The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[firworks]

I have the 1/4" version and find it very useful for automotive work. It really speeds things up.

Yep, I have the 1/4" as well and it flies in an engine bay removing hose clamps and battery trays and panels and things.

 

[Chromdome35]

I bought the 3/8" a week ago and have used it multiple times. It seems to have plenty of torque for what I need.

Case in point, I'm restoring an old warehouse box fan to working shape. The bolts holding the motor were solidly rusted up. I sprayed some Kroil on them, waited a few minutes and the M12 3/8 took them right off.

 

[dacan23]

COP Tool testing comparison of Milwaukee vs Dewalt cordless Miters

http://www.coptool.com/cordless-miter-saws-dewalt-flexvolt-vs-milwaukee-m18-fuel/

Funny the M18 gets a lot more cuts on one 9.0 18V battery versus two Dewalt 2.0/6.0 60V ones.

 

[98ssuck]

Does anyone have the cordless brad nailed. I am considering it over a small compressor and brad nailer for trim work

 

[Ign]

Tough Tool Reviews on Instragram

Ignore List. This adds nothing to the discussion. No one here is bad-mouthing yellow and certainly not looking to start **** in the DeWalt thread. We're just discussin' Milwaukee.

Now Skeeter, they ain't hurtin' nobody.....

 

[Locker537]

It figures that I just bought a Dewalt 718 miter saw on sale for $199. I specifically needed to make a 30 and 60 degree miter cuts. The 718 on miters to 55 degrees. Of course the new cordless Milwaukee miters to 60 degrees and of course I'm building up my M18 tools.

Ha.

 

[dacan23]

Formerly known as 77Ford, banned, trying to promote his tool review site. Never cared for the guy. He would brag about a deal but not post where and how he got it.

Ignore List. This adds nothing to the discussion. No one here is bad-mouthing yellow and certainly not looking to start **** in the DeWalt thread. We're just discussin' Milwaukee.

Now Skeeter, they ain't hurtin' nobody.....

 

[epg0]

Just bought my first house and looking to start investing in a line of power tools.
After some research, I decided I wanted to go with Milwaukee.

I am going to start out with a drill only - and it will be used for mostly for basic home improvement type items.

Would the M18 Fuel line be overkill for these types of tasks? I could not find that much of a compact drill in the M18 fuel line. Would it be better to start with the M12 Fuel line?

Does the M18 line have a better selection of tools you can eventually build up to?

Any suggestions would be helpful!

 

[Chromdome35]

Just bought my first house and looking to start investing in a line of power tools.
After some research, I decided I wanted to go with Milwaukee.

I am going to start out with a drill only - and it will be used for mostly for basic home improvement type items.

Would the M18 Fuel line be overkill for these types of tasks? I could not find that much of a compact drill in the M18 fuel line. Would it be better to start with the M12 Fuel line?

Does the M18 line have a better selection of tools you can eventually build up to?

Any suggestions would be helpful!

In my opinion, the M12 line will do everything you could ever want from a homeowner perspective.

The only advantage to M18 that I see, is that Milwaukee is coming out with some lawn/garden tools that will be M18 based.

 

[Locker537]

Just bought my first house and looking to start investing in a line of power tools.
After some research, I decided I wanted to go with Milwaukee.

I am going to start out with a drill only - and it will be used for mostly for basic home improvement type items.

Would the M18 Fuel line be overkill for these types of tasks? I could not find that much of a compact drill in the M18 fuel line. Would it be better to start with the M12 Fuel line?

Does the M18 line have a better selection of tools you can eventually build up to?

Any suggestions would be helpful!

My parents gave me an M12 starter kit when we bought our first house and it has yet to fail me. It came with a hammer drill, impact driver, and oscillating multi tool as well as 2 batteries and charger. I've used it quite a bit and it still functions as it did when new.

I'm building an 8x16 shed now and still have yet to upgrade. The non-fuel drill and driver have no issues with 3 inch framing screws but occasionally fail to countersink 1-5/8" screws. I am swapping batteries rather frequently as they are the original 16 wHr lithiums, but not enough to really slow me down or make me pay full retail for higher capacity batteries.

With Thanksgiving/Black Friday right around the corner, you might want to base the purchase purely on sales.

