Start with the drilling task
Choose a Milwaukee rotary hammer from the hole and the substrate: anchor holes or pipe penetrations, ordinary concrete or hard aggregate, reinforcement, depth and working position. Then choose SDS-Plus or SDS-Max, impact energy, battery and dust extraction as one working system.
M12 and M18 are different battery interfaces. Compact M12 2508-20 suits smaller SDS-Plus work; M18 spans compact Plus through heavy-duty Max. The 1 in, 1-1/8 in and 1-3/4 in labels are drilling-capacity classes, approximately 25.4, 28.6 and 44.5 mm, not shank diameters. Use the exact regional SKU and its recommended working range.
Model numbers and impact energy
| US model | Interface / generation | Impact energy | Selection emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2613-20 | SDS-Plus · M18 Brushless, D-handle | 1.95 ft-lb ≈ 2.64 J | General installation / downward drilling |
| 2912-20 | SDS-Plus · M18 FUEL, 1 in | 2.0 ft-lb ≈ 2.71 J | Routine anchors and installation |
| 2915-20 | SDS-Plus · M18 FUEL, 1-1/8 in | 3.6 ft-lb ≈ 4.88 J | Higher-load SDS-Plus drilling |
| 2717-20 | SDS-Max · Earlier 1-9/16 in | 5.0 ft-lb ≈ 6.78 J | Max drilling / medium chipping |
| 2718-20 | SDS-Max · Earlier 1-3/4 in | 8.1 ft-lb ≈ 10.98 J | Heavier drilling and chipping |
| 2917-20 | SDS-Max · 1-9/16 in, ONE-KEY | 6.0 ft-lb ≈ 8.13 J | Newer mid-heavy Max work |
| 2918-20 | SDS-Max · 1-3/4 in, ONE-KEY | 11 ft-lb ≈ 14.91 J | High-load drilling and heavier chipping |
Energy is converted using 1 ft-lb ≈ 1.3558 J. The task column is our selection interpretation, not a measured speed ranking. Concrete, hole geometry, bit and battery still determine output.
SDS-Plus: 2613, 2912 and 2915
2613 is the M18 Brushless D-handle option. 2912 is the FUEL 1 in model; 2915 adds higher impact energy and ONE-KEY for a heavier Plus duty. Balance matters when drilling many small holes or working overhead.
The 2912 “up to 125 holes” example uses a HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 battery and 3/8 in × 2 in holes, approximately 9.5 × 50.8 mm. Those conditions belong with the claim; larger or deeper holes consume a different amount of energy. 2912-20
SDS-Max: distinguish the generations
2717 and 2917 are different generations, as are 2718 and 2918. Read the complete model number on a used machine. The supplied 2717 image shows 5 ft-lb; the current 2917 reference is 6 ft-lb. Likewise 2918 is rated at 11 ft-lb versus 8.1 ft-lb for 2718.
For large, deep holes or sustained chipping, evaluate the Max hammer, debris clearance, battery swaps, charging and complete operating weight together. More impact energy does not translate into a fixed percentage increase in drilling speed.
Controls and dust extraction
AUTOSTOP addresses excessive rotation during a bind-up; AVS addresses vibration; ONE-KEY supports tracking and management; VACLINK links compatible extraction equipment. Availability is model-specific. Select the dust extractor, filter, head travel and bit length as a complete configuration.
2912-DE fits 2912/2914; 2915-DE fits 2915. A universal shroud, a dedicated HAMMERVAC, a dust trap and a hollow vacuum bit use different extraction paths. Match the complete setup to the task and the applicable dust-control requirements. 2912-DE / 2915-DE
Battery capacity and power under load
Ah describes charge capacity; Wh describes nominal stored energy. At 18 V, 8 Ah is approximately 144 Wh and 12 Ah approximately 216 Wh. Output also depends on cell design, current paths, temperature, protection and tool demand. Milwaukee identifies tabless cells for FORGE XC8.0 and HD12.0; this does not establish one Samsung cell model for every original pack. FORGE XC8.0 / HD12.0
Samsung-cell packs on Xianyu
On China’s Xianyu marketplace, separate three offers: a third-party M18-compatible pack, an original housing repaired with replacement cells, and an unchanged used original pack. Buying a bare tool plus a separate battery can reduce initial cost, but compare the complete tool, charger, usable capacity, load performance and after-sales arrangement.
Samsung 40T is a 4.0 Ah class 21700 cell; 50S is a 5.0 Ah class cell. Check the exact revision and matching cell specification. The following nominal-capacity examples explain listing claims; they are not Milwaukee original-pack bills of materials or assembly instructions. Samsung SDI 40T · Samsung SDI 50S
| Example cells / arrangement | Cell count | Nominal capacity | Nominal energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40T · 5S2P | 10 | 8 Ah | 144 Wh |
| 40T · 5S3P | 15 | 12 Ah | 216 Wh |
| 50S · 5S2P | 10 | 10 Ah | 180 Wh |
| 50S · 5S3P | 15 | 15 Ah | 270 Wh |
A “Samsung cells” label says little about the completed pack’s output. Ask for the exact cell model, new versus reclaimed cells, capacity and load tests, temperature/protection behavior, tool-and-charger compatibility and repair terms. At a nominal 18 V, a 1,000 W claim implies about 56 A before voltage drop and losses; peak and continuous claims need different evidence.
For professional drilling, compare the battery on the actual hammer, bit, concrete and hole depth. Longer runtime is useful only when the pack maintains the required output without excessive interruption. Cell brand, Ah and a single resistance reading do not describe the full system.
Match the drill bit to the hammer
We specify Zhonghuan SDS bits from the hammer model, substrate and reinforcement, diameter, working length and total length. Share those few details to compare an inserted head, full-carbide head or heavy-duty Max configuration through an agreed sample trial.
SDS-Plus · SDS-Max · 3-Cutter SDS Drill Bits: Insert Heads for SDS-Plus and SDS-Max
