olletsocmit Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 So... Brushless vs not brushless? is it worth the extra $ ? I am just a regular guy who uses my tools a little more than average. These are the 2 i am considering... I know the big dif's are the brushless and fuel. I am not talking dif in batteries or any of that, just is it worth it Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brushless Driver: link: https://brandworks.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/combo-kits/2897-22 Milwaukee M18 "regular" Driver: link: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/combo-kits/2691-22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 The different between those kits is pretty big, they actually have a brushless non-fuel kit that bridges the gap. If you can swing it, go fuel the drill is about the best cordless drill on the market at this time and the impact is no slouch either. Jimbo Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano123 Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 I have the brushed drill and impact plus the M12 brushed and fuel. They all do the job. The fuel is stronger, but I haven't ran into a single job that the brushed couldn't handle. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 I have the brushed drill and impact plus the M12 brushed and fuel. They all do the job. The fuel is stronger, but I haven't ran into a single job that the brushed couldn't handle. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk Yea you won't use the max stats on the fuel that much but when you need it it's nice to have it. If you got the ability and cash to get it I would but it's not life or death 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mims Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 it would be nice to have brushless power but man its hard to justify for me atm, I mean 400 bucks for drills wow could get the ridgid table saw. I haven't ran into anything that I would need it for but would be sweet to have the extra run time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fazzman Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 it depends if your in the construction trades or something similar yeah go brushless, if you're a DIY guy who doesnt use their stuff as much it wont matter what you get,the batteries are the same regardless. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 35 minutes ago, james mims said: it would be nice to have brushless power but man its hard to justify for me atm, I mean 400 bucks for drills wow could get the ridgid table saw. I haven't ran into anything that I would need it for but would be sweet to have the extra run time. James, are you talking diy or more woodworking? What kind of projects are you planning on? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkdec Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 ive been in the professional construction trades for the last 30 years or so, so i make a living with my tools, i just recently got into the milwaukee cordless tool line, the m12,'s all of the them are the fuel line, and it wasnt the brushed vs brushless question, it had to do more with the build quality of the fuel line compared to the brushed line. if i wasnt making money with my tools i would not hesitate to buy into the brushed line. all of my 18/20 volts are dewalt, with 80% being the 18v lithium ion, my favorite is the dcd970 hammer drill, i have used the new brushless models, ( not mine), there is a difference, but its not black and white, its more like black and grey. if run time is a problem, then down the road you pick up a few extra batteries. run time or performance difference has never been a problem with me on the brushed models. dont feel like you have to spend money you cant, like dano said, i have never run into a job that the brushed couldnt handle 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mims Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 1 hour ago, ChrisK said: James, are you talking diy or more woodworking? What kind of projects are you planning on? just In general I make living with my tools but just hard to spend that money. I do kitchens and recently been doin decks with my dad between the two of us we can stay pretty busy doin those, we will do pretty much anything but that's what we enjoy doing. so brushless for me would just be nice but def no needed like Mohawk said just buy more batteries so work doesn't stop. guess would just be less trips to the charger with brushless lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 Ahhhh....if pro I'd probably go brushless. The battery run time is the big draw. The brushless non fuel set looks decent but doesn't have all the bells and whistles li,e mutli speed but if your not used to having it it ain't really a sacrifice 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkdec Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 2 hours ago, james mims said: just In general I make living with my tools but just hard to spend that money. I do kitchens and recently been doin decks with my dad between the two of us we can stay pretty busy doin those, we will do pretty much anything but that's what we enjoy doing. so brushless for me would just be nice but def no needed like Mohawk said just buy more batteries so work doesn't stop. guess would just be less trips to the charger with brushless lol i see your more professional than diy, so chriss and protoolnut would be more inline than what i said earlier. you would probably be more happy buying in the brushless line, than not, especially in the torque'e tools like saws and your bigger drills, this is where the brushless really shines 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mims Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 1 minute ago, mohawkdec said: i see your more professional than diy, so chriss and protoolnut would be more inline than what i said earlier. you would probably be more happy buying in the brushless line, than not, especially in the torque'e tools like saws and your bigger drills, this is where the brushless really shines would be nice but not for that $ I never have a issue tho my pc runs strong all day.. maybe when they come out with there brushless tools ill grab those I did see they have been talking about it. and I think they will be closer to what I can feel comfortable paying u know.. I do see the benefit and would be awesome but ouch lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mims Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 I guess I should note my wife cant work she has narcolepsy so that's a huge purchase for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohawkdec Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 14 minutes ago, james mims said: I guess I should note my wife cant work she has narcolepsy so that's a huge purchase for me sorry to hear about your wife, the batteries are all the same in one brand line james, you can always upgrade and buy "bare" tools later down the road. i have both brushed and brushless, i work on alot of jobsites where there are several trades working at the same time, alot of them have multi brands, and all of them have both brushless and brushed. there is nothing wrong with what you have now. i dont have any pc cordless, but i do own some of there corded tools, mostly sanders. good luck james, you sound like a great guy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mims Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 ty much. one day soon that is the plan. but was just sayin they are awesome but not a must have.. ya when I do go brushless I will just have more tools because u can never have enough lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olletsocmit Posted April 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 wow this is my first time on this forum and WOW. tons of great advice and input. I paid $169 for the regular Milwaukee driver and drill. And after you just mentioned that they have it in Brushless and then fuel i checked. I could return this one and get the brushless (non-Fuel) version for $200, $30 more to go to brushless. is it worth it or just be happy with the one i have and use it? