Small Tool, Big Impact: Milwaukee M18 Brushless Precision Blower

Milwaukee M18 Brushless Precision Blower Surpasses Our Expectations

Over the last 100 years, Milwaukee has built a reputation for blending top tier performance, durability, and smart design elements into their power tools. The Milwaukee M18 Precision Blower strikes the perfect balance by offering plenty of blowing force with a design that aims to please. Today, I’ll break down the key specs and design elements that make this blower stand out, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Milwaukee M18 Precision Blower Performance

• Max Air Volume: 39 CFM
• Max Air Speed: 570 MPH
• Motor Type: Brushless
• Runtime: Up to 30 min. (with 5.0Ah battery)

Blowing Force

Starting at the top, Milwaukee powers this precision blower with a brushless motor that drives the inline impeller. A removeable filter on the back protects the impeller and keeps dust and debris from damaging the internal components.

This blower features three power modes that peak at 39 CFM of airflow with a max airspeed of 570 MPH. The CFM rating is identical to Makita’s 40V XGT GSA01, but Milwaukee blows it out of the water in terms of airspeed with Makita only clocking 447 MPH.

Now don’t get me wrong, Makita’s numbers are certainly respectable, but this is a huge leap in performance for Milwaukee!

Interchangeable Nozzles

Milwaukee is able to achieve these speeds by employing a set of removeable nozzles. They include an inflator nozzle, a longer 10mm nozzle, and a shorter 6mm nozzle for more detailed applications. These nozzles make this blower an ideal option for cleaning tools and equipment, detailing vehicles, and even blowing up an air mattress for guests this holiday season!

These nozzles feature a secure twist-to-lock design that securely interfaces with the blower. This connection is much more secure than a simple friction fit you’re likely to see on a typical shop vac.

Accessory Management

In my opinion, the product team over at Milwaukee deserves a major pat on the back for their accessory management system. As I mentioned earlier, this blower comes with three nozzles, and it also includes a nozzle holder, allowing you to keep everything neat and organized rather than just throwing it in a drawer. It features two keyholes on the back for easy wall mounting, a large lanyard loop on top, and there’s even a set of magnets on the back so you can stick it to the inside of your toolbox for safekeeping.

This solves a major pain point for folks, like me, who tend to misplace small accessories!

Runtime

Milwaukee claims you’ll get around 30 minutes of runtime with a 5.0Ah battery, which is about 40% less than what Makita is claiming. Regardless, this blower is primarily used for short term bursts while rather than the longer trigger time you’ll require from your battery-powered leaf blower.

To get an idea of the 0887’s real-world runtime at its highest performance level, we paired it with a freshly charged battery, set it to high speed, and locked down the trigger. It ran continuously for a total of 10 minutes, which is more than enough for most cleanup tasks.

This nice thing is that the three speed modes and variable speed trigger allow you to dial in your preferred airspeed. Moreover, this also lets you prioritize between maximum blowing force and longer runtime.

Milwaukee M18 Precision Blower Design Notes

• Model: Milwaukee 0887
• Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
• Weight: 1.7 lbs (bare tool), 3.3 lbs (with 5.0Ah battery)
• Head Length: 7 in.

Size and Weight

The Milwaukee 0887 weighs in a 1.7 pounds as a bare tool, 3.3 pounds with the recommended 5.0Ah battery, and measures 7 inches from tip to tail. Overall, the tool is very well balanced and easy to maneuver.

Grip and Trigger

If you’re familiar with Milwaukee cordless tools, then the grip and trigger on this blower are going to feel like home, considering they’re the same size and shape as other M18 pistol grip tools.

The grip is draped in a generous amount of rubber overmolding and features a single-finger trigger along with a lock-on button for prolonged use.

Looking down at the foot of the tool, you’ll find the speed control switch. Personally, I’m glad that Milwaukee opted for a manual switch rather than a blister button, as those tend to wear out over time.

Additional Features

• LED work light
• Removeable belt hook
• Compatible with all Milwaukee M18 batteries

Milwaukee M18 Precision Blower Price

The Milwaukee 0887 retails for $179 as a bare tool and is backed by a 5-year limited warranty. At the time of writing this, there are no kit options available, but that’s not really surprising given that this is truly a supplementary tool.

The Bottom Line

Overall, I think Milwaukee did a great job with the design and performance of this precision blower. It offers top-tier blowing force and plenty of runtime to clean shop-based equipment, like a table saw, or cleaning off a dusty workbench after a project.

The thing to remember about a tool like this is that it’s designed for close-quarters cleaning applications rather than broad sweeping passes, like a leaf blower. The precision nozzles allow you to direct the airflow right where you need it most, and the impressive airspeed is perfect for blowing away stubborn dust and debris. It’s also a great alternative to dragging out the air hose for small-scale cleaning tasks.

With its high airspeed, small debris gets moving in a hurry, so don’t neglect your safety glasses while you’re using it!

If you’re still on the fence about the Milwaukee 0887’s capabilities, I totally understand. Its small form factor doesn’t exactly inspire a ton of confidence. But I can tell you with a high degree of certainty, once you give this blower a chance, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to pull the trigger!