One month later, our Milwaukee NPS15 new tool coverage is almost finished. There are just a few more posts left, and I believe this will be the last M18 Fuel brushless tool post. The LED lighting post is still in the works, so I can’t promise that this will the last cordless tool coverage. There’s also a new 6-ton version of their ForceLogic knockout punch tool, which is also a discussion for another time.
These next couple of months will see lots of new M18 Fuel tools. I already posted about the 2nd-generation Milwaukee Fuel drill and hammer drill, the 2nd-generation impact driver and wrenches, the new higher capacity M18 XC battery packs (6Ah and 9Ah), and the new braking angle grinder.
This is going to be a short post, focusing on tool categories I have limited experience in, and so there’s not much in the way of opinions I can offer, at least not yet. I plan to post more about these tools once official specs and details are available, but don’t expect me to review ’em!
New M18 Fuel Tools
- 2787 1-1/2″ Magnetic Drill
- 2788 1-1/2″ Lineman Magnetic Drill
- 2711 Super Hawg with 7/16″ Quick Chuck
- 2709 Super Hawg with 1/2″ Drill Chuck
- SDS Max Rotary Hammer
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Magnetic Drill
I briefly teased about the new Milwaukee mag drill, and had the opportunity to check it out at the event. This was my first-ever use of a magnetic drill, and I can’t tell you when my next use will be.
There are 3 things to highlight about the new M18 Fuel magnetic drill.
First, it’s tool-free. No wrenches, hex keys, or specialty tools are required to change cutter bits or anything else.
Second, Milwaukee emphasized the strength of the magnet, saying it can provide a good hold even in 1/4″ thick steel. They compared it to other magnetic drills which required thicker steel to provide a safe and secure magnetic hold.
Third, it’s said to be faster than corded counterparts. Battery life is said to be up to (40) 13/16″ holes per charger.
There will be 2 models – a standard model, and a Lineman model. I can’t tell what the difference is between the two, but know that the Lineman kit comes with an additional AC/DC vehicle charger.
M18 Fuel Super Hole Hawg
I already posted about the M18 Fuel brushless Hole Hawg, which you can see here – it’s the smaller of the two.
The smaller Hole Hawg is designed for electrician’s needs, the Super Hole Hawg is designed to plumbers’ needs and the larger holes they often need to drill.
It makes sense now why there are two different tools. If you’re drilling a smaller hole, you don’t need the size and power of the Super Hawg.
I drilled a couple of smaller holes, maybe 2-1/2″ or so, no problem. A small cutter is easy, and I imagined a large hole saw would be too. Give me the big bit, I asked. This 4-something-inch cutter… it bested me. Looking at the photo, my angle was way off. Oops.
I got all the way to the bottom of the hole, and saw daylight, but couldn’t quite push it all the way through. Maybe there was a knot, maybe the height and angle of the board was awkward, or maybe I just need to get back to the gym.
This was also my first time using a drill of this size, and I was surprised that it was recommended I reverse my grip to be able to brace the tool against my left hip. Looking at this entry angle, yes, the drill kicked back, and I was no longer surprised as to why I was told to hold the drill this way.
Using the Super Hawg will probably be a lot easier to use on a floor or vertical board, than a slightly downwards-inclined board at waist-height.
There will be 2 versions, one with a 7/16″ quick release chuck, and another with a 1/2″ drill chuck.
After using this tool a couple of times, I think I’m more comfortable with one of Milwaukee or Dewalt’s new heavy duty impact wrenches.
For those of you that regularly drill large sized holes, would you rather use this new cordless Super Hawg, or an impact wrench?
M18 Fuel SDS Max Rotary Hammer
There’s a new SDS Max rotary hammer, and if you can’t tell from the photo, this is one of the tools Milwaukee designed their 9Ah Li-ion battery pack for. You don’t have to use it with a 9Ah battery pack, but it seems to be optimized for the big pack size and power reserve.
If I recall correctly, this might have been touted as the world’s first cordless SDS Max rotary hammer. If not, then definitely the world’s first 18V-class SDS Max rotary hammer
Milwaukee’s entire range of M18 rotary hammers were on display, including this Fuel brushless model that I believe is also new, or at least recent.
I hadn’t tested either, but others who had tested the SDS Max rotary hammer seemed to be impressed. Or maybe they were faking it. I’ve used hammer drills and SDS rotary hammers before, but can’t say that I’ve ever needed to drill large enough holes in masonry where I would have needed the power of a SDS Max hammer.