11 Milwaukee M12 Products You Didn't Realize Existed

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Even if you're only occasionally partial to a spot of DIY, you've probably heard of the brand Milwaukee. It consistently features among the best-ranked power tool brands, delivering job site-ready gear that's made to be put through its paces. But it's not just for trade professionals. Indeed, it offers both a 12V and 18V line of tools, the former proving useful and often more cost-effective for home DIYers who want the reliability of Milwaukee tools, but without the trade-grade price tag. Not only that, but there are some unexpected, and unexpectedly useful, tools in the M12 line-up that go beyond the confines of cordless drills and power saws.

It's these that we're here to look at. Some, like Milwaukee's 12V portable inflator, are likely to come in handy in households with several vehicles that need to be kept roadworthy. There are cordless alternatives to help relieve the strain on your hands on longer projects, like its cordless caulk gun and battery-powered pruners. There are also some Milwaukee products worth considering, even if you're not in the market for new tools, like its battery-heated hoodie. In other words, whether you're a loyal member of Team Red looking to add to your collection, or are scratching your head for a solution to a difficult DIY problem, you never know. You may just find what you're looking for in the guide below.

Having an inflator on hand in your garage will help to ensure that your vehicles are road-worthy. That's especially true in the winter, when severe drops in temperature can lead to dips in tire pressure. Milwaukee's M12 Portable Inflator is more than capable of unexpected refills. It's built to refill LT truck, car, and other compact equipment tires. Its compact build makes it easier to store in your garage or truck than, say, a full-sized air compressor kit. It can inflate up to pressures of 120 PSI, and is capable of filling an LT truck tire (up to 45 PSI) in less than four minutes.

It's also among Milwaukee's best M12 tools under $150, earning strong feedback pretty much across the board. Users appreciate its versatility and easy storage, with some saying that it is, indeed, easier to use in a pinch than hauling out a full-sized compressor. The speed with which it inflates also earns praise. One user, who said it's a "must-have" for owners of Milwaukee's M12 system, explained "Despite its small size, it inflates tires surprisingly fast and gets the job done without taking up too much space. It's a great tool to keep on hand for quick top-offs or emergencies."

If you frequently need to clean up wet spills, a shop vacuum is a useful tool to keep in the garage. Of course, you by no means need to buy from Milwaukee in order to secure one. But if you're already invested in the M12 battery system, its M12 1.6-Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum could make a useful addition to your collection. It's designed for small-scale clean-ups around the house, and with its blower function, you can even use your wet/dry vacuum to unclog blocked drains.

Diving into the specs, it features a hanging mount for easy storage. A durable brushless motor delivers a respectable 42 inches of suction, and, in fact, Milwaukee claims that the tool delivers 40% more suction than 18V models from competitor brands. On-board storage keeps attachments inside the unit, instead of needing to store them separately. Those attachments include a flexible hose, crevice tool, and utility nozzle, which come supplied with the unit. It also includes a HEPA filter. What really earns it praise among the reviewers, though, is its size. "One of my favorite tools so far," said one, who added, "I love the portability of this thing. Easy to carry around and powerful enough for small jobs here and there."

Milwaukee's M12 Adhesive and Caulk Gun currently fetches $179, which is, admittedly, more than you'd pay for a manual tool. However, in some cases, an expensive caulk gun may actually be worth the investment. This particular one uses a motor to handle the heavy squeezing, which means it's ideal for those with arthritis or with lots of sealing to get on with. It also has a speed dial and variable speed trigger to ensure optimal control, along with a rotating collar, which aids with precision when sealing around corners.

The gun fits all standard 10-ounce caulk and sealant cartridges, so it's an easy swap to make if you've already bought your materials. And back to that price tag, while it is comparatively steep, the majority of buyers to-date suggest that it's worth the outlay. As one user wrote, "I love how my hand no longer hurts when applying a large amount of caulk." In the words of another, "So happy I pulled the trigger." They said that it helped to save pain in their arthritic hands, and that on a single charge of a 5ah battery, they were able to caulk more than 500 linear feet of baseboard. As they put it, "I will never go manual again."

