The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[darkzero]

Dammit!! Guess I shouldn't have made an uninformed purchase! My mind just went with ball detent I guess, as I have never used a pin detent.

Well at least now you know!

And just a FYI, impact guns don't come with a ball detent, it's either the friction ring or pin detent. At least I've never seen one during all the times I have purchased air & cordless impacts. As someone mentioned, the ball detent won't hold a socket well for impacting.

I hear with a pin detent, when putting on an impact socket, just don't line up the pin with the hole on the socket. That supposedly allows you to be able to remove the socket without having to depress the pin with another tool. But not sure if it'll hold the socket on well.

And not sure if there's a possibility of the socket getting stuck. But I've never heard of a socket getting stuck like that I doubt they would make it so that could easily happen. I believe the pin detent actually has a bevel on it so the socket can't get stuck. I say supposedly cause I don't have any personal experience with pin detents & if it can possibly get stuck, I take no blame!

EDIT: Oh yeah, as I posted in the other thread, forgot impact sockets only have the 1 hole & no indents like chrome sockets.

 

[darkzero]

I am trying to determine the best battery upgrade for my current fleet of tools and could use your help. I currently have the standard charger and a mix of 3AH and 5AH XC batteries. I find the run time on the blower is way too short. I have been looking at the 8AH XC battery as an upgrade. Q1: Is the 8AH battery the best choice for the vacuum and the blower? Q2: How necessary is the rapid charger with the larger battery?

I can get the 8AH battery for $129 or the battery and rapid charger for $179 (w/$20 Northern Tool Coupon).

Tools:
18V Fuel Blower
18V Rocket Light
18V Compact Vacuum
18V Brushless Impact Driver and Hammer Drill (Non Fuel)

My vote is 8.0 for the Fuel blower. I normally use a 9.0 with the blower. Performance between the 2 are about the same. Got a great deal on a 12.0 for Black Friday a couple of years ago & figured that would be great for the blower. Well it is but the thing is heavy & offsets the balance of the blower so I went back to using the 9.0.

About a month ago I picked up the 8.0 & 3.0 HO combo for $133 shipped. This was during the HD sale for $169 (I think that deal is still going on). There were a bunch of people selling these on ebay & is where I got mine. Still might be able to find them at that price on ebay unless you're someone who prefers to buy from MW authorized dealers only.

So now I'm using the 8.0 or 9.0 on my blower. Picked up the 8.0 in case my 9.0 ever dies (I don't think I have 9.0 that commonly dies though) & because I got a great deal on it. But I don't use my blower for yard work, just to blow off excess water of the truck after wash & my garage (chips from machining). Also using the 8.0 for my angle grinder.

I mostly own 5.0s & is my favorite all around to use. I use them for my impacts, impact driver, hammer drill, hackzall, & even the shop vac. Although now I'm using the 3.0 HO on my drill now cause it doesn't get used a lot & only at home. Shop vac can be battery hungry but I rarely use it for long periods of time.

Since I mostly use 5.0s, 8.0, & 9.0, the rapid charger was worth it to me. I got it cheap on ebay also. I could live without it though as I have enough batteries where I won't have to sit around & wait for batteries to charge. Standard charger does take a while to charge a 12.0.

 

[sparky 1971]

Since I mostly use 5.0s, 8.0, & 9.0, the rapid charger was worth it to me. I got it cheap on ebay also. I could live without it though as I have enough batteries where I won't have to sit around & wait for batteries to charge. Standard charger does take a while to charge a 12.0.

I have Two 8.0 and four 9.0 batteries along with a bunch of 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0's. I haven't tried the 8.0 batteries in a regular charger, but if I put a 9.0 in, I get the defective pack flash. With rapid chargers, everything is fine.

 

[darkzero]

I have Two 8.0 and four 9.0 batteries along with a bunch of 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0's. I haven't tried the 8.0 batteries in a regular charger, but if I put a 9.0 in, I get the defective pack flash. With rapid chargers, everything is fine.

Oh interesting, that's strange. Yeah all my batteries charge fine in the standard & rapid chargers, even my 8.0 & 9.0. Sounds like you got a bad one. I hear MW warranties the 9.0s without any hassles.

IIRC I read that the 9.0s that have charging issues are the ones that say "HD 9.0" on them. Mine says "High Demand 9.0" on it & are supposedly the ones that don't have issues.

 

[Bighead38]

Bought the new M18 Mid Torque Impact w/pin detent 2962P-20 yesterday for a project, and am dissapointed to say that there is an issue with detent pin. It WILL NOT let the socket go!! I had to stick a pick or allen key in the detent hole of the socket to release it. I like the tool otherwise, and really only bought it because that was the only cordless impact they had in stock.