 

[kctyphoon]

I was in HD today and they had the new m12 jacket on display. The new black jacket is ******* nice... I already decided I'm buying one.. It'll be my 4th m12 jacket.. Not counting hoodies... ( yea there's something wrong with me..). I didn't even wear my 3rd one (3 in 1 ripstop) much....

IMO, the new black one is perfect looking.. I wouldn't change anything... It's nice enough to wear as a casual jacket too to something a little formal.

EVERYTHING on it is black. Even the "Milwaukee" logo

 

[Ign]

Just bought my first house and looking to start investing in a line of power tools.
After some research, I decided I wanted to go with Milwaukee.

I am going to start out with a drill only - and it will be used for mostly for basic home improvement type items.

Would the M18 Fuel line be overkill for these types of tasks? I could not find that much of a compact drill in the M18 fuel line. Would it be better to start with the M12 Fuel line?

Does the M18 line have a better selection of tools you can eventually build up to?

Any suggestions would be helpful!

The 2701 is the M18 compact but still brushless. It's ok but seems lacking on low end torque. I own two, use them mostly w countersinks for deburring drilled holes in steel, they work fine for that.

 

[epg0]

The 2701 is the M18 compact but still brushless. It's ok but seems lacking on low end torque. I own two, use them mostly w countersinks for deburring drilled holes in steel, they work fine for that.

Thanks I missed that one. I was just looking in the fuel line.

I guess my question is, if I go with the m12 line, would I be missing out on anything in the more powerful line.

Looks like this more compact m18 might suit my needs too


Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[mike528]

I have the m12 fuel 1/2 hammer drill, impact driver and circular saw. Have used all 3 quite a bit to build my 4x6 work table, hung and trimmed out the pegboard, and hung 6 sheets of osb for the ceiling. Still on the first charge for both xc4.0. The drill had no issues running a 4" hole saw either. For a homeowner the m12 will fit into spaces better and be lighter and much less bulky.

 

[MikeF2316]

Thanks I missed that one. I was just looking in the fuel line.

I guess my question is, if I go with the m12 line, would I be missing out on anything in the more powerful line.

Looks like this more compact m18 might suit my needs too


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M18 has a very useful vacuum cleaner. And the lights are quite different between M12 and M18. And hopefully by spring, the lawn tools...

 

[mobiledynamics]

MikeF -

I'll all red....but there are 4 yellow tools I own. Their vac, hedge, string and blower. It's amazing....using the OPE with no gas smell....

Big Red is very late to the game on this but different markets I s'pose

 

[Caparris]

I was in HD today and they had the new m12 jacket on display. The new black jacket is ******* nice... I already decided I'm buying one.. It'll be my 4th m12 jacket.. Not counting hoodies... ( yea there's something wrong with me..). I didn't even wear my 3rd one (3 in 1 ripstop) much....

IMO, the new black one is perfect looking.. I wouldn't change anything... It's nice enough to wear as a casual jacket too to something a little formal.

EVERYTHING on it is black. Even the "Milwaukee" logo

Looks nice, I'll probably pick one up too,. #3 for me

 

[epg0]

M18 has a very useful vacuum cleaner. And the lights are quite different between M12 and M18. And hopefully by spring, the lawn tools...

I do like the idea of the lawn tools.

Is there any indication that they will ever be making these for the M12 line?

 

[kctyphoon]

Looks nice, I'll probably pick one up too,. #3 for me

And of course, an hour after I wrote that, my lawn mower's engine decided to almost seize. My friggin lawn is half cut in front of my house, and now I gotta drop $400 on a lawnmower tomorrow, in OCTOBER..

I deciding between another craftsman ($387), or a smaller less powerful, less featured Honda for $399. I'll prob do the craftsman again, this is the first time I've ever had a issue with a craftsman mower, and I'm not ready to give up the one lever height adjustment.

Craftsman - http://www.sears.com/craftsman-21in...-mower/p-07137999000P?intcmp=crft-pdp-buy-cta

Honda- http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-21...s-Mower-with-Auto-Choke-HRR216K9VKA/203709643

Am I crazy to consider the craftsman over the Honda??

Compromise? Husqvarna with the Honda engine, and one lever height adjustment.
http://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-H...-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability/50329481

I wish Milwaukee made a friggin mower.

 

[DFB]

Thanks I missed that one. I was just looking in the fuel line.

