Milwaukee 2401-22 12-Volt Li-Ion Compact Driver Kit
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List Price: Our Price: $99.00 You Save: $150.00 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Milwaukee 2401-22 12-Volt Li-Ion Compact Driver Kit
Customer Review: Excellent small tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this as a part of the driver/hacksall combo kit - haven't really used the hacksall much yet, so I decided to review this independently.
I really like this driver. Sadly, I think it will replace my beloved Panasonic 12v drill/drivers. It has nearly the same power and usefulness in a much more compact size. The ergonomics are fantastic, and this is really convenient to carry around. Come to think of it, I rarely use my other cordless drills since I got this tool - including my awesome milwaukee V28 hammer drill.
I would say this thing has as much power as most homeowners will normally need in a cordless. I have mostly used it with driver bits of various types and also quite a lot with a 1/4 socket adaptor on it. I do a lot of mechanical repair, and it is really handy to put a 10mm socket on it and use. It's not an impact, but it will break many small bolts loose with its torque. I've used in on a couple significant car repairs, and have worked on several small engines with it.
I also really like the bit holder. When you pull it out it releases the bit and remains in the release position until you push another bit in, then it locks the bit in tight. For some reason, milwaukee didn't put that same really nice bit holder on the m12 impactor.
I also wondered whether I would miss having a chuck on it - and so far I haven't missed the chuck at all. I found out that 90% of the time I'm using the cordless for bit drivng and sockets, and rarely drilling.
The LED battery indicator is pretty convenient too. The batteries charge relatively quickly - and have good, but not great life.
My only disappointment, which has been pointed out by others, is the placement of the reverse switch. Several times I have unintentionally reversed the direction on the tool - but I have learned to be aware of it already, so it's a minor annoyance.
I almost bought the Bosch version of this, which seems to be pretty similar and capable, but I bought the milwaukee because I liked some of the other tools in their line and wanted to minimize the different battery types.
I also debated on getting the impactor instead of this - I'm glad I didn't. I just got the impactor recently, and, although I haven't used it much yet, I like the driver better so far - it has the better bit holder, and seems to be a bit better balanced.
Customer Review: Extremely capable little driver
Summary: 5 Stars
Years ago I swore off battery-operated drills. But, once my corded drill died, I decided to give it another shot; battery technology had improved quite a bit. This thing has almost as much torque as my old corded drill (it doesn't have anywhere near the same max rpm; I would not attempt to stir paint with it). It seems they have engineered this to turn slow and steady, delivering lots of torque without having lots of friction, both conserving battery and giving you a lot of torque to work with (enough to cam out of a size 3 phillips screw if you're not pushing on it).
While you sacrifice some flexibility with the hex-chuck (especially for drilling large holes), and may need to buy a set of bits that fit the hex chuck, I think the convenience of the well-designed chuck makes up for it (adding and removing bits is easy with one hand).
Lastly, this thing is extremely small, and can get into a lot of places you'd never be able to get a corded drill.
So, if you'd like to have something small and extremely convenient for your light to medium-duty DIY type drilling/driving, this is a really good way to go. If you have heavy duty work too, I'd get a nice corded drill with a Jacob's chuck (getting a cheapo one with barely more torque is probably a waste of money; if you mainly need the ability to use round drill bits, they sell a hex-to-3/8" chuck adapter that people seem to like).
Customer Review: Extremely powerful driver for its size!
Summary: 4 Stars
I amblown away by the torque that this thing can generate for its size! While it doesn't completely replace my 18v Dewalt driver for big jobs, it does work for a majority of the jobs I do.
It feels very solidly constructed and has survived many accidental drops without so much as a nick or scratch.
The only complaint I have is with the batteries. After owning the drill for a little more than a year, I began having trouble with the battery not charging. When attempting to charge the battery, both the red and green indicator lights on the front of the charger would light up at the same time, indicating a defective battery. The 2nd battery also started having the same thing happen to it within a month. I've seen at least one other reviewer mention this same issue.
I will mention that I was able to get both batteries replaced under warranty. Bravo, Milwaukee, for great customer service!
Customer Review: Fantastic Driver
Summary: 5 Stars
It was a tough choice between this and the Bosch, which many friends have. It's been only a week since I got this and I'm totally sold. The Milwaukee has got a lot of power: I used it on about 35 3" screws into PT (same battery) and it's a breeze with pocket screws and trim heads. Great for cabinet work.
I've used the Bosch a lot and it would have been fine, but this is newer and better. I made the right choice.
Customer Review: Fantasticly Useful, Excellent Quality Tool!
Summary: 5 Stars
I got this little beauty from the Home Depot when it was on sale for the same price; that was well over a year ago so I'm guessing the price might come down a little some time soon.
It has great torque. I'm a maintenance-man at a local water park and I have contemplated taking it to my work for daily use. I say contemplated b/c there is already a small drill/driver provided for me there by the company. The one provided is a 12v LiIon Rigid 2 speed with a 3/8" chuck. Having used both tools on a daily basis, it is clear that my Milwaukee wins hands down. It is a torque monster compared to the Rigid. Every day I use the Rigid drill/driver at work I curse it for it's lack of power, "This thing just has no ass!" However, I don't want to bring my nice Milwaukee to work where the other boneheads I work with might get a hold of it.
I haven't run into anything yet that the Milwaukee has failed to to. Obviously I'm not going to use it for masonry drilling or anything like that. But it does drill nicely in addition to being and excellent driver. I have a set of drill bits, up to 3/8", with hex shafts and it handles them well without struggling.
This tool really shines as a driver. I was most impressed when using it for the first time, helping to frame out a deck with screened porch. I wasn't expecting much and thought I'd soon be switching back over to my big drill. But it really surprised me! It was turning in these 3" Primeguards with out any trouble! And it did it over and over again for about 20 minutes too before the battery died. This wasn't a problem as the LiIon batteries charge so fast, there wasn't ever a gap in usage. I drove screws nearly all day with the same results. I'm very please with how it performs.
It's construction is quality through and through. That's all I can say. You can FEEL it. It has the same classic Milwaukee feel as their more expensive tools, it's just solid. If I ever have a problem I'll update this review right away; to date it has worked flawlessly.
The only drawback I can see is that I didn't have the opportunity to buy the drill/driver and impact driver combo! The bare bones impact driver is on my wish list right now.