When I checked the Milwaukee site for more info, it looks like someone left a review with the same issue.

Just make sure you don’t line up the hole of the socket with the pin detent then sockets come off. Line them up and it locks.

 

[darkzero]

Had my 12.0 out & thought, what's the smallest tool do I have & how stupid would it look? I'm ready for camping! I wonder what the runtime is?




Then I tried it on my blower with the short nozzle. Doesn't even sit flat cause the battery so heavy.




Yeah, I was bored.

 

[sparky 1971]

Oh interesting, that's strange. Yeah all my batteries charge fine in the standard & rapid chargers, even my 8.0 & 9.0. Sounds like you got a bad one. I hear MW warranties the 9.0s without any hassles.

IIRC I read that the 9.0s that have charging issues are the ones that say "HD 9.0" on them. Mine says "High Demand 9.0" on it & are supposedly the ones that don't have issues.

Nah, I'm not messing around with the warranty. I've had the batteries for a long time and they charge fine, just not on a regular charger. I have four rapid chargers lined up in the shop. I just thought it was interesting they won't charge in the old school charger.

 

[quadrcr87]

Thanks for the comments guys. I’m still leaning toward the 8Ah with the rapid charger. My wife likes to use the blower for leafs and I’m afraid the 12 would kill her arm.

 

[mobiledynamics]

How much leafs and how far do you intend to blow. I'd be concerned about run-time. I don't have the Red blower though

But even with my Dewalt 40V, it only get's me so far..

 

[Renegade1LI]

Does anyone have the m12 Underhood light? If you do is it worth it?

 

[quadrcr87]

How much leafs and how far do you intend to blow. I'd be concerned about run-time. I don't have the Red blower though

But even with my Dewalt 40V, it only get's me so far..

I have an acre with a lot of oaks. Typically I clear the ditches and the heavy areas with a gas Echo blower while my wife clears the garden beds with the 18V Fuel blower. We then pick them up with a leaf sweeper. We just need the blowers to get them out of the tight areas.

Right now she goes through two 5ah batteries and one 3ah to get it done. I am hoping the 8ah and a 5ah will be all she needs soon.

 

[homec]

Bought the new M18 Mid Torque Impact w/pin detent 2962P-20 yesterday for a project, and am dissapointed to say that there is an issue with detent pin. It WILL NOT let the socket go!! I had to stick a pick or allen key in the detent hole of the socket to release it. I like the tool otherwise, and really only bought it because that was the only cordless impact they had in stock.

When I checked the Milwaukee site for more info, it looks like someone left a review with the same issue.

Mine is like that too. I'm going to contact them once I'm done my current car repair job. The problem is the detent isn't completely ball-shaped. It's flat around the past and that catches on the sockets. I have to use a pick to press it down and free them and I once had a socket get stuck on it. Took me 30 min to remove.

 

[homec]

Yeah, this is exactly how the pin detent is supposed to work. If you want a to be able to remove a socket without a tool, then you need to swap out the anvil to a friction ring anvil.

Do you have one? Because I do and it doesn't seem normal to me. The pin-detents on other things I have (ratchets, extensions, even other Milwaukee tools) can be removed with a a good pull etc. They won't just fall off on their own.

With this tool, the detent isn't completely ball-shaped. It's actually eaten into one of my impact sockets and gotten really stuck when I was removing collar bolts to get my CV axle out.

 

[homec]

Well at least now you know!

And just a FYI, impact guns don't come with a ball detent, it's either the friction ring or pin detent. At least I've never seen one during all the times I have purchased air & cordless impacts. As someone mentioned, the ball detent won't hold a socket well for impacting.

I hear with a pin detent, when putting on an impact socket, just don't line up the pin with the hole on the socket. That supposedly allows you to be able to remove the socket without having to depress the pin with another tool. But not sure if it'll hold the socket on well.

And not sure if there's a possibility of the socket getting stuck. But I've never heard of a socket getting stuck like that I doubt they would make it so that could easily happen. I believe the pin detent actually has a bevel on it so the socket can't get stuck. I say supposedly cause I don't have any personal experience with pin detents & if it can possibly get stuck, I take no blame!

EDIT: Oh yeah, as I posted in the other thread, forgot impact sockets only have the 1 hole & no indents like chrome sockets.

ok ignore last post. I'm confusing pin and ball detents. I didn't even realize there were two different things.

But yes, the pin detent can and does get stuck based on personal experience. It's annoying. And no, the socket doesn't just fall off if you line it up with a side that doesn't have the hole for the pin/ball (which is what I normally do).

 

[M635_Guy]

Does anyone have the m12 Underhood light? If you do is it worth it?

I have it, and have really enjoyed it. Aside from the cost, the only thing I'd like to see is the ability to run it on AC power, but that's a minor thing.

