Milwaukee 2525 M12 Brushless Rotary Tool Review

We pushed this new Milwaukee M12 Brushless Rotary Tool to see what kind of power it could deliver. With 27,500 RPM on tap and 12-speeds, you can easily dial in the amount you need for the job. You also get a toolless bit change with the onboard collet wrench that is integrated in the tip of the Milwaukee 2525. You can get this new brushless rotary tool for $129 as a bare tool, or you can get a kit with a 2.0 Ah battery for just $199. #milwaukeetool #review #nothingbutheavyduty

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[Timothy-NH]

First throught: I rarely use mine, but when I do, I use it a lot, but really, no need to upgrade.
On Second Thought: Oh, look, built in wrench, must order the new one ASAP!

[TylerM-ji]

Having burned up the brushed version, I'll be getting the new one soon. The light is definitely needed as well.

[nominalvelocity]

I like that quick change nose wrench thing, that's pretty clever!

[mumblesjustin]

I was afraid they had changed the head design where it wouldn’t allow flex shafts to be installed. I’m glad to see they did keep that ability. I’ll probably be upgrading soon now that I know my flex shaft will work with the new model.

[txvet]

I’m glad I waited for a brushless M12 rotary tool, now I can finally cut the cord of my Dremel rotary tool. Now it’s time for Milwaukee to come out with a Fuel or brushless version of their compact blower!

[deceptionsdemise]

I could've used this for cutting hose clamps. Would've saved me a lot of time. Definitely on my tool wish list.

[clutteredchicagogarage]

If I didn’t already own the gen1 brushed version, I would definitely buy this one. However, since i have the older one, i will just wait until the brushes wear out to buy a new brushless version. That would probably take a decade since I use it infrequently.

For rotary tools, i almost always care about ergonomics over power. My favorite rotary tool is actually my much weaker but much lighter 4v ryobi with the usb-chargeable batteries. I want to be able to hold my rotary tool in one hand like a pencil and cut or grind something precisely.

When i need power to cut something, i get out my brushless 18v angle grinder or various saws that i own. When i want to drill in tough material, i use a drill. I use rotary tools for precision work where precision matters more to me than power. I would have preferred it if they would have kept the same power as the old gen1 brushed version but made the tool smaller and lighter.

So usually when i need a rotary tool, i start with my 4v ryobi and switch to my m12 brushed when i need more power. I often don’t need more power for what i do with rotary tools.

[nigel_white]

I've had a Dremel rotary tool for over 25 years and it's served me well. But I often can't be bothered using it because of the hassle of getting it out of the case, getting it plugged in, especially if an extension cord is needed, and then fiddling with it to get a bit changed out. Given that I already have M12 batteries, this cordless tool looks like it's worth the money to switch!

[davidmcgee]

I use the gen 1 all the time. you can apply more pressure than you can on the right angle die grinder which isn’t saying much.
Ryobi makes a quick change cut off wheel, reasonably priced and works great . Picked up a bunch on clearance last January. Same for drum sander, I didn’t have much luck with it but they all suck, hard to change or slip off too easy

[jasonvandervalk]

I only just got this tool today love it!

[IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

I just use this tool(GEN 1)today and it’s fine.
I don’t see the need to upgrade to a newer tool, especially since I don’t use this tool all the time, but it’s works great when I need. I have a couple of the Dremel accessories, just wish the plunge cutter/drywall cut out accessory was made out of metal

[EnhancedNightmare]

Deciding between this one (because I have loads of m12 batteries) and the dremel offering. Can't decide lol but I hate idea of having two separate battery type in my tools.

[randysmith]

I like the tool less Collett and the power.
Thanks for the video and review brother.

[Admajors]

How does this compare, particularly in power, to the Ryobi HP brushless rotary tool? This is obviously more compact and can be used without a flex extension, but is the 18V Ryobi a noticeable step up in power?

[strykerentllc]

Tim, as for the accessories, those are traditionally square drive on the flex shaft. Does the new tool have a corresponding female square drive feature in the base of collet area to mate with the flex shaft during installation?

[BarkerVancity]

i didnt get the wrech with mine, and ive noticed it losens up as i use it and pulls the bit out. never mind.. thanks so much. this will help me

[afpitbull]

Well done. Which specific accessories would you recommend? Thanks for sharing!

[alexteixeira]

The only tool i have been looking forward to

[HabaneroTi]

I have the brushed version and like it. It's powerful, fast and well-built. Hasn't failed me yet. But two things that I don't like about it are the dial speed selector, which is awkward to use when using the tool, and the lack of a die grinder-style on-off lever, which would come in very handy in certain situations where you have to spot grind something but not continuously.

This model fixes the first issue but not the second. Granted I've never seen a rotary tool that has this feature, although I understand that some come with a foot pedal. But it does seem like a useful option. Of course you'd still have an option to have it continuously run. So I see no reason to upgrade, and will keep on using the older one until it dies, then get this one.

[DrScopey]

Great review as always! Have you noticed any vibration with cutting disks on the new M12 brushless tool? The old one would vibrate for me at full speed with cutting disks.