Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
Newbie advice. Ferguson has both the Dewalt and Milwaukee brushless premium kits on sale with free reciprocating saws until march 31 2014. The Milwaukee fuel 399.99. Dewalt 354.99. What would you buy and why?
You cant go wrong with either one, I own the dewalt and a co worker has the fuel stuff. I also own the 12v fuel stuff, I rather the dewalt just for feel and ease of use in the 20v line. If the free saw is a fuel then I would probably lean that way though if its the brushed saw then I would go with the dewalt.
Both brushless combo kits would include the brushed saw. I was also wondering if the 3 speed impact was any better than the xr brushless impact. Trigger control etc. I noticed the xr impact was Dan’s tool of 2013 over the fuel? But couldn’t find out why. No Brainer on the drills. Milwaukee fuel looks cheap sharp edges and crap for a chuck.
I’m assuming the Dewalt kit includes the recent heavy-duty DCD995. If I were a plumber/electrician, Milwaukee is the easy/obvious choice.
For others, I’d choose the Dewalt (just), with the following summary:
Drills – both awesome, but Dewalt has longer runtime. Dewalt probably best for timber, Milwaukee probably better in hammer mode.
Impacts – both awesome, VERY similar runtime, power goes to the Milwaukee (just), as does the 3 speed. Dewalt has the 3 LED lights (very handy).
Recips – FUEL >> Dewalt >> M18. Dewalt won the 2012 award, its an excellent tool. Milwaukees brushed M18 was apparently a bit of a letdown.
The Dewalt tool lights stay on for 20 seconds after you let go of the trigger, and its actually super handy. Turns every tool into a torch already in your hand. And of course, the Dewalt is cheaper (great prices!).
The 50 dollar difference is pretty substantial but the Dewalt does not have the selector switch where you can change the drill mode with out changing your torque setting the didn’t include that one the new brushless version for some reason. For some guys that might be a deal breaker others might not care. The other thing to consider id there any tools you might want to add on to like the Dewalt cordless framing nailer its much cheaper to buy bare tools than kits. I will say the 3 speeds are nice if you do any work that is more on the delicate size. If your putting in 3 1/2 inch screws all day long its probably not as needed. Milwaukee needs to work on their prices they are kind of on the high side now. It also comes down to how the tool feels in your hand, and what platform has the tools that best suit the trade your in the Fuel High torque impact wrenches are at another level compared to the other power tool companies. The M18 fuel circular saw has amazing power as does the new fuel Sawzall. I’m a bit of a Milwaukee fan but saving 50 bucks would have probably won me over.
If I were you I’d go with milwaukee fuel, this topic goes back and forth but they both kick ass. Reason being is you get a better 18volt line up with team red, a lot more brushless tools and brushed I believe? I got the fuel and it has plenty power and feels great in hand to me, also they seem to launch tools at a faster rate then dewalt.
I vote for milwaukee as well, that way you can say “hey, hand me that sawzall”.
Plus EVERYONE knows Milwaukee is better. 😀
price is a good point to make. the brushless options from Milwaukee are excellent tools, but have a price to match. Dewalt seems to be generally a little cheaper.
Mike Hoover wrote:
I vote for milwaukee as well, that way you can say “hey, hand me that sawzall”
but unless its the (expensive) FUEL version, you have to say, “hey, hand me that average sawzall” 😛
Their both great, I would say look at the entire line up m18 vs 20v Max and decide which one suits you better. If it boils down to price I will say that even without the added sawzall the m18 kit is more expensive but you do get more like the 3 speed impact others have talked about. Its nice to have the 3 speed impact because you can use it on light duty tasks.
I think its a hard choice because I know dewalt is coming out with brad nailers, even if they’re not announced you know their coming and also dewalt has a 3 speed impact if needed, its just not bundled in the kit. It was a smart choice as it helps keep the combo kits price down
dwain wrote:
price is a good point to make. the brushless options from Milwaukee are excellent tools, but have a price to match. Dewalt seems to be generally a little cheaper.
but unless its the (expensive) FUEL version, you have to say, “hey, hand me that average sawzall” 😛
Oh Gawd….one of the obnoxious Dewalt guys 🙂
I will say, as I have always said…I will always put Milwaukee first but…and this is the kicker, I hate the M18 Sawzall. Their corded tools made the name and they are the best and the Fuel Sawzall is awesome but the standard M18 Sawzall…I hate. Not enough power, no adjustable shoe, not a fan 🙁
ChrisK1970 wrote:
Oh Gawd….one of the obnoxious Dewalt guys 🙂
Haha. Truth be told, I voted Milwuakee in the viewers choice award 😉 I have half Dewalt 20v and half Bosch 18V, but am jealous of Milwaukee FUEL grinder/circ/sawzall.
But in this Drill/Impact/Recip comparison, I think yellow is the clear value winner 🙂 But as I said in my first post, if you’re a plumber/electrician or anyone else who would benefit from Milwaukee’s specialist tools / bigger line-up, its the obvious choice.
EDIT: oh, and I was never in the Dewalt Owners Group. I’m a TIA man through and through.
