Ok this is a very good tool. Milwaukee is very late to the small lithium market but they do appear to have done their homework. I really like the M12 line of Milwaukee tools.
I will focus my review by comparing the M12 to it's main competitor the Bosch PS10-2A both are meant to be lighter duty cordless right angle drill/drivers for tight jobs like installing under cabinet lighting or drawer handles. They are not meant for removing 3/8 lag bolts or other heavy construction needs.
The head length on the M12 is about the same as the Bosch, ok actually it is 1/4 inch longer but it has a ratcheting chuck so it can take drill bits of all kinds without the need for an adapter. the Bosh has a hex speed chuck so you have to use hex drill bits or an adapter which effectively increases the head length well beyond the M12. Both have extended paddle grips, and the grips are both on the chunky side. My in the hand opinion is the M12 feels just a bit thinner and easier to grab. Speed control is much better on the M12 the trigger is very linear and easy to control. The Bosch is very poor in this regard, more of an on/off experience. The Bosch is slightly shorter in overall tool length. I did not measure it but about an inch when configured for rt angle use. Both tools use an electronic clutch and both are awful!!! the lowest setting will still spin out of a philips head when in a tight corner. Mechanical clutch would add weight and some bulk so it is a compromise. the M12 has more torque (100 vs 80) and a higher no load rpm (800 vs 600)
Now for the real kickers. The M12 has a spindle lock! Now why do you care? It allows you to use the tool as a "wrench" to finish tightening a screw or bolt by hand! the is very handy and allows for some muscle or finesse that you can not get with the Bosch. The M12 comes in a very nice case with a charger and feels very solid in the hand. Excellent tool.
So why why only 4 stars.. well two things the electronic clutch and the main reason... only comes with one battery! It is already a bit pricier then the Bosch (about $10 as of this writing) but the Bosch comes with 2 batteries. A spare M12 battery is about $40 so this is no small matter. I love this tool, I can forgive the clutch, but the lack of a second battery in what is suppose to be a pro tool is beyond cheap.
Specifications
Voltage 12V
No Load Speed - 800 RPM Bosch
Torque 100 in-lbs
Chuck Type 3/8 in Ratcheting
Head Length 3-3/4 in
Electronic Clutch Yes
Clutch Settings 11 + Drill
On Board Fuel Guage Yes
LED Light Yes
Battery LITHIUM-ION
No of Batteries Included 1
Charge Time 30 minutes
Length 11.75 in
Tool Weight 2.43 lbs Milwaukee 2415-21 M12 12-Volt 3/8-Inch Cordless Right Angle Drill/Driver Kit
The specs for the drill can be found a number of places. My own personal experiences are as follows:
I am just beginning to get into cabinet making as a hobby. My current project involves about 1 doz drawers mounted on glides in very tight openings. I knew that my big drill/driver and my smaller drivers would not fit so I considered the following right angle drills:
Dewalt 18v
Bosch 12v
Milwaukee 12v
I decided to buy the Milwaukee based on a number of things:
Size (it is fairly consistent in its size with no large areas to work around)
Balance (the battery balances out the head nicely providing greater control)
Power (power enough to remove 3" screws in hardwood)
Worklight (no need for a third hand installing shelf rails)
The Milwaukee balances quite nicely in the hand and does not have areas that are larger than the actual working portion of the device - unlike the Dewalt and it is rather slim overall - unlike the Bosch. This is especially noticable when working in tight areas. As a result it becomes more like a natural extension of your hand than that of a foriegn object.
I also like the variable speed trigger control and the built-in work light is perfect for placing screws in those dark corners of cabinets.
Some may complain that it only comes with one battery or the case is a soft zippered case instead of a hard case. Valid points- however consider that this Milwaukee is not meant to replace your primary drill that takes a beating and keeps on ticking, but rather to augment it like a fine precision tool for the times when beauty is needed over brawn. The battey issue was not a problem as I never used up the battery when installing the rails. Besides a complety dead battery charges in about 30 minutes and it is a L-ION type so between use refreshes are quite easiliy done with no detimental effect on the battery. A second battery can be stored in the case and the case itself is quite suitable for it purpose and how the tool will be used.
As to power - I recently had to remove some 3" screws that were set in Oak with a corded right angle drill. The Milwaukee had no problem removing them. The clutch worked great and the work light made the process a lot safer.
I am more than pleased with the tool and I am sure that I will create new projects that will allow me to take full advantage of this tools special capabilities.
I bought this to replace my venerable Makita 9v right angle. I find it to be much nicer, and in a way, I'm glad I lost the Makita. I'm a marine electrician which means that I'm frequently working in confined spaces with little or no light. The led light on this is a real blessing. The chuck works great and grips bits snugly. The motor has plenty of torque, as long as you have realistic expectations. It isn't intended to replace a high voltage 1/2" drill. So use it for what it is intended for and I think you'll be very pleased.
I have only a couple of criticisms. The first is that, like other reviewers, I find the electronic torque adjustment to be less than ideal. Basically I don't trust it and if something needs fine torque control I'll do the final snugging up by hand.
The second problem is the lack of documentation about the led light and overload indicator. The product description states that the drill has led illumination lights, plural. The drill appears to have two leds on the underside behind the chuck. However only one led lit up. Thinking I had a defective unit, I sent it back to Amazon for replacement. (Huge kudos to Amazon in that they cross shipped the replacement unit!) When the replacement drill showed the same symptom I call Milwaukee tech support. It turns out that there is only one white illumination led. The second led is a red one the only lights if you overload the drill. Proper documentation would have saved me grief and Amazon and Milwaukee money. - Cordless Drill - Lithium - Compact - M12'
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