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olletsocmit Posted April 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 5 hours ago, mohawkdec said: ive been in the professional construction trades for the last 30 years or so, so i make a living with my tools, i just recently got into the milwaukee cordless tool line, the m12,'s all of the them are the fuel line, and it wasnt the brushed vs brushless question, it had to do more with the build quality of the fuel line compared to the brushed line. if i wasnt making money with my tools i would not hesitate to buy into the brushed line. all of my 18/20 volts are dewalt, with 80% being the 18v lithium ion, my favorite is the dcd970 hammer drill, i have used the new brushless models, ( not mine), there is a difference, but its not black and white, its more like black and grey. if run time is a problem, then down the road you pick up a few extra batteries. run time or performance difference has never been a problem with me on the brushed models. dont feel like you have to spend money you cant, like dano said, i have never run into a job that the brushed couldnt handle Am i going to notice a dif in brushed vs brushless? for example use mine then use a non fuel brushless one? also is the big dif in the battery's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olletsocmit Posted April 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Please see below... I will not be using to make a living, but i also use a lot more then a normal DIY home owner. For example work on my cars, will be drywalling my 3 car garage soon, fixing riding mower etc. just not sure if i will regret no getting one in 5 months or not...? This is the kit i have for: $170 - Link: https://tinyurl.com/han4ne2 This is the same kit but Brushless (non-Fuel) for: $220 to $250 - Link: https://tinyurl.com/jgvjmqo I can maybe see spending another $50 to $70 to get brushless, but my issues is do I spend another $200 to $230 (plus tax) to get fuel? I hate getting stuck with something in a year from now, but again do i need the best... no 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I would either stick with what you get or go brushless non fuel... Use what else you would have spent to get the fuel on another shiny red tool! Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james mims Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 if u are already happy then grab a diff tool could maybe get bare tools since u have batteries, Milwaukee has sweet tool selection. I'm sure u would notice a diff but could get somethin pretty cool for 230 bucks lol. like grinder and circ saw lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 10 hours ago, mohawkdec said: ive been in the professional construction trades for the last 30 years or so, so i make a living with my tools, i just recently got into the milwaukee cordless tool line, the m12,'s all of the them are the fuel line, and it wasnt the brushed vs brushless question, it had to do more with the build quality of the fuel line compared to the brushed line. if i wasnt making money with my tools i would not hesitate to buy into the brushed line. all of my 18/20 volts are dewalt, with 80% being the 18v lithium ion, my favorite is the dcd970 hammer drill, i have used the new brushless models, ( not mine), there is a difference, but its not black and white, its more like black and grey. if run time is a problem, then down the road you pick up a few extra batteries. run time or performance difference has never been a problem with me on the brushed models. dont feel like you have to spend money you cant, like dano said, i have never run into a job that the brushed couldnt handle I used the same DCD970, it was a good drill, but it started falling apart, the plastic came loose around the battery, and it would drop out unexpectedly. But, it would still work great as long as you watched the battery ha. 4 hours ago, Tim C said: wow this is my first time on this forum and WOW. tons of great advice and input. I paid $169 for the regular Milwaukee driver and drill. And after you just mentioned that they have it in Brushless and then fuel i checked. I could return this one and get the brushless (non-Fuel) version for $200, $30 more to go to brushless. is it worth it or just be happy with the one i have and use it? Yeah, that's why we're all here, total tool junkies, any excuse to talk about tools will do LOL... If I had the drill and driver you do and were worried about spending more money just to get the next step up, I would say stick with what you have until it no longer does its job, which hopefully will have LONG paid for itself by then. I got a great deal on the gen 1 fuel drill and impact, so that's how I have a set. Then for work I have the gen 2 fuel drill/impact. I use those day in and day out, they don't get much rest, I'm glad I upgraded from brushless drills that I had been using, I do a lot of hole saws in wood and would not like having any less power, but if I were in your shoes, I would be perfectly happy having the brushed version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 the regular brushed kit is such good value. my FUEL drill hardly gets touched because the compact brushed drill is much lighter and has all the power needed for 99% of jobs. the impact is a good tool as well. unless you plan on drilling holes over an inch big all day long, be happy with the great tools you have and don't regret them one bit! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano123 Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Another point I would like to bring up is what line do you currently use? I know my M18 brushed impact was so much stronger than my old B&D that it took some time to get used to it. I would check HD for M18 brushed sets on clearance to start out with and as someone mentioned, you can add on bare tools as needed. I guarantee you won't run into a job building decks that the brushed drill or impact can't handle. The run time on my batteries out lasts the charge time by far so I could run the tools all day without any issue. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano123 Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 Please see below... I will not be using to make a living, but i also use a lot more then a normal DIY home owner. For example work on my cars, will be drywalling my 3 car garage soon, fixing riding mower etc. just not sure if i will regret no getting one in 5 months or not...? This is the kit i have for: $170 - Link: https://tinyurl.com/han4ne2 This is the same kit but Brushless (non-Fuel) for: $220 to $250 - Link: https://tinyurl.com/jgvjmqo I can maybe see spending another $50 to $70 to get brushless, but my issues is do I spend another $200 to $230 (plus tax) to get fuel? I hate getting stuck with something in a year from now, but again do i need the best... no It looks like you also upgrade to a hammer drill and a XC battery so it is a much better deal for the extra $50 to 70. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted April 17, 2016 Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 does anyone really ever use the hammer function on a compact drill? I don't usually recommend much hammer use for one .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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