Whether you need to cut trees, saw through drywall, or transplant your shrubs without digging, a reciprocating saw has several useful applications for the average DIYer. Milwaukee's M12 HACKZALL Reciprocating Saw is one of several such tools from Team Red. It's surprisingly versatile, handling materials like metal, wood, and PVC with equal aplomb. The compact, lightweight build makes working overhead easier. It can also be used one-handed, which is handy in tight spaces. As for power, a brushless motor delivers both power and durability, with speeds of up to 3,000 strokes per minute enabling quick cuts.

Feedback from users suggests that it's just as versatile as the spec would suggest. There are also reviews from tradesfolk who suggest that it's more than up to the task of daily use and abuse. "Perfect for trimming a few branches around the yard or getting into cramped spots during auto repairs," said one user, testifying to that all-important versatility. Another, who admitted that they weren't expecting much from the tool, said, "I was completely wrong. It handled cutting through a metal clothes post like it was nothing!"

There are various reasons to add a rotary tool to your collection of home improvement gadgets. Compatible with hundreds of attachments, they can help with a long list of tasks, ranging from sanding and polishing, to cutting, grinding, and evening sharpening your knives and mower blades. Of course, those familiar with this type of tool will know that Dremel is the brand most closely associated with decent rotary tools. But looking in the reviews, there are some who suggest that Milwaukee's M12 Rotary Tool is every bit as handy.

It's a one-handed tool, with a collet that's compatible with any multitool accessory with 1/32-inch to ⅛-inch shanks. The motor delivers speeds of up to 32,000 RPM, and like the best rotary tools on the market, the tool can handle thousands of useful applications. In the words of one buyer, "Great tool! Good power. Good battery life. Better than Dremel in my book." Another, who said that if you like Dremel, but prefer Milwaukee, to "get one." They explained that they love the stability, that the battery runtimes are impressive, and that with the right accessories, "you can do dang near anything with this tool."

This one really is a surprise given Milwaukee's reputation as a tool brand. Nevertheless, the M12 Heated Jacket Hoodie could well come in handy when your winter DIY to-do list takes you out into an unheated garage, or when you need to clear the drive of snow. It pairs with any M12 battery, delivering heat to the chest and back. There are three settings to choose from, with battery runtimes ranging from two to eight hours, depending on just how toasty you like it. It's made with fleece and a jersey lining for comfort, and while it's more expensive than several Milwaukee power tools at $179.97, it's widely agreed that it's worth it.

Some users have said it's a blessing in cold weather when working on their cars, while others report they take it onto job sites with them to keep them warm in the winter months. One user, who used it up to six hours before the battery began to drain, said that they put it to good use when shoveling snow. And one, who bought it for their wife to keep them warm while standing at the side of an ice hockey rink, said, "All I can say is she loves it."

While Milwaukee primarily provides tools to handle your DIY dirty work, it also has a few surprises up its sleeve to help keep things clean. With that in mind, the first thing to say is that M12's Compact Spot Blower is not a replacement for larger, full-sized leaf blowers. Instead, it's designed to help keep small areas, like your workshop, clean. You may need to clear sawdust from your workbench. Alternatively, you may need to shoo a few errant leaves from a smaller deck or patio. The tool blows up to 175 cubic feet per minute, with speeds of up to 110 MPH, which is ideal for small-scale clean-ups. It comes with a rubber nozzle to remove dirt from hard-to-reach places, and while it's not meant for large areas, a wide-sweeping nozzle helps "spread" the power for more open spaces. An extension nozzle is also supplied with it, helping you to keep your floor clear without bending over and straining your back.

Reading the reviews, users have put it to use in a range of creative ways. One, who said that it "works great," bought it for blowing dust away from the inside of their car, and for blowing water off their vehicle's surface after a wash. Another buyer explained that it's "perfect for quick cleanups around the patio and garage." It's just important to remember that this is not a tool for large-scale yard cleanup. As one buyer put it, "Don't get this confused with a leaf blower... It works great for small spaces and light material removal such as sawdust."

