For years the Milwaukee Hole Hawg 1675-6 ($299) has been a staple for electricians, plumbers and many other tradesmen alike. This is the workhorse for professional drilling applications and in its current form is remarkably similar to the tool launched 45+ years ago. Milwaukee is making some big leaps forward in 2014 however with the M18 FUEL Hole Hawgs, Chucked 2707-22 ($449) & Hex 2708-22 ($449). For starters the drills are 4 lbs lighter than the older corded versions but they don’t sacrifice anything in the way of drill speed. The M18 FUEL cordless drills actually consistently beat the corded version in our testing with it. With 2 fully charged M18 batteries, Milwaukee is claiming an electrician can do a full 2500-3000 sq ft residence so run time shouldn’t be an issue either.
What the M18 cordless Hole Hawgs are missing unfortunately is the larger hole capacity for the plumbers. After we posted all the videos from the 2014 Milwaukee Product Event this was the number one question we heard on any of the new products. The old corded Hole Hawg was a 2 speed unit; high 1200 RPM for up to 2” holes and a low 300 RPM for up to 4-5/8” with self-feed wood bits. The new M18 FUEL Hole Hawgs (should probably be called the Electrician’s Hole Hawgs) are a variable speed 0-1200 RPM which tops out at 2” self-feed bits. Hopefully we will see a Plumber’s version of the M18 Hole Hawg at some point in the future but our thought is there would probably be added costs and weight for 2 speed gearing to handle the higher torque. If this is the case it would make sense to have a separate options at different price points as most users may not need this higher capacity.
These new tools will be shipping in early October and for those already in the Milwaukee Cordless system the tools will also be available as bare tool M18 Hole Hawgs, Chucked 2707-20 ($249) & Hex 2708-20 ($249). For any questions on any Milwaukee tools contact the pros at Ohio Power Tool 800-242-4424 and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. For additional info see the official Milwaukee Press Release below.
MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee Tool continues to deliver disruptive innovation with the introduction of a cordless right angle drill that drills faster than the original corded HOLE HAWG®, delivers over (150) 7/8” Holes Per Charge, and is over 30% lighter than its corded predecessor. Optimized for Electrical applications, the M18 FUEL™ HOLE HAWG® is the first cordless tool of its kind, delivering game-changing productivity for professionals drilling with augers up to 1-1/4” and Self-Feed bits up to 2”.
“Professional trades have relied on right angle drills from Milwaukee® since before the introduction of the original HOLE HAWG® in 1970,” says Cole Conrad, Product Manager for Milwaukee Tool. “By combining proprietary FUEL™ technologies, we have been able to provide the performance, durability, and run-time the professional electrician demands without the need to plug into a generator or drag cords around a jobsite.”
As with all M18 FUEL™ products, the new HOLE HAWG® was engineered for the most demanding trades in the world. Delivering unrivaled performance, M18 FUEL™ products feature three Milwaukee®-exclusive innovations — the POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM™ XC4.0 Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence Hardware and Software— that deliver unmatched performance, durability and run-time.
The POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor works harder, lives longer, and converts energy into power more efficiently. This gives the M18 FUEL™ HOLE HAWG® the ability to deliver faster drilling speeds than corded units, especially under heavy loads. The motor is completely designed, engineered and built by Milwaukee Tool to deliver years of maintenance-free performance with no wearable components, no losses due to vibration and less heat build-up.
REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence hardware and software is the most advanced electronic system on the market. This electronics package protects the motor and gear box from damage by shutting the tool down in stall situations that can occur when impacting a nail or drilling through dense materials. It integrates full-circle communication between tool, battery and charger to protect them from overloading, overheating, and over-discharging. These advanced electronics also help maintain ideal conditions for maximum application performance.
Milwaukee REDLITHIUM™ XC4.0 batteries provide up to 2X more run-time and recharges than standard Lithium-Ion batteries, delivering over (150) 7/8” Holes Per Charge. With Milwaukee® durability built into each pack, the REDLITHIUM™ XC4.0 battery operates cooler and performs in climates below 0°F/-18°C with fade free power. A battery fuel gauge also displays remaining charge for less down time on the job.
In addition, the 2708 model features a new-to-world QUIK-LOK™ Chuck to offer keyless, one-handed bit changes for most 7/16” flat or groove shank bits commonly found on augers, self-feed bits, and hole saws.
Available in October of 2014, the new M18 FUEL™ HOLE HAWG® is a true testament to Milwaukee’s focus on the user and investment in game changing technology. While this product is optimized for Electrical applications, Milwaukee will also offer an innovative solution that is optimized for the large diameter hole drilling commonly performed by professional plumbers and mechanical trades in the near future.
