The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[dmittz]

So what’s your initial thoughts?

So the system is a tad pricey, but not super expensive.

It seems well made and is easy to mount on the wall. The hangers slip in easily and have a turn dial to lock them in place, same with the battery holder. that means you can reorganize the layout easily. Seems like a quality system.

Additionally if I ever move it would be very quick and easy to take the system with me compared to a DIY setup that I would likely just leave behind.

There are a number of different types of accessories that work with the system, but hopefully there will be more options and accessories in the future. Notably I'd like it if Milwaukee could make a shelf or mount for all of the various types of chargers they offer rather than only the 6 bay packout rapid charger which is very expensive.

I'm using this area specifically for my yard related equipment as I already have a home made system for my hand held power tools, but they do offer a lot of packout related wall organizer items for the smaller hand tools.

So for what I am using it for I am happy, and if they expand the packout wall offering more parricularly for yard equipment stuff in the future I will be very happy.

 

[dmittz]

Ok this is my second version after some re-arranging. Its much more effcient now:

 

[Crabman]

Has anyone seen or used the new M18 stick transfer pump?

M18™ Brushless Stick Transfer Pump | Milwaukee Tool

The MILWAUKEE® M18™ Brushless Stick Transfer Pump delivers super filtration and the fastest handheld pumping, transferring up to 25 GPM.

www.milwaukeetool.com

 

[dsimatt]

Yesterday was up home helping with tree limbs needing to be cut up and moved. Brought my power head to run my uncles pole saw and also brush cutter head. I was quite impressed with the power but Milwaukee really either needs longer attachments or a bigger angle on the head of the weed eater or brush cutter. I’m only 5’9” but found myself hunching over using it which old really fast.

 

[Odd-job]

I’m only 5’9” but found myself hunching over using it which old really fast.

Agreed Guessing the quik-lok was designed around someone 6'1". My nephew using it actually looked ergonomic to him. Articulating heads would be nice.

Edit: Also have you lost any cotter pins on the cultivator? I've lost two in my compost pile...

 

[Odd-job]

Have been learning more about Lithium batteries and how its bad to store them at 100% charge. Am kind of wishing Milwaukee would have a variable charger that charges them to 80% and then has a top off switch to help keep the batteries from degrading. I guess the bean counters would argue that it hurts profitability.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Ok this is my second version after some re-arranging. Its much more effcient now:

That looks really smart. Great setup!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[dsimatt]

Agreed Guessing the quik-lok was designed around someone 6'1". My nephew using it actually looked ergonomic to him. Articulating heads would be nice.

Edit: Also have you lost any cotter pins on the cultivator? I've lost two in my compost pile...

I didn’t get a chance but I think I’ll dig out my old Echo gas trimmer and compare them.

The cultivator head I only used a couple of minutes to try it out but I appreciate the heads up with the cotter pins.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Anyone have the Milwaukee impact sockets? Specifically the 1/2" metric.
They're a bit expensive and made in China, but there are some things I like about them too.

Just curious how they hold up and if they're worth the extra cost.

I know this goes back a year or so, but any comments on the Milwaukee impact sockets? I have a chance to purchase a packout (clear top) set of deep SAE/Metric in 1/2" drive for $100 bucks that are brand new.

Thoughts?

 

[dmittz]

Added more on to the milwaukee packout wall. All the stuff on the wall is frequently used item, mainly for yard work and a few items are frequently used in the workshop so being able to see grab than quickly is important.

 

[mikeinri]

Looks awesome, @dmittz!

A friend of mine works for Stanley. He'd absolutely break out in hives if he saw that, LOL. I pulled out a Milwaukee marker in front of him one day last fall, and he completely freaked out about them being "the enemy."

I laughed, but he didn't appear to joking. I told him they were amazing (WAY better than Sharpies), and did ask if Stanley makes a marker as good as Milwaukee's, but he just walked away...

Mike

 

[jar944]

Milwaukee really either needs longer attachments or a bigger angle on the head of the weed eater or brush cutter. I’m only 5’9” but found myself hunching over using it which old really fast.

Interesting observation. I've not noticed any issues so far with the milaukee (it seems the same length as my echo gas trimmer) but I'm 6' tall.

 

[Odd-job]

milwaukee packout wall

I am liking your quick reaction setup. I am trying to figure out a more elegant solution between batteries and charging said batteries. I feel like I am always shuffling $hit piles of the batteries I have accumulated over the years from one side of the garage to the other. It doesn't help that my charging setup is kind of stranded from where I tend to store the batteries. It drives me nuts trying to grab a 6.0 directly off the chargers and then trying to find one of its 5 other mates in the other pile on the other side of the garage for a dual battery tool.

