The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[BroncoAZ]

Ive got like 9 rapid chargers, BUT I still keep 2 of the standard chargers around.

WHY. Because low and slow is good for batteries.
Just today, took out the stash - some going as far back as 5-6 years old on my 5.0. Went through all of them and -topped- off the ones that needed to be while in sitting SOC

I also use slow chargers rather than Rapid. I keep a rapid charger for offsite uses, but I usually have plenty of batteries for anything I might do.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I must be getting old but I swear the Packout at 50 CFM is just as powerful as my Miele home vac that on paper is 3X as much. The Miele does have a bag and hepa filter though so that may cut down on the CFM

 

[Rileysan]

After more than 5 years on GJ, I finally have something to post in the Milwaukee Tool thread. Not that I didn't own any, it's just that I've been using and abusing Milwaukee power tools for more than 30 years (the first being a 4-1/2" angle grinder I bought new in the late 80s) and most aren't pretty, so I would never have thought to photograph them!

I've been wanting a Milwaukee portable bandsaw for years but I refused to buy the latest model with plastic wheel guards and a plastic storage box. So when this lot came up at a local auction, I couldn't pass up the opportunity - especially with the Hole Hawg in a metal box. The Sawzall is missing the fence but otherwise works perfectly. The final hammer was $200, which I would have paid for the band saw so I'm delighted with my purchase!

Brian

 

[DerekV]

I have the red lithium USB folding rover flood light and I absolutely love it. However, my only complaint is the battery life. This M12 light to me is like a much better version of that USB light.

Bingo, that’s precisely why I want one

 

[DerekV]

I’m gonna have to grab that one of these days. I was in Home Depot yesterday and picked up this m18 light. I couldn’t say no for $59.

That is a pretty slammin deal, I’ve been thinking about grabbing two and making an M18 under hood light

 

[DerekV]

1st time for ever to received a dead out of the box tool

Gen 2 Mid. Torque Grease coming out of the head, can hear the anvil working but zero torque/rotation.

Bummer, I hope that’s just a fluke. I really want one of those

Got my Gen 2 Mid Torque boot opened.
The end where the lights are....woud have thought they would have done just cutout for the led and still have a rubber front. Instead, the front end of the boot is complete open...Design flaw or design feature, I'll let you decide

I noticed that...I’m indifferent about it

 

[mobiledynamics]

$ for $, why are these dang boots so expensive ;-/
between the stubby, high, gen 1 mid, etc, I -think- the only time I paid less than MSRP was on the gen 1 mid torque boot. I'm not actively looking for red deals though....just buy as the impulse occurs

 

[dacan23]

LOL, because they can charge what ever they want. There are knockoffs out there but they look meh and I'd rather have the real thing for a few bucks more.

I use to add them when needing $10-20 more for a coupon. Best deal I got was on a 3 or 4 pack of M12 stubbie boots from ebay, were $15ish a piece I think.

$ for $, why are these dang boots so expensive ;-/
between the stubby, high, gen 1 mid, etc, I -think- the only time I paid less than MSRP was on the gen 1 mid torque boot. I'm not actively looking for red deals though....just buy as the impulse occurs

 

[Caparris]

I’m gonna have to grab that one of these days. I was in Home Depot yesterday and picked up this m18 light. I couldn’t say no for $59.

I have had one of those since they came out and they're awesome, mine has been thrown around like crazy and still super bright and lasts a long time. It's nice to throw under a car and you can roll it around enough to find an angle that works (usually). I would buy another one myself if I saw one for that price.

 

[danny_barkley]

I have had one of those since they came out and they're awesome, mine has been thrown around like crazy and still super bright and lasts a long time. It's nice to throw under a car and you can roll it around enough to find an angle that works (usually). I would buy another one myself if I saw one for that price.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-ROVER-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-1500-Lumens-LED-Flood-Light-Tool-Only-2361-20/204606933

 

[Tbird22]

1st time for ever to received a dead out of the box tool

Gen 2 Mid. Torque Grease coming out of the head, can hear the anvil working but zero torque/rotation.

That’s is supremely upsetting! I can’t believe only one person commented on this


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Bighead38]

That is a pretty slammin deal, I’ve been thinking about grabbing two and making an M18 under hood light

I like that idea.

I have had one of those since they came out and they're awesome, mine has been thrown around like crazy and still super bright and lasts a long time. It's nice to throw under a car and you can roll it around enough to find an angle that works (usually). I would buy another one myself if I saw one for that price.

