The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[jonshonda]

Don't most people here say not to use a M12 ratchet as anything but a nut runner? Meaning, they're not strong enough to loosen stuck fasteners, or do final tightening?

I've only used mine a few times, absolutely love it.

Mike

I use my non-fuel often but I also care about keeping it around for a while......so I try to use it within reason. Meaning I will add some additional force to break the fastener free or add some extra torque to tighten, but I'm not going to treat it like a breaker bar. I feel like for fasteners up to 14mm it can work, but it's sweet spot is mostly limited to 10-12mm fastener w/ regards to not needing hand tools to finish the job.

While it's not a delicate tool, it doesn't have the nut busting torque that would get you in trouble if you kept your finger on the pixie generator for too long on smaller fasteners.

 

[M635_Guy]

Don't most people here say not to use a M12 ratchet as anything but a nut runner? Meaning, they're not strong enough to loosen stuck fasteners, or do final tightening?

I've only used mine a few times, absolutely love it.

Mike

I have the Fuel 3/8 and I'll break fasteners with it if they're not heavily torqued. I think the "regular" one is rated for less, but I don't think it's dainty either. Once you get to stuff like caliper carrier bolts/etc. you're better off using an impact anyway IMHO (and that's where having an M12 Stubby is a beautiful thing).

In other words, I think the M12 ratchet should be fine to crack most things I'm putting that tool on anyway. If I'm in doubt, I start it with a regular ratchet and switch over.

 

[Odd-job]

m12 ratchets as with any tool are nice within reason. When tightening manually (usually anything above 10mm), would almost treat the fuel ratchets like a 1/4 drive tool. Also the plastic housing and battery tend to squeal/pop in protest when you are pushing the ratchet too far.

My 2nd regular 3/8 ratchet is still alive after ~8 years of DIYer abuse and that's the weakest of them all.

 

[AJHD]

Milwaukee states online under the ratchet specs that..

Ratchet can be used manually without engaging the motor

But they don't list a max torque value for that use.
However, I would assume the actual ratchet mechanism would be just as strong as a normal mechanical hand ratchet.

 

[M635_Guy]

Milwaukee states online under the ratchet specs that..


But they don't list a max torque value for that use.
However, I would assume the actual ratchet mechanism would be just as strong as a normal mechanical hand ratchet.

I seem to recall something around 50 for the "regular" one and roughly double that for the FUEL model. I'd guess that was here on GJ, but I'm not sure...

 

[Rusty67]

The OG non-fuel ratchet will most def eventually break if used as a regular ratchet with no concern for the amount of torque you are putting into it. I've seen so many people posting about breaking them over the years or on youtube. That being said, everyone always says the juice was worth the squeeze and then went out and bought another one if it wasn't under warranty.

 

[mikeinri]

Milwaukee states online under the ratchet specs that..


But they don't list a max torque value for that use.
However, I would assume the actual ratchet mechanism would be just as strong as a normal mechanical hand ratchet.

I would definitely not assume that, LOL.

Mike

 

[Odd-job]

Looks like they finally upgraded the M18 fan, made it brushless and integrated the plug.




Am still waiting for the "new" 18 inch fan to go on sale...

 

[mikey03]

Can you use m12 ratchets to break bolts free? Suppose it doesn’t have the power to loosen something. Can you use it like a breaker bar to start it and then push the button to spin it loose? or does that ruin it?

 

[Kkmk]

Within reason, and depends on the model. I snapped the drive pin in a non fuel model tightening an M10 bolt (foolish of me). Was on my back in a pool of water and just wanted to get it done.
Work replaced it with a fuel impact version, which I hate so I’m not sad if I reef on it, but I’ve tightened M12 and M16 without it going bang.

Can’t comment on the high speed or the long neck versions sorry.

 

[assassin10000]

Can you use m12 ratchets to break bolts free? Suppose it doesn’t have the power to loosen something. Can you use it like a breaker bar to start it and then push the button to spin it loose? or does that ruin it?

Within reason, and depends on the model.

Can’t comment on the high speed or the long neck versions sorry.

I have a 2nd gen extended reach 3/8" and thats how I use it. Break free with the ratcheting action, then pull trigger to run out.

