Milwaukee M18 FUEL ONE-KEY 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1-3/4 in. SDS-MAX Rotary Hammer (Tool-Only)

40 reviews for Milwaukee M18 FUEL ONE-KEY 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1-3/4 in. SDS-MAX Rotary Hammer (Tool-Only)

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Mckenna Miller (verified owner) – September 30, 2021

   Pleasantly surprised at the performance of this rotary hammer. Worked pretty well at partially demolishing a small concrete pad – even with a lower capacity M18 battery (XC 3.0) instead of a larger 5.0 or 9.0 battery. I like that it allows you to easily change the chisel orientation so that you’re always using it at the most comfortable angle. The tool has sufficient shock absorption which makes it rather comfortable to use – at least once you get used to it’s somewhat hefty weight!Apart from some test holes, I have yet to use it as a hammer drill for extended periods. The few holes I did drill with it (3/4″ only) were made without a single hiccup.

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Obie Smitham (verified owner) – September 7, 2021

   Milwaukee makes another excellent product! This drill is not compatible with the SDS Plus bits and chisels. You must use SDS Max bits and chisels , which are sold separately. The tool comes with one battery and one charger. Extra batteries and chargers are available through Milwaukee for purchase. The tool has three selections to choose from, simply turn the sector knob to hammering with rotation, hammer only or chisel. The drill also has a chisel lock feature, which is nice to have. This tool comes with One-Key, which tracks, locks and renders it unusable at your choosing. This application can be downloaded onto all Apple and Android devices. This cordless rotary hammer has a 5yr limited warranty and comes with its own carrying case. However, I would like to see Milwaukee include a starter bit and chisel set as well as a re-engendered battery charger, which has zero humming. I spoke with the parts and an engineer from Milwaukee whom said it’s not a safety concern. The humming gradually goes away as the battery charges.

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   Lilian Kirlin (verified owner) – August 30, 2021

   The M18 Fuel One-Key SDS-Max Rotary Hammer Drill is a beast. With the comparable power of a 15A corded drill this thing is strong . A bit on the heavy side but well balanced and can hold in one hand . Has a rotation clutch so if you hit something that binds the bit in will stop instead of breaking your wrist. Nice feature. This is a great tool to add to my arsenal of Milwaukee tools. I did a small job with it mounting bolts to hold a street lamp and it went through the concrete like butter. Home Depot carries all of the bits for this drill and a nice selection. 5 year warranty and everything you need to get started (except for the bits). It can also be used as a chipper to chip out concrete as well as brick. Have not been disappoint with Milwaukee tools, and this one ranks 10 on my list. It also come with one key application where you can track the tool and lock the tool and many more features, something I don’t need but its nice technology and I could see it used frequently on big job sites.

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   Jacinthe Corkery (verified owner) – August 26, 2021

   it’s an overachiever. turned around an bought the smallest version of this as well and it performed better than your powered SDS. performed as good but lighter and no cords. working on a hardened concrete building – probably drilled 100 1/4” holes and the 12A battery had just lost one light level. could have gone all day.

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   Solon Streich (verified owner) – August 20, 2021

