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The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

dmittz

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I've been on a bit of Milwaukee purchase spree lately, this all happened in the last month, lol.

It started when I finally decided to sell my Much hated Ryobi Jigsaw and replace it with a Milwaukee one...
20241214_143330.jpg
Then my craftsman chopsaw died so...20241217_100321.jpg
Then I again decided to get rid of my frusterating Ryobi detail sander and replaced it with a milwaukee one...
20241229_124053.jpg
I got the new M12 3/8 stubby impact and a mid-torque from my wife for christmas:
20241228_133110.jpg

Then since I was on a roll I decided to sell my Ryobi high torque 1/2in impact and upgrade to the Milwaukee high torque impact:

20250102_162455.jpg
 
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BroncoAZ

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Made a few small purchases to aid in garage reorganization! I have a ton of ridgid stuff but they don’t make anything like this. I’m slowly converting over as the need arises for new tool purchases
IMG_2104.jpeg
I’m at that precipice of continuing with Rigid Pro Gear 2.0 or starting the swap to Milwaukee Packout. I purchased the rigid three drawer and XL bottom box with cart yesterday (top and bottom in the pic), and ordered another pair of the half sized dividers. I have a few more pieces that aren’t shown. I’m at the point of standardizing on power tool sized cases to organize my tools for travel. The rigid wall cleats could work, or I might just put everything on large steel shelving.

Most of this was purchased when I was with my previous employer. I’m generally happy with the rigid, but I do like the diversity of the offerings from Milwaukee and the packout mounting plates. For the $240 I spent yesterday I could get started with a basic packout stack and sell off my Rigid collection to fund some more. All my battery tools are Milwaukee, so the battery organization is appealing. I don’t see myself going all packout for organization in my shop, I have other options for custom built and plenty of space.

I did treat myself to the new M12 3/8” stubby yesterday, it’s impressive.
 

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BroncoAZ

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Update - the good ole jiggling the wires trick seems to have resolved the issue this time around. Even though I swore I did this initially. There was a loose connector on the blue wires that lead into the regulator. Might need to solder them as the spade connector doesn't look like a very secure connection on something that vibrates.

Also added a grease port to the bar of my m18 top handle chainsaw by drilling a small hole by the sprocket. The 16 inch had a grease port, not sure why the top handle 14 inch doesn't have one.
One of my M18 inflators is acting up. If I connect the hose to a tire and hit the start button it tries to start and shuts off. If I start the compressor with the hose disconnected from the tire the compressor will start and run then when I connect it will fill the tire normally. I’m not sure if it is a weak motor on the inflator or something with the pressure switch. Only one of the three inflators I have does this.
 

Odd-job

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weak motor on the inflator or something with the pressure switch
Last warranty on the compressor they replaced both the motor and pressure switch for what its worth. My pressure switch is still acting up though, now it fires the motor when it drops a few PSI or two which I am guessing will eventually burn out the motor on its current course of frequent starts and stops.

Edit: should note that I really don't use my compressor that much. More for filling up tires and what not. If this were running a nailer professionally I doubt it would last very long.
 

BroncoAZ

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Dammit. I checked out the packout products when I was at Home Depot yesterday, now I want to switch and go that way. The thing that got me was the stability of a stack. The Packout is pretty darn secure, the Rigid has enough play between the boxes that by the time you get to #4 the stack can rock back and forth 1/2”. The regular packout is also significantly larger than the Rigid, the internal length is the same but the width is over an inch more. As I went down the rabbit hole I was really liking the half size organizer and some of the inserts people are selling on Etsy for the M12 impact and a full set of sockets.

IMG_7231.jpeg
 

Odd-job

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@BroncoAZ - I think you just need to take the plunge in case you need any mental or morale support. Based on your posts its clear you "need" to dump the Rigid for the Packout.

If I needed to transport my tools more often I would be fully invested in Packout. Still sitting here waiting for a deal on the packout dust separator.
 

Odd-job

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Just picked up this sign. Missing the brackets though. I only have a couple screwdrivers. Guess I'll have to get more tools now.

milwaukee.jpg

Just don't get the Teapot vacuum and any non fuel tools. Also if you drive a Ridgeline/minivan/or 1/2 ton you need to upgrade to a 1 ton HD :)
 

BroncoAZ

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Two of my favorite and most used tools are non fuel.

M12 screwdriver. Enough torque for most jobs, quiet, good clutch system. I have two of these and use them everywhere. I don’t carry a regular impact driver in my work kit, just this and a M12 3/8” stubby impact.

