The Milwaukee addiction thread! :)

[mikeinri]

I despise the idea of paying more than $25 (OK, $50 in today's market) for a push mower, and free is even better.

Part of the reason for that is my lawn is too big to mow (in a reasonable amount of time) without a tractor, so the push mower is really only used for trim and bush-whacking out back. The other part is I'm too cheap, and used gas mowers are a dime a dozen.

Mike

 

[dacan23]

Saw an ad for the Makita mower including 2 batteries for $699. I am not mower shopping, though and my battery tools are 95% Milwaukee.

I hope the used battery market will give me $400 for my Makita with 4 batteries.

Has Makita released OPE in their new battery platform yet?

I despise the idea of paying more than $25 (OK, $50 in today's market) for a push mower, and free is even better.

Part of the reason for that is my lawn is too big to mow (in a reasonable amount of time) without a tractor, so the push mower is really only used for trim and bush-whacking out back. The other part is I'm too cheap, and used gas mowers are a dime a dozen.

Mike

I gave away 1 working and 1 wonky gas mowers for free when I moved in 2020, $50 would get you a barely used Honda.

 

[Rusty67]

I got my craftsman like 5+ years ago for 40 bucks and it cost me another 25-30 in parts to get it going again after that. It probably has another 2 seasons of service left in it without a rebuild. If I cold get a modern Honda for 50 bucks locally, I'd be happy with that.

 

[Odd-job]

Can you guys come and fix my gas mower?!? For some reason I didn't put the ethanol clogged carb back together right after drinking too many beers and now it floods the engine with gas. My lawn is small enough that my eight year old with the m18 string trimmer + reel mower has tided me over, but he tends to miss some spots...

 

[M635_Guy]

About this time last year I got the top-of-the-line Ego mower to get the max battery life and the longer battery warranty (5 yrs. vs. 3). The details of the Milwaukee and the two 12.0 M18 batteries (which I have uses for) might have pulled me in, but...

 

[mepstein]

Last year needed a lawn mower as our craftsman mower was 20+ years. Could no longer keep it going.

I was hoping Milwaukee would drop one but didn't, so I looked at kijiji.

Found a used Honda gas mower locally for $200.

The daughter told me that they always stored the mower in the house during winter. I asked why, she said because they didn't have a temperature controlled garage.

Score for me.

Too bad these Milwaukee's are so expensive.

I expect to get another 10 years out of the Honda easily.

I bought a new mower with a Honda engine for under $300 from Costco. I live rural so I don’t have any rules for noise or whatever. I think it’s like electric cars, they work for some people but don’t make sense for everyone. At least right now. Batteries keep getting better so in a couple years, it will be a whole different ball game.

 

[Rusty67]

Can you guys come and fix my gas mower?!? For some reason I didn't put the ethanol clogged carb back together right after drinking too many beers and now it floods the engine with gas. My lawn is small enough that my eight year old with the m18 string trimmer + reel mower has tided me over, but he tends to miss some spots...

Sounds like you have the float adjusted wrong, should be a fairly easy fix. Just need to pop the bowl off the carb and bend the tab a bit.

 

[Odd-job]

Sounds like you have the float adjusted wrong, should be a fairly easy fix. Just need to pop the bowl off the carb and bend the tab a bit.

Definitely user error putting it back together. Seemed like the entire thing was made out of plastic (Briggs and Stratton no prime carb). I might be one step closer to getting the m18 lawnmower now.

 

[Odd-job]

m18 transfer pump seized up. Was pumping out my pond and then was scrambling out on a family vacation and forgot to drain it. Motor wouldn't turn. Was able to get a pair of vice grips around the shaft to work the motor after removing the impeller. Back in operation. Also put some silicone o ring oil to lube the impeller. We'll see how long this one lasts vs the last one which didn't get much love/lube. Pretty sure its a disposable part and I am starting to question the time/cost/benefit of lubing especially when everyone is using them to pump fuel.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Been selling off some stuff lately, pumped my profit into some tools.

 

[Red 17]

Anyone using a Hackzall? Thinking this might be the next addition to my collection. My Sawzall has a few miles on it and I don't always need that much saw....

 

[javyLSU]

Anyone using a Hackzall? Thinking this might be the next addition to my collection. My Sawzall has a few miles on it and I don't always need that much saw....

Have that one, use it all the time from wood pallets to small tree limbs, even roots in the ground from bushes I’ve cut down.