   I’ve used this to break up a concrete footer left in the driveway from an old porch, cut out a bad section of blacktop in the driveway, break up a dirt pile full of roots, remove mortar from field stones to rebuild a wall, and bust up a concrete fence footer to repair a rotted fence post. In all cases this tool breaks things up pretty quickly. The tool weighs about 25 lbs when outfitted with battery and bit, but it’s very manageable given the shock absorption, adjustable handle, and ability to rotate the chisel before using hammering mode. The kit includes the brushless, 1 3/4” SDS-Max rotary hammer (model 2718-20), two M18 REDLITHIUM, high output, HD12.0 amp hour batteries, Rapid Charger (40% faster), a tube of grease for the bits, and what is a giant red suitcase. The only thing missing, which is surprising, is a depth gauge. You’ll also need bits and chisels, but that will depend on how you plan to use the tool. Given my intention to chisel concrete, my first bit purchases were a 3”x12” scaling chisel and a bull point chisel.Per the literature, this tool can “chip 1/2 ton of material on one charge.” In my case, each new, fully charged, HD12.0 Ah battery provided approximately 20 minutes of run time when chiseling concrete and blacktop. Perhaps there’s a technically difference between “chipping” and “chiseling,” but I definitely didn’t remove 1/2 ton of material on one charge. Also, I noticed that as the batteries got to the last bar and started blinking, the tool’s power started to drop off a little. Luckily, the batteries run cool so they can immediately be placed in the charger. With the Rapid Charger, each of my HD12.0 Ah batteries charged in roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes (from blinking). You can’t beat the convenience of a cordless tool, but if I had to run this thing all day, I’d consider investing in more batteries and chargers. The One-Key features aren’t important to me, but as a curious individual I downloaded the app and connected the tool to check it out. I can understand how the app would be useful in professional applications. Milwaukee has delivered another well-engineered tool that is comfortable and as powerful as a 15 Amp corded rotary hammer. I really enjoy using it!

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   Randall Bernier (verified owner) – May 2, 2021

   Milwaukee Rotary Hammer model # 2718-22HD review by a home owner / DIY’er.I’m a semi-retired I.T. technician so I try to leave data cabling jobs to younger techs, but sometimes I get roped in. Most of the time I don’t have to run cable through masonry; sometimes, however, I’ve run into situations that call for ‘more power’ – and this new Milwaukee rotary hammer supplies ‘more power’ by the bucketful. Vibration is present, but minimal. Noise is high-pitched; you’ll want to wear hearing and eye protection. The trick is to let the drill do the work – apply just enough pressure to guide the bit. Of course, the 2718 is a beast – you can check out the specs on the Home Depot web page. (See attached photo of the case – I’ve included a yardstick to give some idea of proportion).The “lock out” for the trigger is on the back (see photo); there is a light that comes on to light up the work. A hard-shell case is included with the kit. Fit and finish is excellent.Being a DIY’er I don’t expect that I’ll wear down the 12 a/h battery on any given day, but the kit comes with a spare battery as well and a second battery is always welcome. Of course the M18 batteries are interchangeable with any other M18 tools.Every time I plant a new rose bush or shrub I have to dig out something left by the subdivision builder – cement bricks, poured concrete leftovers, you name it. I found the top half of a concrete bird feeder buried about 7” down! Also, we’re sitting on hard clay soil which doesn’t make digging easy once you get past the topsoil.The Milwaukee will allow me to cut the concrete, bricks, etc. into chunks that are easily hauled away in bags or bins. (See attached photo of SDS-Max chisel bit; the bit isn’t included with the kit but there’s space in the case for carrying a few bits).The really good news is that spade attachments are available that makes digging into hard clay much, much easier. This is where this new tool really starts to pay off for the DIY’er. This kit is obviously targeted towards skilled trades pros; however, since it also has applications around the house other than the drilling of masonry holes and it is part of the M18 tool family, the cost of the kit can be spread over a number of areas.You’ll want to check out accessories (such as the ‘spade’ bit) to see what duties this rotary hammer can perform other than drilling holes in concrete. There’s an adapter available which allows the use of SDS+ bits, which is useful.The tool offers a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty (3 years on the batteries), and a 90-day return guarantee from Home Depot. One really nice safety feature – the tool offers an auto stop which limits the tool to a 45 degree turn if the bit binds up in the work. That means that you won’t be fighting the rotation of the tool to stop the twisting motion – after a 45 degree spin it automatically shuts down.One surprising lack – there’s no “drill only” mode; you won’t be using this beast for drilling through rafters or railway ties. It would have been a handy option to have. There’s a “Hammer Only” mode, and a “Hammer/Rotate” mode. The third position on the mode switch is for changing the angle of the chisel bit.Also – Milwaukee has an online tracking database that you can key your tools (not just Milwaukee brand) into and download a nifty Excel spreadsheet showing warranty dates, serial numbers, purchase dates – just about anything you want to key in. Very handy for insurance, warranty claims, or checking purchases for income tax deductions. See the documentation that comes with the hammer for details.My bottom line on this new Milwaukee drill for DIY’ers? It would be a pricey tool to have on hand for the typical homeowner if all it did was break up concrete. But considering its other capabilities (drilling large or small holes through concrete, brick, masonry; making short work of hard clay deposits in the lawn or garden;) I think a case can be made that the tool can be cost effective. Certainly in my case, where I’m frequently called out by friends and neighbors to lend a hand in some sort of DIY chore, this thing will be a back saver.HTHRegards,Jim