I guess my question is, if I go with the m12 line, would I be missing out on anything in the more powerful line.

Looks like this more compact m18 might suit my needs too


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Wow that is a good question, just where to start it. Sometimes it seems the options are endless with Milwaukee. Hands down the M12 Fuel drill is a solid tool with half inch chuck capacity and more than likely can be had with an additional bare tool or battery promo so that kind of sweetens the deal too. Most of their other m12 tools whether the hackzall fuel or brushed, impact drivers etc are all fully suitable for small general projects. A little plumbing work, sheetrock install, cabinets, run some additional outlets, small engine work repair work etc.

I use M12 first on all my jobs as I do maintenance for a large farm business.

I'd recommend a combo of drill and impact driver, hackzall, flashlight and/or lantern. RA drill is nice too. Of course I wouldn't be without the radio or BT speaker either

On the other hand the M18 brushless 2701 compact being about the same price does offer about a 150 ft lbs more torque rating. It is great starting point also but just be aware of the compact battery and its smaller size and power. Some m18 tools do best with much larger amp hr batteries. I haven't really noticed any deals on that model tool in particular except maybe up 15% off online code specials.

Without really knowing what projects you have in mind now or in the future plus your skil level etc. it is more difficult to recommend a specific tool platform and for the most part m18 tools will be slightly more expensive, but they do offer other items like the fan, angle grinders, a decent vac, powerful lighting, loud radios and now those yard and lawn tools

With any serious construction projects in mind like renovation or demo work I would build on the M18 line first, the 18v recip saw, and circular saws are more suited for bigger projects as are the drills and impacts and batteries. Stuff like deck building, house additions, roughing in wiring or plumbing, tire changing, and tractor work like blade removal obviously the M18 line can cover it all.

 

[epg0]

Wow that is a good question, just where to start it. Sometimes it seems the options are endless with Milwaukee. Hands down the M12 Fuel drill is a solid tool with half inch chuck capacity and more than likely can be had with an additional bare tool or battery promo so that kind of sweetens the deal too. Most of their other m12 tools whether the hackzall fuel or brushed, impact drivers etc are all fully suitable for small general projects. A little plumbing work, sheetrock install, cabinets, run some additional outlets, small engine work repair work etc.

I use M12 first on all my jobs as I do maintenance for a large farm business.

I'd recommend a combo of drill and impact driver, hackzall, flashlight and/or lantern. RA drill is nice too. Of course I wouldn't be without the radio or BT speaker either

On the other hand the M18 brushless 2701 compact being about the same price does offer about a 150 ft lbs more torque rating. It is great starting point also but just be aware of the compact battery and its smaller size and power. Some m18 tools do best with much larger amp hr batteries. I haven't really noticed any deals on that model tool in particular except maybe up 15% off online code specials.

Without really knowing what projects you have in mind now or in the future plus your skil level etc. it is more difficult to recommend a specific tool platform and for the most part m18 tools will be slightly more expensive, but they do offer other items like the fan, angle grinders, a decent vac, powerful lighting, loud radios and now those yard and lawn tools

With any serious construction projects in mind like renovation or demo work I would build on the M18 line first, the 18v recip saw, and circular saws are more suited for bigger projects as are the drills and impacts and batteries. Stuff like deck building, house additions, roughing in wiring or plumbing, tire changing, and tractor work like blade removal obviously the M18 line can cover it all.

Awesome response, very helpful! Skill level is novice, and a work bench and deck build would probably be the biggest project.

Now I am deciding on a drill/driver or the impact driver, or just picking up both in a combo. Too many choices out there

Thanks!

 

[mike528]

Get the combo. You definitely need the drill. But for driving screws the impact driver is much nicer

 

[Locker537]

Awesome response, very helpful! Skill level is novice, and a work bench and deck build would probably be the biggest project.

Now I am deciding on a drill/driver or the impact driver, or just picking up both in a combo. Too many choices out there

Thanks!

Combo.

Frankly, I ignored how useful the impact driver is for a long time. I'd simply use the drill on the hammer setting. The driver will slip less, strip less screws, and overall be simpler to use with the quick change hex head and lack of settings compared to a drill.

You should be able to find a good combo kit with batteries and charger on sale.

 

[epg0]

Combo.

