The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[wkderf]

I may be crazy, but for what are seemingly small differences, I made the decision to switch brands, and go form 100% makita, to 100% Milwaukee. will probably lose some $$ in the switch, and I'm still not totally sure why I did it, but theres no going back now. On the upside, I made friends with the Milwaukee rep that was in the Home Depot, and he threw in a bunch of goodies for free with the purchase of the combo kit:

 

[rice rocket]

The Makita stuff isn't bad, they were the other brand I was about to pull the trigger on because of the breadth of tools offered w/ the 18v platform. That said, their specialty tools are REALLY expensive. The Milwaukee stuff is more powerful though, and gives better run times.

 

[ADSR]

I may be crazy, but for what are seemingly small differences, I made the decision to switch brands, and go form 100% makita, to 100% Milwaukee. will probably lose some $$ in the switch, and I'm still not totally sure why I did it, but theres no going back now. On the upside, I made friends with the Milwaukee rep that was in the Home Depot, and he threw in a bunch of goodies for free with the purchase of the combo kit:

Nice haul! I lost money going from team yellow to team red and it was damn well worth it!

Congrats!

 

[wkderf]

and just picked up my first of what will be many M12 tools. I love the fact that the charger can charge both the M12 AND the M18 batteries, and at the same time. Might not seem like a big deal to most people, but I like the space saved on my workbench from only needing to have a single charger, and especially the space that is saved should I have to pack my tools to work on-site somewhere.

 

[neonlazer]

I bought the M12 ratchet for my best friend's birthday.

 

[tarbellb]

Well I wont lie, this thread and site have contributed to my Milwaukee purchase. Ive been in the market for a new set of drill/drivers since my last purchase left me disappointed (Dewalt 20v system).

Typical day: Custom furniture design/build, a lot of metal work (mild steel) and hard + soft woods. A dozen to a couple hundred holes and screws a day are the norm. Multiple 1/2" holes in 1/4" steel plate are common, tons of 3" screws into soft and hard woods. Finesse and brute force on a daily basis.

A quick break-down of my last few sets of drill/drivers:

1st set- Hitachi 18v Lith-ion 3.0amp system (6+ yrs of use)
+ Killer setup for 2008, one of the best charger/battery capacity at the time.
+ Robust build, decent pricing
--------------
- Lacked features ie good LED, battery life indicator, etc....
- Not as popular at other brands, harder to find batteries cheap

Overall super impressed for the last 6yrs. Lots of power, good warranty, just showing signs of being outdated and battery cost are not coming down.

2nd set- Dewalt 20v Lith-ion 1.5amp system (2+ yrs of use)
+ Best in hand "feel" of the big brands IMO.
+ Smaller footprint, light weight
+ Wide selection of tools, easier to find batteries, accessories, etc..
----------------
- Build quality not great
- Bad chuck out the box, lots of wobble
- Impact hex collar spits bits, broken.
- onboard bit holder broke immediately

3rd (most recent set) Milwaukee Fuel system (18v and 12v) (hardly used)
+ Impressed with onboard electronics ie battery use, charger, LED.
+ 4.0amp batteries
------------------
- 18v bulky, but thats why I jumped on the 12v system
- Not sure the impact spins at stated RPM?

I picked up the 18v Fuels through Home Depot 3rd battery free promo, bought two more batteries.
Got the 12v Fuels through Northerns $50 off $250+ promo. All in all, pretty cheap for what I have now.

Excited to see how these perform and last.

 

[fireguy]

Why are the tools so clean? Mine all seem to have pipe cutting oil or kitchen grease on them

 

[tarbellb]

I do a lot of wood and steel work. Not much to stain or discolor them. But believe me, they are used and abused.
The pic has been compressed but if you want I will send a hi-res showing some wear and tear. Hitachi's have battle scars and the Dewalts rubber accents are starting to (already) peel off.
Milwaukee's, well they are brand new and about to be put to work.

Also, I have killed (4) 3.0amp/hr batteries with my Hitachi set. Those are good for a 1000+ plus charges...... Kitchen grease?

 

[fatboyf150]

Bump. Just got the m18 grease gun and now wonder how I lived without it.

 

[Wisers]

Never bought a power tool before but had some hand me downs. Today i bought the m18 drill sawzall combo kit. Id like to purchase a 3/8s impact but it wont be for a while

 

[franzdom]

I finally gave in, the 18V Li-Ion battery tools have been good to me, but I only have one battery that is dying and I can't justify investing more in that ecosystem.
I have on the way:

M18 Fuel 1/2" compact drill (not hammer drill)
M18 Fuel 1/2" impact (not high torque)
M18 right angle drill
M12 3/8" ratchet
M12 Fuel 1/4" hex impact driver
M12 LED light bar

I already have my eye on more and these aren't even here yet. Yes I have it bad!
I have loved Milwaukee for 28 years though since I bought my first 1/2" hole shooter from a pawn shop. I still use it!

