Between my Dad and I we have a whole bunch of M12 tools at work, no M18. I love my screw gun and die grinder. He is happy with most stuff with the exception of the M12 ratchets. My Snapon 14.4 ratchets will walk circles around his
Milwaukee tools worth the hype?
- Thread starter Orangepeel
- Start date
I have one M12 3/8 ratchet and that's it for Milwaukee. All of my other power tools are 20V Dewalt mostly because I already have a lot of Dewalt 20V batteries. I've had no problems with either brand. My Dewalt ratchets are bulkier than my Milwaukee one but they work fine otherwise.
That M12 drill is a bad choice. Lol
Apparently their M12 band saw is the fastest saw on the market. I also like the M12 (pizza cutter) grinder. The impact is okay if you’re a service guy and want to pack light.
Aside from that, M18 all day long.
Milwaukee is all about power and getting difficulty things done if they don't break on you.
Durability...that I don't think they're too focused on. I swear, their power supplies are such featherweights that there is no way the circuitry is built to preserve the battery. I think an Iphone charger is seriously heavier than their charging assembly.
Durability...that I don't think they're too focused on. I swear, their power supplies are such featherweights that there is no way the circuitry is built to preserve the battery. I think an Iphone charger is seriously heavier than their charging assembly.
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2022
- Messages
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Just got a Milwaukee rotary tool and ratchet. Seemed like the best 12v platform out there and better than a cordless Dremel with a dead end platform.
God I love tools. Almost as great as guns.
I like the Milwaukee stuff. Ive slung a good bit of it and the guys that own them like them, they seem to break more though, and guys are fighting counterfeit stuff, a lot. I cant find a family place that would take care of me or Id have more.
I love the Makita 18 and 18X2 and have 30 pieces or so. I get decent discounts from a family shop with actual service and help. I currently have no reason to leave this line.
I have some Dewalt corded stuff, I was gifted this generation of Dewalt drills, and saws, and built a deck and a shed and they were worn out with unacceptable play all over. Never been back to their cordless after these.
I've never worn out a makita anything beyond rubber. I still havent worn out my 6095 from the 80's That's been on a shelf for a long time now, but could - if needed pitch in even today on a deck project. I cant bring myself to pitch it when it still works perfectly.
Not getting rid of my late gen (gen5?) worm drive mag 77 though.
I like the Milwaukee stuff. Ive slung a good bit of it and the guys that own them like them, they seem to break more though, and guys are fighting counterfeit stuff, a lot. I cant find a family place that would take care of me or Id have more.
I love the Makita 18 and 18X2 and have 30 pieces or so. I get decent discounts from a family shop with actual service and help. I currently have no reason to leave this line.
I have some Dewalt corded stuff, I was gifted this generation of Dewalt drills, and saws, and built a deck and a shed and they were worn out with unacceptable play all over. Never been back to their cordless after these.
I've never worn out a makita anything beyond rubber. I still havent worn out my 6095 from the 80's That's been on a shelf for a long time now, but could - if needed pitch in even today on a deck project. I cant bring myself to pitch it when it still works perfectly.
Not getting rid of my late gen (gen5?) worm drive mag 77 though.
I have recently triple downed with several Milwaukee packouts, extended ratchet and 3/8 stubby from recent sales.
The only product I have consistently been disappointed with is the one handed hackzall. It’s near useless with its short stroke. It’s small which seems like a good idea for access, but I never feel safe pressing on it so it actually performs.
The only product I have consistently been disappointed with is the one handed hackzall. It’s near useless with its short stroke. It’s small which seems like a good idea for access, but I never feel safe pressing on it so it actually performs.
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- Jul 15, 2023
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- 1,434
I only buy Milwaukee at this point. Home Depot periodically has quite good online sales, so it’s easy to get into it.
Have a few Ryobi tools and lawn equipment, they’re hit or miss. Some of what they make is destined to fail, others seem to work fine. But I now avoid them.
Have a few Ryobi tools and lawn equipment, they’re hit or miss. Some of what they make is destined to fail, others seem to work fine. But I now avoid them.
