Milwaukee M12 Fuel 18-Gauge Compact Brad Nailer Review 2541 - Pro Tool Reviews

Nov 02, 2024

In the wake of Milwaukee Pipeline, we’re seeing some really amazing tools hitting the shelves. One tool I was particularly excited about is the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 18-Gauge Compact Brad Nailer. Now, we’ve got it in hand, and I’m ready to put it through its paces so you can decide if it’s the right tool for you!

The Milwaukee M12 brad nailer delivers excellent driving power thanks to its nitrogen air spring mechanism. This allows you to fire up to 1 1/2-inch nails in hardwoods like Oak, and even LVL. Even though this brad nailer would probably never be used with LVL, this is a huge testament to the power of this tool.

The sliding magazine holds up to 110 nails and Milwaukee tells us that you can expect up to 700 shots per charge with an M12 CP2.0Ah battery. A small viewing window lets you keep an eye on your available capacity, and a dry-fire lockout prevents unintended damage to your material. With that said, the 2541 is fully compatible with all M12 batteries, so if you need a little more runtime, just step up to a larger battery.

During the entire course of my testing, I didn’t experience any jams or misfires. They’re probably going to come eventually, like all nailers, but it’s not going to be due to a chronic design issue. If you have a jam, clearing it is easy thanks to a simple latching mechanism on the front of the tool that flips down and out, similar to the latch on many tool boxes. Just be sure to remove the battery and nails first, just to be safe

The Milwaukee 2541 weighs in at 4.2 pounds as a bare tool, and 4.6 with a CP 2.0Ah battery. This makes it one of the lightest battery-powered brad nailers we’ve gotten our hands on. As for length, it measures 9.8 inches from tip to tail, making it ideal for working in tight spaces such as cabinets.

The tool-free depth adjustment is a pretty standard thumb-wheel style. This isn’t anything new to the world of nailers, but it’s a welcomed feature!

Just like the M18 18-gauge brad nailer, the Milwaukee M12 brad nailer has two firing modes, single fire and bump-fire. Milwaukee doesn’t give us a specific firing rate, but it seems to fall in the 3 nail per second range. Obviously, you’re not going to go after trim at the same rate a roofer nails down shingles. Well, not if you want to keep your job, anyway. Still, having the option between the two is helpful, since you can work the way that’s most comfortable for you.

This compact brad nailer retails for $249 as a bare tool and comes with a 5-year warranty. As of the time we’re writing this, there are no kit options available, so be sure to pick up a battery and charger.

For a first-generation tool, I think Milwaukee absolutely hit it out of the park. The Milwaukee M12 Fuel 18-gauge brad nailer displayed confident firing power and a design that’s well-balanced and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. We think this is a great option for Pros and serious DIYers if you’re ready to leave the hoses and compressors behind.