Frankly, I ignored how useful the impact driver is for a long time. I'd simply use the drill on the hammer setting. The driver will slip less, strip less screws, and overall be simpler to use with the quick change hex head and lack of settings compared to a drill.

You should be able to find a good combo kit with batteries and charger on sale.

Yep, agreed.

I think I've narrowed it down.

If I don't plan to drill into concrete do you recommend the regular drill over the hammer drill in the combo kit?

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[Locker537]

Yep, agreed.

I think I've narrowed it down.

If I don't plan to drill into concrete do you recommend the regular drill over the hammer drill in the combo kit?

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The versatility of a drill with different modes (drill, drive, hammer) is worth it. If I were buying today, I'd be looking at a combo kit like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2597-22-48-11-2440/205810123

M12, Fuel, Hammer drill, Impact driver, and more batteries.

 

[epg0]

The versatility of a drill with different modes (drill, drive, hammer) is worth it. If I were buying today, I'd be looking at a combo kit like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2597-22-48-11-2440/205810123

M12, Fuel, Hammer drill, Impact driver, and more batteries.

Yep! That's the exact kit I was looking at. I just wasn't sure if I was loosing anything by going with hammer or non hammer version.

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[Locker537]

Yep! That's the exact kit I was looking at. I just wasn't sure if I was loosing anything by going with hammer or non hammer version.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Nope, you'll be happy to have the hammer mode!

 

[dacan23]

That kit has dropped to $199 in store and online, as of yesterday I was able to pick one up for $199 and get the free tool too. At another store they took down the sign and said the deal was over, but I am certain it would of scanned. Online the $199 price I is not good with freebie.

Yep! That's the exact kit I was looking at. I just wasn't sure if I was loosing anything by going with hammer or non hammer version.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[epg0]

That kit has dropped to $199 in store and online, as of yesterday I was able to pick one up for $199 and get the free tool too. At another store they took down the sign and said the deal was over, but I am certain it would of scanned. Online the $199 price I is not good with freebie.

I see $229 online, and that kit is not available at any HD's near me

 

[dacan23]

This link, when add to cart is 199.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Driver-and-Impact-Combo-Kit-2597-22/204848126

Where you located?

I see $229 online, and that kit is not available at any HD's near me

 

[epg0]

This link, when add to cart is 199.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Driver-and-Impact-Combo-Kit-2597-22/204848126

Where you located?

Chicago...yep, I see $199 in cart on that one.
I was looking at the one with an additional XC battery. It was showing $229

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2597-22-48-11-2440/205810123

 

[dacan23]

Ah yes, thats the free tool/battery promo, not sure why its not $199 online when you can get that deal in store. Try chatting with the online rep to see if they will adjust it to 199.

Chicago...yep, I see $199 in cart on that one.
I was looking at the one with an additional XC battery. It was showing $229

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2597-22-48-11-2440/205810123

 

[MikeF2316]

MikeF -

I'll all red....but there are 4 yellow tools I own. Their vac, hedge, string and blower. It's amazing....using the OPE with no gas smell....

Big Red is very late to the game on this but different markets I s'pose

Yup, they're sure late. My corded hedge trimmer is more than 20 years old and on it's last legs. If the M18 isn't available in the spring, there's going to be something yellow in my garage too. I have a cordless Toro string trimmer, it's the old 12 volt one that has a SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) battery. It still works surprisingly well and I've had it close to 10 years. I have a corded Toro blower, I think I may have made a mistake when I bought it 2 years ago...

And to address the combo/single tool discussion:

More is always better. I was putting up some shelves and hooks in my garage last weekend - I had hooks with 2 different sized threads, so I needed 2 different drill sizes for their pilot holes, as well as screws for shelf brackets. I had 2 drills and my impact driver on the go all at once - no need for bit/drill changes!

 

[MikeF2316]

I do like the idea of the lawn tools.

Is there any indication that they will ever be making these for the M12 line?

I would bet no, at least in the short term. Just not enough energy in the smaller battery package. In a few more years, maybe that will change.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Mike -

Full disclamer. Hedge trimmer and string trimmer rocks....

