Milwaukee M12 1/4" power driver

[Inspector86]

Anyone have one of these Milwaukee M12 power drivers? I purchased mine in 2017 and tonight the magic smoke exited the motor. In looking for replacement parts I see a LOT of comments on the motor seizing up. Looking at a pic of the replacement motor it sure looks like a standard brushed 550 can motor. I have not taken my M12 apart yet but I'm thinking if it is a 550 I will be replacing it with a quality HH motor of some sort probably one of the Crawlmaster series. Question is what turn? I suspect torque is far more important than speed in this application. Any thoughts?

[Inspector86]

I split the case on the M12 driver and it turns out it is powered by a standard 550 can brushed motor. I'm planning to replace it with a HH Crawlmaster Sport 550 12t. A quality motor should last longer than the stock motor did.

[MackPremo]

Originally Posted by Inspector86

I split the case on the M12 driver and it turns out it is powered by a standard 550 can brushed motor. I'm planning to replace it with a HH Crawlmaster Sport 550 12t. A quality motor should last longer than the stock motor did.

kool

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Inspector86

I split the case on the M12 driver and it turns out it is powered by a standard 550 can brushed motor. I'm planning to replace it with a HH Crawlmaster Sport 550 12t. A quality motor should last longer than the stock motor did.

That's awesome!

[OSRC]

That's interesting, I've had an M12 for years... I smoked it at one point but it still seems to work ok. Might have to give in an upgrade!!

[Richr8]

I love this tool and it is perfect for RC builds. I have had mine more than 10 years and use and abuse it regularly. I do wish it had a halo light though. Fingers crossed.

[Gramps]

I'd email John Holmes and ask him what is recommendation is for the replacement.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Gramps

I'd email John Holmes and ask him what is recommendation is for the replacement.

He already stated he replaced the motor with one from Holmes Hobbies.

[rs10man]

I have numerous Milwaukee m12 tools, not the driver yet, but these are outlasting some of my 18v tools in other brands

[CamoColton]

Those with the M12 drivers - can the clutch be set light enough to rely on to not strip out the small screws we use in R/C? I sent off my 8V DeWalt gyroscopic screwdriver to have its clutch fixed, (a life of driving 2 and 3mm screws is a hard one) been eyeing one of these Milwaukee (maybe Fuel) drivers to use with the large amount of M12 batteries I already have.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by CamoColton

Those with the M12 drivers - can the clutch be set light enough to rely on to not strip out the small screws we use in R/C? I sent off my 8V DeWalt gyroscopic screwdriver to have its clutch fixed, (a life of driving 2 and 3mm screws is a hard one) been eyeing one of these Milwaukee (maybe Fuel) drivers to use with the large amount of M12 batteries I already have.

In my short experience with the M12 I will say the M12 clutch is NOT sensitive enough for RC parts. It still strip plastics. The DeWalt gyro clutch is perfect for RC. How long have you had your DeWalt gyro? It's concerning that it's dead.

[CamoColton]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

In my short experience with the M12 I will say the M12 clutch is NOT sensitive enough for RC parts. It still strip plastics. The DeWalt gyro clutch is perfect for RC. How long have you had your DeWalt gyro? It's concerning that it's dead.

Dang. I was hoping it would be a suitable replacement. Besides the M12, Dewalt's 12V Xtreme driver tempted me this weekend at Lowe's but I didn't want to get into another type of battery. (Mostly use M18 and M12 tools, but have a few 20V Dewalt tools as well - the 12V DeWalt would have worked with those tools' chargers.)



I've had the gyro driver since August of last year. I could be the outlier here as so many other people have it and use it regularly. So far I've used it to build a TRX-4 and SMT10 (both kits). The clutch still "worked" but there is something rattling around in mine, and the clutch became really inconsistent on any setting, and strangely loud. The chuck seems to have a lot of lateral play also.



The DeWalt customer service experience so far has been miserable.

[Col_Sanders]

Even on the lightest setting it will strip out some plastics. I typically use it to get the screws most of the way in and then finish by hand.

[1badxj]

Great info on upgrading the m12 Milwaukee driver. does anyone have a specific HH motor number to recommend?

Also has anyone used the Milwaukee M4 gyro driver, looks like the dewalt , but its only 4 volts so seems like it would be week to me. might be just right thou

[Inspector86]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

In my short experience with the M12 I will say the M12 clutch is NOT sensitive enough for RC parts. It still strip plastics. The DeWalt gyro clutch is perfect for RC. How long have you had your DeWalt gyro? It's concerning that it's dead.

Odd, that has not been my experience with the M12 power driver. I have my clutch set on #2 and I have not had a problem with stripped plastic. In fact as I used the M12 the clutch has gotten a bit softer as it wears in.

[Richr8]

I set mine on 1 and it is marginal for all things, so I proceed with an abundance of caution. Then again, on wheel nuts and metal to metal stuff, it is always full speed ahead.

[Timmahh]

Looked at the Milwaukee piece. I grabbed the Gyroscopic unit form DeWalt. Always been a Yellow Tool User. lol

Nice driver, 8v with replaceable battery and with the Gyro, push the button and turn it which ever way you want the unit to spin.

80.00 so its not a cheapy.

[Timmahh]

Originally Posted by CamoColton

Those with the M12 drivers - can the clutch be set light enough to rely on to not strip out the small screws we use in R/C? I sent off my 8V DeWalt gyroscopic screwdriver to have its clutch fixed, (a life of driving 2 and 3mm screws is a hard one) been eyeing one of these Milwaukee (maybe Fuel) drivers to use with the large amount of M12 batteries I already have.

Never use these units to tighten bolts. Screw them in to nearly set, but use your hand driver to set them. Especially if your setting the threads into plastic.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by Inspector86

Odd, that has not been my experience with the M12 power driver. I have my clutch set on #2 and I have not had a problem with stripped plastic. In fact as I used the M12 the clutch has gotten a bit softer as it wears in.

Really? Maybe I'll have to give it another shot on a test piece and see what happens.

[FloridaST]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Really? Maybe I'll have to give it another shot on a test piece and see what happens.

Just be careful, I wouldn't trust it to be consistent.