The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[chrisexv6]

When you return the item, is it as simple as them scanning the receipt and the kit you're returning, and money being applied back to your account( if paying by credit/debit card)? I have to do things like this at different stores cause Im always at the return desk scheming to get one thing or another, and Managers get suspicious.. Lol.

It's all a game with them anyway - cause they raised the price of the fuel combo from $367 to $399 when this deal started.. I'm gonna have to start asking the other HD i visit if they will match HF 20% coupons. My local store will not..

Yeah just walk in and return it. They scan the receipt then the item to return.

As far as the kit price going up, if you don't actually want to buy the kit then it doesn't make to much difference since the dewalt kit is already 369 (349 if you fell daring enough to get them to match the website)

I bought the m18 fuel kit to keep and of the price does drop during the promo I might try to get an adjustment but with the discount involved I'm not sure how that would work out

 

[kctyphoon]

well this was some good info.. yesterday i swore i was done buying tools.. now im wondering if i want an impact wrench or a jigsaw.. lol. too bad they dont make a brushless jigsaw yet...

 

[NotOrganized]

When they do, I plan to get one. Brushless Jigsaw please Milwaukee.

 

[Ign]

not very impressed with the 2735-20 (m18 LED worklight). i got the m12 LED light previously and thought if it was that impressive, the light output of the m18 was going to be awesome.

i was wrong, the m12 seems to be brighter, maybe its because the 4.0 battery that came with it was in brand new charge state? but they put the exact same LED and light assembly on the m18 and the m12, the only difference is the handle and battery attachment.

light is good for the price though. those sets were still on sale at 79, i was able to use a 20% HF coupon and knock it down to 63.. so i don't think it was too terrible of a deal to grab a worklight and a 4.0 xc battery for only 63 before tax...

None of the talk about the M18 LED worklight a)sucking in general or b)being inferior to the M12 LED worklight made any sense to me, so tonight I went out behind the shop in complete darkness with each. I could see no appreciable difference with my eyes, so I conclude that for my use(s) the light output is equivalent between the two.

I think both are great, if someone finds them lacking not sure what they were expecting....?

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

None of the talk about the M18 LED worklight a)sucking in general or b)being inferior to the M12 LED worklight made any sense to me, so tonight I went out behind the shop in complete darkness with each. I could see no appreciable difference with my eyes, so I conclude that for my use(s) the light output is equivalent between the two.

I think both are great, if someone finds them lacking not sure what they were expecting....?

I agree. I have both the M12 and 18 version of the work light. I could honestly not really see any difference, other than size of course. I like them though. Very even light output. I use the M12 at work for punching patch panels in communications closets.

 

[chrisexv6]

Was able to pick up the Fuel circ saw (bare tool) at a local HD store. They matched the website price without batting an eye.

Bought it with the DeWalt kit to get the 150 off, the circ saw came out to 113+tax.

Returned the DeWalt kit 5 minutes after buying it.

 

[AdkPatrick]

Happy New Year GJ Readers. My Milwaukee addicition is in its infant stages, but it has begun nonetheless.

I got the M12 Fuel Hammer Drill/Driver and Impact Driver kit for Christmas.



Now I'm looking for the best Milwaukee bit set I can get to compliment my tools. I do lots of IT work/cabling. Recommendations? It looks like Home Depot has a bunch of different sets that all appear to have the same stuff in them.

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

 

[Falfire122]

Excellent choice. I have that same set at work and love it. I would recommend the 66 piece set. You can't go wrong as long as you can find one still in stock.

 

[cagullett1]

The 150 off is spread proportionately across eligible items on the receipt. So the kit is 399, the impact is 125... total receipt is 524 before tax.

125 is a little less than 1/4 of the whole bill so the impact gets about 1/4 of the 150 discount... 1/4 of 150 is about $37. 125 - 37 = about 88 for the impact.

Then return the 399 kit and keep the discount on the impact.