 

[durallymax]

Tried running mine over with a semi the other day. Not on purpose of course but it held up great and works fine. Noticed it before I backed over it, the wheel just slid it across the floor for a little ways.

 

[franzdom]

New arrivals. Couldn't pass up the radio and driver for $99

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Kit is now $79, I could use another battery, how do you like the radio?

 

[Miller6386]

Kit is now $79, I could use another battery, how do you like the radio?

It's not super loud by any means and the reception isn't real great but to plug a phone into its nice. I use it for camping works very good for that. Battery lasts a while. I'm going to get another one just for the driver and battery

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Ign]

Kit is now $79, I could use another battery, how do you like the radio?

The M12 radio is damn good for what it is, ie a small, portable, convenient radio. I think it's surprisingly loud for its size and in my metal building reception is great, usually better than my big multi-voltage Milwaukee (which runs on 12, 18 or 28 volt). Overall, recommend, esp given the price. I try to run mine on the XC batteries or I have to swap a smaller battery mid-day.

 

[Trey T]

My brother has that drill driver and radio kit. I think it's not very useful.

1. the drill is a 1/4" hex quick change. there aren't a lot of drill bit that use 1/4" hex quick change. mind as well get one with a chuck.
2. the radio is just as loud as my bluetooth speaker but a lot smaller and you ahve to use 1/8" connection for MP3.

It's a mediocre kit, not really best in any aspect.

 

[Ign]

My brother has that drill driver and radio kit. I think it's not very useful.

1. the drill is a 1/4" hex quick change. there aren't a lot of drill bit that use 1/4" hex quick change. mind as well get one with a chuck.
2. the radio is just as loud as my bluetooth speaker but a lot smaller and you ahve to use 1/8" connection for MP3.

It's a mediocre kit, not really best in any aspect.

It's not a drill. Just a screwdriver. Too slow to drill. If you need a power screwdriver (I keep it in the house for honey-do's) it's a useful kit. Not that it matters, you won't find the radio for less than $79 (ok maybe a little if recon) plus you get a battery and charger.

 

[quattroJoe]

It's not a drill. Just a screwdriver. Too slow to drill. If you need a power screwdriver (I keep it in the house for honey-do's) it's a useful kit. Not that it matters, you won't find the radio for less than $79 (ok maybe a little if recon) plus you get a battery and charger.

Not sure which kit he's talking about, but I've got the Fuel version of the 1/4" hex drill/driver and it certainly is up to the task. I use mine in the drill mode all the time with a unibit and with self tapping screws. I'm mainly drilling into steel sheet metal too, not wood. Granted I use an actual drill for normal drill bits, but that's only because I don't want to hunt down bits with a hex base. I'm using the RedLithium 2.0 batteries, if that makes a difference.

 

[Sonny2010]

Beautiful!!

 

[Ign]

Not sure which kit he's talking about, .

The non-Fuel screwdriver & radio combo which has been bumping around HD for $79. No IMPACT driver, very different animal.

 

[franzdom]

Current addiction:

M18 Floodlight
M18 Fuel Impact Wrench 1/2"
M18 Fuel 1/2" Compact Drill
M18 Fuel Sawzall
M18 Fuel Impact Wrench 1/2" High Torque
M18 Fuel Impact Wrench 3/8"
M12 3/8" RATCHET
M12 FUEL 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER
M12 LED STICK LIGHT
M12 Hackzall
M12 Right Angle Drill

Still have:
USA Sawzall w/removable cord
USA Magnum Holeshooter 1/2" drill w/removable cord

Need to find a home for these:
18V Sawzall
18V Hammer Drill
18V Impact wrench
Are they worth anything to anybody? I would let them go very cheap!

 

[ADSR]

Current addiction:

M18 Floodlight
M18 Fuel Impact Wrench 1/2"
M18 Fuel 1/2" Compact Drill
M18 Fuel Sawzall
M18 Fuel Impact Wrench 1/2" High Torque
M18 Fuel Impact Wrench 3/8"
M12 3/8" RATCHET
M12 FUEL 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER
M12 LED STICK LIGHT
M12 Hackzall
M12 Right Angle Drill

Still have:
USA Sawzall w/removable cord
USA Magnum Holeshooter 1/2" drill w/removable cord

Need to find a home for these:
18V Sawzall
18V Hammer Drill
18V Impact wrench
Are they worth anything to anybody? I would let them go very cheap!

Damn good collection of fuels

 

[weerez935]

Just bought my first milwaukee tools.