Also despite being a Milwaukee guy, I too prefer the Stanley Fatmax tape measures. Milwaukee needs to design a tape measure that doesn't ****.

 

[Rusty67]

I am liking your quick reaction setup. I am trying to figure out a more elegant solution between batteries and charging said batteries. I feel like I am always shuffling $hit piles of the batteries I have accumulated over the years from one side of the garage to the other. It doesn't help that my charging setup is kind of stranded from where I tend to store the batteries. It drives me nuts trying to grab a 6.0 directly off the chargers and then trying to find one of its 5 other mates in the other pile on the other side of the garage for a dual battery tool.

Also despite being a Milwaukee guy, I too prefer the Stanley Fatmax tape measures. Milwaukee needs to design a tape measure that doesn't ****.

I know I say this all the time, but you need a 3D printer. You can 3D print all the battery mounts you'll ever want and string them up wherever you need. It really makes life a LOT easier. The startup cost in terms of time/learning for 3D printing is lower than it has ever been so no time like the present!

Also, I like my Milwaukee tape measures. The only thing I don't like about them is they flop over really easy when extending horizontally. Maybe I need to try a Fatmax to see what I'm missing?

 

[dmittz]

Thanks so much guys for your kind words about my packout wall. It took a few tries to get it setup how I wanted but i'm real happy with it now.

Haha yes I sorta thought the stanley tape measures on the wall don't really match, but they are what I own and they work well so the wall will have a bit if yellow in it for the time being.

I might swap out the regular 'office' shapries for some Milwaukee ones soon, i've been eyeing them for a bit.

A charing station is something I might add soon. I do already have a couple rapid chargers setup on a wall about 30ft away right by all my smaller Milwaukee handheld 'workshop' power tools. So i'm not sure if its worth adding a second one, but its something i'm contempating...we'll see.

 

[Odd-job]

battery mounts

The more I thought about it, the more I think I am not going the battery mount route even though it looks really pretty. Have started using some Akro-Mils bins by battery amp hour. I am lazy and slotting batteries takes more time between slapping batteries from charger, to battery mount storage, to tool it sort of adds a third step. Some OCD takes over though as I need to try to remember to put the freshly charged batteries at the back of the bin so there's a natural rotation when I grab one off the front.

edit: and I am also short on wall space for said battery mounts.

 

[Odd-job]

looks like I killed my first 6.0. Weird thing is that it doesn't have the out of balance symptoms as the 9.0s. It charges the full 4 bars, but just dies instantly on things like the blower. Guess the cells are just degraded. Probably got my money's worth out of it.



edit: does anyone know if Milwaukee ties out receipts? I have multiple receipts because I acquired these 6.0s through several package deals over the years, but I can't tie the serial number to actual receipt (doubt Milwaukee can track too). Guessing this is an early vintage one so wasn't going to bother.

 

[Odd-job]

I toured the Tesla Fremont factory 8 or so years ago and they were all on Milwaukee. Did something change?!?

 

[Rusty67]

No idea but thats about what I see in my head when I think of DeWalt users.

 

[tarmy]

looks like I killed my first 6.0. Weird thing is that it doesn't have the out of balance symptoms as the 9.0s. It charges the full 4 bars, but just dies instantly on things like the blower. Guess the cells are just degraded. Probably got my money's worth out of it.



edit: does anyone know if Milwaukee ties out receipts? I have multiple receipts because I acquired these 6.0s through several package deals over the years, but I can't tie the serial number to actual receipt (doubt Milwaukee can track too). Guessing this is an early vintage one so wasn't going to bother.

So you bought a battery 70 or so years ago? That warranty expiration date is your problem OP

On a serious note. I have returned one 9.0 and one 6.0…neither had a receipt. They promptly sent new batteries for both. One was an Amazon purchase one from HD…

 

[Odd-job]

So you bought a battery 70 or so years ago?

luckily I can swap the guts out of the 70 year old battery and put it in the 2.5 year old battery worse comes to worse. Can't say the same for that Snap On ratchet

 

[AJHD]

I toured the Tesla Fremont factory 8 or so years ago and they were all on Milwaukee. Did something change?!?

Isn't that picture fake?
No political discussion intended!

What the hell is that tool? It looks like a drywall screw gun?
Also, the battery casing looks white, not yellow.

 

[Odd-job]

Isn't that picture fake?

Yes its part of the AI generated memes floating out on the internet due to the current global debate regarding tariffs.

AI clearly has a ways to go. In the video the "Dewalt User" is trying to use said drywall gun to install a hamburger sticker on what looks to be a Model 3 while falling asleep.

