The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)
- Thread starter JustinsGr8
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Odd-job
Well-known member
Its helping me justify keeping the Hackzall around. Basically I am looking to retire the Hackzall to cutting up trash to fit in the bin (including folding chairs).
gearhead1960
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I bought the M18 Hatchet awhile back and have found it to work well for major trimming, but knowing it's limitions has kept me out of trouble....it's a yes for me....
mobiledynamics
Well-known member
Paging Rusty. I must or might have missed a thread update. Did you end up getting the Breaker running and have you used it . Be curious what's a *consumer* experience is with it
I did get the breaker working, the switch was fine, it ended up being that the little tab that sticks out was just broken off. I haven't had a chance to use it yet and might not for several months. This kitchen remodel is already almost 2 months over schedule and its looking like it won't be complete for at least another 1-2 months so the concrete stuff is on hold for a bit. I will post up when I have a chance to actually get some seat time in with it, so to speak.
Odd-job
Well-known member
Think my sawzall is getting lazy. It sat out in the sun a little bit and refused to work the other day. I had used it the day before and accidentally left it outside. Swapped batteries and still no go. Let it set inside in the shade for a little bit and it worked eventually.
Only have overheated batteries before, never before did I realize there might be thermal protection in the tool itself. Wonder if the black rubber handle on the front end is the cause of the issue. That was kind of hot from the CA sun.
Only have overheated batteries before, never before did I realize there might be thermal protection in the tool itself. Wonder if the black rubber handle on the front end is the cause of the issue. That was kind of hot from the CA sun.
The tools most def have an overheat protection built in. I don't know if its all the tools but I think most if not all of the fuel tools have it. My smaller sized grinder and my red dremel both overheat well before I blow through the battery on either one.
Odd-job
Well-known member
Looks like a pretty big leap in improvement for the new stubby @ 400 lbs vs 250 lbs for the gen 1. Not exactly double but a pretty decent improvement. 3 LED lights is also a big feature for me.
I think Milwaukee ff'ed up with the double trigger tap torque setting adjustment. I personally leave my tools on one setting and feather the trigger if I want less torque. Only time I adjust the settings is when working with a less experienced user. Is this going to be one of those deal breakers?
Edit: also sounds like HO 6.0 batteries are almost a requirement
I think Milwaukee ff'ed up with the double trigger tap torque setting adjustment. I personally leave my tools on one setting and feather the trigger if I want less torque. Only time I adjust the settings is when working with a less experienced user. Is this going to be one of those deal breakers?
Edit: also sounds like HO 6.0 batteries are almost a requirement
Not 6.0. He's saying the 5.0 HO is the only battery that delivers those specs.
And yeah, the interface change is a huge bummer for me. Even the trend toward the little clicky electronic buttons vs actual mechanical switches kind of bugs me, but I get that they have to do something to shrink the size of the tool. Making a 1 button interface using the trigger though? I can only imagine that will lead to trouble.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I'm not going to list everything, but this is what I have on just my service truck. Almost everything on it is duplicated at the shop and then some. If I don't have it, I probably don't need it. That doesn't mean I don't want it though
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Odd-job
Well-known member
Thanks for the correction.
I am personally going to have a hard time as I think I have trained my trigger finger for a little double tap action. Hopefully it only switches modes on a full trigger depression. This being said, my kids play with my impacts all of the time so I could see the modes being all out of whack. At least it doesn't require a bluetooth phone connection to change any of the settings yet.
Odd-job
Well-known member
Looks like you put your tools to good use. Electrician? User name checks out
Vacuum and hole hawg I thought was pretty common among electricians.
I'm really on the fence about opting for the new M12 1/2", or just going for the M18.
Only problem is I'd have to buy a kit because I don't have anything M18 these days and I don't really want or need anything else M18 (beyond a 1/2" impact).
Only problem is I'd have to buy a kit because I don't have anything M18 these days and I don't really want or need anything else M18 (beyond a 1/2" impact).