7. Rated 5 out of 5

   Monroe Kuhlman (verified owner) – April 16, 2021

   The Milwaukee 1-3/4 inch SDS-MAX Rotary Hammer performs admirably. It can support solid drill bits up to 1-3/4 inch in diameter, core bits up to 6 inches in diameter and tunnel bits up to 2-1/2 inch in diameter. The tool can hammer only or hammer and drill. It also supports a setting to allow chisels to be orientated to best fit your work surface. One nice feature of this tool is the safety clutch which will stop the drill within 45 degrees of rotation if the bit gets stuck while drilling. It produces 8.1 foot pounds of force and 2900 beats per minute. This model also supports One-Key and the tool can be put into security lockout preventing its use until the owner removes the lockout. This particular configuration (2718-20) is a bare tool so there is no case, batteries or charger included. For your money you get the tool, a tube of grease and a manual. You save money on this configuration if you already have numerous Milwaukee batteries and chargers.I really liked the anti-vibration system on the trigger and side handles. While I used the tool to break up a concrete post footing, I did not experience any fatigue from vibration. The tool is heavy (nearly 20 pounds) but when drilling or hammering on the ground, the tool weight helps apply pressure to the bit. If I was working on a vertical surface I’m sure I would become fatigued by the weight but the competitor products have similar weight.In my initial test on a 24 inch deep concrete post footing, I used both a bull point and a flat chisel to break up the concrete in hammer only mode. The rotary hammer broke up the concrete quickly and without a lot of effort. I only had M18 5.0 Ah batteries on hand. The tool worked fine with them but I did have one over heat during use. I definitely recommend a high output 12.0 Ah battery for use with this tool since it runs 50% cooler than other M18 batteries.The tool does have a trigger lock for long duration chiseling. What it does not have is a reverse mode so if you get a drill bit stuck, you cannot back it out with reverse and will need to find another way to break it loose. This product has a five year warranty which beats the major competitors. There are multiple types of SDS bits: SDS, SDS-Plus, SDS-MAX and Spline. SDS and SDS-Plus are interchangeable. SDS-MAX is a thicker shank for heavy duty applications. SDS-Max was designed to replace Spline shanks. This particular tool uses only SDS-MAX bits but Milwaukee sells an adapter that converts SDS-MAX to SDS-Plus.

8. Rated 5 out of 5

   Sabryna Kohler (verified owner) – April 11, 2021

   Good don’t need to pull out the cords and the inverter to run ground rods and more on jobs site as a electrician lots of time we don’t have power on service call till we’re done, so this is great!!

9. Rated 5 out of 5

   Nannie Ledner (verified owner) – April 10, 2021

   The Milwaukee M18 FUEL ONE-KEY 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1-3/4 in. SDS-MAX Rotary Hammer with One 12.0 Ah Battery Model # 2718-21HD is a new addition to the already popular Milwaukee Brand. This Rotary Hammer generates the power of a 15A Corded Hammer. It incorporates the Milwaukee POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor that provides more power, run-time, and longer life. This cordless rotary hammer is designed for the professional user and can be used by the advanced D.I.Y. I found this tool to be very powerful. The AUTOSTOP™ E-Clutch is a nice safety feature and I would recommend the user wear safety glasses and a face shield. Milwaukee supports their product with a 5 Year Warranty (Tool), 3 Year Warranty (Battery).

