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Milwaukee M18 Fuel from HD or Lowes
- Thread starter PopPops
- Start date
Badger 13
Well-known member
I would suggest that you go to HD & Lowes, or anywhere else that sells the tools and look at them all. See which one fits your hand, or has exactly what you want. There are a lot out there to look at, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Mikita, Bosch, etc. If your going to add other battery tools, think of what you may want in the future and try to keep to one battery platform. I'm a Milwaukee Fuel owner and very happy with them.
Good luck and don't forget to show off your new tool..
Jim
Good luck and don't forget to show off your new tool..
Jim
fourjeepin
Well-known member
Don't bother with Lowes - Milwaukee is only available at HD.
Stuey
Well-known member
Milwaukee Tools doesn't sell directly to the public, only through distribution channels.I'm wundering if the tools are made to the same stardards and of the same qaulity as those sold at MilwaukeeTools?
I have heard a lot of speculations that some brands make different tools for Home Depot than they do for other dealers, but I don't think I've ever heard this about Milwaukee.
Milwaukee tools should be the same from HD as from anywhere else.
Good question.
In the past I have noticed different quality in HD (cheaper), than in tool stores. Like brass/copper prongs on plugs instead of white metal. I really am not sure what is better since I did not measure, but I have noticed differences. Tools specific to a store like HD can have their own part numbers.
I think of the big screen TV on a Black Friday sale at bestbuy for example. It will have the brand name without all the features that make the brand name great. So the cheaper price is reflected in what you are actually getting.
I try to get my tools from places like toolsplus.com, as I feel that the tools sold there are not the cheap store version. Although I have bought tools from HD and Lowe's.
Maybe look into to it to see what the differences are. A serial number or bar code differentiation may exist or maybe everything is cheap now. I don't know.
In the past I have noticed different quality in HD (cheaper), than in tool stores. Like brass/copper prongs on plugs instead of white metal. I really am not sure what is better since I did not measure, but I have noticed differences. Tools specific to a store like HD can have their own part numbers.
I think of the big screen TV on a Black Friday sale at bestbuy for example. It will have the brand name without all the features that make the brand name great. So the cheaper price is reflected in what you are actually getting.
I try to get my tools from places like toolsplus.com, as I feel that the tools sold there are not the cheap store version. Although I have bought tools from HD and Lowe's.
Maybe look into to it to see what the differences are. A serial number or bar code differentiation may exist or maybe everything is cheap now. I don't know.
Good question.
In the past I have noticed different quality in HD (cheaper), than in tool stores. Like brass/copper prongs on plugs instead of white metal. I really am not sure what is better since I did not measure, but I have noticed differences. Tools specific to a store like HD can have their own part numbers.
I think of the big screen TV on a Black Friday sale at bestbuy for example. It will have the brand name without all the features that make the brand name great. So the cheaper price is reflected in what you are actually getting.
I try to get my tools from places like toolsplus.com, as I feel that the tools sold there are not the cheap store version. Although I have bought tools from HD and Lowe's.
Maybe look into to it to see what the differences are. A serial number or bar code differentiation may exist or maybe everything is cheap now. I don't know.
"...A serial number or bar code differentiation..." thats a good idea. I'll give that a try.
justanengineer
Well-known member
They were rather sneaky about it, but up until a few (ok, maybe 10) years ago Milwaukee had two pretty vastly different lines of corded power tools, one sold in industrial supply houses and the other sold in HD, Horrible Freight (yes, HF!), farm stores, etc. There were no real model/name differentiators that I was ever aware of, the only way you'd know a homeowner Sawzall from an industrial one was by looking closely at construction details like cords and housings. Anymore tho the industrial line has gone downhill and been cheapened to blend in with the homeowner line, production went overseas, and since you asked - Milwaukee never really made an industrial/pro grade cordless anything. Yes a lot of "professionals" use the M12/M18 stuff, but the fact remains its not like the old Milwaukee tools that're still in regular use 40 years later.
FWIW, I've got some M18 tools and theyre great for their purpose, but in 10 years I wont be surprised to be buying/owning something else.
FWIW, I've got some M18 tools and theyre great for their purpose, but in 10 years I wont be surprised to be buying/owning something else.