My buddy has one and he has tortured that light. Still kicking so I knew it would work for me.

 

[Firefighter1406]

I also use slow chargers rather than Rapid. I keep a rapid charger for offsite uses, but I usually have plenty of batteries for anything I might do.

Me too. I have the rapid chargers if I am out with the chainsaw or something that is eating up my 12ah batteries. Have 3 of them so that’s not normally an issue but if it is I will rapid charge them. Any other time I always slow charge my batteries.

 

[dacan23]

It would be interesting to know when it was made. I feel like the quality of things has been impacted by the pandemic, either from short staff, on and off work, the factories being shuttered and reopened, people not being focused and attentive on the job, etc

That’s is supremely upsetting! I can’t believe only one person commented on this


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[mobiledynamics]

I know how to decipher batch codes...
Does anyone know if the serial # on the tools are depicative of a batch code like - year/week of, etc in the serial # sequence ?

 

[rmack898]

I finally have something to post in the Milwaukee Tool thread. I'm delighted with my purchase!

Brian

You **** Brian

 

[mc4life27]

I also use slow chargers rather than Rapid. I keep a rapid charger for offsite uses, but I usually have plenty of batteries for anything I might do.

Same I’m from the old thinking low and slow changing is best. Have had the best luck using the slow charger as much as I can and only use my rapid charger when working outside of my garage or house.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[mc4life27]

After more than 5 years on GJ, I finally have something to post in the Milwaukee Tool thread. Not that I didn't own any, it's just that I've been using and abusing Milwaukee power tools for more than 30 years (the first being a 4-1/2" angle grinder I bought new in the late 80s) and most aren't pretty, so I would never have thought to photograph them!



I've been wanting a Milwaukee portable bandsaw for years but I refused to buy the latest model with plastic wheel guards and a plastic storage box. So when this lot came up at a local auction, I couldn't pass up the opportunity - especially with the Hole Hawg in a metal box. The Sawzall is missing the fence but otherwise works perfectly. The final hammer was $200, which I would have paid for the band saw so I'm delighted with my purchase!



Brian

Nice classic set of tools that will last forever


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Kaervak]

It has arrived! I like that when you turn it on it doesn't immediately blast full brightness, it gradually ramps up. It feels really solid too, not flimsy by any means. It's fairly compact too, maybe the size of an M18 XC5.0 pack. This is definitely going to be a nice upgrade from the USB rover flood light.

 

[logixjock]

Unfortunately it's not capable of charging the M12 battery. The piece you circled is the power switch for the USB port for charging devices. With that said, when I bought my M12 inflator it came with the setup to charge M12 batteries without the typical M12 wall charger. IMO, absolutely useless. I don't remember how long it took to charge the 2Ah battery that was in the kit, but it was multiple times longer than the wall charger takes to charge a CP3.0 pack. If this had M12 charging capability, it would be just as slow. It is nice to have in a pinch, but to me it's more gimmick than useful.

I bought that charger just for pairing with the inflater, works perfectly IMO, when I'm done airing a tire up, I recharge the battery overnight. Store the inflater and charger right in my truck. The inflater eats battery life so much I think it'd be useless without the charger. Milwaukee agrees with me as they started selling them together after I bought my setup.

 

[M635_Guy]

I also use slow chargers rather than Rapid. I keep a rapid charger for offsite uses, but I usually have plenty of batteries for anything I might do.

Strictly-speaking, charging fast (within reason) isn't a big hit to the batteries until you get to about 80% (or so) charged. After that, you're paying the price. The best thing is not to bottom out the battery, to only charge to 80% or so and resist the urge to top off/leave for a long time in a high state of charge. Charging between 30% and 80% is extremely low-wearing on the battery.

Because of their warranty, I assume Milwaukee is doing the right things by including extra capacity you don't "see" to help minimize wear/tear and have their batteries and chargers communicate to charge "smart" (batteries tell the charger their remaining Ah, the charger charges freely to 80% and more cautiously after that), but have never seen that verified or alluded to.

 

[dacan23]

Most rapid chargers start slow then fast for the most part and end slow, point is not to heat up the battery too fast and then let it cool at the end. So if you pull it off before it completes I would think thats worse for the battery.

Strictly-speaking, charging fast (within reason) isn't a big hit to the batteries until you get to about 80% (or so) charged. After that, you're paying the price. The best thing is not to bottom out the battery, to only charge to 80% or so and resist the urge to top off/leave for a long time in a high state of charge. Charging between 30% and 80% is extremely low-wearing on the battery.

