Milwaukee One-Key Wifi enabled tools, gimmick?

[Hagatronics]

Anyone use the Milwaukee “One-Key” WIFI connectivity and smart phone application?

I haven’t use it, and to be honest, think this whole concept is a complete ****. I work in technology and there is nothing more I hate than seeing technology used for the sake of it. I can’t think of a single reason why this would be anything other than a gimmick that reduces productivity.

Why would I log into a smart phone application to set a torque on a drill when I could just turn a dial on the tool itself?

But, I’ve not used the system and would be keen to hear real-life experience.

ONE-KEY™ enabled, allowing users to wirelessly connect to the tool with a smart phone to provide unlimited customization and control of the tool’s performance. The ONE-KEY™ Mobile app features predetermined set-ups for specific fasteners and materials, or provides complete control over output speed and power to customize the tool for the specific application at hand. Once the desired output performance is reached, the custom profile is then saved to the memory of the tool and the connection to the smart phone is no longer necessary. The tool’s memory supports up to 4 custom profiles that can be easily accessed with the touch of a button on the tool. Your custom profiles are also saved in the cloud so that they can be accessed at any time.

 

[Ign]

I have not used it. That said, I'm with you. I don't see much benefit.

If it were "free" I'd certainly play w it, but I have zero desire to pay the premium they charge for OK tools.

While they were dicking w this BlackNPecker was quietly working on FlexVolt. I'd opt for the latter if I could bring myself to own any BlackNYellow.

 

[rlitman]

A friend of mine likes it a lot. It's not so much about being able to set the torque, as it is to being able to program modes for repetitive jobs. He uses it a lot for setting tapcons and such with the impact driver.

It also has some tool inventory capabilities.

As for me, I don't do enough repetitive tasks for it to be of much use.

 

[Hagatronics]

A friend of mine likes it a lot. It's not so much about being able to set the torque, as it is to being able to program modes for repetitive jobs. He uses it a lot for setting tapcons and such with the impact driver.
.

But wouldn't you just figure out that you can set the impact driver to "7" or whatever with a dial on the tool itself and get a consistent outcome?

 

[rlitman]

But wouldn't you just figure out that you can set the impact driver to "7" or whatever with a dial on the tool itself and get a consistent outcome?

Not as he explained it to me. It's not just a simple torque setting. You can also dial in RPM, and stages. So it can for example be programmed to zip in a self tapping screw until the threads engage, then apply torque without too much impact to shear the screw, and then stop when the screw bottoms out before ripping the head off.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

One guy at work claimed you could track the tool with this technology, which has its appeal after out 18V Fuel SDS went missing after one use.

 

[rlitman]

One guy at work claimed you could track the tool with this technology, which has its appeal after out 18V Fuel SDS went missing after one use.

Track is a relative term. My friend also lost his one recently. He put the tool in "lost" mode. In theory, if it gets within bluetooth range of anyone running the app, it will call home, but that hasn't done anything for him yet.

 

[Loscaldazar]

It is useful, just not for everyone.

If you are doing a repetitive job, you can set the RPM, torque, ramp up/down (I believe) and many other parameters to fine tune the tool to your desires. Instead of having 2 speed settings (yes, drills have a variable speed trigger, I'll talk more on this later), you now have 1000+ RPM settings and instead of 20-25 clutch settings, you now have hundreds.

As far as the variable speed trigger, it's still easier to set the max RPM of the drill (like if you're drilling steel) rather than try to hit the speed you want by modulating the trigger.

Plus, this will soon appear in their other products, like impact wrenches. Might be pretty nice to customize the 3 or 4 mode settings on an impact wrench to specific torque values.

 

[tdkkart]

In the mean time your customer is paying you by the hour to diddle-**** around with your phone and drill trying to set things up to drill in 4 screws........

 

[Ign]

In the mean time your customer is paying you by the hour to diddle-**** around with your phone and drill trying to set things up to drill in 4 screws........

Nah, you can turn off the OK settings right on the tool itself and then it just functions as a normal [whatever].

But you make a valid point - a lot of people think the tools won't work without a phone. Not true, it's just an option to theoretically allow greater control or customization.

All companies that come out w new technology have to overcome hurdles of the public not understanding exactly what it does and DOESN'T do. It can't be easy.

