My First Milwaukee Fuel issue

[NotOrganized]

I have a lot of M18 tools and never had an issue. I bought my first M12 Fuel 2402 screwdriver and it only works for about 20 seconds after battery is inserted. I bought it a few months ago but only just got it out to use it. Charged the battery and stuck it in. By the time I walked about 20 ft, the drill was dead. Pull the battery and reinsert, it works again. Set it down for a second to position items, pick up driver and dead again.

I was reluctant to get anything M12 as I have lots of M18 batteries. Got it because of the light weight and smaller size. Is this a known issue or am I just unlucky?

 

[Sugarfryz]

I’ve had quite a few problems with my gen one fuel 1/2 impact. It’s not even that old, but apparently having problems with Milwaukee is not the norm

 

[reptilezs]

if it is within 5 yrs i have been very satisfied with the warranty service. easy to do online and they send a label to ship it

 

[jimmyin3D]

that sounds like a contact issue but just warranty that sucker

 

[ReggieR]

Milwaukee has a great warrany....It's good because their current tools are garbage

 

[firworks]

I'd go in there with a pencil eraser and scrub the contacts on both the battery and the tool side. It might just solve your issue. Otherwise send it in for warranty.

You might also have one of the wires from the battery connector inside the tool pinched in the clamshell. I made a video about cleaning the contacts on the M12 batteries on my YT channel and I've gotten a lot of comments from people saying that after cleaning the contacts they opened up their tool to check the connection from the contact to the wire and found the wire cut / partially severed by the case and repaired the wire. Obviously you can just warranty it and I'm sure Milwaukee will take care of it but it'd be nicer to just have a tool that works right now than wait.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have had a grinders and weedwacker fail, but warranty was great. Have you tried to warranty it?

 

[Tallpilot]

Milwaukee has a great warrany....It's good because their current tools are garbage

Ok...what is better?

 

[kctyphoon]

I just asked him the same question is another Milwaukee thread he posted in..

 

[WittHay]

I have had the M12 Fuel 2402 screwdriver for about 3 years now. No problems with it. Not a daily use tool , just quieter and handier with smaller screws than a impact driver

Might as well use the Milwaukee warranty.

 

[visiter555]

Exactly what issues with which tools have you had? Meaningful information would help to identify the specific tools that are problematic.

Milwaukee has a great warrany....It's good because their current tools are garbage

 

[IUEC Medic]

As someone who has a dozen + Milwaukee m18/m12 tools that are used daily, in and industrial/commercial environment, I can attest to the fact that they are in fact NOT garbage. I’ve never used the warranty but I’ve heard it’s good.

 

[NotOrganized]

I have it packed and will drop it off at FedEx today. I learned my lesson about buying and not using before the return window closes.

I have used the heck out of my M18 tools and have nothing but high praise for them.

Thanks

 

[Ign]

I'd include the battery, too

What you describe is far from unheard of w M12. I've experienced it but it's always been random and cleared itself.

Milwaukee is building in huge volumes and selling more and more, thus there are more in the marketplace. Some people who aren't fans of Red get hurt by this, which confused me to no end - just keep buying your favorite brand. Who cares?

Milwaukee is not doing any better or worse than any power tool company who cranks out product en masse in China -- and make no mistake: 99% build in China these days.

The one thing that sets Milwaukee apart is their warranty - at least you know you're covered for 5 years.

On a related note, modern manufacturing astounds me. Defect rates are the lowest ever. Even when I was a kid it was common to get a "bad one" of WHATEVER you were buying. You'd just exchange it and "try again.".

Now - IME - any power tool or ratchet or or or will work great out of the box 99.9% of the time. We're in an era where any modern gas automotive engine will go 250k easy due to improved tolerances and machining centers.

But as sales rise REPORTED defects APPEAR to rise, too, simply because there is MORE OUT THERE. It's just like Golden Retrievers are reported high in bite rates. It's not 'cause Goldens really bite that much (and the little shits who do get bit likely deserved it) but because nearly every family has a Golden.

 

[Tallpilot]

Exactly what issues with which tools have you had? Meaningful information would help to identify the specific tools that are problematic.

I think it is a good bet he doesn't own any. He doesn't like China; a position that has some sympathy here. However the people that post opinions here about tools they have never used are good only for the blocklist.

Milwaukee is building in huge volumes and selling more and more, thus there are more in the marketplace. Some people who aren't fans of Red get hurt by this, which confused me to no end - just keep buying your favorite brand. Who cares?

But as sales rise REPORTED defects APPEAR to rise, too, simply because there is MORE OUT THERE. It's just like Golden Retrievers are reported high in bite rates. It's not 'cause Goldens really bite that much (and the little shits who do get bit likely deserved it) but because nearly every family has a Golden.

I am not sure if it is sour grapes because their platform doesn't have as many awesome tools or just tribal nonsense. You can read emotion in the posts though. I can understand being passionate about owning a nice tool that you enjoy using but I cannot understand spitting vitriol about tools you neither own nor want.

In addition to your analysis which is correct I think defects are more likely to be reported. People always want to complain about the thing they bought that broke. It is much less often that people want to sing the praises of something.

Like I said above if you buy something please tell us the good and the bad about it so we can learn about it. If you think every single wrench from Taiwan is a complete piece of garbage because of the country it came from then you are misinformed and not interested in being better informed which is a character flaw.

 

[Lisamelting]

Milwaukee has a great warrany....It's good because their current tools are garbage

I'd like to see the data that supports your statement.