The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[mobiledynamics]

what DUST containment are you using for our M18/M12 lineup ?

I posted a dust thread in the Free Parking forum....which got me thinking.

For my SDS, I do have the SDS vac collector
The only thing that came on my radar was outdoor grinder usage *granted it creates metal dust*, but not the plume of concrete dust I've experienced. Which of course led me to this. Off to look up more universal boots

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ace-Grinding-Dust-Shroud-49-40-6100/204845726


I actually have a similar one on my Concrete Grinder and the bristles/brushes that sit on the capture ring are as cheap as F@@#. It keeps on slipping off of it. I end up running it without the bristles/brush. Granted some dust does escape but the vac still captures the majority of it.

 

[Firefighter1406]

It is the M12 Surge Kit, no drill. 2 batteries come in the kit, then 1 'free.' It's the only surge kit being carried in stores.

Just sealed the deal for me. I will be keeping my standard m12 impact/drill set. Thank you for clarifying that.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Finally remembered to post.
This one is just like a regular candy machine. Pick what you want, it dispenses.

These just have doors like locker doors. U pick what cabinet, the door pops open, take, close, and u enter the quantity after. They have all different sized doors. These are the medium ones. Smaller ones like half the size, and bigger ones 1/2 the height of the machine (so 3 of those) for like traffic cones and whatever else.

These are similar to above. There's actually a scale in each one that detects how many you take. I think there's 2 similar sized medium style cabinets.

The "idea" is they save money on "theft" (what we heard) although its kinda dumb cause u could never track what someone actually uses themselves cause lineman work in groups, unless like DOZENS of something disappear every day for the same guy. So now the company gets the pay Fastenal to come like every day to restock what was taken. It's the dumbest thing ever. We have like 2 full walls of these stupid machines. My guess is they just want better track of what get used weekly cause stock room guys are only as good as they wanna be. Saving on theft makes no sense since they offer stuff we never stocked normally, and now the more important things like safety items are always on hand. Nobody is really gonna hoard like 10 pairs of gloves now..

I think the only US made hand tool is a Vaughn hammer, and it's not even the right hammer we use. I imagine half the building has a "similar" hammer at home by now.

And no - there's no Milwaukee stuff in them..
BUT - they just swapped out our boss.. so I'm getting access back to my tool smuggling vendor again .
I can already smell that new Milwaukee 7/16 hex drive impact.
From what I hear they are no longer buying corded tools.

Oh - in case anyone was wondering. This is a pretty good sized building (with the indoor parking considering). Maybe 10 offices, indoor mechanics Bay, and like 50 Indoor parking spots. 2 sets of garage doors (2 in, 2 out) like 13' tall, and a HUGE generator building outside, that has never worked in the 10-15 years I've been working in or around this shop. Makes perfect sense.

We just installed the same thing at work for restocking all the medical supplies for the medics/fire trucks. Kinda a pain to get used to but I see it’s purpose. Stinks after codes though. You use so much stuff it takes forever.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Very soon no key codes will be required. There will be like 10 cameras in the room and it will know based on your biometric. -- I read this on GJ too, some tech used in Walmart. pft

 

[kctyphoon]

BOOM week...

 

[delsolcharlie]

BOOM week...

?

 

[roguegts]

Picked up the 2980 4.5"-6" grinder after my brother in law got a grinding wheel stuck on old faithful. Man is this thing a monster, tons more power and not substantially bigger.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Picked up the 2980 4.5"-6" grinder after my brother in law got a grinding wheel stuck on old faithful. Man is this thing a monster, tons more power and not substantially bigger.

Did you get the free 5.0ah battery with it? I mean I know that listed at least on Homedepot.com

 

[roguegts]

Did you get the free 5.0ah battery with it? I mean I know that listed at least on Homedepot.com

No I didn't see any deals with a free battery included. HD had a deal for the 4.5-5" fuel grinder with a battery.

Did I miss out on something good?

 

[Firefighter1406]

My bad. I didn’t realize you bought the bigger grinder. The deal is for the 4 1/2 grinder. Sorry about that.

 

[roguegts]

My bad. I didn’t realize you bought the bigger grinder. The deal is for the 4 1/2 grinder. Sorry about that.

No worries! I strongly considered the 5", but the 6" is a really nice middleground without getting the full bore 9".

