Milwaukee or Dewalt

[craftsman creep]

I personally like Dewalt I help a lot of the farm my dad works at and all of the tools are Dewalt and there just work better for me

 

[Jeff C]

I use Dewalt 20v and Milwaukee 12v. Both make good tools. Hard to go wrong with either brand.

 

[neophyte]

I presume for cordless tools, but what kind ?

Milwaukee makes niche tools that aren’t really available from anyone else, but which most people don’t need, unless you’re a plumber.

Dewalt may be better at forward/backward battery compatibility, if you don’t just toss your old cordless drill or other tools when you purchase a new one.

I think Milwaukee is currently consider the best choice for an impact wrench if that is your focus.

For build quality, Fein and Hilti seem to be better than both the above.
For battery compatibility, Metabo (not Metabo HPT) has a battery system that is used by a number of speciatly tool manufacturers.
I presume if Dewalt and Milwaukee are being mentioned, then Fein Hilti and Metabo aren’t really in contention.

 

[oilslick]

I am switching my 1/2 impact to dewalt soon after being blown away by new 3/8 dewalt that outperformed my stubby Milwaukee. I’ve always had some of each, and try to get the best for the money from whoever makes it. I have a ryobi polesaw and radio at home along with a very good power broom attachment that works on my husqvarna weed wacker!

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I have both, but started with Dewalt drills and impacts(1/4" and both 1/2" versions) and pole saw. I branched to Milwakee for their 3" cutoff tool, Dewalt didn't have one at the time, they do now. I've got a Milwakee drill/impact combo but most specialized is the 6" Hatchet chainsaw.

Buy the tools you need, not the name for the fad. Function over form, accomplish the task.

 

[rmack898]

I was heavily invested in yellow tools and gave them all to my son and I started all over again with red tools. Now I have both M12 and M18.

 

[Callelle]

I'm team red because that's the battery I invested into, however I think if you're just starting off, DeWalt is the way to go currently.

 

[txvwnut]

I have a mix a battery platforms, Ryobi for the home improvement stuff and Milwaukee for the greasy stuff. A friend and me bought a salvage yard full of veedubs, he brought his Dewalt sawsall and I brought my Ryobi sawsall(don't have a cordless Milwaukee). My Ryobi ran circles around that dewalt, cut way faster and batteries lasted longer.

I voted other as the OP didn't state what the main type of work would be getting done with the choices listed.

 

[finn]

I presume for cordless tools, but what kind ?

Milwaukee makes niche tools that aren’t really available from anyone else, but which most people don’t need, unless you’re a plumber.

Dewalt may be better at forward/backward battery compatibility, if you don’t just toss your old cordless drill or other tools when you purchase a new one.

I think Milwaukee is currently consider the best choice for an impact wrench if that is your focus.

For build quality, Fein and Hilti seem to be better than both the above.
For battery compatibility, Metabo (not Metabo HPT) has a battery system that is used by a number of speciatly tool manufacturers.
I presume if Dewalt and Milwaukee are being mentioned, then Fein Hilti and Metabo aren’t really in contention.

Not true on the Milwaukee impacts. I purchased three M18 impact wrenches plus an M12 high speed ratchet last year, just before Dewalt released their upgraded 20 v Atomics, and now their upgraded full sized impact lineup.

I then picked up the Atomic, and it blows away the equivalent M18 Milwaukee. Internet reviews, ie TTC, say the new Dewalt full sized impacts are on top of the heap.

I’m not knocking the M18 tools. I like them, and perform well, but I am definitely going to get a 3/8 Dewalt Atomic to compliment my 1/2” drive Atomic and the M18 tools.

 

[subroc]

I have Dewalt tools in 18v brushed that I use battery adapters as well as aftermarket batteries with. I have 20v max tools in both brushed and brushless, I have a 60v circular saw as well as corded routers, sanders and my 12" slider. I like my Dewalt tools. I am happy with them. As far as brand loyalty I believe i have owned Dewalt tools more than 20 years. I recently added some Milwaukee 12v M12 tools including ratchets, stapler, lights and some budget options. I am happy with them too.