 

[danski0224]

Anyone using a Hackzall? Thinking this might be the next addition to my collection. My Sawzall has a few miles on it and I don't always need that much saw....

Love the Hackzall.

Well balanced and pretty powerful.

The Sawzall only comes out for "big" jobs.

Hackzall and oscillating tool are the two I would replace the moment they break.

 

[Badger 13]

I love the M18 hackzall as well. It comes in handy when you can only use one hand to cut things. I have a couple of the HO 3.0 batteries that I am impressed with, and use one the hackzall. In a previous post a gentleman found a great deal on (2) HO 3.0 batteries for $40.00. I wish we had a Farm & Fleets around here.

 

[DerekV]

I love the M18 hackzall as well. It comes in handy when you can only use one hand to cut things. I have a couple of the HO 3.0 batteries that I am impressed with, and use one the hackzall. In a previous post a gentleman found a great deal on (2) HO 3.0 batteries for $40.00. I wish we had a Farm & Fleets around here.

I believe they were “$40 off”, not $40

 

[jonshonda]

I like my hack, just don't expect Sawzall level performance, it's stroke is too short. Huhuhu

 

[mikeinri]

Have that one, use it all the time from wood pallets to small tree limbs, even roots in the ground from bushes I’ve cut down.

What kind of blade do you use in the ground? I know that sand and rocks quickly ruin chainsaw cutters, is there a Sawzall blade that works well (with good longevity) in those conditions?

Mike

 

[javyLSU]

What kind of blade do you use in the ground? I know that sand and rocks quickly ruin chainsaw cutters, is there a Sawzall blade that works well (with good longevity) in those conditions?

Mike

I used this 3 TPI carbide blade.

 

[Red 17]

Thanks for the feedback. On the list, scanning for deals....

 

[Odd-job]

I used this 3 TPI carbide blade.

Didn't realize they made an Ax version of the pruning blade. The regular pruning blades are too floppy and bend when they hit something hard which gets annoying.

 

[rcbk00]

I have the M12 Hackzall. I run it with a 6 amp hour battery. It gets used it all the time, and I'd replace it in a second if it broke. With a carbide pruning blade, it's great for cutting limbs, especially if you're up on ladder. Like someone above said, it's also great for cutting roots. As for construction uses, it does everything my Sawzall does, albeit a little slower. I haven't used my corded Sawzall in years.

 

[ThatSickRip]

I started with a M12 Hackzall kit deal I found here like a year or 2 ago for like $115 with an extra battery. Last year picked up the M18 on a HD hack deal for like $85 for a kitchen reno. I just picked up a second M12 Hackzall kit with a hack deal for like $88. Like posted above, they are perfect for limbing.

 

[nodoor]

I also have a M12 Hackzall, I got it in a kit with another tool about four years ago, when I first drank the red koolaid. It has been used more than I anticipate, same for the multitool, I am glad I have them. With a blade change the wife pruned a bunch of stuff I didn’t have to get involved with. I removed a floor section out of a truck in the junkyard that I wouldn’t have attempted with any other tool.

 

[Rickkyyr8]

 

[dacan23]

Interesting tid bits, Acme charges $99 special handling charge on the mower, Ohio Power charges $150 shipping, Toolup seems to be free but DK if true on checkout, Toolnut has no more listing for 2823-22HD except some out of stock combos.

Definitely looks like HD is the best route and perhaps they are getting preference / special treatement by Milwaukee.

My store is clearancing out all the rubber maid fast track, surely to use the space for the packout junk.

 

[mikeinri]

My store is clearancing out all the rubber maid fast track, surely to use the space for the packout junk.

Apparently, I missed the boat on the Rubbermaid stuff, no sign of it anywhere at the store in Bellingham, MA. BS seems to think other nearby stores might have some, I'm not willing to chase it.

Oh, and here's what they replaced it with (same exact bay):



Mike

 

[Odd-job]

I now realize why Packout stuff will never be priced reasonably

 

[Odd-job]

Got my gas lawnmower working again. Stupid carb design. Unless seating the float bowl perfectly the float can get knocked out of the flimsy plastic tabs holding it in. At least now I can afford to wait for the mower to go on sale....

 

[Rusty67]

Congrats, you are now a certified small engine rebuilder.

