The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[dacan23]

Battery updates...

Milwaukee is unaware of any 9.0 & 0880-20 compatability issues, they do not know why it says that on Toolnuts page.

The 12.0 just became eligible for e-service, after my 30 min wait on the phone.... Supposedly there are no wide spread 12.0 issues like there was with the 9.0. There was a small batch identified that were prone to failure, guess my 2 dead ones came from that. There is also an issue with 12.0s and some OPE, definitely wacker, were the excessive vibration can cause loose contacts between the tool and the battery, and in some cases cause it to overheat and melt the plastic a bit.

Supposedly no wide spread issues with the M12 6.0. Surprising cause so many friends have had many of them die.

It might of been mentioned before, don't know how many people still have 9.0s. There were two groups of failures, completely f'd ones, and ones where the 4th battery meter light burnt out supposedly these batteries still charged and functioned 100%.

Mower.... lol... they are still sticking to their projected timeline, specs & info January (prolly end) and shipping end of Q1. Though global issues may impact that still, I still highly doubt it will be shipping by the end of Q1. It seems they are still keeping the battery details hush, I don't understand why. Speculation is two M18 batteries..... but here are some other possibilities.... One none of us want to hear, what if its a new battery platform, something in between M18 & MX, yeah that would ****. What if its a hybrid, can use two M18s or one MX, this seems like it would be difficult to manage the space for that on the mower. My expectaions for it are still very low and need many reviews here and/or fondling it in store, for me even to consider it.

 

[1320]

Great feedback. Any light beam comparison shots?

No, I'm afraid not. I tried this evening and I cannot get any photos that aren't just blurs. Not enough light, I guess.

 

[Craftfab]

Does anyone have experience using either M18 fuel jigsaw version in cutting sheet metal or up to 1/8th plate?

 

[logixjock]

Does anyone have experience using either M18 fuel jigsaw version in cutting sheet metal or up to 1/8th plate?

After I got rid of all the silly guards, it works good on 11 gauge EDIT: I guess I should add, I was talking about the traditional looking model.

 

[darkzero]

Battery updates...

Milwaukee is unaware of any 9.0 & 0880-20 compatability issues, they do not know why it says that on Toolnuts page.

......

It might of been mentioned before, don't know how many people still have 9.0s. There were two groups of failures, completely f'd ones, and ones where the 4th battery meter light burnt out supposedly these batteries still charged and functioned 100%.

Yeah I can't understand why they would say that & why it would matter with a specific size battery unless it physically won't fit. But the old 0880 vac just didn't fit the 12.0, the 9.0 fits. I have the newer 0880 vac & I've used my 9.0 in it a lot with no issues.

I only have one 9.0 & luckily mine hasn't had any issues yet. According to what people say about the label types mine seems to be the later ones that doesn't commonly have those issues. Now that I have an 8.0 I use the 9.0 less.

 

[BlueSteel]

Got me again!

 

[PelicanPines]

Got me again!

Can't just have one, or two, three might work but FOUR is perfect. That way you can use one in each hand and still have one spare.

 

[jonshonda]

Got me again!

Get the 4.0 or 6.0 battery so it will stand up on its own. You will thank me later!

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I"m getting into the Packout system finally.

QUESTION: does anyone make something like roto-molded or 3D printed inserts for M12 / M18 tools where the insert is perfectly sized for one of the packouts? I want to avoid kaizen foam for a few reasons not pertinent here that people will laugh at anyway.

I figure it should be feasible to have a 3D printed female shape to a M12 drill driver, M12 angle cut off, etc. and it fits nicely into a packout on one side, with another organizer insert on the other side for the bits / blades /etc

 

[Monte]

 

[Odd-job]

No, I'm afraid not. I tried this evening and I cannot get any photos that aren't just blurs. Not enough light, I guess.

No worries. Was trying to figure out what I might be missing out on.

