Joshua wrote in, asking for help deciding which Milwaukee M12 cordless drill and screwdriver would be best for his needs.
I am a home owner and I want to get into woodworking.
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I am only 30 years old and I am trying to buy my first tools. I have decided to go with Milwaukee for all of my cordless tools. I am in the tech industry and things are way different than in the tool industry. When you buy today’s top tech it is tomorrow’s bargain tech. So if you by a Graphics Card or CPU with more horse power nothing changes in how you use, it works exactly like the same but will do it better and faster. So I bought the M18 FUEL™ 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver Kit 2653-22CT. Thinking this will do everything I need it and have more power if need it. I was completely wrong, it is a wonderful tool but it is way more power than I need. It is heavy with the 4.0 battery, and is very difficult to use to put up curtain rods for the wife or install cabinet doors. So now I am asking for help, I am trying to decide what M12 tools would be better for what I need.
Usages:
- Drill Pocket holes in ¼ – ¾ inch plywood, 2×4, and other stock building materials for furniture and cabinet making.
- Run Pocket hole screws
- Install Curtain Rods
- Assemble children’s toys and store bought furniture
- Repair appliances and bikes
- Run and bore holes for Ethernet cable in wall studs
I like to use two drills at the same time. I want one drill for drilling my pocket holes, and I want one to run the screws.
M12 Screwdrivers:
1. M12™ Cordless Lithium-Ion Screwdriver 2401-20
2. M12™ 1/4” Hex 2-Speed Screwdriver 2406-20
3. M12 FUEL™ 1/4″ Hex 2-Speed Screwdriver 2402-20M12 Drills:
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1. M12™ 3/8” Drill/Driver 2407-20
2. M12 FUEL™ 1/2″ Drill/Driver 2403-20
3. M12 FUEL™ 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver 2404-20Can you please help me decide what Screwdriver and Drill I will need?
Joshua’s question about which 12V cordless tools would be best for casual DIY and homeowner tasks is quite common, but nevertheless difficult to answer. This time the answer was a little easier since the tool selection was limited to Milwaukee and not open-ended.
Here’s what I replied to Josh via email:
If you’re going to be using these tools occasionally, then you will probably want to consider Milwaukee’s non-Fuel M12 models. The Fuel drills and drivers have brushless motors that give them more power, longer runtime, and sometimes more premium features, but they cost quite a bit more.
The Fuel drill has a 1/2″ chuck, but the 3/8″ chuck on the others should be enough for Kreg’s 3/8″ pocket hole drills.
If you ever plan to use hole saws you *might* need a 1/2″ chuck drill. That’s part of what prompted me to upgrade from my 12V Black & Decker to an 18V Hitachi so long ago – the new hole saws I bought at the time could only be used with an arbor that had a 1/2″ shank. Some brands have larger hole saw arbors with 3/8″ shanks.
As an aside, you generally won’t want to use cordless tools to assemble store-bought furniture. It’s too easy to strip screws unless you’re on the lowest torque settings and go really slow.
I think that your choices are pretty spot-on. If you ever need more power for an application, you can still use your 18V impact driver, if you decide to keep it.
Do you plan on drilling holes in brick? Concrete? Masonry? If not, skip the hammer drill. Eventually, if you find yourself needing a hammer drill once or twice a year, you can borrow one or purchase an inexpensive corded model. My corded hammer drill is still useful, but the cordless drill I bought around the same time is long gone. If I still had it, the cordless drill would be horribly outdated.
Related Post: 5 Reasons to Keep Your Corded Drill
So for the screwdriver, I would recommend the 2406.
For the drill/driver, I would recommend the 2407.
Right now there doesn’t seem to be a combo kit that includes Milwaukee’s newest non-Fuel drill and impact driver, which means one kit and one bare tool will set you back more than $200. In my opinion, that’s a little steep for a 12V 2-tool drill and screwdriver combo.
If you’re not set on Milwaukee, you can get similar Bosch tools (the PS31 and PS21) for quite a bit less. Personally, I really like Bosch’s 12V tools, but Milwaukee’s M12 line offers a lot more in terms of expandability.
It’s hard to say if these are the two options you NEED, but the 2406 and 2407 drill and driver are the ones I would pick if in your shoes.
Also, power tools are actually very much similar to technology products. The computers I built for my wife and as a living room HTPC both have smallish video cards, with one of them even having passive cooling. The video card in my computer is a mid-range model from a few years ago, and is very noticeably larger.
The same goes for power requirements. My computer has an 850W PSU, while my wife’s has a 650W unit. CPUs are similar as well – the faster the processor, the more power-hungry it is and the beefier the cooling solution must be. RAM as well – higher performing RAM requires better airflow. In regard to laptops, consider the differences between a MacBook Air and AlienWare models. There must always be a compromise or tradeoff when it comes to more power and features.