 

[dacan23]

Apparently, I missed the boat on the Rubbermaid stuff, no sign of it anywhere at the store in Bellingham, MA. BS seems to think other nearby stores might have some, I'm not willing to chase it.

Oh, and here's what they replaced it with (same exact bay):



Mike

My store already has that full display and next to it is same size section of rubbermaid being clearanced, which I see packout filling.

 

[Odd-job]

Congrats, you are now a certified small engine rebuilder.

I might need to find a new line of work in CA when small engines are all banned.

 

[dacan23]

Was reading some questions on the HD mower page, and brought up something never thought of. The mower does not have an IP rating and manual says do not use if wet and do not hose off to clean. Is this common ya think for battery mowers?

 

[mikeinri]

My store already has that full display and next to it is same size section of rubbermaid being clearanced, which I see packout filling.

Which store?

Mike

 

[dacan23]

Which store?

Mike

Layton, UT. I'm too lazy to update my user info.

 

[Rusty67]

Was reading some questions on the HD mower page, and brought up something never thought of. The mower does not have an IP rating and manual says do not use if wet and do not hose off to clean. Is this common ya think for battery mowers?

I'd imagine that the concern is water up top, not on the bottom. The motor should be sealed off from wet grass and moisture getting up to it where the shaft comes through. I think this is more of a don't use when it is raining out kind of concern. They probably didn't do a good job weatherproofing the battery compartment and the motor is probably air cooled with an impeller which would **** rain/water into. That is my guess, haven't seen one up close just yet myself. Maybe that is the gen 1 fatal flaw in the mower?

 

[Forgottonia]

May be one of the least expensive Milwaukee acquisitions in this thread. $11 at Home Depot. They're goatskin!

 

[mikeinri]

Layton, UT. I'm too lazy to update my user info.

I honestly have mixed feelings about this...

Sad that it's not in RI, or I may have been close enough to check it out.

Happy that it's not in RI, so I don't waste time driving there and not finding anything useful (which has been my batting average lately).

Mike

 

[mikeinri]

What kind of blade do you use in the ground? I know that sand and rocks quickly ruin chainsaw cutters, is there a Sawzall blade that works well (with good longevity) in those conditions?

Mike

I used this 3 TPI carbide blade.

Well... I checked out those blades on the HD website, apparently here's what's available locally...

6-inch single: No
6-inch 3-pack: No
9-inch single: Yes ($9.97)
9-inch 3-pack: Yes ($24.97)
12-inch single: Yes ($12.97)
12-inch 3-pack: No

So, I went to the store in Bellingham, MA, grabbed a 12-inch single, and a 9-inch 3-pack.

On my way to the counter, I checked out the Milwaukee display in the front aisle, and found 9-inch special BOGO packs (2 blades in the pack, for the price of 1). Price was $9.97.

So, I put the 3-pack back, and grabbed two of the BOGO (2-blade) packs.

Instead of $24.97 for 3 blades, I paid $19.94 for 4 blades. Woo hoo!

In the BOGO packs, they had several varieties (tooth counts), but all were 9-inches. These must have been popular, because they were down to a handful of each size.

Weirdly, this deal didn't come up online when I was looking for the blades.

The bigger ones are fine for me (for now), as I have a bunch of big, old stumps to cut up and burn (I dug them up with a backhoe, over a decade ago). There are rocks entwined within the roots, so I'm not going near them with the chainsaw. I have a cheapo HF corded sawzall for this job.

If (OK, when) I break down and buy a Hackzall, I'll try harder to get some of the 6-inch blades for smaller jobs. Lord knows, I've worked WAY too hard pulling mini-stumps with mattocks over the years.

Mike

 

[DerekV]

Was reading some questions on the HD mower page, and brought up something never thought of. The mower does not have an IP rating and manual says do not use if wet and do not hose off to clean. Is this common ya think for battery mowers?

My Ryobi says the same. I've used it in the rain several times (not by choice, gotta love pop up TX showers), it still works and I’m still alive. Didn’t have to put it in a bag of rice either I think it’s just a disclaimer. I wouldn’t hose it down, i.e. force water into nooks and crannies, but I wouldn’t be worried if it gets wet.

 

[danski0224]

Was reading some questions on the HD mower page, and brought up something never thought of. The mower does not have an IP rating and manual says do not use if wet and do not hose off to clean. Is this common ya think for battery mowers?

That'll be fixed in V 3.0...