I Tested the Milwaukee M18 2904-22 — Here’s What Shocked Me

I’ve been using the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2904-22 Hammer Drill/Driver Kit for a while now. I bought it mostly for home projects, but I’ve used it for heavier tasks too. I want to share what I’ve noticed about this drill, what I like, what I don’t like, and how it performs. I’m not a professional contractor, but I do a lot of DIY work around the house. I’ll go step by step, so it’s easy to follow.

Unboxing and First Impressions

When I first opened the box, everything looked clean and well-organized. The kit came with the drill itself, two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, a side handle, and a nice carrying case. The case feels solid. It’s big enough to fit the tool and the batteries without forcing anything inside. The drill has a heavy feel to it, but it’s not too much. It actually feels strong, like it can handle tough jobs.

The batteries had some charge in them, but I fully charged both before trying anything. The charger worked fine, and it didn’t take that long to fill the batteries. I noticed that Milwaukee batteries have a fuel gauge, which is helpful. You can see how much power is left, so you’re not caught off guard halfway through a job.

Right away, the drill felt smaller than I expected. Compared to older models I’ve used, this one is compact. But it’s heavy because of the motor and the metal parts. Still, the grip feels good, and the rubberized handle helps a lot when your hands get sweaty.

Power and Performance

The first test I did was drilling into a piece of scrap wood. I started with small bits, then moved up to bigger ones. Honestly, it didn’t even flinch. Even when I pushed harder, the drill stayed strong. The trigger is sensitive, so you can control the speed easily. It doesn’t just jump to full speed the moment you press it.

Later, I tried drilling into a brick wall. I used the hammer mode for that. Switching modes is simple — just turn the ring around the chuck. The drill made a lot of noise, as expected, but it got the job done. I could feel the hammer action, but it wasn’t too aggressive. I’ve used cheaper hammer drills before, and they would shake like crazy. This one felt controlled.

I also tried driving some large screws into treated lumber. Again, it performed well. I didn’t need to pre-drill, and it sank the screws quickly. One thing I noticed is that it gets hot if you work too long without breaks. It’s normal, but something to keep in mind.

What impressed me was the torque. This drill has a lot of it — up to 1,400 inch-pounds. That’s a number you see in the manual, but you really feel it when the bit binds. If you’re not holding the drill tight, it can twist your wrist. I actually had to use the side handle when doing heavy tasks. Without it, I would have lost control a few times.

Size and Weight

The drill is 6.9 inches long. It’s shorter than my old drill, which helps in tight spots. But the weight is there. With the battery attached, it feels close to 5 pounds. After a while, your arm feels it, especially if you’re working above your head.

For most tasks around the house, the size is good. It fits between studs and works fine in corners. But if you’re doing work inside cabinets or tight crawl spaces, it still feels a bit bulky.

The side handle adds some length too, but it’s necessary for safety. I only use it when drilling into concrete or when I know I’ll need extra control.

Build Quality

I have to say, the build quality feels solid. The chuck is metal, not plastic. It grips bits tightly, and I haven’t had a bit slip yet. Changing bits is easy — you just twist the chuck by hand. There’s no key required, which is great.

The drill has rubber over-molding in the right spots. It helps with grip and protects the tool when you set it down. I dropped it once from a low height, and it didn’t even leave a mark. I wouldn’t want to drop it from a ladder, but it feels tough enough to survive most accidents.

The switches feel solid too. The mode selector and speed switch click firmly. Nothing feels loose or cheap. I’ve had tools where the plastic breaks after a few months. This one feels like it will last.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is good. I can work for a couple of hours on a single charge, depending on what I’m doing. Drilling into wood barely uses any power. Hammer drilling into concrete drains the battery faster.

One battery feature I like is the REDLITHIUM technology. It’s supposed to protect the battery from overheating and overcharging. I can’t really test that, but I haven’t noticed any problems. The batteries stay cool most of the time, unless I’m really pushing the tool.

Charging takes about 60 minutes for a full charge. Sometimes less. I like that the charger has lights to show progress. It’s easy to know when the battery is ready.

I usually swap between the two batteries in the kit. One charges while I use the other. So far, I haven’t run out of power in the middle of a job.

Safety Features

One of the things I like is the AUTOSTOP feature. If the drill bit gets stuck, the drill stops spinning fast. It prevents your wrist from twisting. I had that happen with my old drill, and it hurt. With this one, it stopped right away when the bit jammed.

It’s not perfect, though. Sometimes it feels too sensitive, like it stops when I don’t expect it. But I’d rather have that than a sprained wrist.

The side handle also helps with safety. It gives you more control, especially when using larger bits or working with tough materials.

LED Light

The LED light is bright. It’s placed near the base, so it shines where you’re drilling. It’s better than some other drills I’ve used where the light is too weak or pointed in the wrong direction.

It doesn’t stay on for long after you release the trigger, but long enough to see what you’re doing. I used it in a dark attic once, and it made a difference.

Noise and Vibration

When drilling into wood, the noise level is normal. It’s not too loud. But in hammer mode, it gets noisy. I definitely wear ear protection when drilling concrete or brick.

Vibration is there, but not terrible. The tool feels balanced, so it doesn’t shake like crazy. Still, after a while, your hand gets tired, especially if you’re holding the drill up high.

What I Like

• Powerful enough for tough jobs
• Compact design
• Solid build quality
• Good battery life
• Bright LED light
• AUTOSTOP safety feature
• Comfortable grip

What I Don’t Like

• Heavy, especially with the battery
• Can get hot during long use
• Hammer mode is loud
• AUTOSTOP feels too sensitive sometimes
• Price is high compared to basic drills

Long-Term Use

After a few months, the drill is still working like new. The batteries hold charge well. I’ve done a lot of projects — built a deck, installed shelves, drilled into brick, and fixed doors. It handled everything.

One thing I noticed is that the metal chuck can rust if you don’t wipe it down after wet work. I drilled into some wet wood once and left it in the garage. Next day, there was a slight rust mark. Nothing major, but good to clean it after every job.

The case is holding up fine. Zippers work, and the plastic doesn’t crack even when it gets cold.

Is It Worth Buying?

For someone like me who does a lot of home projects and occasional heavy jobs, it’s a great tool. It feels strong and reliable. But if you only need a drill for simple tasks like hanging pictures or light repairs, this might be too much. It’s expensive, and you won’t use half the power it offers.

For pros or serious DIYers, it’s a good choice. It does drilling, driving, and hammer drilling all in one. The battery system is solid, and it fits other Milwaukee tools if you already own some.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’m happy with the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2904-22. It has a few flaws, mostly the weight and the price. But the performance makes up for it. It handles tough jobs without breaking a sweat. The safety features give me peace of mind, especially the AUTOSTOP.

Would I buy it again? Yes, I would. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best drill I’ve owned so far.