I love my dewalt 3 speed impact driver. I’m a apt. manager/ handymen for 7, 8years now. Also do consturstion punch work and detailing for many new homes, pretty much I’m a do it all guy there. Finally decided to upgraded from dewalt 18V ( I owned 13 tools from 18v line) to dewalt 20v xr brushless line last year. I was debating with Milwaukee Fuel, Dewalt XR and Ridgid X4 at that time. which platform should I move to. I do some reseach ahead online and went to Lowe’s first and they only sell dewalt out of the 3 brands. But all dewalt xr line were out of stock. So I went to homedepot. They got it all. At first I almost go buy the Ridge X4 5pc combo set because of the price and lifetime warranty. But even that they aren’t brushless and feel cheap made. Looking at the Milwaukee Fuel 2pc combo set with a free of choice bare tool speacial (sawzall, circular saw or 3.0 batteries.) for $349 and the dewalt xr 2pc combo also a free bare for $279. For that $70 different at that deal. I picked up the dewalt xr impact and drill combo set with the free 20v ciruclar saw for $290 out of the door. Then a week later a guy is moving outta the island and selling a set of the dewalt 3 speed impact drill set for $100 on Craigslist. I went and pick that up in 30mins. Every since I have been in love with it beacause the multiple duty tasks on the 3 speed function are great for what do. I carry it on my truck everyday and everywhere;) I think I did a good choice on my dewalts. I own 6 of 20v tools now, I have 2 xr impact driver, the xr compact drill, the xr 3speed hammer drill, 2 led work light, my ciruclar saw has been missing over a month now (dont know how) With 11 batteries for them. Dewalt 20v xr does it good for me. I’m proud to be yellow. Not only because I’m asian;) good luck for your choice buddy…
Trying to help my decision and have a few tools warrantied. I Called the local tool repair shop M & M tool listed on Milwaukees website. Would repair if I bought from them but stated they are the worst tool company for warranty repairs. Makita being the best coverage and Dewalt 2nd. I have Milwaukee m18 tools needing repairs that my guys use at work (Government) not used extensively. Drill failed chuck. Sawzall frozen. I was hoping the fuel tools were better quality. Because I am liking the fuel line more. The old dewalt xrp stuff lasted except batteries. Decisions decisions. …
what skins are you going to want in the long run (after these three)?
It’s all about which color you like….. Red or yellow?
In all honesty the build quality is pretty equal between the 2. I have both and have gotten good service out of both.
I like Milwaukee myself, and I feel they have a better line right now. I’ve never warrantied anything through Milwaukee, so I can’t really speak to that.
Maverick wrote:
Trying to help my decision and have a few tools warrantied. I Called the local tool repair shop M & M tool listed on Milwaukees website. Would repair if I bought from them but stated they are the worst tool company for warranty repairs. Makita being the best coverage and Dewalt 2nd. I have Milwaukee m18 tools needing repairs that my guys use at work (Government) not used extensively. Drill failed chuck. Sawzall frozen. I was hoping the fuel tools were better quality. Because I am liking the fuel line more. The old dewalt xrp stuff lasted except batteries. Decisions decisions. …
Hey guys, although I honestly don’t have experience with the Dewalt 20v XR line, I can say they look like really well made tools and they are lighter and more,comfortably gripped (IMHO). I can say I have used Milwaukee’s warranty. In my opinion, the Milwaukee warranty service is I unparalleled. I’ve used it twice. Once for a defective new tool, and once for a broken tool I bought on eBay that was still under five years. No receipt for the second tool. Went online. Printed a FREE postage sheet. Sent the tool with NO RECEIPT. Got the tool back within three days…both brand new replacements. That is GOOD, FAST, PROFESSIONAL customer service in my opinion. Everyone knows I am using Festool,now, but I still have and will always keep my M12 line, and my router. I also have an M18 work light and battery as well as a charger in the event I want to buy a tool again. All because of the warranty service. Now….if they would finally get the white paint issue rectified!!!!!!Conductor562 wrote:
In all honesty the build quality is pretty equal between the 2. I have both and have gotten good service out of both.
I like Milwaukee myself, and I feel they have a better line right now. I’ve never warrantied anything through Milwaukee, so I can’t really speak to that.
I have the brushless impact, brushless compact drill, and brushless premium hammer drill and don’t have a bad thing to say about them. I went to the store wanting the milwaukee fuel line but the dewalt grip just felt so much better in the hand. I figured there so close in performance I might as well go with the one thats going to feel the best.
Good debate guys. I vote Milwaukee.
Seeing how it’s my forum and all, I vote that my vote counts for 5 votes….who’ll second my motion 😆
Kidding guys…..obviously kidding.
I second the motion \(°0°)/ WOOO..FUEL FTW
dwain wrote:
price is a good point to make. the brushless options from Milwaukee are excellent tools, but have a price to match. Dewalt seems to be generally a little cheaper.
but unless its the (expensive) FUEL version, you have to say, “hey, hand me that average sawzall” 😛
still beats saying “hey, hand me that substandard reciprocating saw” lol
Mike Hoover wrote:
still beats saying “hey, hand me that substandard reciprocating saw” lol
BOOM! 😆
Isn’t the Dewalt Recip a great contender for best recip thats not the FUEL?