Lights up a work area really well (have posted this pic a few times):

 

[Shaners256]

Do you have one? Because I do and it doesn't seem normal to me. The pin-detents on other things I have (ratchets, extensions, even other Milwaukee tools) can be removed with a a good pull etc. They won't just fall off on their own.

With this tool, the detent isn't completely ball-shaped. It's actually eaten into one of my impact sockets and gotten really stuck when I was removing collar bolts to get my CV axle out.

No, I don't have one, but I've played with lots of different models. The pin is 100% intended to be used only with a pick or tool to remove the socket.

This tool isn't the same as a ratchet with a ball to hold the socket on. The pin detents are really only meant to be used by trades that use impacts at high heights so the socket can't accidentally fall off and hurt someone.

Edit: I didn't see your next post....What you can do pretty easily is order the friction ring anvil from Milwaukee (1-800-SAWDUST) and it is a very easy swap.

 

[eyeball]

Does anyone have the m12 Underhood light? If you do is it worth it?

I have it and even though it is expensive, I would buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[M635_Guy]

I used my M18 Rear-handled saw yesterday, and I have to say I wasn't super-impressed. It's possible that the blade I transferred from my old Hitachi Hypoid saw got dinged up a bit, but I was cutting lattice and it didn't zip through it as I expected.

I'll get a new blade, but it's made me glad I haven't sold the old saw yet...

 

[GeoBruin]

It arrived. It is indeed a beast. Can't wait to put it to work on my bridge crane project.

Got to use this thing last weekend. It's insane. I was cutting the top flange off a piece of I beam (trying to leave the web). The flange is about 3/8 thick and the saw was going through it like butter. Anyway, I started one cut and noticed the saw was cutting slower than it had been. At first I thought maybe the battery was dying so I just kept going to finish the cut but it turns out I had mis-measured and I was cutting right down the middle of the web! I had the blade depth set at just over an inch so that means I was making a full depth cut of over an inch.

 

[Rusty67]

I FINALLY got my M18 drill back after months and months. OK, well it wasn't MY drill. Actually, it wasn't even the same model drill. FedEx totally screwed up (what a shocker) and didn't deliver my drill to the repair facility. Instead it went who knows where. After months of waiting, emails and calls to the service center, the last support agent I talked to decided to just send me a brand new M18 drill. I finally got it in the mail last night. Feels good to have a big boy pants drill again. Been waiting since the end of November last year.

 

[Shaners256]

I used my M18 Rear-handled saw yesterday, and I have to say I wasn't super-impressed. It's possible that the blade I transferred from my old Hitachi Hypoid saw got dinged up a bit, but I was cutting lattice and it didn't zip through it as I expected.

I'll get a new blade, but it's made me glad I haven't sold the old saw yet...

What battery were you using with the rear handle saw? If it's not at least a 6.0HO or 8.0HO battery, then it definitely loses power. Try it with a 12.0 for maximum power.

 

[M635_Guy]

What battery were you using with the rear handle saw? If it's not at least a 6.0HO or 8.0HO battery, then it definitely loses power. Try it with a 12.0 for maximum power.

It was a fresh 8.0Ah battery. I'm guessing my blade is tired, but will see...

 

[pwschuh]

The only thing the saw is doing is spinning the blade. If it's spinning and not cutting, how could it be anything other than the blade? Even if it's spinning a little slower, it should still cut.

 

[M635_Guy]

The only thing the saw is doing is spinning the blade. If it's spinning and not cutting, how could it be anything other than the blade? Even if it's spinning a little slower, it should still cut.

I didn't say it didn't cut. But it was only tackling lattice and I wasn't very impressed vs. what I've seen in videos.

More than likely it's operator-error. I'll get a fresh blade for next time.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have that saw & with a 5amp bat & new blade it cuts great, hardly ever go for a corded saw.

 

[Firefighter1406]

What battery were you using with the rear handle saw? If it's not at least a 6.0HO or 8.0HO battery, then it definitely loses power. Try it with a 12.0 for maximum power.

I normally run my 6ah or 8ah. The 12ah makes it way too heavy.

 

[jonshonda]

Does anybody else have intermittent trigger issues on their m18 fuel drills or drivers? I have a 2804-20 and find that if I am feathering or bumping the trigger, it isn't sending thr signal well. Example would be drilling a hole through material and when getting close to drilling through, you back off the trigger a bit, or stop drilling, and then just give the trigger a couple of light pulls. Mine sometimes won't do anything at all.

 

[Dznutz]

Does anybody else have intermittent trigger issues on their m18 fuel drills or drivers? I have a 2804-20 and find that if I am feathering or bumping the trigger, it isn't sending thr signal well. Example would be drilling a hole through material and when getting close to drilling through, you back off the trigger a bit, or stop drilling, and then just give the trigger a couple of light pulls. Mine sometimes won't do anything at all.