I think I read a claim that it's good to 100lbs by hand? I wish I could remember where.

 

[Odd-job]

Anyone find a vacuum dust shroud for their 4.5 fuel grinder that's halfway decent? The Milwaukee ones sound like they **** in a bad way. The HF Hercules sound like they might be semi decent.

 

[Catfishdan]

Milwaukee delivery day Today. Home Depot had all this for $170 so I figured I’d upgrade my 7 year old brushed multitool I use at work. Excited to see if the HO 5ah batteries give me noticeably more juice than the 4’s I have.

 

[Terra Nova]

posted this in the "show us your new tool arrival" thread but finally got to try out the M18 hatchet this evening. That little thing rips!! I was prepared to be fully underwhelmed but the exact opposite happened. Wanted to just try dropping a couple limbs off a small tree I've been meaning to take down. It cut so well ended up taking the whole tree down and bucked it. 6.0 ah battery was still on 4 bars.

 

[Rusty67]

That makes me want the m18 hatchet that much more. Is it on sale right now?

 

[1320]

Anybody know anything about how the M12 stick pump would hold up pumping diesel? I haven't found any info about that online. I've used the M18 transfer pump for diesel, motor, and gear oils now for years with seemingly no issues.

 

[OldBobcat]

That makes me want the m18 hatchet that much more. Is it on sale right now?

My local HD has a few boxes in a “Special buy kit” for $249 with a 5.0 battery. This was a special that began with some Milwaukee reps in-store.

 

[mikeinri]

I wish Milwaukee would build a peristaltic pump. Then, you could pump whatever you want and not worry about explosions (within reason), or getting the impeller gunked up.

Mike

 

[Odd-job]

All these hatchet deals has me going down the M18 Top Handle vs M18 Hatchet vs M12 Hatchet rabbit hole.

Is the M18 Hatchet the goldilocks?

Think I am going to eliminate the M12 Hatchet from consideration due to lack of power and price difference with the M18 hatchet doesn't seem that big taking batteries out of the equation.

M18 top handle might be the way to go if I decide to start climbing trees (vs hiring professionals) and for rescuing my 16 inch M18 chainsaw every now and then. The downside though is one handed 14 inch bar can more easily cutoff a limb.

I might have answered my own question.

Might need to start considering ordering 3/8 low profile chain in bulk now with the pole saw already in the mix as well.

 

[mikeinri]

How much cutting do you do that you'd want to order chain in bulk? If a battery platform is up to that, that's mighty impressive.

Mike

 

[Odd-job]

It depends on how much trail clean up/helping the neighbors I motivate myself to do and/or how much my old man uses and abuses my saws by running the bar into the dirt or running it out of oil. I think I go through maybe 2 chains a year on average for both the 16inch and the pole saw. Seems like a 25 foot roll would last me a while and save me the mental anguish of running out of spare chains.

 

[Odd-job]

This Reddit post has me rethinking the M18 Hatchet.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MilwaukeeTool/comments/132jltj
Seems like with the slow speed/high torque using the top of the bar is N/A. Maybe I need to wait for Gen 2.

 

[mikeinri]

The first two and a half paragraphs of that review make me want to rip my eyes out. What kind of ADHD do you have to have to think like that person?????

Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone with ADHD, BTW.

Mike

 

[Signing off]

I've had an M12 hatchet for a while. It's limited to support duty. Clearing brush by holding with one and swiping with the saw in the other. Or knocking off the little, wispy twigs that are attached to firewood chunks. Invasive honeysuckle bushes or autumn olive are good prey for it also.
It's efficient since you don't tie up both hands generally. Going to bigger and more power might be a net loss with the extra weight and bulk.
If they were free, I would give the M18 hatchet a go to see

 

[Odd-job]

The first two and a half paragraphs of that review make me want to rip my eyes out. What kind of ADHD do you have to have to think like that person?????

Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone with ADHD, BTW.