To maximize the deal this way (to keep the smaller item and return the kit), buy the cheapest kit to trigger the 150 off (the dewalt kit) if you plan on returning the kit anyway.

The net result is about 27-33% off most m12 or m18 tools. Not the greatest ever but better than most coupons and you are sure the tools and warranty are on the up and up because they came from home depot

The worst part about this sale is that the closest store with carries all of the fuel tools is 40 minutes away. The other bad part is they are completely out of the dewalt and Makita kits so I was forced to do the "buy and return" with the milwaukee kit. Once I go back to work on the 5th, that same store is within 5 minutes of my commute. I should start buying dewalt kits from other stores and returning them there so I can maximize my bare tool discount! This could be dangerous!

 

[chrisexv6]

The worst part about this sale is that the closest store with carries all of the fuel tools is 40 minutes away. The other bad part is they are completely out of the dewalt and Makita kits so I was forced to do the "buy and return" with the milwaukee kit. Once I go back to work on the 5th, that same store is within 5 minutes of my commute. I should start buying dewalt kits from other stores and returning them there so I can maximize my bare tool discount! This could be dangerous!

Heh yeah its an addiction. As if Milwaukee addiction wasnt bad enough, now for a few minutes of work you can get some really decent to good deals.

I was looking to break into lithion cordless (I have an ages old Ridgid NiCD set), HD just made a lot of $$$ off me even with all the discounts. I almost wonder if it would have been cheaper for me to buy the 999.00 full kit off the website (even though it doesnt qualify for discounts)

 

[Kracin]

None of the talk about the M18 LED worklight a)sucking in general or b)being inferior to the M12 LED worklight made any sense to me, so tonight I went out behind the shop in complete darkness with each. I could see no appreciable difference with my eyes, so I conclude that for my use(s) the light output is equivalent between the two.

I think both are great, if someone finds them lacking not sure what they were expecting....?

a) never said it sucked. just said it wasn't on par with the typical m12 vs m18 type of power difference, even in laterns there is a difference.

b) it does look like a slightly different hue of light, probably from the LED itself, what i was expecting was something similar to what you get from m18 vs m12. you pay more for m18, doubtful that you pay more because the plastic is different, but because its an 18v tool and not a 12v tool/ hence why you can get a 12v or 18v light for far less if you don't want an led in it. both units use the same LED light output, they could have used a different light and kept the performance on par with 18 vs 12.

what i was hoping for was a light with equivalent run time as the 12v but with brighter output.

 

[AdkPatrick]

HD has a bunch of Shockwave sets on clearance that include drill bits. They also have a set of Bosch spade bits on clearance, but they are Chinese. I like the Bosch swiss drill bits.

How do you determine whether they're Swiss or Chinese? Is the packaging marked?

I think I'll grab the 66-bit kit for now and then get some nice drill bits/spade bits.

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

Was browsing at the Depot today and found one of these tucked down low out of sight. Brought it to register and was still $79. I had to have it. I already sold the light as I already own one.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Was browsing at the Depot today and found one of these tucked down low out of sight. Brought it to register and was still $79. I had to have it. I already sold the light as I already own one.

Ditto, just came home from my local HD with the last two my local store had and will do the same. This was a killer deal @$79
SPEAKING of HD, I tried doing self checkout with PAYPAL, wow is that fast , if your already a mobile paypal app user once you select the paypal button to pay at the self serve register you simply type in your mobile phone # and then your paypal app password (4#'s) and your DONE! Faster than paying with cash, really....and IMHO Paypal is evil but man this works good, IMHO YMMV!

 

[Ign]

Was browsing at the Depot today and found one of these tucked down low out of sight. Brought it to register and was still $79. I had to have it. I already sold the light as I already own one.

There's still 3 of those at my store. Trying to resist. Last one I got with 20% off, made it a no-brainer at $63

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

Lol. Do it! Is that enough incentive for you?

I have seen that PayPal checkout, but have not tried it. I may have to do it next time.