They were rather sneaky about it, but up until a few (ok, maybe 10) years ago Milwaukee had two pretty vastly different lines of corded power tools, one sold in industrial supply houses and the other sold in HD, Horrible Freight (yes, HF!), farm stores, etc. There were no real model/name differentiators that I was ever aware of, the only way you'd know a homeowner Sawzall from an industrial one was by looking closely at construction details like cords and housings. Anymore tho the industrial line has gone downhill and been cheapened to blend in with the homeowner line, production went overseas, and since you asked - Milwaukee never really made an industrial/pro grade cordless anything. Yes a lot of "professionals" use the M12/M18 stuff, but the fact remains its not like the old Milwaukee tools that're still in regular use 40 years later.
FWIW, I've got some M18 tools and theyre great for their purpose, but in 10 years I wont be surprised to be buying/owning something else.
I was told the difference is in the internals. Plastic gears vs metal gears.
NFH2740
Well-known member
ITT: Old hens cluck over internet rumors propagated by their buddy's first cousin's friend, JimBobCooter.
dirtyboots
Active member
The refurb'd fuel drill I got on CPO outlet has broken after serious abuse. In other words, regardless of the brand it would've broken. Having said that whilst getting the repair parts, and emailing Milwaukee about the proper grease to rebuild said abused tool, it would appear that today's fuel and similar cordless Mil tools are the same regardless of the vendor.
the fuel will run paddle bits through 4x4s all day. It's pretty impressive, I'm sure that the other manufacturers have a similar spec. I went with Mil tools because they seem to have a larger amount of accessories to choose from that fit the batts, and I live close to HD.
If anyone can show a picture of any late model cordless drill with metal gears I would be interested to see it.
the fuel will run paddle bits through 4x4s all day. It's pretty impressive, I'm sure that the other manufacturers have a similar spec. I went with Mil tools because they seem to have a larger amount of accessories to choose from that fit the batts, and I live close to HD.
If anyone can show a picture of any late model cordless drill with metal gears I would be interested to see it.
I run a government fleet of about 200 vehicles and just bought a 3/8 milwaukee impact about 3 weeks ago. I have been very impressed with it so far, in comparison to the snap on one we have I would say they are about the same. I like the Milwaukee impact alot from wat we have used it and it was alot cheaper than the snap on.
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wafrederick
Well-known member
Milwaukee has the better warranty too,5 years on the tool and 3 years on the battery vs 2 years with Snap On which is non transferable.I go on a Facebook site group that is a mechanic's tool and equipment group.There are guys on there selling their Snap On cordless tools on there to buy the Milwaukee fuel line.
I'll be placing an order for the 3/8" drive Impact Wrench from HD but now I' wondering if there is much use for a 1/4" drive Impact wrench.
For wrenching on cars etc is there a need for a 1/4" drive impact wrench or is the 3/8" more common with the 1/2" drive being used on the tougher jobs like lug nuts.
For wrenching on cars etc is there a need for a 1/4" drive impact wrench or is the 3/8" more common with the 1/2" drive being used on the tougher jobs like lug nuts.
Honestly the 1/4 impact driver does nearly everything and more. I find the 3/8 gun not as useful as although its more powerful than the 1/4, it doesnt seem like that much.
I have the 1/4 impact driver (one you can insert bits into) and use adapters for it, 3/8 and 1/2 fuel impacts. I love them all and find their uses endless. IE over this past summer I rebuilt my shed and didnt have the fuel impacts, but I had an older ni-cad snap on 1/2 impact. I used it to drive lagbolts and such in and used the impact driver to screw stuff in. WAY more handy than a drill ever was. I put an entire lift kit on a jeep wrangler 4 door this summer using cordless stuff.
I have the 1/4 impact driver (one you can insert bits into) and use adapters for it, 3/8 and 1/2 fuel impacts. I love them all and find their uses endless. IE over this past summer I rebuilt my shed and didnt have the fuel impacts, but I had an older ni-cad snap on 1/2 impact. I used it to drive lagbolts and such in and used the impact driver to screw stuff in. WAY more handy than a drill ever was. I put an entire lift kit on a jeep wrangler 4 door this summer using cordless stuff.
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