The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[Firefighter1406]

Interested in feedback on the Backpack Vacuum??? I have been tossing up on it for a while... it just feels a little heavy to me. How does it feel in real use... worn on the back? Hand carried?

How’s the suction? Is the filter clogging quickly?

Need to decide before Buy More Save More ends!

I have limited experience however I am pumped. My dad has one and I used it a couple days in a row. Wore it on the back most of the time. We remodeled a bathroom and I used it to vacuum down the walls after drywall dust for paint. Worked great, so nice to be able to walk and work and and not trip on cords, hoses and the vacuum it’s self. Grinded out and re-grouted a tile floor, worked well here also. The extendable wand is nice and easily adjustable. Doesn’t come with a brush which isn’t cool but a Ridgid one fits nice. I vacuumed for over 20 min straight on a 12ah battery and it was at 2 bars. Power switch is in a bit of an odd place, but the low/high speed is nice.

Overall I was very please. I have heard the filters are a little expensive and that it does so well with larger debris, which I wouldn’t expect it too. I am planning on using it as a dust collector for my miter saw. I will post pics when they come in.

 

[toolin' around]

Awesome, thx. Sounds like it’s worth a try!

 

[Firefighter1406]

Awesome, thx. Sounds like it’s worth a try!

Not sure what else your looking for. But I bought the 2 pack which is $2 cheaper then the buy more save more deal with them full price and had a 10% off coupon, I am just gonna sell the second one. Will end up getting it for like $215 a piece.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Toolin Around - I'll cut you a deal on my backpack and I'll include a 9ah.
Only used 2X vacuming out just the front drivers/passenger side of my car.

I'm a auto detail nut. Backpack was not the right fit.
The smaller packout vac is the one that works.

 

[Bighead38]

Toolin Around - I'll cut you a deal on mine if you want and I'll include a 9ah.
Only used 2X vacuming out just the front drivers/passenger side of my car.

I'm a auto detail nut. Backpack was not the right fit.
The smaller packout vac is the one that works.

The main reason I bought the packout vacuum was for cars and I am very happy with it.

 

[1TMF]

I feel like I'm 0 for 2 on my most recent Milwaukee purchases...

First, got the M18 random orbit sander for Christmas and the dust collection is useless, even when connected to a shop vac. I still much prefer my corded Masterforce sander...collects dust significantly better and feels better in the hand.

Second, the M18 Brad Nailer. Does anyone else have problems with the tool shooting two nails and/or not fully sinking the nails? I was trying to nail 3/4" oak to poplar and I was turning up drive depth and it was randomly shooting two nails, leaving both sticking out. When it would shoot just 1 nail, it wasn't always fully sunk/flush. Is 3/4 oak too much for a cordless brad nailer or did I get a defective one??

Edit: I should say 1 for 3...I did also recently get the M12 Hatchet and it works pretty well!

 

[javyLSU]

Interested in feedback on the Backpack Vacuum??? I have been tossing up on it for a while... it just feels a little heavy to me. How does it feel in real use... worn on the back? Hand carried?

How’s the suction? Is the filter clogging quickly?

Need to decide before Buy More Save More ends!

Backpack vacuum is the best vacuum I own. I keep it in my garage where it routinely cleans up sawdust, drywall, and whatever else falls on my garage floor. Once every few weeks the wife kidnaps it, straps it on her back, and does the floors on both floors of the house. She'll usually go through two batteries (a 12.0 and a 9.0) after which she always tells me how much better it is than her Dyson, Hoover, and Shark vacuums that she keeps in the house. If you plan on holding it with one hand while you vacuum with the other, yeah it's heavy. If you use it as a backpack, it's not heavy at all (as evidenced by my 5'6" wife constant compliments). If you leave it on the floor and use the stick to vacuum whatever you're cleaning like I do 99% of the time, the weight is irrelevant. Suction is great - better than any other cordless vacuum I've used. I've heard the filter gets clogged easily if you're vacuuming a lot of fine dust, but I haven't run into this problem myself - about the finest thing I vacuum is drywall, and not very often.