Nobody has brought up the fact that you have 4 different positions that you can put the Dewalt recip blade in!! I have owned and used both the dewalt and Milwaukee brushed recip saws and this one feature makes a difference, especially when you’re flush cutting. Now if it was the Fuel sawzall included as the free tool then that would be a different story, but between the brushed recips the Dewalt is definitely the better tool.
Thanks for all the replies.I Stopped at Home Depot for the same 399.00 fuel combo with free sawzall. After comparing the Dewalt brushless drill and impact. Who is also made in china. Had it been assembled in USA as other models that would have swayed me yellow. Now to find a reputable milwaukee repair center for the other tools.
I know I should know the answer to this, but does the fuel Sawzall have the multi-position blade system?
No it has upside down an normal conductor, with an adjustable shoe. But I can cut flush with mine easily lol the longer blades bend haha
Thanks Punda. Milwaukee does have those flush cut blades.
Question. Does anyone remember why the Dewalt brushless impact was T.I.A. impact of 2013 over the milwaukee fuel? Was the trigger variable speed better than the milwaukee 3 speed etc. Or was it due to being newly released.
i think it might have been the led lighting that tipped the scale, but it was super close. I tend to think the 3 speed milwaukee prob should have won. the 3 LED lights which stay on for 20 seconds are super handy.
I agree with you dwain, that’s the best tool in my truck!
Tough Crowd
Hey if one of the new 20v Brushless Dewalt framing nailers magically and suddenly showed up on my front door unannounced I wouldn’t mind of that happening. to me. I think that is an awesome power tool innovation. I also liked the big 3 speed Dewalt DCD 985 and liked a lot but the Fuel called me over that DCD 985 was a beast of a cordless drill the fuel is heavy but that 985 is the hammer of Thor when it comes to weight you have to carry doing over head work with it. Nothing against Dewalt at all right now I’m just supper smitten with Milwaukee right now.
I picked up the DCS355D1 20v Max XR Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit as one of the tools for my bathroom remodel. I’m totally impressed with it. I had some dry rot around the tub that needed cot out. That thing cut through two layers of linoleum, 1/4in ply, another two layers of linoleum, 3/4in ply, a layer of the old tar down linoleum tiles, and the old, hard as the back of your head, 1/2in shiplap like butter. Had I known there were that many layers I would have budgeted in replacing the floor. Oh well another project for another time. I had an electrician friend come over and wire in a new fan and switch box, I let him borrow it to do the cut in, and he loves it. He begged me to trade for his Fein.
Gatorb888 Would there be any chance that Dewalt would ad the 3 speed to the new brushless impact? I dislike the fat nose of the current Dewalt brushless 3 speed and chuck. Doesn’t work well in tight areas. I would have rather purchased the Dewalt brushless combo with said type of impact. My opinion is that dewalt drills etc. Are put together better than milwaukee. Fit and finish. My newly purchased fuel combo has sharp and inconsistent edges were pieces join together. Such as we’re the metal meets plastic and there chucks stink. Nothing like a Rohm chuck. The Dewalt was cheaper but I liked the idea of having flexibility.
Maverick wrote:
Gatorb888 Would there be any chance that Dewalt would ad the 3 speed to the new brushless impact? I dislike the fat nose of the current Dewalt brushless 3 speed and chuck. Doesn’t work well in tight areas. I would have rather purchased the Dewalt brushless combo with said type of impact. My opinion is that dewalt drills etc. Are put together better than milwaukee. Fit and finish. My newly purchased fuel combo has sharp and inconsistent edges were pieces join together. Such as we’re the metal meets plastic and there chucks stink. Nothing like a Rohm chuck. The Dewalt was cheaper but I liked the idea of having flexibility.
The three speed dewalt gets everywhere the standard does. It is shorter and doesnt have the chuck sticking out but the standard is every bit as wide. Key to tight areas on either one is a 12v system or longer bits.
Maverick wrote:
Gatorb888 Would there be any chance that Dewalt would ad the 3 speed to the new brushless impact? I dislike the fat nose of the current Dewalt brushless 3 speed and chuck. Doesn’t work well in tight areas. I would have rather purchased the Dewalt brushless combo with said type of impact. My opinion is that dewalt drills etc. Are put together better than milwaukee. Fit and finish. My newly purchased fuel combo has sharp and inconsistent edges were pieces join together. Such as we’re the metal meets plastic and there chucks stink. Nothing like a Rohm chuck. The Dewalt was cheaper but I liked the idea of having flexibility.
There is always a chance but I don’t believe it would be something you would see any time soon.
Thanks for the love DR99 and RedSionnach
I dunno if those guys ship to US (I’m form Canada) but they offer a pretty good deal on a bunch of m18 fuel and m12 fuel. You can get the brushless impact with the brushless sawzall for 299$
Here there web site Www.jccayer.com oh and btw the price list on the flyer aren’t the good one they are actually cheaper by 10%