10. Rated 4 out of 5

    Katheryn Sporer (verified owner) – April 6, 2021

    This is a great tool. This lost a star from me, because on the Neckbones rating system a 5 star product has all of the features and caveats of the competition with additional features of their own. This is a great tool, To me this was lacking a dust collection for the Chisel mode. The one feature I felt was lacking was the dust collection for the chisel mode. I saw another product that addresses it with their Rotatry hammers. That was missing from this lineup. The one key features for this is very limited also. When you advertise it as a one key product you expect the same customization as other one key products that was not the case, you can only identify and lock the tool and the that is it(aside from tracking it)I love finding different uses for my tools to get the most out of them. I was able to use the chisel function to break up compacted ice from the aftermath of a snowstorm. I was surprised how easily this broke up the ice. In less than a second it broke through like nothing. This was thick layers of ice too. The handle has an anti vibration spring and the best to describe it, is to think of the shocks on your car that absorbs the bouncing and movement. This worked well. I did not experience a lot of movement in my hand. The lock is easily accessible for my thumb. The case has a compartment to store bits. In the case it is quite heavy but I used my packout and similar storage units to transport it so that was not too much of an issue. I have the sds max dust attachment and it works great for drilling into concrete. I have other one key tools and the one key for this one was disappointing. Lacks features. You can only identify and lock the tool. Other one key products allow you to do much more. Performance wise this is great. Handled everything I threw at it with ease. Great for masonry and landscaping(Snow removal). Due to the Salt and water I will keep a chisel just for the snow.

11. Rated 5 out of 5

    Dominique Buckridge (verified owner) – April 1, 2021

    First Milwaukee heavy duty product I have had the pleasure of owning. I must say this tool is beyond amazing. Being a bit concerned over the battery power became a faded thought as it is as advertised— ready to do the job. For my purposes it is a bit overkill as this would be ideal for full time concrete work without any down time should you get a second battery. if you are a really aggressive worker you could probably get by without it. Been remodeling my house and will be using it to drill holes for new railing and roof supports on two porches along with driveways etc. This is in a different league as a regular hammer drill I can assure you. The Autostop E-Clutch is a very nice safety component. Looking forward to a longtime usage, reliable and quality power tool by one of the best manufactures around.

12. Rated 5 out of 5

    Kolby Cassin (verified owner) – March 27, 2021

    this sds hammer is very good it is kind of heavy but its all part of not using the body weight to push into the material and it is very strong it is made of thick material and it should hold very strong the only down fall is that you need to use a 9.0 or higher battery for a longer run time other then that the tool is very good then again its made by milwaukee

13. Rated 5 out of 5

    Wanda Breitenberg (verified owner) – March 1, 2021

    If you do any masonry or concrete foundation drilling, this is the rotary hammer drill to have. Keep in mind it is a bare tool only, so you must own and have your own M18 battery system to use out of the box. In use, the chuck is easy to use and holds most of the large size masonry bits with easy. The rotary action works well with minimal fatigue felt by the user when in operation. Sturdy, strong and of high quality and has taken a beating on the job site with ease.

14. Rated 5 out of 5

    Lilliana Boyle (verified owner) – February 27, 2021

    AWESOME tool. Excellent, long lasting power for a cordless hammer drill. Built in clutch which stops drill at 1/4 turn when bit locks. Great feature! Have nearly broken my wrist numerous times with my corded hammer drill. As a member of Milwaukee’s One Key system the drill can be linked via blue tooth to your phone so its location can be tracked, it can be remotely locked, the tools performance can be adjusted, and you can get reports on tools usage and performance. Used drill to put a 4″ hole thru a very old house for a dryer vent. Wall was 15″ thick, 2 courses of brick, 6 ” of concrete and stone, then 2″ of cement and plaster. OMG. Tool cut 4′ hole thru all of that in less than an hour. Still had battery power left!!

