Milwaukee oscillating tool M12 versus M18 brushless versus Fuel - any real world experiences?

[Wildefalcon]

My cheap Lidl parkside multitool finally died yesterday. It's been great, but the motor itself no longer starts, despite repeated percussion maintenance.

I'm slowly replacing all my parkside stuff with Milwaukee, as spare and batteries are easily available.

So that's the plan; buy a Milwaukee.

But which one?

I don't use the multitool much, and I've been impressed with the brushless 12v kit, and that's what I'm thinking of getting. But are they any good?

 

[Trevorleach]

Fuel a day long, I have only ever bought fuel stuff, and some of it is still running at over 10 years old, though not tried a multi tool yet!

 

[123hotchef]

I have the m18 fuel it is a great tool, it is a bit bigger and heavier than my bosch 240v one but the bosch dont come out much now.

 

[hotponyshoes]

No idea on the milwalkee.
I have got bosch versions in both 12v and 18v.

Different as you would expect.

12v is smaller, lighter quieter. Will fit into a pocket and you can stick a couple of spare batteries in pockets as well.

18v bigger, heavier, much more powerful.
Not actually much louder just running but makes more noise cutting.

Not sure which I would have if I could only have one?
I got the 18v first as they didn't do a 12v at the time. Then got the 12v as I wanted something lighter.

Although I don't always use them as you would think.
For example, the 12v would be best if you were climbing up a ladder but I often climb up a ladder to cut out bonded horsebox windows and I normally use the 18v for the extra power and it will do the job on one battery. Does make your arm ache though.

Also, last time I had to cut a siezed suspension bolt out the 18v would have been the quicker option but I had to use the 12v due to access issues.

If the milwalkee versions are both readily available locally (and you have both types of batteries) then maybe wait until you have a job that requires one and buy the most suitable one for that job?
Then buy the other one anyway.

Also make sure both versions have the same blade fitment.

 

[Craig-SM]

I’ve had both the M18 brushed and brushless (fuel) the latter has more oscillatiions and run time so cuts faster and for longer but also less vibrations to the hands. Having said that they are both great.
I have a lot of the M12 stuff and some of it is better than their M18 stuff including jigsaw, sanders and planner so don’t just go for the M18 thinking it will be better although I’ve not had my hands on the 12v multitool.

 

[Nomad]

I use M12 kit for light work (kitchen fitting and interior trimming.

The M12 Multi-tool has been invaluable but it’s a toy when compared it to a mains version.
I’d expect same if I compared it to M18 version

Depends if you want a light tool for detail work or if you want something with grunt.

Edit: my M12 in now 10+ years old and still works fine but it got noticeably more noisy around year 2 of infrequent use.

 

[hotponyshoes]

the latter has more oscillatiions and run time so cuts faster and for longer but also less vibrations to the hands.

There seem to be loads of options for this.
Apart from power output they come in different speeds (Adjustable as well on some) but also a choice of oscillating angle.

I'm not sure what the best amount of degrees is for general use?
I'd guess more travel would help with clearing the swarf from the blade if you were cutting something soft like plasterboard? But, at the same time, less travel would probably make it easier to follow a line and work into corners if you were fitting a backbox?

Less might be better if you wanted a cut not much wider than the blade width but it's easy enough to grind a blade down if required.

 

[voipio]

The DeWalt 18V brushless is good.

 

[MattF]

I don't use the multitool much, and I've been impressed with the brushless 12v kit, and that's what I'm thinking of getting. But are they any good?

The 12V multitool's are a very handy bit of kit. Smaller, lighter, do the job well. Unless you're planning on extended use periods or heavy work, 12V would be, & was, my first choice. Both, however, would be best if you're willing to fork out for both.

A tool which may or may not see much use, but which are definitely essential when you need them.

 

[Craig-SM]

There seem to be loads of options for this.
Apart from power output they come in different speeds (Adjustable as well on some) but also a choice of oscillating angle.

I'm not sure what the best amount of degrees is for general use?
I'd guess more travel would help with clearing the swarf from the blade if you were cutting something soft like plasterboard? But, at the same time, less travel would probably make it easier to follow a line and work into corners if you were fitting a backbox?

Less might be better if you wanted a cut not much wider than the blade width but it's easy enough to grind a blade down if required.

More travel with a given number of oscillations will give you a quicker cut. Cutting plasterboard etc you will just have enough blade in the cut so easy to follow the line

 

[Wildefalcon]

I think I'll go for the fuel 12v. It's got toolless blade change, and that's important to me.

It's one of those tools that when you need it, you need it. But I'd only use it occasionally. Thanks all.

 

[JOEPRO]

I have the fuel m12 version and its great. In terms of power I dont see what demands much power from a multitool. By its nature its a small blade buzzing. Its not like power of the device really matters its usability and quality IMO.

 

[sako243]

Question is are you using the multitool because of accessibility? If so the M12 is smaller.

I ended up trimming all the 3/4" Douglas Fir cladding at the gable ends of the stable with it and it munched through them. Arguably should have used the chainsaw but the multitool did the job admirably.

 

[brightspark]

The DeWalt 18V brushless is good.

best tool ive ever bought gets used daily fast and quick changed blades i have a chorded bosch but its retired now