JessieAMorris
Active member
The only saving grace on the trigger thing is that it only changes modes while in “neutral”, ie when the direction switch is in between forward and reverse. If it was always active that would be an absolute deal breaker for me.
assassin10000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2022
- Messages
- 370
Agreed, the trigger tap to change modes may be bad. Or could be good. I'm just worried I'll hate it when accidentally pressing the F/R switch by mistake, which I do on occasion.
Fortunately I'm down to mostly 5.0 ho m12 batteries except for 2 cp ones.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
They are well used, some would even say abused. I do have the old style M18 vacuum as well as the M18 Hole Hawg and Super Hawg, but they are buried on the shelf and might nit be visible in the photo.Looks like you put your tools to good use. Electrician? User name checks out
Vacuum and hole hawg I thought was pretty common among electricians.
Odd-job
Well-known member
good to know. That doesn't seem so bad as I don't leave it in neutral. I think I still prefer the button on the top that the Gen 1 had though.
I had a really good run with my 6.0's, not experiencing any of the common issues until just last week I had one give me the flashing red/green lights on the charger. I was able to jump start it but it made me think the end might be nigh.
Shaners256
Well-known member
I haven't tried it yet, but I think I like the idea. This new way, you can change the mode with one hand. So if you're holding a bolt or nut with your left hand and realize you're in the wrong mode, you can switch it to neutral, change the mode, then switch back to forward/reverse. With the old way, you would have to set the nut/bolt down, press the button with your left hand until the correct mode was active, then pick the nut/bolt back up. In the end, it might be too weird to get used to, but I'm glad they're trying something new.
According to torque test channel they aren’t courageous or brave to try this new method they are doing it because it’s the only way to fit the bigger motor in the same size case because there’s no room for a selector switch anymore with the bigger motor
with this new method they can shift the selector circuit down below the trigger and give more internal case space up top for the motor
his opinion is the new mode of changing speeds is terrible and that’s not to say the new gen 2 isn’t good it’s just to say the new worse method of changing speed is the trade off you have to give up to get more power in a small package
but universally every review I’ve seen says the new mode is dog **** bad but might be worth it to get the more power. I’m guessing Milwaukee knows the new selector is **** but there engineers had to do it to keep the same size. they only did it because they had to not because they thought it was good. Honestly I’d rather they make it slightly bigger and keep the old switch tbh
Odd-job
Well-known member
As a user who rarely changes modes the lack of dedicated mode selector switch seems less of a big deal. I tend not to leave my impact tools in neutral as well.
Not sure why they are trying to sell this as an ergonomic improvement though. They should just be honest that it was packaging constraint.
In tricky situations you almost have to be lucky to have the indicator pointed at you to make sure you switched to the right mode, I would think.
Not sure why they are trying to sell this as an ergonomic improvement though. They should just be honest that it was packaging constraint.
In tricky situations you almost have to be lucky to have the indicator pointed at you to make sure you switched to the right mode, I would think.
This weekend saw the Ego 16" chainsaw and pole saw, and I've been doing a bunch of cleanup with the M12 Hatchet instead of the Hackzall - I just don't like it for limbing/cleanup.
The Gen2 Mid is nearly as small as the Stubby, and has more grump, but if you're only on M12 I'd go with the new Stubby (and a new 5.0 battery)
I love the idea of being able to switch modes one-handed. The question is will I do it by accident...
I guess I'll find out soon... (mine is hopefully shipping this week)
the prob is accidentally changing the setting even if you just are happy keeping it on the same one all the time. I haven’t held one yet but the reviewers said they accidentally changed the mode while trying to use the trigger
Just a few M18 tools, here. No complaints nor issues. However...
I just bought a "broken" M18 backpack sprayer (Spoiler: They all leak from new) off ebay and "fixed" it...I think. The price was right and I have plenty of M18 batteries that need tools. My gamble paid off. It's a great sprayer when it doesn't leak. Milwaukee is coming out with a new version of a leaky M18 backpack sprayer, soon, so that should be interesting.
btw, that's the "scam" behind all the multiple battery kits -- they want us to have a pile of extra batteries so we keep buying more tools to put them in! After all, who likes seeing all those lonely batteries sitting in the drawer with nothing to do?