I believe, these days, that I would be satisfied with my line up if it was made by Dewalt, Milwaukee or Makita.

That said, I almost always look to yellow first if I need or want a new tool.

I didn't vote in the poll.

 

[Oldsnapper]

I currently have Dewalt. I am very happy with them but if I was just starting out now, I would probably by Milwaukee. The original cordless tool that I used were Makita and they were good as well.

 

[kngelv]

There are too many compromises going with one platform. I had/have 20V brushed DeWalt and on upgrading to brushless decided to go with Milwaukee but then decided to just use both. I kind of like having two platforms because I never have to compromise between the two. If one feels better in my hand then that is the one I'll go with. All brushless though for future purchases.

James

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm Milwaukee but I will admit that DeWalt has changed the game by introducing the Powerstack 20 Volt battery. The small form factor of the Powerstack makes it a direct comparison to the M12 Milwaukee and it's far more powerful than the M12. The combination of the Atomic series tools and the Powerstack battery is pretty hard to beat. Yes, you only get 1.7 A-hr but they charge very quickly and if you have two it's hard to imagine that you'll ever be without power. And, they can deliver big time current when needed. The balance of power does seem to be shifting. Two years ago Milwaukee by a mile. Now, it's not nearly as clear.

 

[Rusted Nut]

My personal tools are Milwaukee, never a problem with them. I have two batteries that are 10 years old and still going strong. The construction company I work for buys DeWalt. We go through them like they’re disposable.

 

[subroc]

My personal tools are Milwaukee, never a problem with them. I have two batteries that are 10 years old and still going strong. The construction company I work for buys DeWalt. We go through them like they’re disposable.

A post like that doest really fill in the blanks. So tell us about how you care for your own tools and the workload each gets on a daily basis and annually. Also, how are the company tools used and cared for and what kind of workload does each get? Is there a bunch of hammer heads using and abusing them or do your coworkers use them and care for them like they were their own? Also, do you believe Milwaukee or Makita would perform worse, similar, or better?

 

[danski0224]

Both?

 

[Fusion13]

DeWalt for me, sold all my Milwaukee stuff. Nothing but Chinese trash IMO

 

[MOS3522]

DeWalt yellow is prettier than Milwaukee red.

 

[F-22]

Makita of course.

I don't need them for work, but I have two 5ah batteries and a genuine makita (brushed) drill and a 1/2" makita impact wrench (dtw701z, that one is really decent...). But I got myself an Aliexpress makita clone angle grinder. 30€, accepts the same batteries I already own and is actually really brushless (I took it all apart when I got it, regreased it all, it all runs on roller bearings and isn't obnoxiously loud either). I'll probably get myself a small clone impact driver too.

I could buy some X brand chinese angle grinder, but then I'd have another dumb battery system. I love that I can get one that works with my makita batteries. I don't need pro tools for everything, and that reason alone is enough to keep me with makita. Milwaukee and Dewalt don't seem to be copied nearly as much.

 

[Bubba Fett]

DeWalt, but mainly because they are more easily available in my area. I don't think either brand is a bad choice for the most part. I also think Makita is right up there with them, and may even be better. Milwaukee seems to have the most specialty tools.

I also see nothing wrong with using multiple brands if that is what is needed to get the job done. Tribalism is a distraction and is generally counterproductive.

 

[39Tudor]

I received a Dewalt cordless drill as a Christmas present many years ago. I just kept adding additional tools and since I already had a dewalt I might as well continue using the platform.

My son started out with Milwaukee and is happy with his platform decision.

Personally, if I were starting over, I would probably go with Milwaukee as I like the battery shape better.

 

[dnschmidt]

DeWalt for me, sold all my Milwaukee stuff. Nothing but Chinese trash IMO

And DeWalt isn't? You haven't fallen for their assembled in USA with gobally sourced parts ******** have you?

 

[dnschmidt]

DeWalt yellow is prettier than Milwaukee red.

So you prefer Lambos to Ferraris?

