Smith wrote in about a deal tip on a single battery Milwaukee M18 cordless impact driver kit, and wanted to know if it’s any good. Now, through 4/23/2015, Home Depot is offering a single battery M18 2656-21 single-speed impact driver kit, for just $89 with free home or “ship to store” shipping.
The kit comes with the impact driver, a compact battery pack, and a charger. There’s no information about the battery size or the type of charger. My guess is that the kit is bundled with a 1.5Ah battery pack and Milwaukee’s regular M18/M12 charger, but that might not be the case.
Advertisement
1) Is this a good deal? I saw there was one in the past with two batteries for the same price. I don’t have an impact driver and feel one would be useful.
2) What is up with all the different models for different manufacturers? I cannot really locate any reviews on this specific model. Is it ok? I’m assuming it isn’t the newest as Milwaukee’s site shows the newer ones having 3 settings or something.
The 2656 is a regular Milwaukee tool, but this kit looks like it could be a Home Depot special or exclusive, as it is only available at HD and 3rd party resellers. The M18 2656 impact driver boasts reasonable specs:
- 1,500 in-lbs of Torque
- 0-2,750 RPM
- 0-3,450 IPM
- 1/4” Hex Quick Change
- 5-1/2”
- 3.1 lbs w/ compact battery
Is This a Good Deal?
Yes, I think so. Under $100 for a pro-grade impact driver is a good price. Under $90 is a great price. Plus, this offers inexpensive entry into Milwaukee’s fabulous M18 cordless power tool lineup.
What’s Up With This Model?
Here’s where things get a little tricky. Back in the late Fall and early Winter of 2013, Milwaukee updated a couple of their popular M18 cordless drills and drivers with new features, ergonomics, and specs.
No, this model doesn’t have 3 speeds, but most brands’ brushed motor tools don’t. Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel brushless cordless drills, as well as other brands’ premium offerings, often have multiple electronic speed settings that help raise them above the less premium models.
Advertisement
Milwaukee’s 2657 brushed motor drill (via Home Depot) is a 2-speed model that is similar to the 2656, but with an additional 600 in-lbs torque setting. The 2656 is offered as a bare tool and as part of a (2) battery kit (via Home Depot), with the kit being $10 cheaper than the 2657 kit, although the bare tools are priced the same.
The Milwaukee single speed 2656 M18 impact driver seems to be positioned as a “budget” offering that is a little lesser than the two speed 2657 impact, with the 2656-21 kit taking that positioning a little further by only including a single M18 Li-ion battery pack.
Recommendation
If you don’t need multiple torque or speed settings, then this is a good model at a fantastic price. Since the kit only comes with a single battery pack, it’s a better buy for those looking to buy into Milwaukee’s M18 lineup, or those who might already own M18 tools. If you want an impact driver for heavy use, you might want to look into a kit that comes with 2 batteries.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Andrew
Took advantage of this deal last night. Also went in-store to get the $99 M18 drill/driver special. They were sold out of it, but the clerk gave me the regular kit (which included two batteries and the hard case) for the $99 price. Good deal.
But now that I have it home, I’m debating whether or not to keep it — and the driver. Currently have the C3 heavy-duty with XCP drill and the three-speed impact driver (along with myriad other C3 tools) as well as an M12 kit. Had been wanting to replace the C3 gear for awhile due to my issues with Sears, but in comparing the M12 and M18, I’m shocked at how little a difference there is, especially physically. Both are roughly the same size and weight.
Thinking I may just hold off on selling the C3 stuff for awhile, since most of my projects are done with the M12 tools for now. Tools are tough sometimes, my friends!
Pete
What?! There was a m18 kit for $100?! Dang! I woulda picked it up in a heartbeat
Andrew
Pete, it was just the drill with battery for $99 in-store. I just looked now and a few stores in my area seem to have them in stock still at $99 (they were stacked in the main, front aisle of the two stores I was in last week). Good luck!
Andrew
Here’s the link, BTW http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-18-Volt-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-1-2-in-Drill-Driver-Kit-2606-21CT/205818761
Jon
Thinking about buying this for the prize table of an upcoming stag. Right price, that’s for sure.
Jon
HD had (has?) some really solid deals on power tools right now. The Ridgid drill driver kit with 2 batteries for $99 is a heckuva deal, especially with the lifetime warranty — including on the batteries!
I know some people have had issues with warranty service in the past but the majority of these issues/complaints seem to be related to the fact that the tools and batteries weren’t registered properly. The process is fairly straight forward, if you register each tool and battery, you should be just fine. I’ve registered a handful of Ridgid tools at this point, no issues registering any of them.
Andrew
Which Ridgid kit is $99 right now?
Joe
The 12v kit that comes with one 2.0ah and one 4.0ah battery is.
Andrew
Wow! My friend’s wife is looking for that exact set but it was up to 149 last week. Thanks for the tip!
OnTheWeb
Even with a single battery this is a fair price for a critical tool in anyone’s gear. 1500 in/lbs is no slouch and will drive small lags and if you use it mostly with screws even the small battery will last a while and charge quite quickly.
The low stress on your wrists is also a major reason to use an impact compared to a drill, too.
Cary Brief
Home Depots website is the pits. never a spot where to BUY the product. signing up for an account is not possible. terrible time waster