 

[Odd-job]

m18 batteries + Dysons seem like a match made in heaven to me. The M18 Compact Vacuum 0940-20 doesn't seem to be getting good reviews and let's not even mention that tea kettle vacuum with no balls.

Only issue is the Dyson runs @ 21.6 volts so it sounds like it might lose some balls on turbo mode. Guess there could also be a nicer, 3D printed, more integrated battery to Dyson adapter...

 

[Lu-Max]

Got my MW 48-22-8586 Cabinet today, I had it shipped to the local store. It was strapped to a small pallet, no damage other than some minor paint rubs inside of the cabinet (the orange spots in the photos). It was well packed, very sturdy, and easy to put together. Although I had planned to bolt it to the side of my tool chest, since I move occasionally and move my cabinets around every once in a while I decided to leave it free standing. It even comes with earthquake wall mount cables, a welcome feature here in California.



Lots of boxes inside, lots of parts



I was a little bummed when I saw that the largest box was empty, just there to keep the other boxes stable

 

[dacan23]

Got my MW 48-22-8586 Cabinet today, I had it shipped to the local store. It was strapped to a small pallet, no damage other than some minor paint rubs inside of the cabinet (the orange spots in the photos). It was well packed, very sturdy, and easy to put together. Although I had planned to bolt it to the side of my tool chest, since I move occasionally and move my cabinets around every once in a while I decided to leave it free standing. It even comes with earthquake wall mount cables, a welcome feature here in California.

Mine is still in whats left of the box in the garage, stupid its strapped to a pallet and then the top and bottom of the box are loose. Barely got it to fit in the SUV to get home.

 

[1TMF]

I'm sure this has already been discussed... But what happened with home depot on the free tool with 2 5ah battery kit? Deal was too good, they pulled all the stock or supply chain issues like everything else in the world? Wonder if they will get back in stock before the deal ends...

 

[Lu-Max]

Mine is still in whats left of the box in the garage, stupid its strapped to a pallet and then the top and bottom of the box are loose. Barely got it to fit in the SUV to get home.

I did the same thing. It fit into the back of my Ford Escape, but just barely. I had to remove the pallet at the store. I taped the bottom of the box back on to slide it out of my car, worked out perfectly.

 

[dacan23]

m18 batteries + Dysons seem like a match made in heaven to me. The M18 Compact Vacuum 0940-20 doesn't seem to be getting good reviews and let's not even mention that tea kettle vacuum with no balls.

Only issue is the Dyson runs @ 21.6 volts so it sounds like it might lose some balls on turbo mode. Guess there could also be a nicer, 3D printed, more integrated battery to Dyson adapter...

Ha, but I need the dock for the family to charge the Dyson. Its unbelievable how bad the 0940-20 vac is, when I first saw pics I was like great Dyson replacement, but its horribly underpowered, the lowest of any M18 vac I think. Almost once a month I see one thrown back in the box and returned at HD. The M18 teapot which was the worst vac now doesn't look so bad, its a little underpowered but comes with nice accessories, I just really hate unlatching it to empty think its drawn blood before as well as made many messes.

 

[Catfishdan]

I’ve been wanting to try out the m12 jigsaw for a while, and when I saw all this on the hd website for only 119 bucks I had to grab it. Just looked today and the price is back up to $300. Not sure what happened but I’m stoked. Looks like it might be nice for coping.

 

[Odd-job]

Ha, but I need the dock for the family to charge the Dyson. Its unbelievable how bad the 0940-20 vac is, when I first saw pics I was like great Dyson replacement, but its horribly underpowered, the lowest of any M18 vac I think. Almost once a month I see one thrown back in the box and returned at HD. The M18 teapot which was the worst vac now doesn't look so bad, its a little underpowered but comes with nice accessories, I just really hate unlatching it to empty think its drawn blood before as well as made many messes.