I just bought a "broken" M18 backpack sprayer (Spoiler: They all leak from new) off ebay and "fixed" it...I think. The price was right and I have plenty of M18 batteries that need tools. My gamble paid off. It's a great sprayer when it doesn't leak. Milwaukee is coming out with a new version of a leaky M18 backpack sprayer, soon, so that should be interesting.
btw, that's the "scam" behind all the multiple battery kits -- they want us to have a pile of extra batteries so we keep buying more tools to put them in! After all, who likes seeing all those lonely batteries sitting in the drawer with nothing to do?
I added an o-ring, actually. I'd rather have used a flat silicone washer, but didn't have the right size. I also used a little teflon tape. Same as this guy:"
Odd-job
Well-known member
Accidents happen, but I am optimistically hopeful that it won't happen to me!
I am waiting for the trial and error experiences of my fellow GJ members.
You don't like the Hackzall for cleanup? What don't you like about it?
I've found that chains jump off the bar when you get too close to really small stuff, so I'd think the Hackzall would be better there?
Mike
I find all of those things jumpy on really small stuff, and the Hatchet is a lot faster for branches/etc.
Odd-job
Well-known member
I have one of these and it works ok on smaller stuff. Good for detail work but even 1/2" thick stuff it really struggles. I've been wanting to pick up a m18 hatchet myself. I have a big ash tree in the front yard I need to cut back. The small 1 handed hedge trimmer is too small to do it, the big one is too unwieldy, as is my larger chainsaw. I could use the hackzall but somehow the hatchet seems like it would work better for this in my head.
budo55
Well-known member
I have that M12 hedge trimmer as well. I need to use my corded Stihl trimmer in the spring/early summer when I let the shrubs get too overgrown. The M12 works great for keeping them in check the rest of the season.
I had no idea that existed.You bring up a good point. I probably should be looking at one of these:
I have an Ego big trimmer (and love it) but that would be a good addition. That would be a far better companion to my M12 Hatchet than the Hackzall for what I do, especially in the "new" house. But I'll have to find one on fire sale, find someone who'd want to trade plus some cash on my end or just continue on.
In other news, my Gen2 Stubby arrives Monday...
Catfishdan
Well-known member
I recently picked up this multi bay Milwaukee charger. Three m12 ports and 3 m18 ports. It will charge 3 batteries simultaneously, one in each bay, then switches to the other 3. Performance seems on par with the individual rapid chargers.
I always seem to have a van full of dead batteries by the end of the week. This should help.
I always seem to have a van full of dead batteries by the end of the week. This should help.
I've always been puzzled that cars run on 12v systems yet we always use inverters to get back to 120v and then our chargers charge batteries at 12-18v. Would it be dumb for Milwaukee to make a charger that runs off 12v?
Odd-job
Well-known member
Am mildly **** hurt that it appears the Ryobi power station has some additional capabilities vs the Milwaukee for around the same street price. 8 battery capacity, an extra outlet, extra outlets/USBs, ability to run in parallel, and it comes with 4X6amp hour batteries. The only pace where the Milwaukee seems to have the edge is a 3600w startup vs 3000w if you can believe the specs. Form factor appears to be close enough. I thought TTI traditionally neutered the Ryobi stuff, but somehow gave them the better power station.
Here's my setup, power bank seems to live on the vacuum cleaner most of the time while I resist buying a dual battery m18:
Here's my setup, power bank seems to live on the vacuum cleaner most of the time while I resist buying a dual battery m18:
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Odd-job
Well-known member
Not dumb at all, but they make you pay $130 for a slow version:
Curious if most of the service trucks have a giant inverter. Our local utility seems to be using a lot of Milwaukee tools these days in the field.
Well there ya go, I didn't even know that was a thing. I'm sure the reason they are slower is that the engineers expect people to plug into the cig lighter socket and not run dedicated wire so they are keeping the amp draw low.
UPDATE: Arriving Monday