As a long time Milwaukee fan, it was worrying a few years ago when ownership of Milwaukee changed. With that change, there was a concern that the longstanding quality of their tools would diminish. With this 2410-20 drill, there seems to be little to worry about!
The straight and true: the tool is SOLID, fit/finish is excellent, there is no flex in the handle (other than the comfortable, soft coating). The battery has zero slop in the handle, works for longer than expected and charges quickly. Given the compact size, torque is also better than I hoped for with high speed being a great choice for driving screws (took the tool to work for moving audio equipment in a bunch of sound racks).
The wobble: there is only one part that I've found to deserve criticism - the chuck. It seems great and very similar to the excellent chucks on the V18 drills (minus the carbide grip inserts). While there is very little run-out in mine, the chuck auto-loosens. Driving screws in results in the momentum (on high speed) loosening the grip a little bit each time a screw hits bottom (or the brake of the drill is used when letting go of the trigger). Really cranking the chuck tight helps in delaying the loosening but does not seem to eliminate the problem with the screwdriver bit dropping out after 15 to 20 screws. Although this is a huge problem, the tool is good enough otherwise that it is still a keeper.
After experiencing the positive qualities of this Milwaukee tool, I'm very curious to try out more of the M12 line (especially the impact driver for use with screws). Luckily, the new Milwaukee seems to have done a lot to increase the engineering and design speed of tools and seems to have not lost the high quality that makes older Milwaukee tools legendary.
Edited 9-6-2009 to add: Turns out mine is not the only sample that self-loosens the chuck. This is something to be very aware/wary of and it probably would help if each of us with faulty chuck operation went to [...] and communicated to them through their system. It does not take much imagination to see a decent size, sharp spade bit drop from the chuck and poke a hole in a leg of someone working while wearing shorts.
Edited 7-26-2010 to add: Between my experience with 3 of these drills and reading the comments to this review, it seems clear that Milwaukee has a product where they have failed in both design and testing. Given the time they have had to fix the problem but have not, I suggest passing over the M12 tools until Milwaukee demonstrates production of tools that work 100% properly.
New Rating - One Star - what good is a drill that can't hold a bit?? Milwaukee 2410-22 M12 12-Volt 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver
just purchased the 2410 Milwaukee drill as a kit with two batteries 2 months or so ago from Amazon . first impression good . recent experience quite disappointing.
i have used the drill moderately but often during this time. the major problem it he batteries. first charge good. followup battery performance renders the drill only good for small short duration jobs. charges quickly,so far, but no staying power. now i learn that to overcome this problem Milwaukee has brought out a "heavy duty" battery to be bought separately.
i noticed the problem a few days after the amazon full replacement policy.
i had read several reviews before purchasing- most were good. after my problem i read reviews just on the battery and discovered that many people have had the same experience.
Be careful with this one. It is not an inexpensive mistake.
And I thought my chuck problems were isolated! Reading other reviews here shows me it's common!
I've been using cordless Milwaukee 18 volt tools for about 8 years on a daily basis, and am lucky enough to have a service center fairly close by - I've burnt out the switch on a 18v sawzall, brushes in the 1/2" 18v drillmotor ( and yesterday the swtich!) and the parts are readly available - they've given REALLY good service (though the sawzall is probably on it's last legs - it makes a LOT more noise than it used too!).
But I'm re-thinking - it's about time to replace these guys, and my experience with this little drill motor makes me wary about buying all Milwaukee. How hard is it to spec a chuck that holds it's grip? Who the hell wants to climb off a ladder to fetch the bit that you thought was secure in the chuck, only for it to dropout after one use????????? Not only do I not have time for that, I'm getting creaky and it really ticks me off to get up & down for something so stupid - I've NEVER had a chuck with this poor performance in all my 58 years!
And I won't start on the styling business - it does look cool but the little non-functional rubber piping on the side became halfway detached by day 2 and now just flaps around - I should cut it off!
Hope folks from Milwaukee read this & actually pay attention to business - how many customers can you afford to have defect to another brand?
Most the other reviews are covering the extensive pro's on this tool, so I will skip the gushing (mostly). I love this tool. It won't replace your 18v for everything, but for 80% of jobs it'll cover. I've driven a 4" torx screw through a 2x4 into a joist, and then into another 2x4. I picked this up for finish work, but have ended up using it on plenty of rough construction. My only complaints are minor. First, I wish it came with at least one of the extended batteries. Second, can I get a bit holder please?
As far as the chuck that many seem to be complaining about; I've had basically no problems with mine. My guess, is that not everyone is tightening them correctly. On this drill, you are supposed to finish tightening the chuck by hand with the drill off. (Yes I read the directions, its in there) It takes two seconds, and honestly seems more secure and sturdy than my old Makita, or my current Dewalt 18v. When the drill is off, the chuck actually locks in place so when you tighten it you generate more pressure. Not sure why they designed it this way, probably to save wear and tear on the motor. Regardless, I find it easy, quick and secure.
Update: After using my Milwaukee, my father purchased one as well. He is a master carpenter and cabinet maker. An authority on woodworking and tools. He has two of the top of the line Dewalt Li-ion drills (DeWalt DCD960Kl 1/2-Inch 18-Volt Cordless XRP Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver Kit) and said he reaches for this more often. When I asked him about his chuck, he said he hasn't had any issues either. He tightens it the way I do, which is how the instructions suggest... - Compact - Driver - Lithium - Drill'
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