Is the Milwaukee 3497-22RT kit worth it?

If you work on cars, cabinets or overhead installs and want one 12V battery across a drill, driver and ratchet, the kit bundles three useful tools with two 5.0 Ah batteries and a charger. Buyers who mostly drill large holes in wood or masonry should look at an 18V kit instead.

How does it compare with the M12 FUEL 2-tool drill and impact kit?

This kit adds the 3/8-inch ratchet and a second 5.0 Ah battery. The drill and impact driver are the same compact M12 FUEL tools, so the extra cost buys the ratchet and runtime rather than more power.

How long do the 5.0 Ah batteries last?

Runtime depends on the tool: the impact driver and ratchet draw less than the hammer drill. Two 5.0 Ah packs typically cover a day of light assembly or automotive work, and the included charger refills a pack in about an hour.

What size chuck and sockets does it use?

The hammer drill has a 1/2-inch all-metal chuck and the impact driver takes 1/4-inch hex bits. The ratchet is 3/8-inch square drive, so 1/4-inch sockets need an adapter.

The kit includes the M12 FUEL hammer drill, impact driver and 3/8-inch ratchet, two 5.0 Ah REDLITHIUM batteries, a charger and a contractor bag.

When is the best time to buy it?

Milwaukee kits usually drop during holiday sales and store-wide tool events. The current best price is near the middle of its recent range, so waiting for a promotion could save money.

Where can I buy the Milwaukee 3497-22RT M12 FUEL 12V 2-Tool Combo Kit?

3 stores we checked sell it, including MaxTool, Factory Authorized Outlet, Amazon.

Milwaukee 3497-22RT M12 FUEL 12V 2-Tool Combo Kit

Last price we saw

$481.14at Amazon, last seen Nov 1

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Our take on the Milwaukee 3497-22RT M12 FUEL 12V 2-Tool Combo Kit

The Milwaukee 3497-22RT is a three-tool M12 FUEL 12V kit: a 1/2-inch hammer drill, a 1/4-inch hex impact driver, and a 3/8-inch ratchet, plus two 5.0 Ah REDLITHIUM batteries, a charger and a contractor bag. The M12 FUEL line is brushless and built for compact, light-duty work; the drill is rated 400 in-lb and the impact driver 1,500 in-lb, and the ratchet turns at 450 RPM. It suits mechanics and installers who want one battery platform across drilling, driving and fastening in tight spaces. The kit's price has held fairly steady recently; the latest best price sits near the middle of its recent range rather than at a low.

What reviewers say

Owners of the M12 FUEL drill and impact driver generally praise the compact size and surprising power for 12V tools, and mechanics value the 3/8-inch ratchet for tight engine-bay work. Common complaints center on the limits of the 12V platform for heavy jobs and on the soft bag.

Pros