2896-26 M18 Fuel 6-tool Combo Kit

A very nice starter set for entering the Milwaukee line. I am changing teams from Ryobi and the difference between the tools are well worth crying once for. The batteries also have a long life span. I was able to fully redo my utility room and electrical (meaning no power to charge batteries) off of just these two batteries, using most the tools in this kit. I was really shocked as I figured I’d most certainly need to use some of my ryobi tools and their batteries.

Awesome, durable, long lasting batteries. Surprisingly powerful for cordless tools.

Hand tool power without the cords... almost. I've been on a Milwaukee "Fuel" tool buying binge -- roughly $5,000 and counting over the last 60 days exclusively on MILWAUKEE cordless tools. I'm not a contractor, and this is strictly for our own personal home use. Why so much? Are they worth it? Well, I finally got fed up with buying cheap Porter Cable and Hitachi sets at the local Lowes/Home Depot/Costco that seem to work adequately for a while and then crap-out. I figured I would ante-up and go with Dewalt, Makita or another higher-end brand and be done with it once and for all. Since this was likely going to be a considerable investment I decided to perform some due diligence as I only wanted to do this ONCE and not have to think about it again for at least the next decade. After poring through countless reviews, professional forums, and the like one brand continuously came out on top -- time after time after time: MILWAUKEE. Milwaukee "Fuel" M18 and M12 tools consistently earn top marks across the board and most of their offerings outperform those by Dewalt, Makita, and others time and again. So, I created a list of everything I could possibly need over the coming years and set out to ordering them, all through Amazon. Two months and $5,000 later and I'm almost there! That brings us to this particular Milwaukee Fuel 6-Tool Combo Kit -- which I thought would be a great place to begin my acquisition. While we've had GREAT luck and experience with all of the Milwaukee tools we're received, this first 6-tool set was not without issues. First, the Sawzall -- straight out of the box -- was DOA! We put a brand new M18 5.0 mAh battery in it, pulled the trigger, and watched smoke pour out of the tool without any movement at all. POOF! Dead as a doornail. Second, the 6.5" circular saw that comes with the kit is underpowered. It has a difficult time getting through 6x6 lumber and even 3/4" plywood on a fully-charged battery. It DOES get through, but it clearly feels strained. Undaunted, I ordered Milwaukee's 7-1/4" M18 Fuel circular saw and WHOA! talk about your mother of all differences! The 7-1/4" saw CRUSHES any and all wood you can throw at it, like a megawatt laser through soft butter! It's as good as ANY corded circular saw I've ever used, and that's not just hyperbole. Third, as has been mentioned in another review, this $1,000 "6-tool" (really 5 tools, with a light, charger and two batteries) comes with soft-side bags and not nice, fitted hard cases for each tool. This DOES make a difference, as the tools and accessories bang around together, and if you leave blades and bits in the tools you're going to accelerate the cosmetic damage done. Fortunately, my tools all stay on my farm and go back into the cabinet after each use, but I can see why some guys who use these professionally will gripe about it. It is just blow-molded plastic after all, so why cheap-out like that? Lastly, the LED light is NOT a "tool." Neither is the charger, etc. It's really a 5-tool kit, and after buying a LOT more Milwaukee tools I don't think I would buy another kit like this. It's great for the DIY guys, and give us everything we're likely to ever need, but adding up what each BARE TOOL costs, plus batteries, plus the better 3+3 charger and you'll come out ahead both financially and in being able to avoid things like the circular saw issue(s) I experienced. Also, the drill and 1/4" impact driver that come in the kit are NOT the newer "One-Key" models (a useless feature for DIY/home use, BTW). So, while I do NOT regret -- for a nanosecond -- going off the Milwaukee Deep-End, practically swearing-off any other brands like Dewalt, etc, there is DEFINITELY a BETTER way to go about your tool acquisition, and I'll spell that out now. Order THESE TOOLS and ACCESSORIES to cover your bases and get the best bang-for-your-buck (ALL from Amazon Prime)! The first number is the "ASIN" or Amazon-specific code. Cut-and-paste that into the Amazon search bar. The price is the PRIME price I paid at time of MY order. The last is the MILWAUKEE part number and description. ALL of my purchases are from LEGIT Milwaukee dealers and are covered by their full FIVE (5) YEAR warranty! B00P9E1IP8 - $39.99 - Milwaukee 48-32-4424 Shockwave Impact Driver Bit Set (47-Piece) B00T7KJ640 - $129.06 - Milwaukee 48-11-1852 M18 REDLITHIUM XC 5.0 Ah Extended Capacity Battery (2 pack) B004M8R9W8 - $105.99 - Milwaukee 2615-20 Cordless M18 Right Angle Drill, Tool only B00PGQ6D2W - $181.31 - Milwaukee 2731-20 M18 Fuel 7-1/4" Circular Saw Bare B00G0GLULQ - $150.98 - Milwaukee 2720-20 M18 SAWZALL Reciprocating (Bare) B00I3PNFVK - $99.00 - Milwaukee 2626-20 M18 Multi tool Bare (AWESOME tool, GET IT!) B0195M38T8 - $314.99 - Milwaukee 2796-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Hammer & Impact Combo Kit B017JJ6RF6 - $23.68 - Milwaukee 48-32-4007 Shockwave Impact Duty Driver Bit Set (35-Piece) B00UI0HOP6 - $144.62 - Milwaukee 48-59-1807 M18 & M12 Rapid Charge Station Add in another $100-200 for various blades and accessories and for $1,200-1,400 you have what are literally the BEST set of tools money can buy. They'll last you countless years and will never let you down. That was my starting point, and I've since order MANY more tools, batteries, accessories, blades, bits, etc. Milwaukee is handling the bad Sawzall in the kit (I bought another one, bare from Amazon, and that works GREAT, so now I'll have TWO!) Just go right to the front of the plane on this. Trust me, life is too short to fight with crappy, underpowered tools you keep replacing every few years.

All tools have more than enough power. Used most, except for the grinder, on a framing job and easily finished the day with the two included batteries. Both my efficiency and speed have increased with these wonderful beauties.

They are very nice tools. If you can afford them I highly recommend them 😃.