15. Rated 5 out of 5

    Orval Aufderhar (verified owner) – February 7, 2021

    It’s built like a tank, However it’s a bit heavy I don’t mind the weight, It gets the work done effectively, And it met my expectations,

16. Rated 5 out of 5

    Larissa Keebler (verified owner) – February 6, 2021

    I would give this five stars if it were corded. Can’t believe Milwaukee gets this power out of a battery. If you have 2 rapid chargers and 3 12.0 batteries you can chip non stop all day. Amazing performance

17. Rated 5 out of 5

    Ramiro Walsh (verified owner) – January 23, 2021

    POWERFUL; VERSATILE; HEAVY; LABOR-SAVING — The Milwaukee M18 FUEL ONE-KEY 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1-3/4 in. SDS-MAX Rotary Hammer with Two 12.0 Ah Batteries is an incredible, portable tool which has many applications. It can drill, chip, trench, make core holes, and much more. Tile and concrete contractors should be interested in the tool for its ability to save labor costs. Serious DIYers could use it for multiple applications to justify its cost. For me, it allowed me to remove my old ceramic tile floor in less than half the time that it took a contractor using a hammer and chisel to remove the tile in a similarly-sized bathroom. The best feature for me was the vibration damper. Another excellent safety feature is the auto stop clutch to keep the tool from rotating more than 45degrees if it gets stuck. This tool is huge and heavy. It weights 23 pounds including the battery which weighs 3.2 pounds. The weight may be the biggest drawback for people who would not be using it frequently. The well-designed trigger handle is comfortable. The side handle adjusts easily. That handle and the overall balance make the tool easy to use. The three modes are clearly marked and explained in the instructions. The chisel lock mechanism is not clear in the instructions. To insert a bit, you need to pull back on the spring loaded collar, then release it to lock the bit. The temporary setting is for adjusting the angle of the chisel. This step requires caution since you need to pull the trigger with the battery engaged. The tool case is large and has room for many accessories. The kit includes a tube of lubricant but the instructions for using it are missing. The drill has ONE-KEY with all of the associated advantages. Two current drawbacks are the lack of accessories and their cost. I needed a tile chisel bit for removing the ceramic tile in my bathroom. My SDS Plus tile bit is not compatible. I would have needed to buy an adapter at a cost greater than a new bit. Milwaukee does not make a tile chisel bit for the SDS Max but advised me that another vendor did. That vendor’s bit is HD store exclusive which means that it can only be obtained in a store. My store did not have it and had not seen one in months. I could not order one online. Fortunately an HD store manager figured out a way to obtain the bit for me. Bits can cost more than $100 each. One then needs to have specific, large tasks in mind. For those tasks with available bits, this tool will increase one’s productivity and make the tool a wise investment.

18. Rated 5 out of 5

    Rowan Hills (verified owner) – January 4, 2021

    This is really an awesome cordless rotary hammer. It literally has so many quality elements built-in, that I don’t know where to start. I was initially impressed with the side handle that practically guarantees the proper balance while in use, and is also a major safety element. Definitely built for professional usage, but also includes multiple safety features for enhanced safety and productivity for the average semi-professional user.This Milwaukee Rotary Hammer is the perfect tool for chipping thru concrete, rebar, etc. and delivers quality and consistency even under the roughest circumstances. One recommendation would be to make this tool usable as a corded hammer, as compared to being totally cordless. Otherwise, an awesome tool that I would recommend without hesitation to all Hope Depot shoppers looking for the best tools available. 