Anyways, if you are really intent on going with 12V tools, Milwaukee’s 2406 and 2407 models will serve you quite well. Right now it looks like one full kit and one bare tool will run you about $213. I feel that’s a little much for a non-brushless drill/driver and screwdriver, but there are no combo kit options to help soften the cost.
Why not the Fuel models? Well, if Joshua is looking to get into woodworking, then the extra money can probably be better spent elsewhere. The cost of an M12 drill/driver kit (or bare tool) and screwdriver bare tool (or kit) is $308. The extra $95 would be better spent on other hand or power tools to better built up his woodworking capabilities.
I hope this helps, and thanks for the great question!
Purchase Links for Mentioned Products:
Milwaukee M12 Kits
- M12 Screwdriver (2406-22)
- M12 Fuel Screwdriver (2402-22)
- M12 Drill/Driver (2407-22)
- M12 Fuel Drill/Driver (2403-22)
- M12 Hammer Drill/Driver (2404-22)
M12 Screwdriver Kit Bonus (This special kit comes with an extra 2.0Ah Li-ion battery, and has been going in and out of stock.)
Milwaukee M12 Bare Tools
- M12 Screwdriver (2406-20)
- M12 Fuel Screwdriver (2402-20)
- M12 Drill/Driver (2407-20)
- M12 Fuel Drill/Driver (2403-20)
(via Home Depot)
Bosch 12V Kits
- 12V Screwdriver (Bare, PS21B)
- 12V Screwdriver (Kit, PS21-2A)
- 12V Drill/Driver (Bare, PS31B)
- 12V Drill/Driver (Kit, PS31-2A)
(via Amazon)
Right now, the lowest price for a Bosch 12V drill and screwdriver combo is $159 for a screwdriver kit and bare-tool drill add-on.
Steven B
Josh will be very disappointed in the tools industry if he’s used to the tech industry. As a tech vet myself, I was shocked at how far behind tool technology is compared to phone/laptop technology….Lithium ion batteries are a new thing!?!? We replaced our laptop nicads in the late 90s.
However, tools, especially corded ones are a better investment. They don’t really go obsolete. In fact, I hear folks talk about discontinued tools all the time and even remember folks buying up Porter Cable tools when they discovered DeWalt’s plans for the brand. No one would ever buy an old CPU for more money when new one comes out.
Although in fairness, the rate of innovation in the last 5 years dropped drastically in all sectors of the tech sector, except big data services. A 5yo CPU is just a less energy efficient version of today’s best. Even SSDs have normalized, so I really don’t get excited about new computer parts anymore.
My wife was convinced we’d have high bills from me buying tools month after month, but a miracle happened…I bought a lot of tools over the years and rarely buy them now. I own just about everything I need. My 8 year old drill is just fine. Unlike my 8 yo laptop which can’t hold a charge and is coming apart.
I’d recommend not investing too much money in unnecessary cordless tools, but corded tools…I pay more for a hard box, like my DeWalt angle grinder, recriprocating saw, and heat gun and keep them stacked neatly in a storage area in my basement. I think they will last decades and I’ll get them out when needed. The cordless tools do run the risk of them discontinuing the battery.
Joshua Wiens
Not true when it comes to CPUs. The confusion stems from marketing although clock speeds have not increased like back in the Pentium days a new I series processor is vastly more powerful than a similarly branded processor from a previous generation. And although you have a good point about corded tools not becoming obsolete the convenience of cordless is well worth the money spent IMHO.
Joshua Wiens
Oh and the name is a coincidence. I am not the original emailer.
Mr Michael L. Veach
I prefer to use the impact driver for screws. I actually strip out less with it. It does take a light hand on very small screws though.
John E
DeWALT 12 volt drill/impact kit. If you can find one, the 3 tool kit with the screw gun is the best IMO. HD had them for $179 for a while. Check online and use coupons.
Best ergonomics of all 12 volt tools.
Great for small or large hands.
Best belt clip also, if you need it.
Also, not having the one hand quick release hex chuck (Bosch, non-fuel Milwaukee) is a deal breaker for me. When you change bits on a ladder or in an attic, or a crawlspace or anywhere with limited movement, you will understand.
The only reason I would chose the Bosch is for the L-BOXXes. The Milwaukee had battery problems early on and I could white smoke my 12v Milwaukee drill motor just by grabbing the chuck and pulling the trigger. They must have fixed that by now though.
I’ve bought more Bosch tools than DeWALT over the last year or two and have seen DeWALT ‘cheapen’ their line up some over the years, but their 12 volt drills are winners. Oh, and the DeWALT 12v flashlight is awesome!! Buy online, the big boxes charge too much for accessories.
