M18 batteries-2amp or 5amp?

[signcrafter]

Right now I have the M18 fuel impact and drill kit with two 5 amp batteries. Also have a light, radio, and high torque 1/2" impact gun. I'm going to be buying a fuel drywall gun and cut out tool. The cut out tool I will probably just buy the bare tool for 99 bucks. But the drywall gun I'm thinking I will pick up another kit with two more batteries so I have them. Not too often I need more then the two I have but it would be nice to have some extras.

So the bare screw gun is 150 dollars. The kit with two 2 amp batteries is 230 dollars, so 80 bucks for 2 more batteries. The 5 amp kit is 300 dollars, so 150 for two 5 amp batteries. Another way to look at it is another 70 dollars for the additional run time of the 5 amp batteries. The 5 amp batteries I have now last a really long time and I really like them. Just trying to decide what would be the best option for me. If money was no object I would grab the 5 amp batteries but that's not the case. Also wondering how balance a heavier battery on the cut out tool and screw gun will be?

So what would you guys do? I do plan on buying more M18 bare tools in the future. Another option is to buy the tower light that comes with a free battery right now for 250 and then just get the bare tools for the drywall screw gun and cut out tool. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Rocket-LED-Tower-Light-Kit-2130-20P/207121220. I thought about picking this light up last time they had this deal but didn't. Then I would have the drywall gun and cut out tool and a light and one more battery to make a total of 3 5 amp batteries. This option would be 500 bucks.

So many choices and decisions with all this M18 stuff!

 

[DFB]

You do know that the 2866-22 does come with a 5.0 free battery offer right?

 

[kctyphoon]

The rocket light (tripod) is $199 in stores with the free 5.0 battery and charger for stores that normally dont carry that model light as a bare tool.. they were part of a promo Milwaukee did like the 9.0 saw kits.. the home depot heavy duty locations that have the BIG Milwaukee sections of tools, the lights are still marked at $249, and will show $249 online unless u pick a specific store to shop at (online) that has them in stock.. there should be enough still laying around in stores.. I just bought one yesterday, and the Milwaukee Rep took $50 off the price for me to match the $199 price in other stores..

This is a link to one of the stores near me.. it'll show the light kit for $199 for an in store purchase..
http://m.homedepot.com/s/Milwaukee%20rocket%20light?searchtype=text&NCNI-5

 

[signcrafter]

You do know that the 2866-22 does come with a 5.0 free battery offer right?

I haven't seen the drywall gun with free battery offer. But that isn't really what I'm looking for. I mean if I do go with the 5 amp batteries kit and get a free battery that would be nice. But guess I'm trying to justify spending the extra money for the kits that come with batteries vs just the bare tool. The more batteries the merrier but just not sure if spending another 150 dollars over the bare tool is worth it or not. I'm on the fence. The 150 could be used to buy other bare tools.

Thanks for the tip on the price match. I will go in and talk to my proX lady at home depot and see if she will match another store. How do you like your rocket light?

 

[DHCrocks]

I don't have Milwaukee but do have Dewalt, and here's my take, which should also apply to any manufacture.

I have two 2Ah and two 5Ah batteries. I much prefer the 2Ah compact batteries, they are so much smaller and lighter that it really makes a difference in how the tool feels. Granted they don't last as long but I can get a good amount of use out of even 2Ah before needing to put them on the charger. Besides since I can just throw them on the charger its no big deal for me. If I didn't have an outlet available or am taking my tools on the road and I don't want to lug a charger around I'll grab the 5Ah for the extended run times but at home I only use the 2Ah batteries. If I had to buy new batteries they would be the compact 2Ah for sure.

 

[Ty.]

I would want the smaller batteries for a drywall gun. I have the 5 ah batteries that I got with my impact/drill kit that I only use when Im building something on my bench, or in my sawzall. this is my second m18 drill I bought after my old brushed m18 crapped out, which was my fault as I dropped it off of a ladder. when I bought my first drill and impact I bought each desperately so I would have two batteries with each, but this time I just bought the one kit with two tools and two batteries.

basically how many batteries can you use at once. I dont see the NEED for more then three batteries if your only running one tool. one charging one on eck, and one in the tool. but when you start using more tools at once and high demand tools more and bigger batteries maybe helpful.

every time i see one of those free 9.0 kit deals on the milwaukee addiction thread I cant help myself from thinking of all kinds of excuses as to why I need more batteries and tools that I don't really need.