19. Rated 5 out of 5

    Janelle Waters (verified owner) – November 19, 2020

    Milwaukee M18 2718-22HD 1 3/4” capacity SDS-Max Rotary Hammer Kit is definitely a heavy duty and a professional tool. It definitely meets, head on, the comparable 15-amp corded rotary hammer by a long shot. On the jobsite, like the fact that I don’t have to drag along an electric generator to power the tool since it comes with heavy duty two capacity batteries which makes the tool totally portable. I especially appreciate the “AUTOSTOP” electromagnetic clutch that prevents the tool from over rotation when it gets bound up. This is an important personal kickback safety feature helps to order to maintain a 45-degree control of the tool, especially when hitting hard aggregate or drilling rebar which is not found on competitive brand tools. An out of control tool can easily sprain your wrist and arm, and especially cause you to fall off a ladder. The ONE KEY feature on tool allows for tool tracking, inventory, and security to shut it down and all which are great amenities to have. The battery markings are a bit misleading through the M18 representing the voltage, 18 volts, and the 12 ah (amp hour) representing the amperage capacity of the battery. I think most people think it is 12-volt. I tried to buy Milwaukee brand concrete chisel Home Depot but ended up having to buy the Bosch brand instead. It should be noted that smaller shank (SDS Plus) is for the older 1” drive and larger shank (SDS Max) is made for the newer 1 3/4″ shank tool. On the downside, the tool is very heavy and it lacks the “depth stop” feature when drilling concrete holes.

20. Rated 5 out of 5

    Pearline Flatley (verified owner) – November 9, 2020

    This is “THE” rotary hammer to have for any tradesman to chisel, break up or drill in the toughest and hardest materials. It has the power of a 15Amp corded rotary hammer drill without the cord or the site restrictions that come when no electric outlet is available. The 2 included high output HD12.0 AH batteries included should give the user the power to chisel through a ton of concrete or heavy drilling for a couple of hours. This tool works in three modes, drill, hammer-drill and hammer only (no rotation). It is also brushless so this tool, when properly maintained and lubricated, will last as long as neededIt has a 1-3/4″ drill capacity but can handle up to a 6″ core drill. It’s size and weight makes it cut through the job required using tools that connect with the SDS-MAX and also with the Milwaukee 48-03-3025 SDS-MAX To SDS-PLUS bit adapter allows the use of SDS-PLUS bits and tools. This gives the user the ability to quickly exchange and use carbide bits from about 1/4″ up to 1 3/4″ or chisel from the smallest SDS-PLUS to the largest SDS-MAX 3″ chisel. It also has the ability to hammer in rebar or post hardware using the ground rod driver, a breeze since there is a 40 pound tool backing it up. Using a post pole adapter I was able to drive in 96″ posts to a depth of 36″ in seconds with little effort for the installation of a chain link fence.It has a safety feature which plagues many of these types of tools, that of binding up when going at full tilt and spinning out of control. Milwaukee has a safety feature that stops the drill from running away with itself and stops it within a 45* spin.This rotary hammer drill is compatible with ONE KEY™, wirelessly connecting to user’s smartphone to track and manage the tool’s performance and location.According to the manufacturer, Milwaukee, this tools features are:-Milwaukee® POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor provides more power, more run-time, and longer life-REDLINK PLUS™ Electronic Intelligence enables advanced communication between your batteries and tools, allowing for unmatched levels of performance, protection, and productivity.-REDLITHIUM™ HIGH OUTPUT™ HD12.0 Battery Pack: Provides 50% more power and runs 50% cooler versus standard REDLITHIUM™ HD packs. Superior pack construction provides the industry’s best protection against jobsite conditions.-Generates 15A Corded Power-Max Control, Enhanced Safety-Chips 1/2 Ton of Material Per Charge-ONE KEY™-AUTOSTOP™ E-Clutch-8.1 ft-lbs Impact Energy-380 RPM-2,900 BPM-10 m/s² Vibration-2 Modes: Rotary Hammer & Hammer Only-Includes: 1-3/4″ SDS MAX Hammer, Side Handle, (2) 12.0 Batteries, Rapid Charger, Case, Grease Tube