Milwaukee has announced a new M12 Fuel straight die grinder, model 2486.
The new Milwaukee cordless die grinder is designed to “remove the need for compressors and hoses” and can be used with common accessories up to 2″.
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Performance-wise, Milwaukee says their new M12 die grinder is 20% more powerful than 0.25 HP pneumatic die grinders.
Update: Looking at several models of straight die grinders, power ratings tend to range from 0.25 HP to 0.4 HP. This new M12 straight die grinder is spec’ed at 0.3 HP.
The die grinder features a 3-mode digital speed control, up to 21,000 RPM, and an LED worklight.
- 1/4″ collet
- 0.3 HP power output
- 0-21,000 RPM
- 3-mode speed control
- 11″ length
- Weighs 1.6 lbs with battery
The kit comes with the tool, collet wrenches, (2) 2.0Ah batteries, and a charger. A bare tool will also be available.
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Accessory Size Recommendations
The new die grinder can work with carbide burrs, buffing stones, and flap wheels, cut-off wheels, and wire wheels up to 2″.
Retailer product pages say that the die grinder comes with a 1/4″ collet and also offers 1/8″ compatibility, presumably with an optional accessory.
Compared to the M12 Fuel Right Angle Die Grinder
As you might recall, Milwaukee announced an M12 Fuel right angle die grinder a couple of months ago at NPS19.
The right angle die grinder is a little different. Of course, its geometry and gearing are different, allowing for right angle use. The choice between straight and right angle die grinders will depend on the accessories you use most often.
The right angle die grinder is capable of slightly higher operating speeds (25K RPM) and has a fourth speed setting.
Power-wise, both tools are said to have 0.3 HP motors, out-powering common 0.25 HP die grinders by 20%.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing: $259 for the kit (2486-22), $169 for the bare tool (2486-20)
Buy Now: Kit via Tool Nut
Buy Now: Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Acme Tools
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Tool Nut
ETA: March 2020
Discussion
It looks to me that the new M12 Fuel straight die grinder makes a nice companion to the recent angled die grinder.
The right angle die grinder is probably going to be the go-to for surface prep tasks, and this straight die grinder the go-to for cutting, grinding, and deburring tasks, similar to how like-designed air tools are used.
Compared to the many cordless die grinders on the market, the new Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2486 is smaller and lighter. It’s not going to have the endurance to keep up with 18V or 20V Max-class tools, but its smaller size should be less fatiguing for users.
The M12 Fuel brushless motor right angle die grinder seems to have had a popular launch. Are you guys as enthusiastic about this new straight die grinder?
Soup
I am definitely getting that free with purchase of another tool on Black Friday.
TomB
Maybe in a few years. Milwaukee doesn’t combo m12 fuels together often.
Martin Molnar
That’s a long wait for Black Friday:)
Jared
I think it looks good. With 1/8″ compatibility, is it also a rotary (i.e. Dremel) tool replacement? I realize there’s already an M12 rotary tool, but I’m thinking they would overlap utility a bit.
Speed ranges are different (0-20,000 for this vs 5,000 – 32,000 for the rotary tool) and the rotary tool looks to have a more precision grip design, but if the same accessories fit I don’t think many users would buy both.
James C
Hmm, interesting thought! Hopefully someone will make a video comparison of the two with some practical usage examples.
Stuart
I considered commenting about wanting an updated Milwaukee rotary tool and that this might be a compromise, but it’s not.
With a rotary tool, 1) accessories and attachments are half the benefit, and 2) a separate on/off switch and speed control are also extremely beneficial.
Die grinders are not often considered precision instruments. They can be, but they’re really designed for use with larger accessories.
As a generalization, a die grinder is to a rotary tool as an angle grinder is to a die grinder. There’s overlapping applications, but you can’t consider different classes of tools as replacements for each other.
Steve
Very good analogy.. rotary tool, die grinder, angle grinder and 6-8 inch grinder, all have overlaps. One point I would like on the m18 fuel angle grinder would be variable speed, its just to fast to fit a polishing mop on unlike my Bosch corded , even thats a bit quick. Normally I don’t want to get out the monster 8 inch polisher..
Frank
Both appear to be neat and indefinitely fill a niche. Hey Milwaukee, how about pairing them up in a Bare Tool combo kit and a kit with both tools, a charger, a couple of batteries and accessories? Please, don’t wait till Christmas. Maybe you bundle the two bare tools (seperate boxes) together or as a special, in one box. Just a thought.
