The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg (2807-20 and 2808-20) right angle drill boasts more power and speed than its excellent predecessor with a shorter tool length and just a skosh (0.3 pounds) more heft. Our crew loves the Super Hawg we’ve used for years but having a smaller Hawg is certainly an advantage. Here are the details!
Pros
- Highly productive capability for 220 7/8″ holes per charge
- Faster work with 300 more RPM than its predecessor
- Small profile allows work in tight spaces
- 5-year limited warranty
- Just 7.7 pounds bare
Cons
- Caveat (not a con): Requires a Milwaukee High Output battery in order to get the most power from the tool
The original Hole Hawg came about in the 1970s. In 2014, we saw the introduction of the Milwaukee 2707-20 which used the company’s M18 RedLithium batteries. That tool provided good run-time. It also drilled more quickly and weighed less than their corded model! Milwaukee seems to continue innovation in this line every few years. Now, the Hole Hawg represents a completely battery-powered rough-in tool that renders the cord obsolete.
Where the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg Fits
At least until you get some seniority, there’s almost no getting around repipe work. More literally, there’s almost no getting around a sweltering attic while you’re doing it! Maneuvering between truss members, being careful not to damage the ceiling below—the last thing you want is a big, heavy corded drill for all those holes. While the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Super Hawg remains our top recommendation for 2-9/16-inch holes, the updated Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg approaches the leader. It presents a smaller, lighter-weight, yet powerful drilling tool.
Even if you’ve never performed this type of work, it’s easy to imagine the advantages of this faster, more powerful Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg. What may not be clear, however, is the benefit of being able to drill closer to exterior walls (where the attic narrows sharply toward the soffit) with a smaller tool. Our crew has enjoyed the power of competitor DeWalt’s Inline Stud & Joist Drill, for example, but its size prevents you from getting as close as this Hawg
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg Performance
To achieve maximum productivity from the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg, be sure to use Milwaukee’s High Output battery packs. We started with regular packs and found we could move faster with the more muscular packs.
Also, when using the cordless Hole Hawg to drill 2-9/16″ holes for plumbing rough-ins, you must use a High Output pack. When testing the tool with 5Ah batteries the tool couldn’t quite drill those holes without stalling out. Even with that pack, this tool doesn’t hit those holes as hard as the cordless Super Hawg. If you spend most of your time roughing in 2-9/16″ you probably want to step up to the bigger tool.
For everyone else, the cost-savings and reduced size make this a very compelling cordless right-angle drill with oodles of run time.
How Much Run-time Do You Get?
Milwaukee claims this Hawg will create 220 7/8-inch holes per charge. We didn’t get to test that many holes at once, but it seems plausible. We spend nearly all of our time drilling larger holes. This tool certainly gets the job done—but those tackling 2-inch and smaller-diameter holes will see the most benefits.
Weight Reduction
Weight is the other big deal with these Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Haw right-angle drills. The 2807-20 weighs just 7.7 lbs. (barely more than the 2014 model at 7.4 lbs.) The 2808-20 Quik-lok model cuts the weight to 7.09 lbs. Tacking on the 2.3 lbs of the XC6.0 battery, you’re looking at a couple of drills that functionally weigh just below 10 pounds.
To put that into perspective, while both tools add a fraction of a pound to the 2014 models, they weigh over 1.5 pounds less (with battery) than a corded Hole Hawg and more than 5 pounds less than the corded Super Hawg.
Milwaukee 2807-20 vs 2707-20 Hole Hawg
The Milwaukee M18 2807-20 right angle drill compares well to the 2707-20 it replaces. You get many of the same hole-drilling capacities—but with a few notable improvements. First, the speed increases dramatically to 1,500 RPM. Secondly, that speed supports greater drilling power—allowing the Milwaukee 2807-20 to tackle up to 2-9/16″ holes. This type of capacity brings the Hole Hawg up nearer to the work typically only tackled by the cordless Super Hawg. Possibly the best thing is that the price doesn’t change—this rolling update simply replaces the older tool.
While the 2807-22 M18 Fuel Hole Hawg right angle drill features a keyed chuck, the 2808-22 kit uses the Milwaukee Quik-Lok keyless chuck for one-handed bit changes. It fits most 7/16 in. flat or groove shank bits you’d find on augers, self-feed bits, and hole saws.
| 2807 (2nd gen) | 2808 (2nd gen) | 2707 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck | 1/2 in. (keyed) | Quik-Lok | 1/2 in. (keyed) |
| Length | 15.6 in. | 15.6 in. | 17 in. |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs. | 7.7 lbs. | 7.4 lbs. |
| Max hole saw | 4 in. | 4 in. | 4 in. |
| Max auger bit | 1-1/4 in. | 1-1/4 in. | 1-1/4 in. |
| Max self-feed bit size | 2-9/16 in. | 2-9/16 in. | 2 in. |
| Max speed | 1,500 RPM | 1,500 RPM | 1,200 RPM |
| Price (bare tool) | $299 | $299 | $279 |
Milwaukee 2807 Hole Hawg Pricing
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg 2807-20 prices out at $299 for the bare tool and $579 for the kit. Here’s a look at the competition.
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg 2807: $299 (bare), $579 (kit)
- Makita 18V X2 LXT 1/2 Inch Right Angle Drill XAD03: $359 (bare), $469 (kit)
- DeWalt 60V Max In-Line Stud & Joist Drill DCD470: $399 (bare), $549 (kit)
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL Super Hawg 2809/2911: $399 (bare), $699 (kit)
The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hole Hawg’s second generation is a great success with more power and speed in a slightly shorter tool length and just a few tenths of a pound more. You MUST use Milwaukee High Output batteries in order to get the maximum power from this tool—but those XC6.0 batteries come with the 2807-22 kit.
Hole Hawg 1/2 in. Right Angle Drill Kit Specs
- Model: Milwaukee 2807-22
- No-load speed: 1,500 rpm
- Chuck: All-metal, keyed
- On-board chuck key holder
- Weight: 7.7 lbs (without battery)
- Kit includes: Tool, two High-Output 6.0 Ah batteries, charger, and bag
- Price: $299 (bare tool); $579 (kit)
Hole Hawg Right Angle Drill with Quik-Lok Kit Specs
- Model: Milwaukee 2808-22
- No-load speed: 1,500 RPM
- Chuck: Quik-Lok keyless chuck
- Weight: 7.09 lbs (without battery)
- Kit includes: Tool, two High-Output 6.0 Ah batteries, charger, and bag
- Price: $299 (bare tool); $579 (kit)