Mike

yea should have mentioned to skip that one. Its the 2nd or so Post which seemed more relevant

 

[Odd-job]

I've had an M12 hatchet for a while. It's limited to support duty. Clearing brush by holding with one and swiping with the saw in the other. Or knocking off the little, wispy twigs that are attached to firewood chunks. Invasive honeysuckle bushes or autumn olive are good prey for it also.
It's efficient since you don't tie up both hands generally. Going to bigger and more power might be a net loss with the extra weight and bulk.
If they were free, I would give the M18 hatchet a go to see

Thanks for the feedback. Yea looking for something quicker than the hacksaw with a pruning blade, but more or less support duty with some ability to one hand the in between stuff that's too small and clumsy for the 16 inch.

 

[Rusty67]

There was a review up on youtube on the m18 vs m12 hatchet. The guy had the m12 and then got the m18 to do a compare video. That was the video that made me rethink getting the m12 and starting to look for a deal on the m18. I can try and find it again if you want.

 

[Odd-job]

There was a review up on youtube on the m18 vs m12 hatchet. The guy had the m12 and then got the m18 to do a compare video. That was the video that made me rethink getting the m12 and starting to look for a deal on the m18. I can try and find it again if you want.

No worries. I think I might have watched them all which got me off the M12 entirely. The internet has gotten me indecisive on the M18 as well now.

 

[Terra Nova]

All these hatchet deals has me going down the M18 Top Handle vs M18 Hatchet vs M12 Hatchet rabbit hole.

Is the M18 Hatchet the goldilocks?

Think I am going to eliminate the M12 Hatchet from consideration due to lack of power and price difference with the M18 hatchet doesn't seem that big taking batteries out of the equation.

M18 top handle might be the way to go if I decide to start climbing trees (vs hiring professionals) and for rescuing my 16 inch M18 chainsaw every now and then. The downside though is one handed 14 inch bar can more easily cutoff a limb.

I might have answered my own question.

Might need to start considering ordering 3/8 low profile chain in bulk now with the pole saw already in the mix as well.

This is the video that convinced me to take the plunge on the M18 Hatchet. After using it a bit I fully believe it's capable of this. Had been kicking around the M12 version but glad I procrastinated now.

The high torque/low speed does kinda **** when cutting on top of the bar, but you can work around it. It's really only an issue if what you're cutting it not secure. It's light enough you could probably use it upside down one handed if you had to.

 

[mikeinri]

I've had an M12 hatchet for a while. It's limited to support duty. Clearing brush by holding with one and swiping with the saw in the other. Or knocking off the little, wispy twigs that are attached to firewood chunks. Invasive honeysuckle bushes or autumn olive are good prey for it also.

About a year or so ago, I'd read here that a Hackzall was better for this type of work.

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

yea should have mentioned to skip that one. Its the 2nd or so Post which seemed more relevant

Apparently, I was in a snippy mood when I read that. Reminds me of too many YouTube guys, but I digress...

Mike

 

[Shaners256]

So the reason for the low chain speed on the hatchets it to comply with safety regulations. If you have a chainsaw with more than 5 m/s chain speed, then you need to add a brake.

 

[Odd-job]

^good to know.

 

[Odd-job]

Hackzall

The irony is I am looking to upgrade from the Hackzall.

 

[richfinn]

I finally caved in and bought an M18 tyre inflator (good discount obviously being a skinflint) to keep in my van after getting fed up running a 50ft air hose in and out to the on board air compressor for 20 years

 

[Rusty67]

I see it tucked in over there.

Also, that is a really well setup rig man, good job.

 

[richfinn]

I see it tucked in over there.

Also, that is a really well setup rig man, good job.

Thanks

 

[mikeinri]

The irony is I am looking to upgrade from the Hackzall.

Oh no, the real irony is that I bought the Hackzall based on on that GJ feedback...

Mike

 

[fullthrottle24]

Oh no, the real irony is that I bought the Hackzall based on on that GJ feedback...

Mike

I just used the hackzall to cut up some downed branches from recent storm. It works well on branches between 2-4” diameter. It didn’t work well for knocking off the little ones. Overall, I still think it works well with pruning blade.

 

[Odd-job]

GJ got me on Hackzall originally too, but the little branches are its kryptonite. Usually after 10 seconds of watching the little branches flop around I walk in shame back to my shed for a pair of loppers.

All is not lost of the Hackzall. A torch blade will probably live on that thing. We just retired our 3rd folding chair this month. Its great at helping stuff fit in the trash can.