Miguel
Does it work with dremel accessories?
ca
Saying something is “20% more powerful than pneumatic die grinders”, as if all pneumatic die grinders have the same power, is ridiculous.
Tool looks nice, though. I wish DeWalt had something like this in 12V.
David
Ya as a product manager for a tool company, milwaukee is well known to do shit like this. I actually really like their new tools in the past 3-4 years but their marketing team is less than honest. You can just google 0.25hp die grinder and find basically nothing. Even the cheapest overseas die grinders are 0.3hp. Even snap on’s “1/4hp die grinder” is rated 0.3hp. I would hope tool guyd can note this in the article to not peddle misinformation.
Stuart
Good point, updated added.
Looking at some strong air tool brands’ models, power ratings seem to range from 0.25 HP to 0.4 HP, with not many models at the lower end of the range.
ca
I’ve seen 0.9 hp pneumatic die grinders. One could say that this battery tool has 1/3 the power of pneumatic die grinders with equal honesty.
Lance
I’ve been outing Milwaukee’s marketing BS for a long time. It’s really disappointing that a company making good tools needs to resort to such petty marketing nonsense.
Michael
What do you think the chances are that dewalt will even attempt to catch millwakee in the 12v class?
I’ve waited a while but I’m thinking is time I get some red 12v to go with all my yellow 20v.
Joatman
Beware! Once you go in, you will never come out. I bought into the M12 line for those little specialty tools…. like that 3” cut-off tool and the rotary tool. But it started with the M12 drill/driver with2 batteries for $59. Now I just bought 2 more 3v batteries and the heated hoodie. Next will be the soldering iron and the polisher. It just doesn’t end!!!! I love my Dewalt 20v tools but…..apples to oranges.
Adam
I’d look into an alternative soldering solution. Yes, it works, but not was well as other options. There is a nice one that runs off USB-C actually. I’ve used my M12 a few times (wouldnt have if I didnt get so cheap), and while it got the job done, I would have been happier with a different iron. Though I do have to imagine it will handle the tumbles of a tool box much better
Corey Moore
Was going to say the same thing lol I’ve got a company m12 soldering iron, and while it does for the occasional, less than permanent repair, or in a pinch, it’s far from an objectively great soldering iron. Tons of great m12, but amongst those I find the iron to be mainly just a box check for “they make one.”
Kizzle
Don’t get the Milwaukee soldering iron. It’s like trying to use an axe for whittling. Get a TS100 or TS80. Can even use it with Milwaukee and DeWalt batteries.
Joatman
Thanks guys for your comments. I’ll take your word for it. I have a Weller that I use for larger chores but was looking to replace my Little portable butane iron. It’s just not that reliable. I looked at the TS100 that Kizzle suggested and this might be a winner, at a glance. Will research it more. Thanks again
Nate B
Concur here. The TS100 is a little underpowered on a 12v supply though; it takes a while to warm up and can’t tackle big jobs. Feed it 18v and it’s awesome, though.
I run my TS100 from a Ryobi 18v pack all the time. I also made myself a cable so I could feed it my Lenovo charger, but the battery pack is more convenient, that Lenovo cable just gathers dust.
Jeffrey
I have been waiting for this to come out.
When they figure out how to make a cordless air hammer, I would not want to own stock in a pneumatic tool company.
Michael
Kinda surprised they don’t already, wouldn’t think it be a big jump from the sds+ drills.
Something else is a battery powered bottle jack.
David
I think its because of heat, battery cost and weight in a shop environment. All my fastening tools are portable electric atm, but they aren’t really close yet with fab and finishing tools like sanders, grinders etc. where you need finer control and consistent power for minutes at a time. Plus depending on the shop setup, the cost of batteries and their replacement can significantly outweigh running a large compressor. Most of my bodyshop customers are switching back to pneumatic except for impacts and drivers.
fred
In our metal fabrication shop our grinders could be in nearly constant use over periods of hours. Our Dotco pneumatics were up to this sort of duty cycle. A battery operated tool might, however, be nice for touch-up work – particularly for field installation jobs – or to claen up a few welds
Mike K
There are times and places for all tools! It all depends on your needs and usage.
Sparky
I’ve used the cordless palm nailer as a light duty “air hammer”. Works for small jobs using a punch and small diameter chisel in it.
Steve
I have the right angle version, it works great but in my use it eats, no devours batteries. I stick a 4 Ah on to last a bit longer. The performance is really good and it polishes steel up beautifully. The pads are easily available from most on line retailers and are cheap.