Against my better judgment i found out with a 9.0 battery it will turn a 7" concrete blade no problem. Use caution, but it's got plenty of power. [emoji106]

 

[Fix Until Broke]

No worries! I strongly considered the 5", but the 6" is a really nice middleground without getting the full bore 9".

Against my better judgment i found out with a 9.0 battery it will turn a 7" concrete blade no problem. Use caution, but it's got plenty of power. [emoji106]

I like the look/size of that 6" grinder - will have to keep an eye out for one of those. I have a 4.5-5" Fuel and it will spin up a 7" Diamond cup wheel, but you have to do it in stages. Trigger on for 1/2 second to get it spinning, then another 1 second pulse to get it spinning faster, then you can hold the trigger down. If you just pull the trigger from a stop and hold it down, the overload protection kicks in.

Once spinning though, it does just fine. Lots of gyro forces there though so hold on tight!

 

[kctyphoon]

A little birdie tells me the new model of the fuel 7/16 hex drive utility impact was ordered for me.

 

[pp1]

I like the look/size of that 6" grinder - will have to keep an eye out for one of those. I have a 4.5-5" Fuel and it will spin up a 7" Diamond cup wheel, but you have to do it in stages. Trigger on for 1/2 second to get it spinning, then another 1 second pulse to get it spinning faster, then you can hold the trigger down. If you just pull the trigger from a stop and hold it down, the overload protection kicks in.

Once spinning though, it does just fine. Lots of gyro forces there though so hold on tight!

Do you have a recommendation for a 7" cut off wheel for concrete? Does it cut rebar too? I'm looking to redo part of my driveway.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Blades to me are consumables. For rough cutting, any diamond blade will suffice...

 

[JimDon]

I know I will get pummeled for this, but I bought a concrete blade at Harbor Freight for my 4.5 inch grinders, and it cuts like butter. Have used it for probably more than 20 some feet of concrete cutting, and it still cuts like it is new. Your mileage may vary. Now I'll duck under my tin foil hat and await the barrage.
Cheers,
JimDon

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Do you have a recommendation for a 7" cut off wheel for concrete? Does it cut rebar too? I'm looking to redo part of my driveway.

I was referencing a cup wheel like what is shown in roguegts's post above. A cup wheel is for "surfacing" work.

I've used a thin carbide wheel in a circular saw for basement floors and cutting blocks/bricks/etc. I don't recall what brand/name it was but it looks like this.

It works well - like cutting hardwood with a regular saw blade. Move slow, let the blade do the work and it works well. I did use a cheap $20 Dewalt blade like this and it warped almost immediately. This one has cut 20+ linear feet of concrete plus numerous brick/block and still going strong. It was $70+ over 10 years ago. Sorry, I don't know the brand...

I ran through some reinforcing wire with it (not rebar though) and it didn't seem to care much, but it does spark.

Hope this helps

 

[PeedoPie]

Picked up the 4 pieces prybar set. Very nice. Wish they made 36” long and I’d be set. super nice handless and I can see where the I beam construction help out the flex. Also grabbed some precision screwdrivers. They seem to be nicely made a well

 

[roguegts]

Do you have a recommendation for a 7" cut off wheel for concrete? Does it cut rebar too? I'm looking to redo part of my driveway.

Buy a good concrete blade and you will be fine. If you're doing a lot of concrete work buy a throwaway saw, and have a buddy spray the blade with a hudson sprayer. You wouldnt believe the dust these things make.

If you need super straight clean lines, rent a proper walk behind concrete saw.

 

[pp1]

Thanks for all the reply, it's a small section so I'll attempt to cut the concrete with a harbor freight blade since it's closer than a home Depot for me. No perfect clean cut required. If I doesn't work, I'll stop by HD and get a diamond blade there.

 

[pbon]

Last year I had to cut a 3.5x8’ slab in half that was 6-7” thick. I rented a saw with a 14” blade but it could cut only about 5” as I recall. I then used my saws all with a 12” diamond or carbide blade — I forget which but they were about $15 each — to cut the rest. Slow and steady, using some water for cooling. Worked fine.

 

[JRas]

I had terrible luck with that portable vacuum... felt really underpowered and i ended up selling it. How do you like it? It's possible I got a lemon, but oh well.

It's not a replacement as others have said, it works well for smaller jobs, definitely cannot vacuum up anything big. It's nice for vacuuming up saw dust, metal shavings, and drywall dust. It's nice when I don't have power on the jobsite.