 

[starquestMM]

Opinions needed... I've had a M18 2601 drill/driver for about a year. Its my first "good" cordless tool and loved it so much I bought some more stuff to go with it including a 2604 fuel hammer/drill/driver. Now I have to decide to keep or sell the 2601. The 2604 is my first hammer drill, and other than it being heavier, I don't know there are any downsides to using it exclusively?

 

[articsilber323]

got this in today cant wait to test it out next week

 

[pleokumo]

What does everyone think of Milwaukee Hand Tools? I have recently purchased:

Diagonal Pliers
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/pliers/48-22-4108

11-1 Screwdriver
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/48-22-2114

Bottle Opener
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/48-22-2000

Fastback Flip Utility Knife
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/utility-knives/48-22-1901

I love them all and want to keep accumulating. Next purchase will probably be the Lineman.

Thoughts on hand tools?

 

[Jeeper]

Bottle Opener
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/48-22-2000

Thoughts on hand tools?

Trust me, the bottle opener works.

 

[rice rocket]

Thoughts on hand tools?

Seems like they're just trying to leverage their brand equity to expand into other lines. They don't have anything outstanding, it all seems like middle of the road, might-find-it-at-Home Depot-clearance-section-type tools. Nothing is good enough to make me re-buy any of my current tools.

 

[pl_silverado]

What does everyone think of Milwaukee Hand Tools? I have recently purchased:

Fastback Flip Utility Knife
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/utility-knives/48-22-1901

I love them all and want to keep accumulating. Next purchase will probably be the Lineman.

Thoughts on hand tools?

Fastback Utility Knife is awesome I think, my new go to knife. I bought a bunch of them and got rid of whatever other **** I was using around the house.

I recommend the knife highly.

 

[ADSR]

got this in today cant wait to test it out next week

I wanna know how you like it!!!

 

[Jamie V]

There's still 3 of those at my store. Trying to resist. Last one I got with 20% off, made it a no-brainer at $63

How did you get the 20% off?

 

[56FordGuy]

Just got my first M12 Fuel tool today, picked up the HackZall on the "Buy a bare tool, get a free battery deal" that was running. I already have the M18 Fuel hammer drill and impact driver, so my charger will work for the M12 battery.

First impressions, I'm not sure what to make of it. It's smaller than a standard reciprocating saw, but seems like it's as least as large as my 18 volt drill, maybe a bit bigger. I bought the M12 thinking it would be smaller than the M18 HackZall, and now I'm not so sure that's true. The battery is smaller, but I think that may be about all.

Haven't used it yet, but contemplating exchanging it for an M18 Hackzall or just going for the M18 Sawzall. I need to use it once or twice and see how it does.

 

[rice rocket]

Have you previously used the M18 hackzall? I'd be interested in your comparison to the M12 Fuel one.

The original M12 was indeed much smaller, but very light duty. I'd say PVC pipe were really its limits. Didn't have much luck with small 1" branches and sheet metal.

 

[56FordGuy]

Never used the M18 Hackall either. I wish I had one to compare it to, but I really can't see how it could be much bigger than this one (aside from the battery).

I'm curious to see how this one does. My thought was this for cordless, if this couldn't do it then go to a full size corded saw.

 

[rice rocket]

The Fuel sawzall is really good if you want to spend the money. Better than their corded ones (except for their monster 15A Super Sawzall).

 

[56FordGuy]

Seems like I'm one extreme or the other with reciprocating saws. I'm either on my back under the house with 4" between my nose and the floor joist, or cutting through 2" thick steel bar or 4X6" oak timbers.

I'm hoping the 'little' Hackzall will do what I want for small spaces, but that remains to be seen. I'd love if it could make the cuts through the 4X6 timbers, but I think that's probably asking a lot. I had to do that today, 300' from any electrical outlet. I got the truck as close as I could, then ran 40' of extension cord to my power inverter to use my 12 amp Dewalt reciprocating saw. It got the job done, but grabbing a cordless would've been much quicker, easier, and I wouldn't have had to leave the truck running while I did it.