Here's a link to the short:

 

[Rusty67]

I still think thats a knock on DeWalt users more than anything else.

 

[dmittz]

looks like I killed my first 6.0. Weird thing is that it doesn't have the out of balance symptoms as the 9.0s. It charges the full 4 bars, but just dies instantly on things like the blower. Guess the cells are just degraded. Probably got my money's worth out of it.



edit: does anyone know if Milwaukee ties out receipts? I have multiple receipts because I acquired these 6.0s through several package deals over the years, but I can't tie the serial number to actual receipt (doubt Milwaukee can track too). Guessing this is an early vintage one so wasn't going to bother.

I think with Mikwaukee the 3 warranty is based on serial number and they keep track of when each battery was sold by serial number.

 

[Odd-job]

Going forward I am going to try my best to Inkzall date the battery goes in service so then I can cross reference with my email receipts.

I think I bought this battery in 2019ish so I got double the warranty period. The 6.0s HOs are probably my most used batteries.

I know I was joking about swapping the guts, but am guessing the battery diagnostic Milwaukee runs will cross reference the serial number of the guts with that on the case. If anyone could confirm this it would discourage others with this bright albeit dishonest idea.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I finished my packout wall battery storage/charging station today. Finally the M18 batteries have a permanent home rather than floating around the workbench. Most of my M12 batteries will continue to live in the tool cart drawer full of Milwaukee tools.

 

[pbon]

Looks good! I would have painted the plywood.

 

[BroncoAZ]

Looks good! I would have painted the plywood.

Good idea on the paining. Fortunately it would only take 5 minutes to pull this down and apart at some point in the future. There are a couple full sheet sections of unpainted plywood mounted to the wall from the previous owner, he organized clamps and things by hanging on screws in the wood. I may or may not keep them, but I do want to paint the entire shop and garage, something similar to what @dmittz has but probably with a blue stripe. I made a similar plywood section, except with 1/4x20 T nuts in a 4” grid pattern above the miter saw.

 

[Odd-job]

@BroncoAZ - I like how any self respecting Milwaukee addict has at least one non rapid charger on their charging rack.

 

[BroncoAZ]

@BroncoAZ - I like how any self respecting Milwaukee addict has at least one non rapid charger on their charging rack.

Thanks for noticing. I prefer slower charging as I think it’s better for the batteries, so it’s generally my first choice if I don’t need them right away. I have another one of each setup on top of my Lista boxes.

 

[pbon]

9 chargers is a serious operation! I have 2 on my bench and that is usually enough, but my M12/18 use is not every day or all day.

 

[darkzero]

I'm surprised at myself for actually getting these. I'm not a big fan of M12 tools, I use mostly M18. The only M12 tools I own are the HS ratchet & the die grinders (a couple of lights too).

Got these to use at work for tight spaces (automotive related). I definitely could live without em but hopefully they will come in handy when I need.

 

[darkzero]

Going forward I am going to try my best to Inkzall date the battery goes in service

I label all my MW batteries (date that I got them/put in service). Been do so since I got my first four 5.0s in 2015 which are still going. Helps me keep track of them & keep them in rotation also.

I even label my tools but really that's only to let me know how long I have had them, not really important like the batteries.

 

[Dh3256]

I label all my MW batteries (date that I got them/put in service). Been do so since I got my first four 5.0s in 2015 which are still going. Helps me keep track of them & keep them in rotation also.

I even label my tools but really that's only to let me know how long I have had them, not really important like the batteries.

I'm curious what you are using to label them, that looks printed rather than handwritten.

 

[darkzero]

I'm curious what you are using to label them, that looks printed rather than handwritten.

Brother P-Touch label maker. I have all sort of tapes (label cartridges) but the ones I use specifically for tools are the black or white lettering on clear tape/background with strong adhesive. But the standard adhesive tapes should be fine if used "inside" like pictured above.

 

[GeoBruin]

I figured out a little hack for M12 stick pump owners.

 

[mikey03]

did CP the tool addict get a job at Tesla and lose a bunch of weight?

 

[Odd-job]

I figured out a little hack for M12 stick pump owners.

I like this hack. It is mildly annoying the pump head doesn't fit in a lot of places like rain barrel openings. Guessing running a long hose off of this hack to expect a big decrease in flow?

 

[GeoBruin]

I like this hack. It is mildly annoying the pump head doesn't fit in a lot of places like rain barrel openings. Guessing running a long hose off of this hack to expect a big decrease in flow?

A long hose? For sure. But I don't know if a short hose (enough to get down in a rain barrel spout) would have a significant impact. I'll test it and report back.