The fact that you even gave the teapot a shot means you are true addict

 

[dacan23]

Was discussed over in hot deals, CPO isnt carrying Milwaukee anymore, weird for a major online retailer to drop them. Wonder what the true reason is.

Please note: We are not carrying Milwaukee products at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.

 

[Handyandy23]

I’ve been wanting to try out the m12 jigsaw for a while, and when I saw all this on the hd website for only 119 bucks I had to grab it. Just looked today and the price is back up to $300. Not sure what happened but I’m stoked. Looks like it might be nice for coping.

I have this and use it a lot more than my big corded jigsaw. And yes it was especially handy with a scrolling / coping blade for coping trim when I finished my basement. Light and maneuverable. It doesn't have tons of power, but it's also not completely gutless - just this past week I cut out a sink opening in a 1" thick laminate countertop and it did just fine.

 

[Rusty67]

I recently put a new roof on and all the rafters in my garage are dumping junk all over the place. I want to get up there on a ladder and vacuum all the debris off so I'm not constantly having to wipe everything down again and again. Do you guys think the backpack vac would work for this? I want something that has a little bit of oomph but also don't want to have to use one of my hands to hold onto the vac. I kinda need 1 hand free for the hose and another hand free to balance on the rafters.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

I'm a little bit of a Milwaukee addict myself. Not pictured is the underhood light, quik-lok weed wacker, M18 leaf blower, heated jack and heated vest, 8x M18 and 6x M12 batteries
My shop was broken into boxing day of 2020 and all my Milwaukee was stolen so I had to replace it all in the spring of 2021. I also purchased this second tool box so I had somewhere to lock it all up instead of hanging on my peg board wall.

 

[AJHD]

My shop was broken into boxing day of 2020 and all my Milwaukee was stolen so I had to replace it all in the spring of 2021. I also purchased this second tool box so I had somewhere to lock it all up instead of hanging on my peg board wall.

Man that *****. That is my worst fear next to a fire. If I lost everything I would have no idea how to start over. It would crush me.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

Man that *****. That is my worst fear next to a fire. If I lost everything I would have no idea how to start over. It would crush me.

It broke my heart looking out my kitchen window and seeing the garage open. I was thankful they only took the Milwaukee tools and not my entire snap on box or anything else.
I use the tools daily so not having them was really hard and it wasn't in the budget to rebuy everything but I had to make it happen because I worked hard to be able to afford them in the first place.

 

[Rusty67]

That sux man, people are the worst.

 

[Odd-job]

Sometimes I try to think stolen stuff is pawned off to feed hungry children, but in reality it probably goes to feed somebody's drug a booze addiction . Glad you are rebuilding your Milwaukee collection Bmxkelowna.

A lot of folks put the m18 heat gun in same category as the teapot vacuum and understand its not going to unfreeze frozen pipes. Any folks use it de ice their windshields? I live in Norcal so its more of a frosty windshield than thick ice that those living in the Northeast experience. Any other uses other than heat shrink wrap? Clearly I am trying to come up with excuses to buy it.

 

[Bmxkelowna]

A lot of folks put the m18 heat gun in same category as the teapot vacuum and understand its not going to unfreeze frozen pipes. Any folks use it de ice their windshields? I live in Norcal so its more of a frosty windshield than thick ice that those living in the Northeast experience. Any other uses other than heat shrink wrap? Clearly I am trying to come up with excuses to buy it.

I would be afraid of using it on a windshield in case you had a tiny chip you didn't know about the heat against the cold glass would cause it to crack fully I would think.
But you're right, the M18 heat gun is rather useless, although this one is better than the one I had stolen. Actually shrinks heat tube quickly

 

[LeeG]

A lot of folks put the m18 heat gun in same category as the teapot vacuum and understand its not going to unfreeze frozen pipes. Any folks use it de ice their windshields? I live in Norcal so its more of a frosty windshield than thick ice that those living in the Northeast experience. Any other uses other than heat shrink wrap? Clearly I am trying to come up with excuses to buy it.