 

[az45]

How much better is a drywall gun than the 1/4 impact with a drywall bit? I just remodeled a kitchen and used the impact and a bit, I thought it worked great.

I like the 2a for shop use when killing a battery wont be a problem. The 1/2 impact with a 5a is pretty freakin heavy. I have more 5a than anything else becasue they came in the kits and promos, I'd buy more 2a's if they were on sale.

 

[DFB]

Difference is about 12oz between a Milwaukee 2.0 and a 5.0 battery.
Warranties differ by a year too 2yr/3yr

But if weight savings is what you want go for 2.0 then

Good chance one guy working alone probably wont use more than two batteries at once especially if you have a power source on site.

But that's not usually me.


Rocket 2130 I have one supposed to get 4 hrs max on high with 5.0 IMO you want anything close to the amount of light to what small halogen will put out your going to use the high setting. Setting #2 is pretty satisfactory though with a decent reflective surface like drywall and easier on the eyes. But there is no power cord. Overall I like the height and adjustability and don't have to jury rig some way to hang one of the other cordless lights I have


Personally I would seldom even consider full retail purchase unles I neede it right then and now but instead would plan to buy on promo. The Rocket for me was only $149 with an ACME special. Often times some people even break up kits and sell off parts to offset the cost of buying a tool too.

It's almost like their giving batteries away just look how many new ones are out there for sale 3rd party, Ebay, Amazon etc. I have never purchased a Milwaukee one outright. Oh but with my old Makita stuff now that's another story.

A lot my Milwaukee bare tools came with free battery promos at the time. Deals come and go and sometimes come back

Just an FYI that 2866-22 with free 5.0XC at ACME back on Monday's promo would have been only $249 so it would have been just $100 over bare tool for 3XC batteries that list for $129 ea. or the CT 2.0 kit would have been a few pennies over $190, approx $40 more than bare tool.

And that wasn't even a great sale...but it was good!

 

[DFB]

How much better is a drywall gun than the 1/4 impact with a drywall bit? I just remodeled a kitchen and used the impact and a bit, I thought it worked great.

I do the same thing with my impact did you use a 1" bit for the drywall?

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Drywall gun stops driving the screw at a set depth.... just hold the trigger down, put a screw on the tip, press to drywall, it drives it and stops. Remove, put another screw on the tip and repeat. You don't have to let go of the trigger and slow down to set the correct depth.

Much faster than setting each screw manually...

 

[manwithtools]

Drywall gun stops driving the screw at a set depth.... just hold the trigger down, put a screw on the tip, press to drywall, it drives it and stops. Remove, put another screw on the tip and repeat. You don't have to let go of the trigger and slow down to set the correct depth.

Much faster than setting each screw manually...

This, it's much faster than any other method of driving screws and you don't run the risk of over driving which can cause problems.

 

[az45]

I do the same thing with my impact did you use a 1" bit for the drywall?

Drywall gun stops driving the screw at a set depth.... just hold the trigger down, put a screw on the tip, press to drywall, it drives it and stops. Remove, put another screw on the tip and repeat. You don't have to let go of the trigger and slow down to set the correct depth.

Much faster than setting each screw manually...

This, it's much faster than any other method of driving screws and you don't run the risk of over driving which can cause problems.

Not to get off track, but I get how the screw gun works. I'm not a pro dry-waller, but I used these $3 bits and ran the gun until it quit turning the head and they set perfectly every time. I actually hoped they wouldn't work so Id have an excuse to buy another tool!

The pro I hired to mud and finish actually told me I would never make it as a dry-waller becasue everything was perfect, so I probably took way too much time..LOL, true.

