18v or 12v multi tool?

[fasimew]

It's about time I bought a multitool. I'm already on the DeWalt 18v ladder, though I imagine 12v means smaller and lighter. I know a lot of people have switched to 12v drills and drivers as they offer enough performance for most tasks. Would you stick with 18v or go 12v for a multitool? If I was to move to 12v, I'd go Milwaukee.

[SonicHedgeHog]

I have a Makita 18V and a Bosch 12V. Unless you need the extra oomph of 18V I would go 12V. The extra weight makes a big difference if you’re using it a lot or you’re trying to be super accurate.

[Griffith4ever]

So here's the deal. 12v Nicad / NiMH tools were a bit weak. Then came lithium batteries, and 18v solved this. Then came brushless motors that solved a problem that didn't kind of exist (they are a good chunk more efficient than brushed motors). Then, manufacturers realised with lithium AND brushless tech, they could actually make smaller lighter tools by dropping back to 12v as 18v brushless it overkill for a lot of low torque tools.

More voltage always = more power and more efficiency btw.

It's not about if 18v or 12v is better. It's about what you are planning to do with the tools.

If you are up a ladder screwing into wood all day with small/medium screws, a 12v drill will feel a lot better on your tool belt. If you go up that ladder once for a one off home diy job, the 18v drill will be just fine - and, you can use the same batteries in your strimmer etc.

I have a 12v Milwaukee rivet gun because its small,. light, and I or my staff have to pick it up all day long. I have a 12v Milwaukee socket driver because I value being able to fit it into small spaces more than the max torque rating. I can hand tighten after if desired. The rest of my tools are 18v because that's what works with my batteries, and a lot of them are high-torque - rattle gun, angle grinder, circ saw etc.

[PhilboSE]

I’m with Team Yellow and needed a multitool recently. The DeWalt 18V one was about £150 cheapest price. I saw a corded version in Wickes for £35 which was also more powerful. I realised that I was unlikely to need it somewhere that I would be unable to access power so that’s what went for in the end and saved a chunk of cash. It’s also a bit lighter than the cordless versions.

[bazza white]

18v if you already have it. I have a battery and a mains and the mains is way more powerful so I wouldn't go 12v for a multi. I do like to pick up the multi and move about with it so do use the battery one more now but if its a dirty job or more sanding I use the mains version.


One thing I will say is get decent blades as it makes a massive difference.

[Griffith4ever]

I missed the multitool bit! doh! I'd prob go 18v for small jobs - not like you are holding it for long.

[fasimew]

I want to get a few M12 tools later on, so having DeWalt batteries is irrelevant. I already have decent blades.
I'm swaying more towards the M12 just because it looks smaller and lighter, which should make it more usable. Just looking for opinions to confirm my theory.

[Watcher of the skies]

One of the things I like about the dewalt is the blade attachment system, I think it's better than the Milwaukee or makita.

[Griffith4ever]

fasimew said:

I want to get a few M12 tools later on, so having DeWalt batteries is irrelevant. I already have decent blades.
I'm swaying more towards the M12 just because it looks smaller and lighter, which should make it more usable. Just looking for opinions to confirm my theory.

Well, without battery the Milwaukee is 285mm 1.4kg. The dewalt 18v brushless is 310mm 1.1kg. So size doesn't really come into it, seemingly, unless you use the small tubular Mulwaukee 12v battert to make the rear of it less bulky. Seems the 18v multitools are already about as small as they can go.

As its a simple oscillating head I can't see 12v bing a problem. My 18v doesn't slow down in the slightest when cutting through thick wood.