I don't suspect either of the Hackzalls will cut through 4X6 oak, but for the size of the M12 Fuel I almost feel like it owes it to me that it should be able to make at least one or two cuts through it.

 

[articsilber323]

I wanna know how you like it!!!

i have been sick and not working

as soon as i get some jobs to use it on i will report back on how it works

 

[QtrHorse13]

I'm thinking about picking up the M12 ratchet. Anything bad that I should know about it?

 

[Ign]

Hand tools, I REALLY like the scissors. Fastback knives, too and the Markzalls.

 

[jshillin]

I'm thinking about picking up the M12 ratchet. Anything bad that I should know about it?

Get it... I've had mine for several months now and really like it. Just don't expect it to break lose tight bolts, etc.

 

[Nele]

Most used is m12 fuel impact...

 

[Wanna Ride]

What does everyone think of Milwaukee Hand Tools? I have recently purchased:

Diagonal Pliers
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/pliers/48-22-4108

11-1 Screwdriver
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/48-22-2114

I love them all and want to keep accumulating. Next purchase will probably be the Lineman.

Thoughts on hand tools?

I have the diagonal pliers. They're ok, not great, but not bad either. The multi-screwdriver is pretty good for the tools I keep in the truck, or my trailer because it has several bits, and the wire stripper and bender. Eliminates the need for a couple other tools, for a toolset that isn't used often.

I really like their wire-strippers though, they're pretty beefy. Been wanting to try the fastback, so I'll buy a couple now.

 

[txusa03]

I had to buy the fasttrack and on sale right now too. It fits nicely in my small hand and the ability to open with one hand (need to practice on it more). Fastrack II is beefy and more expensive so I will skip it. Thanks for the recomendation guys!

 

[56FordGuy]

My 2763 arrived today. Home Depot online really did a crappy job packaging it, they just stuck the UPS label right on the cardboard Milwaukee bare tool box. It arrived and seems okay though, despite the box being crushed in a couple of spots. I used it tonight to take a trailer ball off of a hitch, hammered for a second or two then spun it off.

Still haven't used my M12 Fuel Hackzall yet, but charged it today. Hope to try it out on a 4X6" oak timber tomorrow. I did compare it to my M18 Fuel hammer drill, aside from the battery it's almost exactly the same size. The Hackzall grip is a little thicker due to the battery, but the body diameter is the same and the body length is very nearly the same. I'm still torn on whether I like it or not. If it can make a cut or two through the oak timber tomorrow I'll probably come around, if it can't I may see if I can swap it for the 3/8" Fuel impact.

 

[56FordGuy]

I'll try to take a couple of pictures. I plan to use the wood blade that's been riding around in my Dewalt reciprocating saw box, it's been used a few times but is still kind of sharp.

 

[56FordGuy]

^^^ I will be very impressed if it makes it through this test. I have the m12 Hackzall and love it, but would never think to put it through that test. Make sure you have the best wood blade available in there.

Tried this this morning. Charged the battery yesterday, timber standing on edge so it was 4" wide and 6" tall.

It cut about 3/4 of the way through on the first cut before stopping like it was turned off. I released the trigger and pulled it again, it started right back and finished the cut with about 2 battery lights still showing. Made a second cut and it went about half way through before shutting off. Same as before, released and pulled the trigger again, finished the cut. Started a third cut, it went about halfway through again before shutting off and wouldn't restart with the very last battery light blinked when I pulled the trigger.

Overall, I'm impressed. Two and a half cuts with a used blade, it's certainly not bad for its size but leaves me wondering what the M18 version could do. If I could compare the two side by side and the 18 wasn't much bigger I might switch, but the 12 certainly isn't disappointing.

 

[softailgarage]

Just a note... I had a customer looking for a M18 ratchet either 1/4 or 3/8 drive, it didn't matter. After searching and searching, I called Milwaukee customer support, they don't make one and nothing in the foreseeable future.