Damn Chinese made Milwaukee tools

[pl_silverado]

So im in the middle of rewiring my garage and needed a right angle drill to drill some raceways in the joists. So a trip to home depot was in order.

It appears that the Milwaukee right angle drill is now made in China. I just bought one thinking that they are US made like the always have been, like the display model was at home depot however the first thing i saw when i pulled it out was made in china. Needless to say, it got returned and swapped for the like new looking USA Made display model.

+1 for me.

I also picked up a Skil 8 1/4" wormdrive thats us made this weekend for $ 50 on craigslist.

 

[MrMark]

That switchover just happened. Most useful tool I own.

That drill was one of the last holdouts. I don't think there is anything left of Milwaukee anymore. I made it a point when I saw what was going on to get anything I would need before the eventual demise of the company as a US maker.

 

[737mechanic]

I needed a good sawzall a couple years ago so naturally went to look at Milwaukee and couldn't believe that all of them from the cheapest to there most expensive were all made in china.

 

[Skin]

most power tools are china, save the very expensive/large ones. Even Bosch and Makita. Its sad but what you going to do? Personally i'll stick with old corded models. They'll last forever and if they dont i believe Milwaukee does still refurbish/service tools here.

Not to knock ya buying habbits but i think a big part of the blame would be on stores like Home Dope. They make requests/demands to the manufacturer all the time to cheapen their tools and lower costs. I cannot find one portable tool in mine made anywhere other than asia.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

They're surprisingly useful. I was given a 14.4v DeWalt by a friend and it gets used all the time. I'd seen them before and had never really seen a use to them, now i couldn't live without mine, it's a great tool.

 

[MrMark]

most power tools are china, save the very expensive/large ones. Even Bosch and Makita. Its sad but what you going to do? Personally i'll stick with old corded models. They'll last forever and if they dont i believe Milwaukee does still refurbish/service tools here.

Not to knock ya buying habbits but i think a big part of the blame would be on stores like Home Dope. They make requests/demands to the manufacturer all the time to cheapen their tools and lower costs. I cannot find one portable tool in mine made anywhere other than asia.

Snap-on still claims made in USA on their battery powered tools. That is it as far as I know. I wonder who makes them for them as I am not sure it's Snap-on. I do know Snap-on makes, or at least until very recently made, their air tools in the USA. Battery tools are an open question to me. If there are no US battery tool makers anymore as it would seem, where is Snap-on getting their battery drill and impacts from?????????

Bosch still makes some power tools in Switzerland and Germany.

 

[MrMark]

They're surprisingly useful. I was given a 14.4v DeWalt by a friend and it gets used all the time. I'd seen them before and had never really seen a use to them, now i couldn't live without mine, it's a great tool.

I believe the op is talking about the heavy duty 1/2" corded model used by plumbers and electricians to drill large holes with self-feeding bits.

The small battery right angle is more for screwing and not drilling, and certainly not big holes. I don't have one of those but they sure do seem like they would come in handy.

 

[kornbln]

Have you looked at Metabo? They have a corded right-angle drill. German made

 

[Monte]

right angle drills made in germany

 

[gReves]

Dang it! I was just heavily considering the cordless v28 impact and sawzall

 

[stock z/28]

I must say that of all of the US companies that moving production off shore, Milwaukee bothers me the most.

I have been a fan of Milwaukee power tools since I bought my first 3/8 variable speed Milwaukee drill in about 1975. It was in a class of its own in my opinion, and I still have it and use it.

I have a bunch of corded Milwaukee tools and all but about 3 are US.

I would be hard pressed to buy any new Milwaukee tools.

Sad.




Jeff

 

[Crash913]

They trust the Chinese made models enough to still offer a 5 year warranty. I have been more than happy with my sawzall I picked up last year.

 

[american lockpicker]

You know all my Bosch tools but one were Swiss the other one was German.

 

[MrMark]

Warranty on a power tool is not about quality it's about marketing and economics.

Dewalt says they have a 3 years warranty too, but try to use it.

It is a one year service contract (a warranty as we would all know it) and then a warranty after that where they take the position that only "true" defects are covered. Everything that we would consider a defect they consider wear and tear and that is not covered. I have been to the warranty center and it is really not worth bothering with, and they know that. Dewalt rep told me unless the drill or whatever looks pristine we are considering the "fault" normal wear and tear.

