult if we don’t get this first, let alone at all. I am calling you out Milwaukee!!! Otherwise I love Milwaukee 🙂
mark
No longer American, subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Company Limited (SEHK: 669), Techtronic or TTI, is an investment holding company based in Hong Kong.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Electric_Tool_Corporation
Charles
I’d be very interested in one . . . but to be honest it’d be as a secondary / special purpose tool rather than the primary, everyday go-to drill/ driver . . . but yes, I do definitely want a multi-head m12 driver in my bag of tool options -I’d looked into grabbing the previous model from overseas a couple times but never followed through with the extra efforts of importing one.
I’d have bought one of the Bosch versions in a heartbeat when they were released here if it didn’t mean adding another battery platform to my arsenal of cordless tools -I’ve already got more battery platforms than I want w/o adding another single tool / unique battery platform to the mix (again)
XTsallaD
I own m12 and Bosch 12v platform so I would probably get the bosch flexiclick first since it’s available now. One nice secret is that the chucks on the bosch 12v tools are modular between the brushless and brushed tools. I would probably install the flexiclick chuck on one of my brushless 12v drills. The gen2 fuel drills are a bit heavy and the handle isn’t as good for my hand as either the gen1 or bosch 12v. They are much more compact though. About the same as my 18v bosch dds18 head and the impact is just a little bigger than my 18v makita xdt14 impact.
Aponte
I would love one of these, I keep holding off on buying the Bosch click set hoping that Milwaukee comes out w/something like this.
Philip John
Nice. But it seems the the right angle hex adapter can match all 6 positions at a fraction of the cost. Except this tool up to half inch.
Manty
We Americans don’t need that kind of tool here in states, for the price we can buy here in states whole bunch of tools, like hammer drill and angled drill, impact driver separately , and attachment for offset driver and use it as wee need, and we will spend less money , then you will pay for this one. This one will be less reliable for sure, because off A lot of parts. Thanks milwaukee , they take good care about us Americans, selling to us good tools for good price.
Stuart
There’s a different model now coming to North America – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/new-milwaukee-m12-fuel-cordless-installation-drill-driver/%3C/a%3E .