Because of their warranty, I assume Milwaukee is doing the right things by including extra capacity you don't "see" to help minimize wear/tear and have their batteries and chargers communicate to charge "smart" (batteries tell the charger their remaining Ah, the charger charges freely to 80% and more cautiously after that), but have never seen that verified or alluded to.

 

[Kaervak]

Unfortunately it's not capable of charging the M12 battery. The piece you circled is the power switch for the USB port for charging devices. With that said, when I bought my M12 inflator it came with the setup to charge M12 batteries without the typical M12 wall charger. IMO, absolutely useless. I don't remember how long it took to charge the 2Ah battery that was in the kit, but it was multiple times longer than the wall charger takes to charge a CP3.0 pack. If this had M12 charging capability, it would be just as slow. It is nice to have in a pinch, but to me it's more gimmick than useful.

I AM MISTAKEN! That is not just a power switch for the USB charging port, but pressing it will also show the charge level of the M12 battery as well as turn on the USB port for charging.

 

[DerekV]

Strictly-speaking, charging fast (within reason) isn't a big hit to the batteries until you get to about 80% (or so) charged. After that, you're paying the price. The best thing is not to bottom out the battery, to only charge to 80% or so and resist the urge to top off/leave for a long time in a high state of charge. Charging between 30% and 80% is extremely low-wearing on the battery.

Because of their warranty, I assume Milwaukee is doing the right things by including extra capacity you don't "see" to help minimize wear/tear and have their batteries and chargers communicate to charge "smart" (batteries tell the charger their remaining Ah, the charger charges freely to 80% and more cautiously after that), but have never seen that verified or alluded to.

...we get it, we get it [emoji23]

loud
n
clear
[emoji1787]

 

[danny_barkley]

I bought that charger just for pairing with the inflater, works perfectly IMO, when I'm done airing a tire up, I recharge the battery overnight. Store the inflater and charger right in my truck. The inflater eats battery life so much I think it'd be useless without the charger. Milwaukee agrees with me as they started selling them together after I bought my setup.

With a 4 or 6ah battery it doesn't feel so limited by the battery. A 1.5 or 2.0 seems to be gone immediately.

 

[BrianJ]

Looking for some pros and cons on M18 ROCKET Dual Power Tower Light. 2131.

 

[Bad Mojo]

I bought a conversion kit for the M12 3" Cut Off Tool and it has been one of my favorite purchases of all time. It fits the roll of an automatic file and makes quick work of when a file would of been needed. Also super nice when a part needs a burr knocked back. I thought it would be a tool I would use every once in a while and now it has been packed and used on every job as of late.

 

[GeoBruin]

I bought a conversion kit for the M12 3" Cut Off Tool and it has been one of my favorite purchases of all time. It fits the roll of an automatic file and makes quick work of when a file would of been needed. Also super nice when a part needs a burr knocked back. I thought it would be a tool I would use every once in a while and now it has been packed and used on every job as of late.

Which kit did you purchase if you don't mind my asking?

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I bought a conversion kit for the M12 3" Cut Off Tool and it has been one of my favorite purchases of all time. It fits the roll of an automatic file and makes quick work of when a file would of been needed. Also super nice when a part needs a burr knocked back. I thought it would be a tool I would use every once in a while and now it has been packed and used on every job as of late.

How does that attach to the tool? I wonder if it could be adapted to the die grinder.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Which kit did you purchase if you don't mind my asking?

I purchased this one. There is a link in the ad if you want to run a larger belt using a different band file.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Belt-Sander-CONVERSION-PARTS-3-8-Milwaukee-M12-Cut-Off-Saw-2522-20-2522-21/274409456284

How does that attach to the tool? I wonder if it could be adapted to the die grinder.

You end up using a cheap air band file to rob parts of for it to mount. I think it would be a lot of work for it to work with one of the M12 die grinders. The cut off tool gets a plate mounted to it that allow the band file piece to attach to. I think of the band file and die grinder as complimentary tools.

 

[Rusty67]

Interesting setup, seems like all in it would be a lot cheaper if Milwaukee straight up just made this. I don't really want the 3" cutoff tool but I DO want the sander. Maybe next year at pipeline they will introduce it. Long term, if it never comes out I'll probably end up doing this.

 

[PelicanPines]

Interesting setup, seems like all in it would be a lot cheaper if Milwaukee straight up just made this. I don't really want the 3" cutoff tool but I DO want the sander. Maybe next year at pipeline they will introduce it. Long term, if it never comes out I'll probably end up doing this.