Tape measure
M12 hackzall
M12 right angle drill
Battery and charger

Next on the list is the high torque fuel impact


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nine4gmc]

Damn good collection of fuels

What he said!

 

[franzdom]

My very first drill bought from a pawn shop in Michigan in the early 80's, it was mint when I got it. Wasn't cheap, I think maybe $125 even back then.

Some very recent acquisitions:

 

[MikeF2316]

My very first drill bought from a pawn shop in Michigan in the early 80's, it was mint when I got it. Wasn't cheap, I think maybe $125 even back then.


Some very recent acquisitions:

I see you like your trouble light! I have one, it's great.

 

[kingnba6]

i love Milwaukee tools. they are def my go to brand. i have both their corded and cordless tools. i also have the old nicd 18v tools as well as the new m18 tools. heres a list of what i can think off the top of my head.

Corded
Recip Saw with removable extension
14” Abrasive Cut-Off
10-1/4" Circular Saw

M18
6 1/2" Circular Saw
1/2" Compact Hammer Drill/Driver
1/4" Hex Impact Driver (x2)
½” Compact Drill/Driver (x2)
4 chargers
3 normal batteries
2 XC batteries

Old 18v
Recip Saw
1/2" Hammer Drill (x2)
Flashlight
Circular Saw
2 NiCd batteries
1 Lion battery
2 Chargers

Now just time to take pictures of them lol

 

[wkderf]

The non-Fuel screwdriver & radio combo which has been bumping around HD for $79. No IMPACT driver, very different animal.

I feel like the screwdriver has a very specific purpose, in that its the only hex tool driver that has an adjustable clutch, to prevent over-torquing a screw or fastener.

I often times feel like I'm the only one using this tool properly, as I use it to assemble & disassemble motorcycles & automotive interiors, and the clutch is very useful to protect not only the screw head, but the threads its being screwed into as well.

all too often I see people using drills or impact drivers as screwdrivers, and I hear that telltale sound of a screwhead being decimated by an overzealous impact gun user.


Am I alone here?

 

[wkderf]

Also,

just got word from the milwaukee rep that stores will soon be carrying the M12 LED stick light as well as the M18 LED Flood light in stock at all stores sometime in the next week or so. Just thought id give everyone a heads up.

 

[Trey T]

I love the M12 sticklight and M18 floodlight. I got them when it became available online. I use them all the time around the house, camping (M12 hung on tent), and even use it to shoot film with.

The price point is so awesome. It's very versatile.

Also,

just got word from the milwaukee rep that stores will soon be carrying the M12 LED stick light as well as the M18 LED Flood light in stock at all stores sometime in the next week or so. Just thought id give everyone a heads up.

 

[franzdom]

Also,

just got word from the milwaukee rep that stores will soon be carrying the M12 LED stick light as well as the M18 LED Flood light in stock at all stores sometime in the next week or so. Just thought id give everyone a heads up.

Which stores, Home Depot?

 

[vnboil]

I looked at the Fuel set that everyone seems to recommend, but ended up with the Ridgis set at Home Depot...

Are they really worth double the price of my set? What would be the difference?

 

[franzdom]

They are brushless and much stronger, longer battery life, better overall life. Only you can decide if you need the extra power. For the hackzall I don't since I have an M18 Fuel Sawzall for those times, for most of the others I thought it would be worth it, especially the M18 drill and impacts.

 

[bcradio]

I looked at the Fuel set that everyone seems to recommend, but ended up with the Ridgis set at Home Depot...

Are they really worth double the price of my set? What would be the difference?

Hands down they are worth it for the 12v line. They basically give you 18v power in a 10.8v package. For me it makes even getting 18v tools pretty much obsolete.

I should note that I have no need for a cordless grinder or circ saw (even though I have the 36v Dewalt)

 

[wkderf]

Which stores, Home Depot?

sorry, I should have clarified: Yes, Home Depot will begin carrying these lights in stock in the next week or 2.

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

I have a winner of a wife. She surprised me with this for my birthday today!

 

[97tbird]

How do you like it? I've been eyeing that up along with the 2780-20 grinder.

 

[rice rocket]

Hmm, I didn't know you were "allowed" to run the Sawzall w/ the 2.0 batt.

Keeper for sure!

 

[Bighead38]

I picked up this stylus/marker combo today. By far the best stylus I have used to date. All the reviews for the marker are amazing but I haven't tried it yet.



http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/tape-measure/48-22-3101

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

Hmm, I didn't know you were "allowed" to run the Sawzall w/ the 2.0 batt.

Keeper for sure!

Oh it was just to "test" it. I have 2 of the 4.0 XC batteries. Shortly after I took pic I dug one out. You can most definitely tell a difference.