I need to put some more time on my ~replacement~ but there seems to be a design issue or runtime with their blower. At times, it's like the DC-AC brains won't let it produce power. There are tons of similar feedback on Amazon (way too many) to not just concur it's a design flaw. They did not repair it but sent me a new one. I've yet to use it long enough to concur if the ~bug~ is gone. I have the 7.5 60V battery. It's huge

 

[DFB]

Chicago...yep, I see $199 in cart on that one.
I was looking at the one with an additional XC battery. It was showing $229

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2597-22-48-11-2440/205810123

I was just looking around too. I have been following Milwaukee sales/deals for while and its so strange how the different deals come and go...a lot is probably related to inventory overstock or slow sales. Its like you almost never see the m12 multi tool as an add on anymore.

I don't know how much or other tools you intend to buy at any one time but right now you can get an xtra 4.0 battery with a brushed hackzall kit also.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2420-21-48-11-2440/205415048

If you do go with he $229 Fuel package you can opt for other offers too like the lantern or even the BT speaker.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...ree-M12-LED-Lantern-2597-22-2362-20/300088889

So with those two packages combined you could end up with two 4.0 batteries one 2.0 battery, one 1.5 ah battery, saw, impact, drill and fourth item of your choice lantern or speaker so that be like a battery for each item, a 4.0 for drill and hackzall, 2,0 for impact driver and 1.5 for lantern or speaker use.

Or you could swap the 2.0 for the speaker, I always use the 2.0 in mine for longer run times

And I have to say I notice no real performance difference with the impact driver using either battery 1.5 or 2.0 . M12 Fuel drill is power hog (as is the hackzall) plus the drill doesn't want to stand upright easily without the larger based 4.0 battery



On the other side of the coin you could cut and run with a fuel hammer drill and free brushed impact driver for $179

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...n-Hex-Impact-Driver-2404-22-2462-20/205044495

but that 20 dollar difference to $199 to upgrade to the fuel impact is really worth it,

and that next $30 jump to $229 with free offer could get you either a $59 lantern or a $69 speaker (list price) for about half off again.

Now if Dacan23 can hook you up somewhere at that $199 price + free offer your golden!

 

[kctyphoon]

I want the new jacket...did I say that yet?

 

[DFB]

I want the new jacket...did I say that yet?

 

[kctyphoon]

For anyone interested - the new model# for the all black jacket is 201B-20 for the bare tool. This is it- and yes the guy looks like a douche with the collar flipped up, and standing like that. It looks better in person.

 

[epg0]

I was just looking around too. I have been following Milwaukee sales/deals for while and its so strange how the different deals come and go...a lot is probably related to inventory overstock or slow sales. Its like you almost never see the m12 multi tool as an add on anymore.

I don't know how much or other tools you intend to buy at any one time but right now you can get an xtra 4.0 battery with a brushed hackzall kit also.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...Capacity-Battery-2420-21-48-11-2440/205415048

If you do go with he $229 Fuel package you can opt for other offers too like the lantern or even the BT speaker.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...ree-M12-LED-Lantern-2597-22-2362-20/300088889

So with those two packages combined you could end up with two 4.0 batteries one 2.0 battery, one 1.5 ah battery, saw, impact, drill and fourth item of your choice lantern or speaker so that be like a battery for each item, a 4.0 for drill and hackzall, 2,0 for impact driver and 1.5 for lantern or speaker use.

Or you could swap the 2.0 for the speaker, I always use the 2.0 in mine for longer run times

And I have to say I notice no real performance difference with the impact driver using either battery 1.5 or 2.0 . M12 Fuel drill is power hog (as is the hackzall) plus the drill doesn't want to stand upright easily without the larger based 4.0 battery



On the other side of the coin you could cut and run with a fuel hammer drill and free brushed impact driver for $179

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...n-Hex-Impact-Driver-2404-22-2462-20/205044495

but that 20 dollar difference to $199 to upgrade to the fuel impact is really worth it,

and that next $30 jump to $229 with free offer could get you either a $59 lantern or a $69 speaker (list price) for about half off again.

Now if Dacan23 can hook you up somewhere at that $199 price + free offer your golden!

Sweet! I went with the combo promo with the extra battery. Home Depot chat dropped it to $199 as a one time courtesy. Thanks for the tip Dacan!

I guess maybe one of the other combos might of been a better choice since I don't have anything to really use the extra battery with yet haha.

Now on the hunt for a good drill/impact bit set.

Thanks



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