TLDR: It's awesome, I would absolutely buy it again. I might have to at the rate that my wife keeps taking mine out of the garage.

 

[javyLSU]

Toolin Around - I'll cut you a deal on my backpack and I'll include a 9ah.
Only used 2X vacuming out just the front drivers/passenger side of my car.

I'm a auto detail nut. Backpack was not the right fit.
The smaller packout vac is the one that works.

Couldn't agree more - the backpack vacuum is very much NOT the right tool for auto detail.

 

[toolin' around]

Mixed feedback... and I moved too quick for the offer... I already picked one up.

Gotta say, it does seem a little heavy, but on the back it’s fine... the suction is awesome... specs seem way better than the other cordless vacs. I like the ease of emptying and the clear barrel.

I actually made up an adapter to connect the RIDGID 10’ orange car kit hose, and it’s great with enough length to sit it on the ground outside the vehicle.

On balance, I like it!

I have the little M18 vac as well, which was getting a ton of use, so this fits well between that and the big shop vac.

 

[1Garageman]

Over the weekend I finally started using the M18 Jig saw. It is AWESOME!!! I will be using this a lot in the future. Very Very convenient being wireless, and has plenty of power!

 

[ThatSickRip]

Ordered the M12 Pin Nailer today from CPO. Got a lot of reno coming with the house over the next 6-12 months, so figured why not lol

 

[Rusty67]

Let us know how it performs!

 

[M635_Guy]

Ordered the M12 Pin Nailer today from CPO. Got a lot of reno coming with the house over the next 6-12 months, so figured why not lol

Let us know how it performs!

Yeah - interested too. I have the 18ga brad nailer and it has seen limited use so far. I'm going to let a project drive my acquisition of the Pin nailer

 

[Blackbyrd]

About this time last year I got into milwaukee stuff, slowly been replacing my air tools. No one is a fan of starting the compressor late at night........

Recently got the compact tire Inflator.

I have a compact m12 impact and the big m18 as well
Big fan of their automotive stuff.

I think my next one is gonna be the 3" cut off wheel.


Anyone used their m18 string trimmer?

 

[Bighead38]

About this time last year I got into milwaukee stuff, slowly been replacing my air tools. No one is a fan of starting the compressor late at night........

Recently got the compact tire Inflator.

I have a compact m12 impact and the big m18 as well
Big fan of their automotive stuff.

I think my next one is gonna be the 3" cut off wheel.


Anyone used their m18 string trimmer?

I do t have the string trimmer myself but had my sister buy one since I always do maintenance when I visit. She has a small yard and the trimmer and blower have been absolutely perfect for it. No worries about the engine not starting, just tell her to charge the batteries before I head over.

 

[Blackbyrd]

I have the blower and agree it's really good. I have a gas trimmer and I get tired of having the same ole fight every season of getting it to start..... So I've considered it.

 

[Bighead38]

It really depends on the property. The Milwaukee blower would work for my driveway but not the yard I have. It really depends on the situation but given what they are the blower and trimmer are both very good.

 

[ThatSickRip]

Let us know how it performs!

Yeah - interested too. I have the 18ga brad nailer and it has seen limited use so far. I'm going to let a project drive my acquisition of the Pin nailer

Will do! I have a small Scrabble letter tile project with everyone in the familys names that Im going to use it on first to get a feel for it

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

Is the 6.0 High Output enough for the 12" miter saw? I'm looking at replacing my old Ridgid 10" non-sliding saw. I currently have (2) 6.0 batteries (plus a 9.0 HD and a bunch of old 3.0 XC batteries) and would eventually like to get a 12.0, but haven't seen any deals for a saw with a free battery combo or anything like that. The $150 off the bare tool with the Buy More Save More seems to be the best deal I've seen in months.

The saw will be used for some trim work in our new house without electricity yet and will eventually have a more semi-permanent home in the workshop where the 12.0 will probably be more beneficial.

I'm also considering just getting a small generator, using the Ridgid for now, and upgrading to a nicer 12" sliding corded saw before we build our deck. Long term I don't see a big need for the cordless capability.

Thoughts?

