A question for Milwaukee tool company

[xela456]

Let me start by saying that this is in no way a ***** about milwaukee tools. I'm wondering will they're corded technology ever catch up to their cordless technology?
More of a reference to drills and impacts.
For instance the 2763 1/2 impact is rated at 700ft/lbs of torque in mode 2, thats a cordless impact! Awesome!

now the best you can get out of the brushed 1/2 impacts is 300ft/lbs

I'm a little curious if a brushed motor can last longer, stay cooler, draw less amps and make more power off of a battery then wouldn't this technology be even better hooked up to 120 volts?

Keep in mind i'm not an electrician, or an engineer, i've jsut always known the corded alternative to be better and since owning all this brushless milwaukee stuff my world is upside down.

what do you think? is corded technology going to catch up or is charging batteries the only thing we are gonna use 120 volts for in the future?

 

[mmack66]

I wouldn't expect much advancement in the corded impact wrench arena.

There really isn't much of a market for it.

 

[logical]

130 volts?... why not 140?

Just for starters, cordless technology is direct current voltage, corded is alternating current... in Michigan we have 120 volts. They are very different animals and can't be compared... at least not by simply looking at the voltage.

 

[kctyphoon]

I wouldn't expect much advancement in the corded impact wrench arena.

There really isn't much of a market for it.

absolutetly not true - just a different market - hence the difference in torque ratings not being a horse race..

 

[kctyphoon]

130 volts?... why not 140?

Just for starters, cordless technology is direct current voltage, corded is alternating current... in Michigan we have 120 volts. They are very different animals and can't be compared... at least not by simply looking at the voltage.

again NOT (completely) TRUE. in brushless tools, they use an A/C motor. its not just that the tools dont have brushes, its a completely different motor and electronics design. but yes, for regular brushed tools they work differently.

 

[xela456]

as i said i'm not an electrician or an engineer. i guess i did know that the motors were different its obviously not a 120 volt motor with a battery stuck to it. and i do understand the apples to oranges comparrison here im just wondering if you think its like the beginning of the end of cords in some applications. or is the brushless motor even applicable or needed in a corded application?

 

[Wanna Ride]

Yeah... 140, 141. Whatever it takes.

 

[xela456]

Yeah... 140, 141. Whatever it takes.

.38, .39 you know...

 

[Wanna Ride]

Yeah... 140, 141. Whatever it takes.

It was a reference to a line in a Michael Keaton movie. Those of you that remember, will understand.

 

[kctyphoon]

as i said i'm not an electrician or an engineer. i guess i did know that the motors were different its obviously not a 120 volt motor with a battery stuck to it. and i do understand the apples to oranges comparrison here im just wondering if you think its like the beginning of the end of cords in some applications. or is the brushless motor even applicable or needed in a corded application?

i can see the brushless motors crossing over into the corded tool market for a few reasons, longevity being one, less heat being another, and more efficiency being one more.. right now, personally, i dont think there is that much of a demand for change since corded tools are so reliable as is.. one big difference in corded vs cordless is that in cordless, smaller = better, & so does longer runtime than the competitors so THATS why compaines are banking on brushless technology.

with corded tools - nobody really cares to much if it weighs a bit more, or its a little bigger, since they are not portable to begin with. AND, if you really need more power, you can just buy a model with a bigger motor.. corded tools will never really be relaced just beause they will work, every time, all day long, if you just plug them in.. for someone like me, all my work is done out of a bucket truck or near a vechile (with power inverters) anyway - so theres MORE of a need for reliablility vs portablility. if its -10 outside and i need to attach hardware or drill holes all day, my corded ingersol rand will work with the same level of performance all day long.

 

[xela456]

It was a reference to a line in a Michael Keaton movie. Those of you that remember, will understand.

yes. the substitute right?

 

[xela456]

i can see the brushless motors crossing over into the corded tool market for a few reasons, longevity being one, less heat being another, and more efficiency being one more.. right now, personally, i dont think there is that much of a demand for change since corded tools are so reliable as is.. one big difference in corded vs cordless is that in cordless, smaller = better, & so does longer runtime than the competitors so THATS why compaines are banking on brushless technology.

with corded tools - nobody really cares to much if it weighs a bit more, or its a little bigger, since they are not portable to begin with. AND, if you really need more power, you can just buy a model with a bigger motor.. corded tools will never really be relaced just beause they will work, every time, all day long, if you just plug them in.. for someone like me, all my work is done out of a bucket truck or near a vechile (with power inverters) anyway - so theres MORE of a need for reliablility vs portablility. if its -10 outside and i need to attach hardware or drill holes all day, my corded ingersol rand will work with the same level of performance all day long.

I'm with you for the most part. I'm from the school of corded tools. so many times i see a cordless drill or recip saw used over a corded model when really the corded model was much more suited for the job anyway. when you need to drill 120 1/2 holes its not a job for a cordless drill, same thing making a thousand cuts with a sawzall. that being said i have the cordless sawzall and it IS badass. i'd still prefer a corded model unless it was for somehting like a few cuts. and i have seen quite a few cordless drills toasted from over heating by drilling huge holesaw bits or large diameter bits

 

[panknuckshovel]

It was a reference to a line in a Michael Keaton movie. Those of you that remember, will understand.

