Milwaukee Tool has detailed the M18 FUEL 18 lb SDS MAX Demolition Hammer Kit (model 3018-22HD), a cordless chipping hammer that runs on the M18 battery platform instead of a cord or the larger MX FUEL system. The kit is listed at $1,299 on Milwaukee’s US site. According to Power Tools Insider, the launch slipped from an earlier June window to November, and Acme Tools was taking pre-orders when that report was written.

What the sources say about the hammer

Milwaukee’s press release gives the impact energy as 11.4 ft-lbs (15.5 J) and the weight as 17.2 lbs for the bare tool and 20.5 lbs with a battery fitted. Power Tools Insider lists the bare tool at 17.4 lbs, so treat the weight as roughly 17 lbs and check the final spec sheet. Power Tools Insider also reports a blow rate of 2,625 BPM, a figure the press release does not give.

Other points from the official pages:

  • POWERSTATE brushless motor with REDLINK PLUS intelligence
  • Four speed settings, a chisel lock and chisel angle adjustment
  • AVS anti-vibration system and an LED work light
  • VACLINK wireless dust control, which lets the trigger switch on a compatible dust extractor
  • ONE-KEY compatibility for tool tracking
  • Warranty of 5 years on the tool and 3 years on the battery

The kit contains the hammer, two M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 batteries and an M18/M12 Rapid Charger. Milwaukee says one charge removes over 1/3 ton of material, and it claims the hammer hits harder than an 18 lb corded demolition hammer. Both are manufacturer claims, not independent test results.

How it compares

This is a chipping tool. Power Tools Insider notes that it does not drill, and that Milwaukee’s existing M18 FUEL SDS Max rotary hammers are built mainly for drilling and handle only light chipping. The same outlet puts the 27 lb MX FUEL demolition hammer at $1,499 and says that larger tool suits heavier, continuous demolition, while the 3018 is lighter, cheaper and easier to use overhead.

Milwaukee’s Canadian product page describes the work as small to medium chipping, 4 inches thick or less, plus tile scraping, and says the hammer can drive ground rods in soft soil.

Price and availability

The $1,299 price comes from Milwaukee’s US page. The Canadian page at milwaukeetool.ca shows no price or ship date and points readers to its Where To Buy page, so Canadian pricing and retailers have not been announced. Check with Canadian dealers before planning a purchase around a date.

Who it suits

  • Renovation contractors and tile setters: Lighter than the MX FUEL hammer for floors, walls and overhead work. Check that you do not need the heavier tool for thick slabs.
  • Crews already on M18: The kit batteries and charger work with other M18 tools, so the extra spend is mainly the hammer itself.
  • Fleet buyers: ONE-KEY tracking and a 5 year tool warranty help with inventory and cost planning.
  • Serious DIYers: The price and the chipping-only design make this a specialist purchase. A rental may fit a single project better.
  • Anyone working in dust regulations: VACLINK needs a compatible extractor, and the Canadian page lists a chipping boot as a separate accessory.