Bottom line for me is that I could care less about the warranty period on a power tool. Only tools I've ever had problems with have been batteries.

 

[comedyman809]

i always have good warranty experiences.

with batteries, early worn out parts, etc.....

plus im a pain in the *** when something breaks too soon, im on the phone with every person that is in the chain to get it fixed, and i follow up until its fixed or replaced.

 

[pl_silverado]

I believe the op is talking about the heavy duty 1/2" corded model used by plumbers and electricians to drill large holes with self-feeding bits.

The small battery right angle is more for screwing and not drilling, and certainly not big holes. I don't have one of those but they sure do seem like they would come in handy.

You would be correct on that account. I'm glad they agreed to switch out the display model with one of the new chinese ones in the case.

I went out to the garage to check my milwaukee sawzalls i bought a few years back and both are made in the USA.

I think im set for now....all my bigger drills are Hilti, hopefully they don't start outsourcing all the hammer drills to China.

 

[pl_silverado]

Bosch still makes some power tools in Switzerland and Germany.

As does HILTI. I just picked up a 1/2" Hilti drill thats made in Switzerland for $ 20 at a yard sale. Looks to be new, barely used.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

As does HILTI. I just picked up a 1/2" Hilti drill thats made in Switzerland for $ 20 at a yard sale. Looks to be new, barely used.

Dayum! Talk about a score..

 

[american lockpicker]

As does HILTI. I just picked up a 1/2" Hilti drill thats made in Switzerland for $ 20 at a yard sale. Looks to be new, barely used.

 

[sselander]

Milwaukee's sister is Ryobi. Has been for a while.
they are now Asian.

For a while they were part of Atlas-Copco the Swedish company

They were sold in 2005 to TTI (Techtronic Industries) along with AEG and Drebo

TTI's brand include Ryobi (They are based in Hong Kong)

http://www.ttigroup.com/en/our_brands

 

[Mr_fixit]

Dang it! I was just heavily considering the cordless v28 impact and sawzall

I'd warn anyone who is thinking about getting a v28 impact to not waste their money, it's way underpowered and huge. It's a turd.. It won't loosen the lug nuts on a minivan. It has just enough torque to loosen a a steel lug nut holding a steel rim. I's guess that it's got a realistic 150 ft -lbs or less, regardless of what Milwaukee says. And I took it back and got another, same thing. it's a turd.

 

[Skin]

my v28 works fine? Agreed its not small or light but have you seen other cordless 1/2" impacts lately? Grow stronger

 

[sselander]

Two years ago I picked up an old Sawzall from the dump.
It was missing the quick release power cord.

The shoe was in good shape also.
Picked up a cord and tested it out.

Guess what? It worked. I have no idea why someone would have thrown it out.

 

[vssjim]

I know some people think that corded Milwaukee tools are still US made but that is not case for the tools I have seen lately, I think all Milwaukee tools are now imported. I bought my last ones a couple years ago but the trend had already started.

Ps : sselander I like you Martin avitar but I find it hard to buy their tools as most places only sell the Hyd. and Service wrenches, MSC industrial does sell black combo wrenches. Never seen anybody selling sockets, ratchets or other tools they offer unless I special order.

 

[pl_silverado]

I know some people think that corded Milwaukee tools are still US made but that is not case for the tools I have seen lately, I think all Milwaukee tools are now imported. I bought my last ones a couple years ago but the trend had already started.

Ps : sselander I like you Martin avitar but I find it hard to buy their tools as most places only sell the Hyd. and Service wrenches, MSC industrial does sell black combo wrenches. Never seen anybody selling sockets, ratchets or other tools they offer unless I special order.

I think they all are two...if i remember correctly last year i was looking at the right angle drill and the hole hawg, and both were made in the usa. Sadly i didn't have the extra funds last year to get one.

Went to get one and now they are all apparently made in China....

 

[gReves]

I'd warn anyone who is thinking about getting a v28 impact to not waste their money, it's way underpowered and huge. It's a turd.. It won't loosen the lug nuts on a minivan. It has just enough torque to loosen a a steel lug nut holding a steel rim. I's guess that it's got a realistic 150 ft -lbs or less, regardless of what Milwaukee says. And I took it back and got another, same thing. it's a turd.

I've read probally 50+ all positive reviews on them and your the only negative so far.

Other than the v28, I can get the 18v lithium snap-on impact cheaper than the v28 through the student tech program.

Any advise on that one?