FWIW, I put a 4 1/4″ Lenox hole saw in my 12 v DeWALT drill (3/8″ chuck) and ran it through a 2×6 -no problem! People obsess about power in a 12 v tool but all the top brands have more than enough. Plus, there are better and safer tools when you need ultimate power.
Might be worth buying the drill/impact kit, then adding the screw gun ($99). That way you get 4 batteries and 2 chargers.
Just my experience, no prejudice. I own a dozen or more Milwaukee tools and far too few Bosch (maybe 10).
Also, stay away from all the power tool branded hand tools. GO with American made, or anything German.
CB
I purchased the Bosch (CLPK22-120AL, PS31 and PS21 drill & impact) about 6 months ago to replace an older Makita 12v drill and been using them regularly.
I have to say that I have not grown to love them. The battery life is good, they’re definitely beefy and strong for a 12v but for me that’s sort of the problem. For me they don’t have the best balance or agility for there size and the chuck on the drill always loosens up which is really annoying, I end up reaching for my Porter Cable 20V more often to do the same job. While a little larger, for me they have better balance and control.
A small and light 12v drill is great for the home owner doing mostly light duty and on occasion heavy duty, I also think a small impact drill is very beneficial for a homeowner, They make novices do a better and cleaner job. I use a 12v for smaller receptive jobs or when I’m on the go.
I know the Bosch gets great reviews and I haven’t used the Milwaukee but I would try it over the Bosch.
The key about 12v, that it’s suppose be small, agile and lightweight but it seems tool companies are now trying to pack too much into them to compete with the larger 18v+ tools. I may have to check out the Dewalt 12v’s as well.
Joshua may want to check out the new Porter Cable 2ov. combo drill/impact/2 bat. kit, I got it on sale it was $159.
Jason
If you want any extras with you 12v line than Dewalt isn’t the way to go. Dewalt hasn’t show any interest in releasing any new or updated tools for the 12v line. If you want too see smaller and lighter 12v tools the new Bosch EC line looks like its the way to go they went with the idea of a compact tool with long run time over Milwaukee which went more for raw power. I have the Fuel drill and impact and didn’t find the impact too bulky, but I will admit the drill is a bit massive and is almost the same length as an 18v drill. If you have an unlimited budget and want a tool that feels extremely modern I would have to say the Festool cxs fits that description. I have seen one in person and its an amazing little driver, but I cant justify the cost of it personally.
george
many of us are unable to try everything. I finally got the ps31-2a kit on sale and it has surpassed my expectations. I would think any of these are way better than what we had just a few years back.
Brian
I’m somewhat in the same situation here. Want something to use for diy home projects. I would go with the non-fuel two speed model 2406, however there is a package with the 2402 fuel screwdriver and the 2408 hammer driver for 169. Since I need a cordless drill as well does this package work for the casual diyer. I’ve never used a hammer drill so I don’t know if there any drawbacks. Also are there any drawbacks to getting the more powerful fuel driver when it comes to casual diy jobs? Thanks for your help.
Steve
FWIW, the M12 1/2 Drill-Driver is almost as big as the 18V version, especially when you’ve got a larger battery. I’ve had both and ended up returning the 12v while keeping the 18V combo for more power….I find drilling pocket holes in 2×4’s tends to work a 12v drill pretty hard.
Also from personal experience, I can say a hammer drill or driver won’t mix with woodworking, or furniture assembly, for that matter. It’s a great way to crack/split the material and potentially strip hardware. However, I’ve found the nice variable speed triggers on non-hammer models are just perfect for easing the fastener around that final turn.
-Bosch is fantastic, but slow to compete with current tech. Have Bosch 12v set and love ergonomics and price, but they are often underpowered for my jobs. Maybe their new brushless models are the ticket. Warrantee is supposed to be the bee’s knees.
-Dewalt is really good for a homeowner, arguably the best ergonomics and reasonably priced for “top-tier”. Very popular with woodworkers. Lots of outdoor tools for the homeowner, just not in 12v line.
-Milwaukee is top tier and costs like it. Most 12v options on the market, prob best performance (but not by much). IMO the 12v line is still clunky compared to other brands, but I couldn’t resist the Black Friday $99 M12 combo so now I’m invested. Maybe I’ll buy a M12 heated jacket or bluetooth speaker next.
Maybe consider a 20v Dewalt setup if you found the Milwaukees too heavy/big? They seem to be less clunky and not “overpowered”. There are a lot of great things like blowers, trimmers, and shop-vacs aimed at homeowners. 12V is eventually going to limit you once you build on your tools and projects, it is an incurable sickness!