 

[oldwino]

Really can’t go wrong with either platform. Either will do well in a professional environment. I had an earlier series set of DeWalt 18v and wasn’t happy with battery life but they have either gotten much better or I just had some crappy tools. I’m 100% Red 18v now and see no reason to mix and match

 

[pbon]

I like having just 1 brand and sharing the batteries. I have Milwaukee but think Dewalt and Makita and Ridgid and Ryobi also have good variety of tools.

Just a DIYer but work on cars, home/buildings, and some yard work. Would less convenient for me to bring 3 batteries and 2 chargers for Makita, 3 batteries and 2 chargers for Ryobi, 3 batteries and 2 chargers for some Ridgid, and 3 batteries and 2 chargers for some Dewalt when I went somewhere to do some work. Don’t always know for sure what I will be getting into.

If I had just 1 house where I did all my work and plenty of space to line up all the different brands, maybe that would be different. But I would want multiple batteries for each brand and batteries are expensive.

For work you do all day, every day, it makes sense to buy the best tool for that work. For my DIY work, I don’t really care that a Dewalt impact is slightly better than my Milwaukee impact.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I have some of both, and they’re both good. Honestly I don’t think it’s feasible to have just one battery platform. Honeatly, in my opinion I think the drills and impact drivers are about equal. I prefer Milwaukee’s sawzalls and hackzalls. I much prefer Milwaukee’s ratchets, and when I bought my Milwaukee impact, I thought it was the better one between the 2 brands but now it appears the DeWalt has exceeded the Milwaukee in that category. I think I will like the new Milwaukee track saw better, but I still can’t convince myself to actually buy a track saw.

 

[finn]

And DeWalt isn't? You haven't fallen for their assembled in USA with gobally sourced parts ******** have you?

Come on, now. One is a US based company, that at least assembles some of their power tools here.

The other is a Hong Kong based company that appropriated the assets and name of a formerly US based company, and although they have some US based assembly operations, the bulk is offshore.

I have both, by the way.

You are very well aware that the global contents source notation is a legal reqiurement.

 

[Rusted Nut]

A post like that doest really fill in the blanks. So tell us about how you care for your own tools and the workload each gets on a daily basis and annually. Also, how are the company tools used and cared for and what kind of workload does each get? Is there a bunch of hammer heads using and abusing them or do your coworkers use them and care for them like they were their own? Also, do you believe Milwaukee or Makita would perform worse, similar, or better?

Yes, my personal tools get taken care of better than crew tools, for sure. Crew tools get way more use and abuse than my personal tools. However, I’ve had several drill/drivers and 1/4” impact wrenches fail after a few weeks on a job site, when the tool still looks new. Drive clutches and switches seem to go pretty quick. Saws-alls quit as well. IMO, DeWalt batteries don’t last at all, don’t hold a charge at all after a couple months. At the end of a year and a half school project, we had about 10 dead DeWalt tools in the shed. We have some old Milwaukee and Skil saws that have been around for 5 years or better, still going strong. Most companies seem to buy DeWalt, most tradesman have Milwaukee or Makita for their personal tools. The cordless DeWalt roto-hammers seem to hold up OK, but for bigger roto- hammer; Bosch or Hilti are the way to go. The corded DeWalt miter saws hold up well. My 2 cents.

 

[IRQVET]

Go wrong-stay wrong here. But I go for whichever brand I already have batteries for . . .

 

[boom_bap]

Looks at which tools you want and which ever are newest go for that, yellow or red cant go wrong. Ive got both.

 

[milkovich]

[In my opinion] Primarily auto: Milwaukee, no contest. Primarily wood: Makita or Dewalt. I have some bosch but it's neck and neck with Dewalt as far as quality and Dewalt is usually a better price on sale.

 

[oilslick]

I'm Milwaukee but I will admit that DeWalt has changed the game by introducing the Powerstack 20 Volt battery. The small form factor of the Powerstack makes it a direct comparison to the M12 Milwaukee and it's far more powerful than the M12. The combination of the Atomic series tools and the Powerstack battery is pretty hard to beat. Yes, you only get 1.7 A-hr but they charge very quickly and if you have two it's hard to imagine that you'll ever be without power. And, they can deliver big time current when needed. The balance of power does seem to be shifting. Two years ago Milwaukee by a mile. Now, it's not nearly as clear.

