Should I Keep Both the M12 Hammer Drill and Installation Driver?
Asked by CraftyMaverick93
I've been diving into Milwaukee's M12 tools lately, having previously stuck with Bosch and Dewalt. I recently got my hands on the installation driver that everyone loves, and just picked up a Home Depot combo kit that includes the Gen 3 hammer drill and an impact driver. I'm definitely planning to keep the installation driver, but I'm wondering if I should sell the hammer drill (model 3404-20). Since the hammer drill has similar capabilities to the installation driver but offers a hammer mode and more torque (+100 inch pounds), I'm torn. I also have a Milwaukee SDS rotary hammer for concrete, so I'm not sure how much I'll actually use the hammer drill. Any thoughts?
Answers
Honestly, once I discovered impact-rated hex shank bits, I switched to using my impact driver for all my drilling needs. I don't often need to drill larger than 1/2". I do have a bunch of drills—M12, M18, and even a corded one—and they all mostly sit unused. The installation driver can drill but I’d say unless you need to drill into concrete regularly, you probably don’t need both. The SDS is top-notch for that.
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I usually reach for my M12 fuel drill first. It's compact but powerful! I keep both the M12 drill and installation driver handy and use them for different tasks. The ergonomics of the drill are really solid too!
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You know, surprisingly, the Bosch 18v installation driver could cover your bases. It's only 6mm longer than the Milwaukee 12v model. Not sure why Milwaukee hasn’t released an 18v version yet!
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The installation driver is great, but it does fall short in power compared to the hammer drill. If you have other tools for heavy-duty work, it might be worth selling. I have both and find myself using the hammer drill occasionally, but I use the installation driver way more—like 80% of the time!
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Just to clarify, in the Milwaukee line, the terms installation driver and impact driver refer to different tools. Make sure you're not mixing them up! Check out these links to see the differences: [Installation Driver](https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/2505), [Impact Driver](https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/2553-20), and [Hammer Drill/Driver](https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/3404).
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HandyAndy85: I agree! I have a heavier DeWalt for bigger jobs, but the M12 3404 is light yet packs a punch. Perfect for most tasks!