Rich
It looks nice, but I hope Milwaukee doesn’t use this tool as an excuse for not bringing out a updated rotary tool. I know they’re different, but I could see them saying there’s no need to update the rotary tool because of it.
fred
A M18 battery operated flex shaft tool might be nice too – especially if they could make one compatible with Foredom hand pieces. I don’t think that – the $80 Ryobi one works with the Foredom stuff.
andy
So Milwaukee is rating tools in something that can convert to watts out now? .3 HP = 234 watts.
Matt
I think this is pretty awesome. I have pneumatic unit for continuous use but for most of what I do these days, I just need it for a few minutes. I haven’t really used much M12 before outside of the Stubby but this looks tempting. The battery shape of the M12/Bosch12 really lends itself to tools like this. I’ve been thinking about jumping into a 12 volt platform of some kind. I was going to buy into Nextec years ago but never did. I’m glad I didn’t though now. And who knows if V12 will ever appear. The Stubby with a 4.0 battery has plenty of juice for work use, I’d imagine that would give a die grinder more than the run time I’d ever need.
Pretty tempting.
Toolfreak
When there’s a post about new M12 tools, I just think it sure would be nice if Bosch made more 12V stuff.
Kizzle
I want to love Bosch and would like for them to succeed, but they’re really just giving up. Either that, or someone is really bad at pushing for new products. I mean Bosch certainly has the resources. Maybe power tools just aren’t that profitable?
Toolfreak
Power tools are plenty profitable, just look at SBD – their DeWalt line is a huge chunk of the profit of the whole company. TTi is raking it in and getting bigger all the time.
To be sure, lots of commerical/industrial Bosch stuff at the much higher end sells well and it might be that they are focused on that part of their tool business more than the smaller consumer-grade stuff.
Given their strategy of shedding their historic but less-profitable consumer brands over the last few years, and their relatively weak showing in the consumer power tools arena, I do wonder if Bosch will continue to design and engineer the tools, of if they will sell off the power tool division like they did with Skil and let the current manufacturers just use the name and current designs and develop any new tools. I hope not, but if they don’t come out with new brushless 12V/18V stuff over the next few years, I don’t see them being very competitive in the marketplace with the older tool designs.
Doug
Not going to hold my breath waiting for this to land in Australia anytime soon. Supposed to have been able to purchase the right-angle die grinder by now, nil stock at Milwaukee Australia. No idea of when indicated when I asked.
Somewhat annoyed.
jose casiano
I’ve noticed a lot of people comparing this to the rotary tool, also talking about the marketing on the hp of the tool, and a few other things.
The rotary tool is a smaller, more variable speed, precision tool. that uses much smaller diameter shafts. Not a very powerful tool to say the least.
a Die grinder uses larger shaft accessories 1/4 vs 1/8, usually doesn’t have a large range of variability of speed. mainly air ones have a slight range but it’s very short.
larger HP die grinders are typically longer like the m18 die grinder, OR similar in size but still larger. This products marketing might be targeting smaller die grinders, having owned the right angle die grinder i can assume the power is the same. If so this die grinder would be more powerful than my current die grinder. But my current die grinder does not have a HP rating. Many brands now like the other commentators have mentioned are .3 HP. as other die grinders are rated .3hp. It doesn’t mean you won’t get it or that the marketing is super whack. Either or it should be close to the performance.
But I will tell you this. it does not act the same. You will have to note that. In an air tool, if it stalls, all you have to do is remove the amount of pressure against the material, and the tool continues to spin. On the cordless, you are constantly letting go of the trigger and re pulling it. This really takes some getting used to. It does not mean it doesn’t have the power, it just reacts differently, and you are more conscious of how much pressure you are placing You will have to give this tool time to learn it. depending on the accessory, you might want to go slower, so that the tool is able to take bigger bites, preserve the sanding disc, and this may allow you to remove more material , than a faster speed. Allowing the tool to do the work is helpful as well. If this is built the same as the right angle, then the trigger should have variable speed. allowing you to feather slightly the speed, mount that with the gearing and it should be pleasant to use. If they bring in an 1/8 collet, then maybe it ill be as useful upgrade. But I just don’t see it as the speeds are a bit too fast for that kind of work. but we will have to see
fred
I think that hand-held pneumatic die grinders seemed to range in free-wheel speeds from about 12,000 to 40,000 RPM – and power ratings from 0.3hp to 0.9hp. I think that the lighter-duty grinders may have been lesser air-hogs – while a 0.9hp grinder might require 40cfm at full tilt