According to reviews, the M12 6-inch Random Orbital Sander is one of Milwaukee's tools that every homeowner should have. We'll explore user feedback shortly, but first let's see what's going on inside the black and red shell. Like other orbital sanders, it uses "random" orbits to deliver a smooth and swirl-free finish on wooden surfaces, making it suitable for decks, cabinets, doors, and more. It delivers speeds of up to 12,000 RPM for fast sanding, and has a variable speed trigger for added control. It also includes vacuum ports on the left and right (depending on which hand is dominant), allowing you to hook up your shop vac and minimize mess.

Back to those reviews, which have earned the sander a respectable 4.7 star rating, and the majority of buyers praise the tool's power and cordless versatility. "This is the best sander" is how one buyer put it, before explaining that it's very stable and easy to control, even at higher speeds. Another, who described the sander as a "Good buy," explained, "I have wanted an orbital sander for a while to tackle small projects around my home." They said that this M12 solution is lightweight and easy to handle, comfortable to use on extended sessions, and that the dust collection ports are very convenient. "Overall," they added, "it's an excellent tool and I highly recommend it."

While Milwaukee is not typically associated with gardening tools, it actually offers several that can make your yard maintenance easier. The M12 Handheld Sprayer is just one, and is designed for a number of different tasks. You could use it for applying pest control solutions, for example, or weedkiller to your garden beds. Alternatively, it could be filled with a cleaning solution to douse your patio furniture, and you could just as easily use this garden item to disinfect your shower.

Instead of needing to pump and prime the sprayer, the battery provides power to maintain constraint and adjustable pressure. It comes with a strainer to prevent debris collection while pouring, plus an on-board measuring cup for quick ratio matching. Per Milwaukee, it's made to meet the needs of landscape professionals, and as one buyer at Home Depot explained, "This sprayer is commercial quality." It also earns points from others for its build quality and ease of use. As one happy user asked, "Where has this been all my life?" They explained that it sprays up to 18 feet with no issues (on the highest power setting), and that they had no problems using it to spray fences on their acre-and-a-half property. In their own words, "I love this tool!"

There are various tools you can use to unclog sinks without harsh chemicals, although each has its pros and cons. A drain auger, for example, may not be long enough to reach the blockage. It can also be messy when you finally manage to snag and retrieve the blockage. A cleaner alternative is to use pressurized air. Another surprising addition to the Team Red family, Milwaukee's M12 Drain Cleaning Airsnake is designed to replace more traditional auger cables. In fact, it doesn't use a cable at all. Instead, it fires up to 50 PSI of air pressure to unclog drains. It can reach blockages up to 35 feet away with variable pressure control, and it can help unclog drains between 1 and 4 inches in diameter.

One thing to bear in mind is that, if you only have the occasional need to unblock a drain, the tool's $499 price tag may not be cost effective. But if your drains frequently clog, and you're tired of dealing with messy (and fiddly) auger cables, it could be worth it. As one user said, "Paid for itself in the first few days!" Indeed, it's helped many users clear stubborn blockages, including one who bought it for "a school where the students always test the drains." Another, who wrote it's been a reliable part of their household toolkit for seven years, explained, "Used it in the toilet, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, utility sink...around 14/15 times. Works like a dream." They said they've only had to use it at maximum power twice, and that overall, it's a "wonderful tool for household clogged drains."

Like the caulking gun featured earlier, Milwaukee's M12 Pruner Shears are a useful alternative for gardeners with arthritic hands or with lots of plants to prune. They're also proof that Milwaukee is not an out-and-out construction tool brand. They benefit from the brand's patented power system, using a 12V battery to handle the hard work with just the pull of a trigger. They can cut branches up to 1 ¼-inches thick with a powerful, durable brushless motor yielding up to 1,000 cuts per charge. The tool also uses active blade control, which means that the blade movements mirror the trigger movement for improved control and access.

It's priced at $199, which is more than you might ordinarily spend on a pair of garden pruners. But if your hands struggle to cope with manual tools, user feedback suggests that they're worth at least considering. "Was having trouble using old manual two handle pruners because of arthritis in both hands," explained one user, who added, "The Milwaukee Electric M12 pruner solved that problem." Another, who said it's "an absolute must for pruning and major clean-ups," explained, "I've taken down cedars and an apple tree with this tool. The best money I've ever spent. Probably done about 6 to 7000 cuts and the blade is still perfect."