I have had that issue on occasion it happens very rarely though and always comes back. I have no idea what to make of it.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I've had that on my old brushless drill for years. Last week was using it, stopped using it, pulled the trigger again and it just goes "squeek" like when you just pull the trigger a little but I was pulling it all the way. Smelled a little smoke and now it won't change from forward to reverse and does nothing when you pull the trigger. Not sure if the reversing switch was partially engaged so then the contacts were not tightly seated which burned/welded them together?

I'm guessing the switch went bad - they want $52 for a new "switch assembly", the individual switch isn't available separately that I can see. I'll see if I can disassemble it and figure out what happened or fix it. Don't really need a new drill, just put a new armature in it about a year ago, but can't see putting $50+ in this thing...

 

[mobiledynamics]

Got my high speed ratchets in

No clue why I never bought them earlier. If only there was the same high speed in extended. That would be perfect

 

[Bogie1632]

Does anybody else have intermittent trigger issues on their m18 fuel drills or drivers? I have a 2804-20 and find that if I am feathering or bumping the trigger, it isn't sending thr signal well. Example would be drilling a hole through material and when getting close to drilling through, you back off the trigger a bit, or stop drilling, and then just give the trigger a couple of light pulls. Mine sometimes won't do anything at all.

Helping a buddy on a remodel and this keeps happening to his Fuel impact driver (Surge 2760-20, IIRC the model correctly). Constantly happening when I was using it. I noticed the drive direction selector seemed a bit loose. The next time it happend, before I released the trigger,I jiggled it. Started working. Jiggled again, stopped working. Long story short, it's off for determination to see if they will cover it under warranty repair. It's less than a year old and looks brand new so they should.

It was frustrating to use to say the least. More so since I'm in the market for my own so how it gets handled for warranty will help me determine if I get one soon or wait.

V/R
Bogie

 

[Tbird22]

Been a bit quiet here so I figured I would show my new addition, the gen 2 mid torque (2962). I was bit nervous to pair it with the 3.0, but after 2 days of use at work, I’m sold. I bring along a 6.0 just in case I encounter something the 3.0 can’t get but I have yet to need it. Unbelievable power to weight/size ratio. I now keep my IR in the car. Really impressed. Don’t have a 5.0 yet, but I have one coming via a rebate in a few weeks. Curious to see if there is any difference between the 3.0 HO vs the 5.0 xc





Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[danny_barkley]

I bought some tools from Toolnut during the last buy some amount, get $300 off deal.

One of the tools I am not going to use.

The 2743-20 15 ga Finish Nailer. It is $299 on Toolnut, but because there was a discount, I am getting a $235 return amount. It is new in box unused.

I thought I would offer it here first instead of sending it back as an RMA.

So $235 shipped and it's yours.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Just bought the underhood light, I have to say it is well made and thought out. The bar that attaches to the hood is easy to use and holds the light very steady, it's clean bright light with a high and low setting. It's another great Milwaukee light and can be used for so many applications plus it uses m12 batteries. Now if they would come out with one like the HF slim led but with Milwaukee quality, that would be a home run.

 

[javyLSU]

Been a bit quiet here so I figured I would show my new addition, the gen 2 mid torque (2962). I was bit nervous to pair it with the 3.0, but after 2 days of use at work, I’m sold. I bring along a 6.0 just in case I encounter something the 3.0 can’t get but I have yet to need it. Unbelievable power to weight/size ratio. I now keep my IR in the car. Really impressed. Don’t have a 5.0 yet, but I have one coming via a rebate in a few weeks. Curious to see if there is any difference between the 3.0 HO vs the 5.0 xc

That's exactly what I did with my 2962 - put a 3.0 HO on it since I bought it and it hasn't come off. Awesome power in a pretty light package.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Showed up in my u-tube feed. VCG - Red vs. Flex. Will need to rewatch the video - but it looked like Flex was faster every time

 

[dlake]

Showed up in my u-tube feed. VCG - Red vs. Flex. Will need to rewatch the video - but it looked like Flex was faster every time

Wouldn’t be surprised if Lowe’s went to some of the bigger tool influencers and compensated them for a little “help” with their Flex launch...

 

[mobiledynamics]

eh, maybe. VCG is a red head fan no ? I don't watch his videos but he does pop up in my feeds.

 

[darkzero]

I can't stand that guy. I don't know how people watch his videos. Only 3 channels on YT that annoy me so much that I've blocked them, he's one of them.

 

[GeoBruin]

I can't stand that guy. I don't know how people watch his videos. Only 3 channels on YT that annoy me so much that I've blocked them, he's one of them.

Amen.