Milwaukee Pipeline 2022: Every New Tool Worth Knowing About

Introduction

Milwaukee’s 2022 Pipeline event brought a wave of new cordless tools, and this round covers some genuinely anticipated releases. The headline is the long-awaited M18 track saw, but the supporting cast is strong too: two new M18 sanders, a compact M12 detail sander, a 3600W portable power supply, a fourth-generation drill and impact driver, a tire inflator, and redesigned M12 High Output batteries. Here is what each one offers and who it makes sense for.

M18 Track Saw: The Most-Requested Tool Finally Arrives

The M18 track saw was the single most requested tool Milwaukee users had been asking for, and the company delivered. It ships with brand-new blades available separately, and in demonstration cuts it produced a clean, controlled pass through sheet material.

It carries an MSRP of $549 and was slated for availability in October 2022. If you do cabinetry, shelving, or any sheet-goods work, this is the standout announcement of the year.

M18 Cordless Belt Sander

The M18 cordless belt sander is another tool users had been requesting for a long time. It became available in July 2022 at an MSRP of $279.

Standout features include an adjustable handle that clips in and can slide forward or back for comfort, a notably thick and heavy-duty dust collection bag, and a locking belt adjustment knob that lets you shift the belt left or right. Two bright LED lights, one on the front and one on the side, help you see your work surface while sanding.

M12 Orbital Detail Sander

For fine detail woodworking, the M12 orbital detail sander lands at an MSRP of $149 with a release in August 2022. Milwaukee also introduced new mesh sanding pads for it, and early side-by-side comparisons looked promising.

This is the pick for small, intricate sanding tasks where a full-size sander would be clumsy.

M18 Orbital Quarter Sheet Sander

If the M12 is too small for the job, the new M18 orbital quarter sheet sander fills the gap at an MSRP of $119. Paperwork at the event did not list a firm release date, but it was expected to hit shelves within a month or two of the announcement.

M18 Carry-On Power Supply

The new M18 Carry-On is a portable power supply delivering 3600W peak and 1800W continuous output, priced at $700 and scheduled for August 2022.

It is aimed at job sites where no wall power is available, but it also suits recreational use: camping and other outdoor activities where you need AC power on the go.

Gen 4 Hammer Drill and Impact Driver

The new M12 Gen 4 hammer drill and impact driver were positioned as the most powerful tools in their category on the market at launch. Beyond raw power, they add an anti-kickback style brake designed to protect your wrist if the tool binds.

If you have been waiting to buy into the previous generation, this is a good moment to watch pricing, because the Gen 4 tools were arriving shortly after the announcement.

M18 Tire Inflator

The M18 tire inflator performed very well in hands-on use at the event. Priced at $169, it was believed to be already available at the time of the announcement, making it one of the easiest picks from this lineup to act on.

M12 High Output Batteries

Milwaukee also introduced two M12 REDLITHIUM High Output batteries, the CP 2.5 and XC 5.0. Both deliver 25 percent more power and run time while running 25 percent cooler than previous M12 REDLITHIUM batteries.

The trick is a new cell design and a redesigned power output layout that boost performance without changing the form factor, so compatibility with existing M12 tools is unaffected. In demonstration, the High Output CP 2.5 delivered the same power as an XC battery in a pack roughly 50 percent lighter and 50 percent smaller than an XC pack.

Which One Should You Buy?

If sheet goods are your focus, the track saw at $549 is the clear flagship pick. For general shop sanding, the M18 belt sander and quarter sheet sander cover the heavy work while the M12 detail sander handles the finesse. Trade workers and campers alike get real value from the Carry-On power supply, and the tire inflator is a low-risk, already-available addition to any M18 collection. If you are already on M12 tools, the High Output batteries are a straightforward upgrade since nothing about compatibility changes.

Conclusion

Pipeline 2022 showed Milwaukee filling the gaps its users had been pointing at for years, most notably with the track saw. With staggered release dates through the second half of 2022, it is worth timing your purchase to the tool you need most rather than buying everything at once.