"Ignorance is bliss"

 

[Pitalplace]

Not to get off track, but I get how the screw gun works. I'm not a pro dry-waller, but I used these $3 bits and ran the gun until it quit turning the head and they set perfectly every time. I actually hoped they wouldn't work so Id have an excuse to buy another tool!

I've used these bits and they work perfectly. Sure saved have to buy a new tool.

 

[manwithtools]

Yep, you spent way too much time. I'll race you with a drywall screw gun and you with your $3 bits .

The whole point of a dedicated tool is speed and consistency. You can do it with other methods, but time is money to a contractor or a serious DIY guy.

As a DIY guy, my time is worth serious money to me, there are only so many hours after work or on the weekend...

 

[bcradio]

Yep, you spent way too much time. I'll race you with a drywall screw gun and you with your $3 bits .

The whole point of a dedicated tool is speed and consistency. You can do it with other methods, but time is money to a contractor or a serious DIY guy.

As a DIY guy, my time is worth serious money to me, there are only so many hours after work or on the weekend...

I gotta lol at this.

I have 2 drywall guns, an auto feed Senco gun, and half a dozen or more impact drivers. And for a DIY guy the impact works plenty fast enough. I would get the auto feed gun if I was actually trying to save some time, not the screw gun. But really no need as the impact is just fine.

 

[DFB]

Az45 oh ya now I see what your using. I have some of those too, and most often been used with a drill driver.

Seen other countersinking type bit holders on the market like the Disston. I found one last summer new in pkg for $3.00 at the flea mkt . And its still in the pkg.


On my 2462 Milwaukee I simply put a 1" bit straight in the collet and it works in the same way as one of those inexpensive countersinks and dimples the screw just right.



I have a older Makita corded drywall gun I rarely use any more but after seeing one, a new Milwaukee cordless drywall screwdriver would be nice to have.

 

[manwithtools]

LOL all you want. There is a need for these tools, the manufactures would not make them otherwise.

I guess my definition of DIY might be a bit different than others.

 

[az45]

I'm not arguing they're worked better, just that they worked well enough that I didn't see a need for the gun. I don't make money with home improvement tools, if I did saving a little time may make sense.

I may have used them with the drill driver as well as an M12 impact..I had so many red cordless tools being used I couldn't really tell you for sure.

 

[bcradio]

LOL all you want. There is a need for these tools, the manufactures would not make them otherwise.

I guess my definition of DIY might be a bit different than others.

Hey I agree they are a useful tool for a pro. Just not very necessary for a DIY guy.

 

[signcrafter]

I ended up ordering the 5 amp kit from acme tools and got the free extra battery. Now I will have 5 of the 5 amp batteries and shouldn't need anymore for a while. Acme was out of the cut out tools so I'm going to order that from HD on Monday. Have a few things I need to order so will check on the light with free battery and get that if I can get it for 200.

The rocket light (tripod) is $199 in stores with the free 5.0 battery and charger for stores that normally dont carry that model light as a bare tool.. they were part of a promo Milwaukee did like the 9.0 saw kits.. the home depot heavy duty locations that have the BIG Milwaukee sections of tools, the lights are still marked at $249, and will show $249 online unless u pick a specific store to shop at (online) that has them in stock.. there should be enough still laying around in stores.. I just bought one yesterday, and the Milwaukee Rep took $50 off the price for me to match the $199 price in other stores..

This is a link to one of the stores near me.. it'll show the light kit for $199 for an in store purchase..
http://m.homedepot.com/s/Milwaukee%20rocket%20light?searchtype=text&NCNI-5

That link doesn't take me to a particular store and only shows 250 for a price. Do you have a store number or zip of a store that will show 200 so I can show my HD and see if they will match it?

 

[Ign]

Toolup was blowing out the 2.0's right after BF. And they had to have sold a bunch of 5.0's with their 4-pack at $174.

I still think 3.0's and 6.0's are coming soon (already w M12). So Option C is buy the bare tool and watch for battery clearances. It seems like they're like IPhones these days - they're the latest greatest until they're not - then it's a fire sale on the old model.