Anyone tried the tire inflator? I've been thinking of picking one up for my truck.

impatiently waiting for the long reach ratchet and right angle die grinder...the installer driver looks interesting as well.

I dont think I really NEED the hammer option...but is there any downside to just getting the 2504 instead of the 2503? Does the hammer drill weigh significantly more than the non-hammer? Any difference in durability/longevity?

EDIT: they look identical on the Milwaukee website, same dimensions and weight. Seems to me theres no harm in getting the hammer option, even if I don't use it much.

I'd get the hammer, I use mine often with masonry bits.

 

[BroncoAZ]

Anyone tried the tire inflator? I've been thinking of picking one up for my truck.

I purchased the M12 inflator last weekend with the Home Depot return the starter kit deal for $48 with tax. Inflating my 35x12.5R17 tires (pretty large volume) from 27 psi to 35 psi takes about 3:45, 17 psi to 35 psi takes 9:40. Inflating my wife’s bike tire from 20 psi to 40 psi takes 32 seconds. Running it probably 20 minutes dropped a fully charged 6.0 battery to 2 bars remaining.

It’s not a replacement for my 80 gallon 7hp compressor, but it’s very convenient for my wife to top off her car or bike tires. I think it’s worth owning.

 

[a52-830]

It’s not a replacement for my 80 gallon 7hp compressor, but it’s very convenient for my wife to top off her car or bike tires. I think it’s worth owning.

it is nice because you can attach it, start it, and walk away to do something else while it is running.

I also picked up a second one the same way a few weeks ( was it that long?) ago.

for my uses, definitely worth the cost.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I'm probably killing the M12 battery with the heat. I keep a compressor and plug kit in all the cars. I've replaced all the 12V pigtail compressors and have the M12 in all of them

 

[Firefighter1406]

That’s the way I felt about the stapler. I bought it. Then the money started adding up and I returned it. Now I wish I would have kept it!! Stupid, stupid.

 

[kctyphoon]

I think my smuggler is going to get an order for a m18 sawzall.
And then after a short break, the hammer drill and impact driver combo..

I have a tool collection to start rebuilding at work

 

[boomer12831]

KC - I enjoyed the pictures of the vending machines. I heard of them, there was discussions of getting them at work but I retired before it happened. Not sure if they have them yet. Thanks for posting

 

[X1 Mike]

I purchased the M12 inflator last weekend with the Home Depot return the starter kit deal for $48 with tax. Inflating my 35x12.5R17 tires (pretty large volume) from 27 psi to 35 psi takes about 3:45, 17 psi to 35 psi takes 9:40. Inflating my wife’s bike tire from 20 psi to 40 psi takes 32 seconds. Running it probably 20 minutes dropped a fully charged 6.0 battery to 2 bars remaining.

It’s not a replacement for my 80 gallon 7hp compressor, but it’s very convenient for my wife to top off her car or bike tires. I think it’s worth owning.

What is the return the starter kit deal, the best I see it is CPO for $69

Wasn't really considering one but this forum does bad stuff to you. I just realized that it would be perfect to keep with the truck to level out the air bags when I hook up the camper.

 

[a52-830]

What is the return the starter kit deal, the best I see it is CPO for $69

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7970955#post7970955

 

[dacan23]

Dang the new promotions are pretty weak. With almost all retailer coupons excluded on promos and lame promotions, its really the death of fun for me.

 

[Crabman]

it is nice because you can attach it, start it, and walk away to do something else while it is running.

I also picked up a second one the same way a few weeks ( was it that long?) ago.

for my uses, definitely worth the cost.

a52, totally agree about the convenience

I keep a compressor and plug kit in all the cars. I've replaced all the 12V pigtail compressors and have the M12 in all of them

Same here, except only one M12. But plotting to have M12 in all my trucks. Big truck tires definitely hard/overheating on pigtail compressors, even good ones.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BroncoAZ View Post
I purchased the M12 inflator last weekend with the Home Depot return the starter kit deal for $48 with tax. Inflating my 35x12.5R17 tires (pretty large volume) from 27 psi to 35 psi takes about 3:45, 17 psi to 35 psi takes 9:40. Inflating my wife’s bike tire from 20 psi to 40 psi takes 32 seconds. Running it probably 20 minutes dropped a fully charged 6.0 battery to 2 bars remaining.