I was skeptical about how often I would use the 3" cutoff tool... I end up using it all the time.

BUT

I really want that sander attachment (ordered the 1/2")... but now... I may need to buy a 2nd cut off tool to support it... not sure... I have other options for doing "CUT OFFS"... but this will be my ONLY hand held sander like that.

Hopefully I can use my 1/2" x 18" Astro P sander for the donor parts needed...

 

[Bad Mojo]

Interesting setup, seems like all in it would be a lot cheaper if Milwaukee straight up just made this. I don't really want the 3" cutoff tool but I DO want the sander. Maybe next year at pipeline they will introduce it. Long term, if it never comes out I'll probably end up doing this.

I wish Milwaukee would come up with one as well because I wouldn't mind having it start life as a band file. The sander is pretty awesome and because it is one handed very convenient in many cases. I struggled at first if I really wanted to do this, but have zero regrets on it.

I was skeptical about how often I would use the 3" cutoff tool... I end up using it all the time.

BUT

I really want that sander attachment (ordered the 1/2")... but now... I may need to buy a 2nd cut off tool to support it... not sure... I have other options for doing "CUT OFFS"... but this will be my ONLY hand held sander like that.

Hopefully I can use my 1/2" x 18" Astro P sander for the donor parts needed...

I am curious of what you use your cutoff tool for. I bought mine for the sander conversion, but see its merit and could see getting a second one for its original purpose. They seem useful in renovation projects. The M12 bandsaw gets pulled out more than I expected for metal working projects when something needs to get trimmed.

If you get your Astro P sander to work let us know and post a picture!

 

[PelicanPines]

I am curious of what you use your cutoff tool for. I bought mine for the sander conversion, but see its merit and could see getting a second one for its original purpose. They seem useful in renovation projects. The M12 bandsaw gets pulled out more than I expected for metal working projects when something needs to get trimmed.

If you get your Astro P sander to work let us know and post a picture!

I am rarely willing to pull out the hoses etc... to use my Astro P... unless I have no option.

My 3" cutoff... gets used because it's right there on my battery tool cart along with the other dozen battery tools. My M12 bandsaw is a bit farther away... but thanks for reminding me.... I mayt just do the sanding conversion and move the bandsaw closer to my power cart.

The cutoff tool gets used for just about everything metal that needs cutting. I do a lot of house trim work and use it to cut metal edging etc. Nibble a corner of a tile... smooth a cut edge when I dont' want to carry the item to my grinder. I use the side of the blade (not recommended) but works enough to remove a burr...

Mostly cutting bolts, all thread, metal trim, plastic, etc.

So everything you use your M12 bandsaw for...

My bandsaw is kinda a lost child... I used it for a month... packed it away and forget to use it...

I think of my cutoff tool and my oscillating tool more times than I can count in a week. Oscillating tools so much... I have 4 (different brands)... all with different blades installed.

 

[gtsgarage]

The Milwaukee addiction thread! [emoji4]

Anyone have a good comparison of the m12 vs m18 rocket light?

Some of the YouTube videos are painful to watch.

M18 looks too big for most of my uses.

 

[gtsgarage]

Well went a little crazy for Black Friday this year. Especially with it all week. These are all Santa gifts, it’s the way the wife likes it!

Love the m12 rocket light, the Fuel oscillating multi tool is huge, already have the non fuel and will leave it at the cabin. Got the 1/2” drill and 1/4” hex, also duplicates but will go to the cabin as well.

The radio looks cool can’t wait to play with it more. The hackzall was an add on with the drill kit. Also got tons of big batteries! Love my m12 stuff especially on sale.

 

[Bighead38]

What’s the one above the hackzall?

 

[gtsgarage]

What’s the one above the hackzall?

That’s the polisher/sander. Also something that’s been on my list! I also got the Roloc and cutoff adapters from the guy on eBay.

 

[Bighead38]

I had a very red Christmas.

The packout vacuum and pack out light/charger.

1/4” fuel impact with 2 3.0 batteries and packout case. I already have a 1/4” impact but I think this one is a generation newer. Mainly got it for the batteries and packout box. I use the impact so often having a second one won’t hurt. Probably going to throw out that insert so I can fill the box.

Stubby impact

Also got the m12 battery set with a 3.0 and a 6.0. Plus a head lamp.

 

[gtsgarage]

That packout light looks pretty slick!