I have the new 3/8 with 2 power stacks, I work it hard all day and coworkers have been so impressed a couple bought them too. It should force Milwaukee to step up again, we all win!

 

[kngelv]

Come on, now. One is a US based company, that at least assembles some of their power tools here.

The other is a Hong Kong based company that appropriated the assets and name of a formerly US based company, and although they have some US based assembly operations, the bulk is offshore.

I have both, by the way.

You are very well aware that the global contents source notation is a legal reqiurement.

 

[kngelv]

DeWalt assembles some cordless tools in North Carolina while Milwaukee assembles exactly none in the states though they still assemble a few corded tools here.

James

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have DeWalt because I invested in the battery platform but like everybody else I will say you can't really go wrong with either platform.

 

[dnschmidt]

DeWalt assembles some cordless tools in North Carolina while Milwaukee assembles exactly none in the states though they still assemble a few corded tools here.

James

And so what? Do you really think it matters whether you've got a lot of poorly paid unskilled labor with screwdrivers bolting parts made in China together somewhere in America that big of a deal. Stanley Black and Decker is every bit as bad as Milwaukee and as to Finn's argument Milwaukee has been owned by foreign companies for at least 40 years. Before TTI it was Atlas Copco out of Sweden. Did anybody ***** about that? Yet they still have a big domestic Engineering Center in Milwaukee and Customer Service in Mississippi. And they have the best warrantee by far. I don't care who makes what or who owns what just whether the tool is any good or not. The biggest manufacturer of cordless tools in America is Makita. Toyota's have more American made content than Chevrolet. As Bush the 1st correctly stated: "It's a new World Order." You don't have to like it. It is what it is.

 

[Fusion13]

And DeWalt isn't? You haven't fallen for their assembled in USA with gobally sourced parts ******** have you?

No but at least they assemble lots of stuff here and sbd is an American company... Plus DeWalt is better IMO

 

[Fusion13]

And so what? Do you really think it matters whether you've got a lot of poorly paid unskilled labor with screwdrivers bolting parts made in China together somewhere in America that big of a deal. Stanley Black and Decker is every bit as bad as Milwaukee and as to Finn's argument Milwaukee has been owned by foreign companies for at least 40 years. Before TTI it was Atlas Copco out of Sweden. Did anybody ***** about that? Yet they still have a big domestic Engineering Center in Milwaukee and Customer Service in Mississippi. And they have the best warrantee by far. I don't care who makes what or who owns what just whether the tool is any good or not. The biggest manufacturer of cordless tools in America is Makita. Toyota's have more American made content than Chevrolet. As Bush the 1st correctly stated: "It's a new World Order." You don't have to like it. It is what it is.

Don't need to lick the boots that hard

 

[boom_bap]

COO is up to the buyer to care about. In terms of the OPs question which is better, they're both good.

Milwaukee m18 has had battery slop issues on their impacts from professional automotive use and m12 battery tabs breaking.
Dewalt impacts are wrist breakers and not as well balanced.

If you can maybe try a few from friends or family. I truly believe you cannot go wrong with either.

 

[finn]

And so what? Do you really think it matters whether you've got a lot of poorly paid unskilled labor with screwdrivers bolting parts made in China together somewhere in America that big of a deal. Stanley Black and Decker is every bit as bad as Milwaukee and as to Finn's argument Milwaukee has been owned by foreign companies for at least 40 years. Before TTI it was Atlas Copco out of Sweden. Did anybody ***** about that? Yet they still have a big domestic Engineering Center in Milwaukee and Customer Service in Mississippi. And they have the best warrantee by far. I don't care who makes what or who owns what just whether the tool is any good or not. The biggest manufacturer of cordless tools in America is Makita. Toyota's have more American made content than Chevrolet. As Bush the 1st correctly stated: "It's a new World Order." You don't have to like it. It is what it is.

We didn’t have an internet 40 years ago, so we don’t know if people bitched abort Milwaukee back then.

Well, on second thought, they did ***** about the Milwaukee Braves moving to Atlanta a few years before that.

You do apparently care, though, as this is abou the fifth or more time you have brought up the global content issue.