 

[dacan23]

On the above topic of OPE. I love the M18 trimmer, have had both versions, pole saw is fantastic, haven't used my edger or articulating hedger yet. Love the original hedge trimmer which I still have and the V2 blower is ok for non fall northeast fall cleanup.

I recently got a Makita 18x2 mower and very disappointed in it, when Milwaukee makes one I sure hope its better. I don't know if the issues are common with battery mowers. The Makita has auto variable power, it goes into high when it feels it needs to, which is annoying. The biggest problem is I have a thick lawn and it shuts down often when it gets too much resistance. I wanted to cut the area short where I was building a swing set, it wouldn't work cutting 3 notches down on cutting height. Even after mowing at one setting it would shut down often re-mowing on just 1 height notch down. I have never had a gas mower bog down and shut off mowing even trying to cut many inches off the grass.

Milwaukee if they ever make a mower, better make a bad @ss mower capable of clearing a field.

 

[GeoBruin]

I just took advantage of the Buy More Save More deal at HD. I ordered the fuel 8" metal cutting circular saw and the m12 RA die grinder. The total put me into the highest savings tier which took $150 off so the way I look at it, I nearly got the grinder for nearly nothing.

Anyhow, I'm pretty stoked about the circular saw. I have a portaband on a Swag table for small hand cuts and an Evo saw for miter cuts but I struggle with long straight cuts for plate etc. The feedback on this saw all suggests it cuts as well or better than the corded version so we'll see how it goes.

 

[MikeF2316]

...

Milwaukee if they ever make a mower, better make a bad @ss mower capable of clearing a field.

Be careful what you wish for. They'll make it in MX and it'll cost you $1500!

 

[Firefighter1406]

I feel like I'm 0 for 2 on my most recent Milwaukee purchases...

First, got the M18 random orbit sander for Christmas and the dust collection is useless, even when connected to a shop vac. I still much prefer my corded Masterforce sander...collects dust significantly better and feels better in the hand.

Second, the M18 Brad Nailer. Does anyone else have problems with the tool shooting two nails and/or not fully sinking the nails? I was trying to nail 3/4" oak to poplar and I was turning up drive depth and it was randomly shooting two nails, leaving both sticking out. When it would shoot just 1 nail, it wasn't always fully sunk/flush. Is 3/4 oak too much for a cordless brad nailer or did I get a defective one??

Edit: I should say 1 for 3...I did also recently get the M12 Hatchet and it works pretty well!

I was about to go pick up the sander today as I have a small floor refinishing project coming up. But the dust collect woes you are talking about makes me worried.

 

[Shaners256]

On the above topic of OPE. I love the M18 trimmer, have had both versions, pole saw is fantastic, haven't used my edger or articulating hedger yet. Love the original hedge trimmer which I still have and the V2 blower is ok for non fall northeast fall cleanup.

I recently got a Makita 18x2 mower and very disappointed in it, when Milwaukee makes one I sure hope its better. I don't know if the issues are common with battery mowers. The Makita has auto variable power, it goes into high when it feels it needs to, which is annoying. The biggest problem is I have a thick lawn and it shuts down often when it gets too much resistance. I wanted to cut the area short where I was building a swing set, it wouldn't work cutting 3 notches down on cutting height. Even after mowing at one setting it would shut down often re-mowing on just 1 height notch down. I have never had a gas mower bog down and shut off mowing even trying to cut many inches off the grass.

Milwaukee if they ever make a mower, better make a bad @ss mower capable of clearing a field.

Interesting, do you know what model number that Makita was?

 

[dacan23]

If it's MX and for $1500 I get a battery and charger, and I can do my whole lawn then maybe not that bad

Be careful what you wish for. They'll make it in MX and it'll cost you $1500!

XML03PT1

https://www.cpooutlets.com/makita-x...it-with-4-batteries--5.0ah-/mktnxml03pt1.html

Interesting, do you know what model number that Makita was?

I didn't want a self propelled to eat up the battery plus its light exercise. Thought an 18" was good enough for my 1/2 acre considering the house, pool, & deck is half that. I can do the whole lawn with the 4 batteries though in hindsight a 20-21" might of been better, but have a lot of fruit trees and fencing so wanted manuverability.