I use mine for removing adhesive from labels and sealing heat-shrink compression connectors. I really hate leaving manufacturer’s labels on stuff.

 

[Odd-job]

I would be afraid of using it on a windshield in case you had a tiny chip you didn't know about the heat against the cold glass would cause it to crack fully I would think.
But you're right, the M18 heat gun is rather useless, although this one is better than the one I had stolen. Actually shrinks heat tube quickly

I use mine for removing adhesive from labels and sealing heat-shrink compression connectors. I really hate leaving manufacturer’s labels on stuff.

Thank you both for the feedback.

I guess if I manage to crack my windshield maybe I just put it out of its misery

Good point on removing adhesives, my little kids put stickers on everything that shouldn't have stickers on it. Maybe this is my #1 use scenario for me as my carbide scraper collection doesn't work on everything.

 

[Rusty67]

You gotta get one of those teflon AvE "owner sticks"

 

[dacan23]

I used the heat gun to unfreeze side mirrors few weeks ago. Mirrors were set to auto fold unfold with locks. They tried to unfold frozen and went into safety mode. Took a few mins to do the job but worked. The heat gun performance improves with the focused and directional accessories you can buy.

 

[Rusty67]

Has anyone used the Milwaukee tripod for the laser level? I am using a camera tripod I have which works fine a lot of the time but it doesn't have the height I need for some of the stuff I'm doing. I didn't even know they sold a tripod until I got a random marketing email from them today.

 

[Odd-job]

Has anyone used the Milwaukee tripod for the laser level? I am using a camera tripod I have which works fine a lot of the time but it doesn't have the height I need for some of the stuff I'm doing. I didn't even know they sold a tripod until I got a random marketing email from them today.

While I am in love with Milwaukee like you I would get a better camera tripod that can take some more punishment.

Have one of these that's pretty beefy:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B2I9L8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

All metal vs the plastic center bracket on the Milwaukee

 

[mikeinri]

I just found this thread, and highly doubt that I'll ever make it through anything more than a tiny fraction of all the old posts! But, I'm a fairly recent Milwaukee owner, and have been extremely impressed with the stuff I've acquired to date!

So far, I'm trying to standardize on the M18 platform (Fuel where available). The deals thread is a lifesaver, but I often buy tools when they're needed, and that almost never aligns with the sales, LOL...

Mike

 

[Rusty67]

If you only buy the tools when you need them, you aren't an addict =-)

 

[mikeinri]

Ha! I've been adding when I find sales. Some of those tools have yet to be used, so...

Mike

 

[dacan23]

If you only buy the tools when you need them, you aren't an addict =-)

LOL, I have a few I bought 1-3 years ago that I havent used, heck the M18 Fuel bandsaw I got 5+ years ago hasnt been used. I used the M18 fan last week, cant recall if it was used before. Lights are about the only thing that guaranteed to be used quickly. I force myself to dig out the torque wrench ratchet as thats my most exp one almost, even leave a battery in it to make it more convenient.

 

[Rusty67]

I think I have used or found/made a use for every tool I've bough. Not always in the same month or year even but I'm all caught up at this point. I wanted the band saw for the longest time and finally scored a good deal on one. I've managed to use it already to cut some exhaust vent tubing for my dryer. Only took me 2 months to use it for the first time!

 

[Odd-job]

I think I have used or found/made a use for every tool I've bough. Not always in the same month or year even but I'm all caught up at this point. I wanted the band saw for the longest time and finally scored a good deal on one. I've managed to use it already to cut some exhaust vent tubing for my dryer. Only took me 2 months to use it for the first time!

Mounting it on a swag table definitely helps with the bandsaw use motivation. At least my lack of motivation. If they came out with some sort of blue tooth enabled foot pedal for it I think I would use it even more. In hindsight I probably should have just gotten a corded one with my main stationary use case.