Milwaukee Right-Angle Cordless Drill/Driver (SWEEEET)

[Stuey]

Milwaukee's new RA drill & driver, via ToolGuyd

Well, I know what's on my wishlist this year!

I've tried Craftsman's 19.2V one, and found it to be too big and bulky. Bosch makes a cordless RA driver too, but not with a 3/8" chuck.

This new RA driver by Milwaukee looks sweeeeeeeeet.

 

[speed bump]

I would take a guess that the only thing smaller on that than the C-man is the battery as far as physical dimensions go.

 

[Stuey]

I would take a guess that the only thing smaller on that than the C-man is the battery as far as physical dimensions go.

Maybe. I won't know until I see the Milwaukee in person, probably at a big-box store. I imagine (hope) that it's a bit smaller since it does look quite svelte, so I'll maintain my optimism, at least for the time being.

 

[HandyManny]

Miwuakee has always made great power tools. It just seems like latey they are following the herd buy producing a lot of sideline and gimik type tools. Maybe it's all at the request of the big-box-stores. Those big-box-stores seem to set the wheels in motion that eventually drive down the quality of high quality contractor brand tools.

Their core line is stuff like various type power saws, drills, impact drivers. They now seem to be offering worklights, flashlights, hand held power screwdrivers, etc. I think they should just stick to what they make best and focus maintaining quality levels on their core products.

 

[Mike83]

Miwuakee has always made great power tools. It just seems like latey they are following the herd buy producing a lot of sideline and gimik type tools. Maybe it's all at the request of the big-box-stores. Those big-box-stores seem to set the wheels in motion that eventually drive down the quality of high quality contractor brand tools.

Their core line is stuff like various type power saws, drills, impact drivers. They now seem to be offering worklights, flashlights, hand held power screwdrivers, etc. I think they should just stick to what they make best and focus maintaining quality levels on their core products.

Innovation is where the money comes from. I think it is a good thing - for me and for TTI (Milwaukee's parent company) - to come out with new products.

 

[plinker]

That would work well on exaust manifold bolts that are broken off. No air hose to get in the way as with a 90* air drill.

Not too gimicky, IMO.

 

[HandyManny]

Innovation is where the money comes from. I think it is a good thing - for me and for TTI (Milwaukee's parent company) - to come out with new products.

As long as it doesn't hurt their core products.

 

[Jeepguy]

its pretty awesome, and pretty lightweight too, our milwaukee rep was in on monday pushing that and their new mini portable band saw. i just wish the head of the RA drill had a little more meat to it. theres not much to hold/ push on especially if you are drilling. but none the less its an awesome addition, since Makita doesnt make their 9.6V long battery RA drill anymore

 

[bchee]

I like the variety of tools that are compatible with that battery, but I don't have any personal experience with them.
tubing cutter, recip saw, some kind of underground scanner, multimedia camera, etc.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductCategory.aspx?CategoryName=SC:+M12+Cordless+System

 

[Merkava_4]

What about this one Stuey, you don't like this one?

 

[Stuey]

I like the variety of tools that are compatible with that battery, but I don't have any personal experience with them.
tubing cutter, recip saw, some kind of underground scanner, multimedia camera, etc.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductCategory.aspx?CategoryName=SC:+M12+Cordless+System

That's true. It looks like Milwaukee is turning into a leader in the compact tool market.

What about this one Stuey, you don't like this one?

Might be good as a paperweight. Right-angle drivers like that seem like they would be unwieldy at any position other than 180° inline.

 

[walrus]

That's true. It looks like Milwaukee is turning into a leader in the compact tool market.


Might be good as a paperweight. Right-angle drivers like that seem like they would be unwieldy at any position other than 180° inline.

I have a 12v dewalt that is similar to that and it works great

 

[Stuey]

I have a 12v dewalt that is similar to that and it works great

Do you ever use the intermediate angles? I've found that most people only use it at the opposite extremes.

I've tried out a colleague's similar pivoting driver (it was either a Hitachi or Makita) and while it wasn't terrible, it was very unwieldy during one particular project. I pulled out a pistol-grip driver and it worked a bit better.

I may have been exaggerating by calling the design a paperweight, but it's still not a suitable substitute for a compact RA driver.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

I have a few of the tools that fit that battery. Here are my comments.
The 1/4 hex Impact driver is awesome. It will drive screws great and I even have used it on lag bolts its a little slow on lag bolts but it will drive them as far as my 18v dewalt drill, driver.
The screw gun is not for me only one speed, slow. It needs two speeds or a faster speed and just use the trigger to slow it down.
Tubing cutter is great! I have been using is every day for a few weeks now and have cut a lot of tubing. Works great is a small space as you do not need to swing a tubing cutter around the pipe.
Sawzall is good. Will fit in a smaller space than my 18v dewalt. Like all Sawzalls it eats battery's a little faster than a drill.
Plumb laser. My fault I got one and took it back. It is just for Plumb and not for level. I needed a laser level and why you would only have plumb on the tool beats me. Too specialized.
I would really like to try the Sub-Scanner but the ones at Home Depot never have battery's and for the price I would hate to buy it with out trying it. I will have to wait for a Milwaukee tool rep.

 

[Stuey]

I have one of those Milwaukee screwdrivers. It really only has two positions, straight and "bent" like in Merkava's post. I used to use it to install electrical devices when I first started. It works really well for that.

Is it a suitable replacement for a compact RA driver? No, but you can always buy this:

or this:

But again, those are hex bit holders whereas the RA drill/driver above has an adjustable chuck. Currently there are very few RA drills in the same price range, let alone compact RA drills, which is why I hold so much praise for the new model.

Tubing cutter is great! I have been using is every day for a few weeks now and have cut a lot of tubing. Works great is a small space as you do not need to swing a tubing cutter around the pipe.

I tried one out at the store when they first came out, and found it to be quite impressive as well. One concern I had/have - how often do you need to change the blades?

 

[walrus]

Do you ever use the intermediate angles? I've found that most people only use it at the opposite extremes..

It has straight and 60 degrees, I use it at 60 degrees all the time. Its got power and will drive screws like their is no tomorrow.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

I tried one out at the store when they first came out, and found it to be quite impressive as well. One concern I had/have - how often do you need to change the blades?

Not sure on the blades yet but i will guess they will last as long as a manual cutters. So life time for some.