It’s not a replacement for my 80 gallon 7hp compressor, but it’s very convenient for my wife to top off her car or bike tires. I think it’s worth owning.

This is well stated. But you need to buy a 6.0. If you pump up a couple of sets of truck or trailer tires (a big convenience because you don't have to position a power source to run the pigtail near the trailer) it will **** the juice out of even the 6.0.

I love mine and want a couple more.

Bruce

 

[Crabman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crabman View Post
a52,



So there were two of these at my local store in a clearance area on the back aisle.

Like you, I don't need them, but they are within what I would pay.

I only bought one. I had no regrets until I saw your post.

Now I am thinking: do I need to go down there and see if the other one is still there.

Bad influence indeed!

Bruce
as I have said in other threads, the only tool related things I regret are the ones that I didnt buy . . . .

So I don't go to HD for almost 3 weeks. I am thinking no way the two 3.0 batteries and charger for $70 are still there.

Wrong.

Taking a52's advice about regrets, and feeling they were looking lonely on the back aisle clearance area, I brought them home with me.

No regrets.

Bruce

 

[kctyphoon]

KC - I enjoyed the pictures of the vending machines. I heard of them, there was discussions of getting them at work but I retired before it happened. Not sure if they have them yet. Thanks for posting

Np..

I'm getting ready for the bitching to start at work. I'm only back here since April, our group is down like 7 vechiles, and a little birdie tells me there's an "allegedly" new digger coming to our garage - that "supposedly" has my name on it..

Honestly as long as the thing is somewhat newer - great.
If it's some beat up old POS - then someone else can have at it. Let the newbies tear it up.. I think I'll find out next week. Hopefully..

All I know - is that new model of the 7/16 Milwaukee impact was already ordered for me, told the guy to add a Fuel sawzall to that order, and I think a couple M18 chainsaws are on the way.. I'll be ****** amazed if ALL this works out. My luck aint that good.

 

[dacan23]

Will post my very negative review tomorrow

 

[2manytools]

I now have 3 batteries that are defective, all essentially brand new. First it was the 12ah, then a 3ah HO, now a 5ah I traded to a buddy has flashing lights while on the charger. I took the other 5ah out of the kit to swap him, and that was fine, but dang I have had some bad luck in only the last month.

 

[dacan23]

Maybe it's the charger? I just got my 2nd replacement rapid station.

I now have 3 batteries that are defective, all essentially brand new. First it was the 12ah, then a 3ah HO, now a 5ah I traded to a buddy has flashing lights while on the charger. I took the other 5ah out of the kit to swap him, and that was fine, but dang I have had some bad luck in only the last month.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Will post my very negative review tomorrow

Looking forward to see what you say. I am very interested in one of these.

 

[2manytools]

Maybe it's the charger? I just got my 2nd replacement rapid station.

I have gone through that possibility, but the one a gave away never touched one of mine, and I have recently (after the 12, before the 3) changed a few of my chargers around, more on that below. Years ago I am 99% certain I had a Ridgid tool that was causing my batteries to become defective, which is ironically right before I started into the M12 collection . Yeah I could swap batteries at my HD, but a month later I'm back with the batteries I just got, and I really didn't pay for a lifetime guarantee of my time to service the tools. The 5ah was bad from the factory, gave it to him in the plastic bag, so a bad tool is unlikely.

I do believe Milwaukee has updated the single rapid charger. All my chargers are in sort of in fixed positions and the one in my bag/truck stays the same usually. If I get more chargers, they sit nicely in a box in my attic. I ended up bringing one of mine somewhere for some recent chain sawing, and left it knowing I'd be back & had plenty more. So I grabbed a new rapid charger, from perhaps the Gen2 string trimmer kit, and put it in the other chargers spot. The next day while charging a 12ah, I NEVER heard the whine associated with the other charger. This was 1/3 the reason (1/3 price @ $120, 1/3 addiction) I bought the 6-bay rapid charger. I already had 3+ standard 2-bay rapid chargers, so I'm a hair bummed, but happy as well. That whine was annoyyyyying, though more so to my dog.

I know I wasn't the only one that heard that whine, so never believed them to be defective otherwise.

Dacan, what went wrong, or what do you think went wrong with your chargers?

 

[techieman33]

Finally bought the m12 soldering iron. I like it for situations that I can stand it up and basically use it as a 3rd hand. It’s big, bulky and out of balance when I need to hold it in my hand though. Maybe it’ll be something I get used to?