M12 1/4” ratchet. Little enough torque to not break stuff, smaller head fits in tight engine compartments, slower speed than Fuel gives better control. I would like to have a second one. These are great for outboard engine work.
 

Odd-job

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Admittedly I have a lot of non fuel tools as well. 2X screwdrivers as well and still have an M12 3/8 ratchet going strong. Could never find a 1/4 M12 original ratchet for under $100. Those still seem to go for a premium meanwhile they give away the 3/8 version.
 

Odd-job

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Maybe just swap the anvil out on a 3/8" one?
I'm a little scared to do so. I disassembled my first one to cleanout the gunk in the head and could not for the life of me get the retaining ring back in. The service center apparently gave up too and handed me a new one when I went to pick it up. I have high speed fuels in my collection now so am even less motivated.
 

BroncoAZ

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@BroncoAZ - I think you just need to take the plunge in case you need any mental or morale support. Based on your posts its clear you "need" to dump the Rigid for the Packout.

If I needed to transport my tools more often I would be fully invested in Packout. Still sitting here waiting for a deal on the packout dust separator.

Went moderate retard on packout today. On the good side I found the bottom two large boxes on marketplace for $30 each brand new. I’m about $315 plus tax all in for what’s in the picture. I returned $210 worth of Rigid 2.0 boxes I bought last week, so not too bad. I’m going to use one of the floor plates to make my own dolly setup like what’s shown in this video.


IMG_0475.jpeg
 

subroc

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BroncoAZ

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Stupid question. Has anyone removed or cut the inner panel on the lid of a medium box? I‘m making a box for my M18 rotary polisher and M18 DA polisher, both tools are about 5” tall with the backing plates installed. I’d rather not remove the backing plates to fit them in the box, and since I only need 1/2” I was thinking I could cut the inner lid panel and whatever structure is behind it with a couple of backing plates installed size holes. I could use a large box instead of medium, but there is significant wasted real estate above the polisher bodies. Smaller is better for this setup because I use it remotely

I purchased one of the deep organizers for the polisher pads, it fits a good assortment of 3”, 5”, and 7” pads and three bottles of product. I don’t think the deep organizers will accommodate both of the polishers because of the internal divider in the box, but I’ll test it after breakfast.
 
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BroncoAZ

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Here is what I found. The first picture is how I have the polishers in the large packout.
IMG_0500.jpeg

Here are the pads and 3” polisher in the deep organizer.
IMG_0502.jpeg

The 7” polisher doesn’t fit the deep organizer, the DA polisher does.

IMG_0499.jpegIMG_0498.jpeg

I pried the inside of the lid off the large box and found there is plenty of space to cut a hole and increase the height by half an inch. Between the inner lid panel and the structure there is about an inch available, but at some point structural integrity would be compromised. I assume the medium box lid is identical.
IMG_0495.jpegIMG_0496.jpegIMG_0497.jpeg

I may end up sticking with the large packout for the polishers and fill the extra space with a pack of microfiber towels. I can fit the large packout tray on top of the backing plates.
IMG_0501.jpeg
 

Odd-job

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Really need to do something about this shelf with mainly pistol grip tools and $hit piled batteries. Its right by the side door of my garage to sort of grab and go. I have Lista deep drawer space I can dedicate, but they are not right by the door... Probably need to have dedicated shelves of m12 vs m18. Any ideas?

1737958237588.png

Am thinking of getting a few of these from HF to sit in the shelf:

1737958632810.png
 

pbon

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I have a cabinet full of Milwaukee tools, but it has doors to hide the mess. Have not figured out an organization system yet.
 

Smokeshow69

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Really need to do something about this shelf with mainly pistol grip tools and $hit piled batteries. Its right by the side door of my garage to sort of grab and go. I have Lista deep drawer space I can dedicate, but they are not right by the door... Probably need to have dedicated shelves of m12 vs m18. Any ideas?

1737958237588.png

Am thinking of getting a few of these from HF to sit in the shelf:

1737958632810.png
You need to get the Milwaukee wall plate organizer system my friend👍
 

mrvm

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Am thinking of getting a few of these from HF to sit in the shelf:

1737958632810.png
The product is well made but the problem is the holes can be too small for some M12/M18 power tools. Im open to any ideas for cleanly enlarging the holes. I’ve used a plierswrench to bend some of the metal to enlarge the two smaller openings.
 