 

[9eight7]

I bought my first Milwaukee tool a year and a half ago. Then I kept buying and buying... it's that good.

My awesome in laws got me this for my bday. It's my first M18 so charger and blades are next to come.

 

[baoser]

Nice. I've used that one for a while now but recently picked up the M12 fuel so I can be all M12 in my light duty every day carry packout. Haven't put a lot of hours on it yet, but the M12 fuel OMT is very capable/comparable to the M18 brushed from my limited use so far.

 

[9eight7]

Nice. I've used that one for a while now but recently picked up the M12 fuel so I can be all M12 in my light duty every day carry packout. Haven't put a lot of hours on it yet, but the M12 fuel OMT is very capable/comparable to the M18 brushed from my limited use so far.

Honestly, I'd prefer the M12 fuel version because I have the batteries but this gives me an excuse to increase the collection.

 

[M635_Guy]

the M18 Brad Nailer. Does anyone else have problems with the tool shooting two nails and/or not fully sinking the nails? I was trying to nail 3/4" oak to poplar and I was turning up drive depth and it was randomly shooting two nails, leaving both sticking out. When it would shoot just 1 nail, it wasn't always fully sunk/flush. Is 3/4 oak too much for a cordless brad nailer or did I get a defective one??

It seems like the M18 is a bit brand-sensitive to nails. What brand are you using? Maybe try a different brand and see if it is still misbehaving. If it is, I'd warranty-replace it.

 

[baoser]

Honestly, I'd prefer the M12 fuel version because I have the batteries but this gives me an excuse to increase the collection.

I have tons of M18 batteries but wanted everything to fit in a small packout.

This is my 2-layer packout that can handle most small jobs.

 

[ThatSickRip]

M12 pin nailer came in last night, and of course I couldnt let it just sit in the box.

I put some 1/2" pins in it and popped a few in some scrap plywood. They sunk flush ( I havent adjusted anything yet) and its super quiet. Looking forward to trying it on some projects soon

 

[pbon]

I am tempted by the pin nailer.

 

[Chromdome35]

M12 pin nailer came in last night, and of course I couldnt let it just sit in the box.

I put some 1/2" pins in it and popped a few in some scrap plywood. They sunk flush ( I havent adjusted anything yet) and its super quiet. Looking forward to trying it on some projects soon

I got mine in from Acme yesterday. Haven't shot any pins through it yet, this weekend will cure that.

 

[Jamie V]

I got my M12 pin nailer in on Tuesday but I haven’t tried it yet.

 

[M635_Guy]

I get the feeling I'm going to wind up with a pin nailer...

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Me too.. re pin nailer. I have Rockwell / Delta pneumatic all the way to construction common nails and for whatever reason I didn’t buy the pin nailer......


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[tarmy]

Need to replace my very well used Fuel m18 hammer drill...2704. A beast...

Looking around all I can find is the smaller 2804...is that the new version? Anything I am missing?

Thanks...

 

[Deadsquiggles]

Finally ordered a 2457-20 3/8” M12 ratchet. Couldn’t really justify the extra cost of the Fuel version but it’ll be infinitely helpful when I do more engine bay work on my truck.

 

[webscrounger]

The 2804 is the new Fuel version. You can look at this - 2704-22 vs 2804-22:

https://beltsandboxes.com/inside-look-milwaukee-m18-fuel-hammer-drill-2704-22-vs-2804-22/

I know Clark's has the 2804-20 (bare tool) for $103.

Need to replace my very well used Fuel m18 hammer drill...2704. A beast...

Looking around all I can find is the smaller 2804...is that the new version? Anything I am missing?

Thanks...

 

[tarmy]

The 2804 is the new Fuel version. You can look at this - 2704-22 vs 2804-22:

https://beltsandboxes.com/inside-look-milwaukee-m18-fuel-hammer-drill-2704-22-vs-2804-22/

I know Clark's has the 2804-20 (bare tool) for $103.

Thank you for this post...that is very helpful.