Milwaukee has announced that they will be coming out with a new brushless M12 rotary hammer, model 2416.
It was nearly a year ago that Milwaukee announced their then-new M12 SDS rotary hammer. I had a brief opportunity to handle and test the small rotary hammer, and it left me somewhat impressed.
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Rotary hammers are not the kinds of tools you want to be small and puny, but the M12 design seemed very well suited for drilling smaller holes in masonry. It can handle SDS bits up to 5/8″ and was more comfortable to wield than I anticipated.
The brushless motor M12 Fuel rotary hammer looks a little different than the brushed motor version, most noticeably how the battery attaches in the opposite orientation. My guess is that this was done to tighten up the overall package. The trigger-finger grip area is also much more spacious.
The brushless version also has a greater maximum capacity compared to the brushed version – 5/8″ vs. 1/2″.
Features:
- 2-mode operation (rotary hammer and rotation-only)
- 0-900 RPM
- 0-6200 BPM
- 10″ length
- Battery fuel gauge
- LED work light
- 3.9 lbs (with 4.0Ah XC battery)
- 3.1 lbs without battery
- Use with SDS Plus bits up to 5/8″
The kit (2416-22XC) comes with two XC 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and carrying case, and a bare-tool option (2416-20) is also available.
Our Take
Without having tested both tools side by side, I would presume that the brushless version could out-drill the brushed version every time. The brushless motor technology provides both higher efficiency and greater power.
The brushed M12 rotary hammer kit (2412-22XC) comes with two 3.0Ah batteries for about $249. A quick search shows that the Fuel kit (2416-22XC) will be priced at $299, and that includes two 4.0Ah batteries.
I have compared the new Fuel model to the non-Fuel model because the M12 rotary hammers are in a class of their own. They are both highly capable compact rotary hammers.
It seems that the M12 Fuel rotary hammer will be a great option for overhead use and for smaller holes that account for most rotary hammer usage. If you need more power, then it’ll be good to have an 18V, 36V, or corded rotary hammer at the ready.
While it looks like the rotary hammer has a spot just behind the chuck for auxiliary handle attachment, it’s really only for attachment to Milwaukee’s powered dust extractor.
Small size, lightweight, reasonably high drilling capacity, and presumably great runtime. What more can one ask for?
Jason says
I would be slightly pissed if I had bought the brushed version. It was only on sale for less than a year unless Milwaukee was just using it as test for the interest in the idea of a compact sds drill.
Stuart says
It’s unclear whether Milwaukee will sell both models alongside each other, but I expect that the brushed version will continue to sell well, especially the bare-tool. That said, I’d probably be frustrated as well.
Jason says
I imagine that they will continue to sell what stock they have left of the brushed version. Home depot was selling the only brushed m12 tools cheap to get space for the new tools.
Javier says
For only $50 more it makes more sense to get the fuel kit. 2 4.0 batteries and brushless for $50 extra is a no brainer. Also Stuart are you sure it has a rotary hammer and hammer only mode? As a zoom in of the stock photo shows a drill only and rotary hammer function just like the brushed version. It doesnt seem to have a hammer only mode but that would be nice. I say it should have all 3 modes but they’ll probably leave that for the next upgrade that will come out in less than a year.
Stuart says
The $50 difference is between the price of the brushed rotary hammer kit and what seems to be the preorder price for the brushless kit.
Thanks for the correction, the modes look to be rotary-hammer and rotation-only mode. The official press release says “rotary hammer and hammer-only,” which I thought was weird, but I forgot to follow up on my mental note reminder.
A hammer-only mode would probably be too much of an invitation for users to abuse the tool with chipping attachments it’s not designed to handle. Plus hammer-only-type usage would probably be a lot easier/better/comfortable/safer/more stable with a rotary hammer that has an auxiliary handle.
Jason says
Looks like the had the idea on the original model that the front facing battery was designed to be a grip for possible 2 handed use, but I think from testing they figured out everyone was using it one handed. They really removed a lot of plastic off the front of the tool if you really compare the different models. A chipping feature would have been nice, but you are right it would probably cause issues with too much tool abuse you never know when you might need to shape an odd brick to mount something.
Javier says
Stuart do you think that milwaukee will eventually replace current m12 batteries with the new 2.0 and 4.0? I wonder if current m12 brushed tools will be sold with 2.0 packs.
Stuart says
Probably, but I would think not until they deplete their supply of 1.5Ah and 3.0Ah batteries, at which point the 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah costs might be around the same. Until supplies run out or the new batteries’ prices come down, I would bet that Milwaukee will still bundle 1.5Ah and 3.0Ah XC batteries with non-Fuel kits.
chad says
Hammer only would be a nice function aside from what Stuart mentioned… About abuse. I could see using it in hammer only to get those hard to reach back splash tiles off. Easy as cake.
keith says
Trying to find a true performance comparison between this and the m18 version. Seeing as how price is the same. Anybody have experience with both?
jim says
can some one help me deside between the m12 fuel sds end the m18 fuel rotery (non sds) hammer drill ? i mainly use for concrete
Stuart says
What size holes do you often drill? How many?
If I had to decide RIGHT NOW which to buy for my own needs, I would go for the M12 if drilling mostly 3/8″ and smaller, and M18 if drilling larger sized holes. But that’s talking about rotary hammers.
A hammer drill is great for occasional holes in masonry. If you work with masonry a LOT, you owe it to yourself to try an SDS.