BroncoAZ

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You need to get the Milwaukee wall plate organizer system my friend👍
I’m about to explore the wall plate system for storing batteries. I’m putting my lesser used tools (and all their accessories) in to the half size packout organizer boxes. Things like the oscillating tool, 3” cutoff tool. My common used tools like 3/8” stubby impact, drill, ratchets, M12 screwsdriver are in a drawer in my tool cart. Unfortunately the cart and where I’m looking at putting the wall plate for batteries are on opposite sides of the shop. The wall plate area is close to the shop door, so walking in from outside or my garage to get a battery will be closer. I should relocate the tool cart over to that side as well.
 

Rusty67

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If I've said it once, I've said it 100 times. Get a 3D printer and print your own mounts. You could glue/screw/bolt 3/4" plywood to the back of one of those shelves and mount your tools/batteries to the board with 3D printed mounts.
 

Smokeshow69

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I’m about to explore the wall plate system for storing batteries. I’m putting my lesser used tools (and all their accessories) in to the half size packout organizer boxes. Things like the oscillating tool, 3” cutoff tool. My common used tools like 3/8” stubby impact, drill, ratchets, M12 screwsdriver are in a drawer in my tool cart. Unfortunately the cart and where I’m looking at putting the wall plate for batteries are on opposite sides of the shop. The wall plate area is close to the shop door, so walking in from outside or my garage to get a battery will be closer. I should relocate the tool cart over to that side as well.

If I've said it once, I've said it 100 times. Get a 3D printer and print your own mounts. You could glue/screw/bolt 3/4" plywood to the back of one of those shelves and mount your tools/batteries to the board with 3D printed mounts.

As mentioned above I think you could get the battery mounts tilted on their sides to make more room in that cabinet
 

Odd-job

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ou need to get the Milwaukee wall plate organizer system
Might mount something on the side of the cabinet, there's some room there

Im open to any ideas for cleanly enlarging the holes.

Good to know about the fit issues. Think the plasma cutter that's sitting NIB for the last year might be the ticket.

I’m about to explore the wall plate system
Please definitely share your exploration. I've been batting back and forth a slightly angled wall mount solution like some of the tool boards. I've monopolized most of my wall space that being said with hordes of other stuff.

print your own mounts.
This might be the way to go to so as to avoid getting sucked in by packout like BroncoAZ

but it has doors to hide the mess
cabinet actually has doors that are flipped up, I just leave them permanently open to get me over the denial of the mess
 

pwschuh

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@Milwaukee - posting again… once a year until it works :)

We need an outdoor leaf and twig vacuum, with a steel impeller to pulverize leaves and small twigs. Backpack would be ideal. Two-battery format also ok. Think of something useful for cleaning a driveway or sidewalk on a fall day when use of a blower is not practical or possible.
 

Odd-job

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@Milwaukee - posting again… once a year until it works :)

We need an outdoor leaf and twig vacuum, with a steel impeller to pulverize leaves and small twigs. Backpack would be ideal. Two-battery format also ok. Think of something useful for cleaning a driveway or sidewalk on a fall day when use of a blower is not practical or possible.
The Mower on high lift mode and set low can kind of do it, but agree a mobile leaf and twig vacuum would be nice. Guessing Ryobi will get it first if they don't already have one.
 

dmittz

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Made a couple more Milwaukee Aquisitions today,

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18ga Brad nailer:
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20250201_122222.jpg

Milwuakee M18 Fuel 5in random orbital sander:
20250201_201536.jpg20250201_201528.jpg
 

mikeinri

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I grabbed two of each of these tonight, as the store was closing, on the last day of the sale (which I didn't see advertised in the store, BTW).

In true GJ style, I don't "need" these, as I'm mostly on the M18 platform, and only (currently) own ONE M12 tool, a ratchet...

It worked for me this morning. Bought the 2 pack that rang up for 79 which is the advertised price.

Screenshot_20250202_103446_Signal.jpg

The 5ah stickers at 99 and a BOGO discount of the same price rings up when scanned making it free

Screenshot_20250202_103455_Signal.jpg

So 3 batteries, 11 total ah for 79 plus tax...nice deal! Thanks for sharing!

Mike
 

vwpieces

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Anyone have the 4 bay M12 charger, Milwaukee 48-59-1204
What is the height of an installed M12 Square style batt?
Wondering if it will fit the power drawer (and Close drawer) of my US General Gen3 56in roller cabinet.

1738609662095.png
 
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