For instance, once it's programmed a phone no longer be present. It saves the settings internally and they only activate if you select OK on the tool, just like selecting power level 1, 2 etc on impacts right now.

This is another misunderstanding: people think without a phone in BT range the tool simply doesn't know what to do or won't work. Not true.

 

[Ign]

Track is a relative term. My friend also lost his one recently. He put the tool in "lost" mode. In theory, if it gets within bluetooth range of anyone running the app, it will call home, but that hasn't done anything for him yet.

I didn't fully understand that you can have others look for your tool too if they "opt in." Interesting.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/one-key

 

[cm cm]

People used to think camera's on a phone were a gimmick.... then people developed the technology to do cool and useful things....

Give it time. When i read up about dewalts bluetooth batteries roughly 6 months ago, there was no talk about impact rpms and stuff like that... so this technology is already growing! Might not be for everyone. Obviously dicking around with your phone for 4 screws is not the intended usage, but i can think of a few for my personal usage!

 

[Aquamoose]

I love Milwaukee tools but,...

I'm not sold on having technology replace the skill & dexterity of a skilled operator which I believe should be with the user, not disappear should the tool break down. That's my take.


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[bdelmar2]

I would be able to save a lot of time if the impact was accurate and consistent, but I haven't been able to determine how well the system actually works in practice.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I like the concept. I wish I could customize the behavior of my Techwrenches and a phone app would probably be easier than using the buttons on the wrench.

Would save a lot of scrolling time; there are only a handful of torque values I ever use on the biggest one. I mean really, what's the point of being able to set 246 ft-lbs vs. 247 ft-lbs when the operator is only good to within 5 or 10?

I'd program it to scroll 60, 105, 120, 140, 160, 200 and 220 Nm using the Units button, and lock Nm as the units. Wow, that would be awesome. Being able to save profiles on the TechAngle would be great for some people, too.

 

[redwrench60]

I'm sorry, but this is just more ******** from the "everything has to be connected or computerized" generation. So you can set the torque and RPM for repetitive jobs?........whoopty-dooo. That's what the power settings and variable speed trigger are for. The tool locator feature only works if it's within Bluetooth range so it's not like it'll lead you to the pawn shop your stolen tools are at.

Until someone illustrates any true advantage to outweigh the extra cost and complexity you can place me squarely in the "get off my lawn" crowd.

 

[Ign]

I love Milwaukee tools but,...

I'm not sold on having technology replace the skill & dexterity of a skilled operator which I believe should be with the user, not disappear should the tool break down. That's my take.


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Eh, even though I've been saying the same thing about automatic transmissions, backup cameras and Autoset on Miller welders....I'm not sure it applies here.

If this truly allows a repeatable result for production work, it just saves time. Why wash your clothes in a washing machine when you could do it by hand w greater control? Why use a power drill at all when you could do it by hand w greater control (on the old hand crank drill?). Why have a CNC lathe make that handle 25,000 times when a manual operator could do it w greater control?

I'm not arguing in favor of One Key, just saying our lives are full of examples of machines saving us time -- and certainly in some cases, skill.

In the meantime I've gotta call the switchboard operator and see if she'll connect me to the town blacksmith so I can ask him to pound out a short piece of angle iron for me......

 

[Aquamoose]

That's when things takes a step BACKWARDS which I'm not a fan of. Go to a big mall store and watch them push a few hundred buttons and make several scans to buy a single pair of Levi jeans for $34.99 out the door. What used to be a straight & quick cash sale with a small receipt in exchange has now progressed into something more complex.

You can't buy a flashlight in an emergency to save your life if the power's out in stores nowadays.

That's what I'm talking about. Forward progress with more power and time saving features? I'm all for it. There's no need to reinvent the wheel by introducing a gadget to adjust RPM, torque, etc. Sure, it's electric but it ain't a Tesla.


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[tarbellb]

ONE KEY technology- helping the next generation of unskilled workers take your skilled job!

 

[fordgasm]

Don't think Id use it, but then again I'm a DIY homeowner.

 

[smokey0066]

I recently purchased a m18 kit and skipped the one key. I'm not going to spend the time to dilly dally around with settings when I'm trying to get work done.