Mom calls the vacuum jaws?


Corded tools will always have a place especially with homeowners only use drills for hanging pictures or shelves.

 

[kctyphoon]

before i was a lineman i worked as a stone mason/ helper for a few years with a marble and granite company building mausoleums, and i can promise you thats another enviornement where cordless tools would not be appropiate. nobody wants to climb down off scaffolding to replace a battery, and for the most part you were working in the same area all day long, so there is no need for portablity. the battery just becomes an inconvenience, and it makes no sense when there is an outlet right next to me. its also another situation where the tools are worked all day long sometimes, for weeks a time. batteries are not something anybody wants.

 

[neophyte]

Brushless motors are already being used in some corded power tools. Festool already uses brushless motors in some tools such as their PD 20/4 drill driver and Carvex jigsaw. Porter Cable used to make a random orbit sander with a brushless motor efore the Black and Decker purchased them. I'm not sure whether it's still made though.

 

[Wanna Ride]

yes. the substitute right?

Nope, it was Mr Mom.

 

[RMHoward]

Its apparent to me that Milwaukee's long term goal is to do away with corded power tools altogether. I believe i have read a quote from the current leadership saying as much. Really, the only corded tool I have seen from them showing innovation is their new deep cut bandsaws. Everything else seems to be a holdover from days gone by. Some of that stuff, is still, really really good. Don't get me wrong. I really hate cordless tools. They have no soul. Instead of being slave to a cord, you are now slave to a dying battery and charger.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I'm with you for the most part. I'm from the school of corded tools. so many times i see a cordless drill or recip saw used over a corded model when really the corded model was much more suited for the job anyway. when you need to drill 120 1/2 holes its not a job for a cordless drill, same thing making a thousand cuts with a sawzall. that being said i have the cordless sawzall and it IS badass. i'd still prefer a corded model unless it was for somehting like a few cuts. and i have seen quite a few cordless drills toasted from over heating by drilling huge holesaw bits or large diameter bits

The new m18 brushless hole hawg advertises 150 7/8ths holes per charge.

Just sayin'.

 

[kctyphoon]

The new m18 brushless hole hawg advertises 150 7/8ths holes per charge.

Just sayin'.

I get your point, but really.... What's that? 15 minutes of continuous use under load?? Drilling into a 2x4 ? When they make a full sized hammer drill that can drill 1.5" holes in reinforced concrete, 4" deep , - then maybe SOME big project contractors might consider a swap to cordless.. But I still doubt it..

 

[finn]

Corded tools are destined to go the route of the carburetor and buggy whip.

A few specialty applications will continue to need them, but the market share appears to be plunging, which results in less R&D, less innovation, and a perpetuating market share drop.

 

[Wanna Ride]

I'm pretty sure it's going to be a while before they replace all of their mag drills, with cordless versions.

 

[Ign]

Corded tools are destined to go the route of the carburetor and buggy whip.

A few specialty applications will continue to need them, but the market share appears to be plunging, which results in less R&D, less innovation, and a perpetuating market share drop.

This. I wonder how many people reading this use cell phones and enjoy the convenience ( I'm guessing 98%). I wonder how many are reading this on a smart phone vs having to "find a computer" to get online.

Cordless is the future and I like it as do most consumers, so that's where the R&D goes.

That said, the current corded tools will be available for decades, but its unlikely there will be a ton of innovation except the power hogs like mag drills, 12" sliding miters, etc

 

[RMHoward]

I'm pretty sure it's going to be a while before they replace all of their mag drills, with cordless versions.

Right, they will discontinue the corded ones and introduce a cordless one. Other companies already have......Metabo for one.

 

[jeremy v]

The new m18 brushless hole hawg advertises 150 7/8ths holes per charge.

Just sayin'.

They couldn't quite get the battery to finish that 151st hole huh?

Just kidding, I know what you mean. By chance do you know what are they drilling through (wood, sheetmetal, etc.) to come up with that spec?

 

[rice rocket]

I bet in a few years, you'll find some high powered cordless tools that will exceed what you can get from 120v @ 15A.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Corded tools are destined to go the route of the carburetor and buggy whip.

A few specialty applications will continue to need them, but the market share appears to be plunging, which results in less R&D, less innovation, and a perpetuating market share drop.

God bless Metabo.
Sheeesh. Battery stuff is a temporary distraction.Air and amps will ALWAYS rule the roost as will keyboards and mice.
Hell. I need a Holley adapter for a 2013 Acura.

 

[kctyphoon]

i agree with you guys, but only in the form of home owners and light construction like remodeling and installations, maybe even with stick built home construction.. there isnt much innovation on the corded line simply because there doesnt need to be. your looking at over 60+ years of deisgn and innovation already.. cordless will never fully replace corded tools for heavy construction. it just wouldnt make any sense when you have limitless power and strength available simply by plugging a cord in.. its the same reason why the telcom industry will NEVER be completely wireless, because in an emergency cables ALWAYS work..

if you head over to Milwaukee's website, theres over 200 choices of different corded tools.. they are not going anywhere.. yes, cordless with contiue to get more popular, but they will never put corded tools in the history books..