 

[MrMark]

that's a no brainer. Get it and sell it to me

 

[Autoguy]

I owned Milwaukee right angle drill , bought in 1987 still working. Alson have a smaller 3/8 with hammer drill and another 1/2 inch new in the box. all made in USA. I felt sad.

 

[Crash913]

So has anyone had any BAD experiences with a Chinese-made Milwaukee or is this all speculation...again...

 

[mrholeshot]

Not to knock ya buying habbits but i think a big part of the blame would be on stores like Home Dope. They make requests/demands to the manufacturer all the time to cheapen their tools and lower costs. I cannot find one portable tool in mine made anywhere other than asia.

Many Contractors buy out of Lowes and Home Depot. Where pray tell should they be buying them? They can sell them lower priced than Bobs hardware because they will buy 10,000 units at a time. Them being made in Asia is nobodys fault but Milwaukee. If Lowes or HD has a product that doesn't sell well they don't sell it anymore. If you are looking for the latest and greatest power tools Lowes and HD will have them and at MSRP as they hit the market.

 

[comedyman809]

me love my chinese m18 stuff!!!!

 

[kythri]

Milwaukee's sister is Ryobi. Has been for a while.
they are now Asian.

For a while they were part of Atlas-Copco the Swedish company

They were sold in 2005 to TTI (Techtronic Industries) along with AEG and Drebo

TTI's brand include Ryobi (They are based in Hong Kong)

http://www.ttigroup.com/en/our_brands

TTI, while not owning the brand, also builds a lot of Ridgid and Craftsman power tools. They probably build quite a few other brands under contract.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Why would expect a Chinese owned company to manufacture their tools other than China?

From Wikipedia:
The Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation is a manufacturer of heavy-duty portable electric power tools and accessories. The company was acquired by Hong Kong based Techtronic Industries in 2005. Techtronic is a public company, traded on Hong Kong's Heng Seng exchange. "Milwaukee" is now part of the Techtronic brand portfolio that includes AEG and Ryobi power tools and accessories; Ryobi and Homelite outdoor products, and Hoover, Dirt Devil and Vax.

The original Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation was established by A. F. Siebert in 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The business manufactures its products in 12, 18, 28, 120 and 230 volt configurations. Their product line includes some 500 power tool models, including reciprocating saws, circular saws, drills, driver drills, hammer drills, rotary hammers, band saws, bench grinders and sanders.

The business is now headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with production facilities currently operating in Greenwood, Mississippi (150,000 sq ft. operational since 2002) and Jackson, Mississippi (60,000 sq ft. plant operational since 1974). The Techtronic corporate headquarters is located in the Northern Territories region of Hong Kong.

Milwaukee’s power tools and accessories are shipped to power tool distributors worldwide from Milwaukee’s distribution centers located in Olive Branch, Mississippi, a city located south of Memphis, Tennessee, and Hoeselt, Belgium.

TheGrooveking

PS,

Techtronic also owns Ryobi & Homelite.

 

[bw77]

The business is now headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with production facilities currently operating in Greenwood, Mississippi (150,000 sq ft. operational since 2002) and Jackson, Mississippi (60,000 sq ft. plant operational since 1974). The Techtronic corporate headquarters is located in the Northern Territories region of Hong Kong.

Does anyone know which Milwaukee products are still made in USA?

 

[american lockpicker]

Does anyone know which Milwaukee products are still made in USA?

Every sawzall I've seen is US made and my neighbor has a hammer drill from the czech republic.

 

[Joe B.]

Does anyone know which Milwaukee products are still made in USA?

I will say "none". If I'm wrong today, I will be right in the future.

 

[Monte]

you can check the origin of Milwaukee tools (+ others) here www.grainger.com

 

[pl_silverado]

I will say "none". If I'm wrong today, I will be right in the future.

I looked through some things in the grainger catalong and it looks like most of the sawzalls are still made in the USA.

Pick one up if you need one before they move to China, which i'm sure is inevitable.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Also be aware that Milwuakee instituted a repair policy that is now a minimum flat rate. I looked into getting the brushes changed and gearbox relubed on my 1980 Milwuakee 6511 Sawzall and was told $129. I said the brushes are like $10 or less, the grease for the gearbox is less than $15, what gives, the guy explained the new repair fees. I decided to do it myself.

TheGrooveking

 

[jabberwoki]

Thats a huge bumber it pays to look at the box good on ya for returning it.