Here’s another vote for Milwaukee. At my age I think I’ve used them all, whether they’re blue, yellow, or red. Last Christmas I bought myself their 1/2” impact driver (#2967) for changing tires on the road. Following an incident where I had a flat in my driveway where I couldn’t break the torque. I was embarrassed that I had to call for service because nobody in my area could help me. I immediately ordered the Milwaukee and a full set of sockets. I guess my age and health finally caught and up with me. 
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I recently had an LED headlamp fail. For the first time ever their website said it wasn't eligible for E-service, and there are no service centers near me (which is a joke because an independently contracted service center will not be opening up an LED headlamp to try to repair it).
Basically the website said Sorry Charlie. The LEDs are supposed to be lifetime. I contacted "my guy" at Milwaukee and they shipped a replacement. Supposed to arrive tomorrow. Sometimes it's not what you know.....
Basically the website said Sorry Charlie. The LEDs are supposed to be lifetime. I contacted "my guy" at Milwaukee and they shipped a replacement. Supposed to arrive tomorrow. Sometimes it's not what you know.....
do some pull ups!Here’s another vote for Milwaukee. At my age I think I’ve used them all, whether they’re blue, yellow, or red. Last Christmas I bought myself their 1/2” impact driver (#2967) for changing tires on the road. Following an incident where I had a flat in my driveway where I couldn’t break the torque. I was embarrassed that I had to call for service because nobody in my area could help me. I immediately ordered the Milwaukee and a full set of sockets. I guess my age and health finally caught and up with me.
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Nice kit. The bag works well for the impact, I have a similar setup in the RV.
Years ago I told my sons I would by them cordless tools for Christmas and birthday presents. The only condition was that they had to pick the brand and stick with it. One choose Milwaukee and the other Dewalt. Each has over a half dozen tools and as many batteries plus a couple of fast chargers in addition to a couple of base chargers. After four years or so there have been no failures or complaints about either brand. As mentioned, Milwaukee has a crazy range/selection of tools (with prices to match). I have a Hitachi/metabo collection I started years ago due to good ratings and Hitachi battery prices that were significantly less than Milwaukee or Dewalt. Metabo has unfortunately increased their prices although they are still "slightly" less than the "big" boys. Their 18/36 dual voltage batteries are impressive as well and are compatible with most tools. To be honest, if I had to do it all over again, I'd seriously consider Ridgid tools. Good performance for the price and lifetime warranties on batteries. Like Husky tools there's no questions asked exchanges/replacements.
Nah, just put tire iron on the lug nut so you can step on it and use your body weight.do some pull ups!
Nice kit. The bag works well for the impact, I have a similar setup in the RV.
im a Milwaukee whore and they've never let me down. its all i buy
JHZR2
Staff member
Different brands have things that are the best. Could be a range of reasons - power, weight, hand feel, ergonomics, functions, etc.
I prefer DeWalt drills, Milwaukee ratchets, automotive impacts, lights and vacuums, Makita saws and impact drivers, etc. I have a range of tools from a range of brands. I’ve never bought in a ton to the one single battery family concept, because it tends to result in some good tools and some not as great.
For example, my Milwaukee M12 saw is light and feels ok, but it’s too weak to do much useful. My makita 18v light is cumbersome and clunky.
In terms of hype, some things aren’t. The M12 saw is a good example. Too weak, even with the biggest M12 battery and a better sharp blade. The DeWalt oscillating tool has some good features, but I’m just not a fan compared to my corded Fein. Some just seem weak. I have an old M12 impact that is just not rated high enough. But my M12 stubby, which is rated much higher and still compact, is not strong enough to count on for certain suspension fasteners. I wouldn’t count on it as my only one.
I prefer DeWalt drills, Milwaukee ratchets, automotive impacts, lights and vacuums, Makita saws and impact drivers, etc. I have a range of tools from a range of brands. I’ve never bought in a ton to the one single battery family concept, because it tends to result in some good tools and some not as great.
For example, my Milwaukee M12 saw is light and feels ok, but it’s too weak to do much useful. My makita 18v light is cumbersome and clunky.
In terms of hype, some things aren’t. The M12 saw is a good example. Too weak, even with the biggest M12 battery and a better sharp blade. The DeWalt oscillating tool has some good features, but I’m just not a fan compared to my corded Fein. Some just seem weak. I have an old M12 impact that is just not rated high enough. But my M12 stubby, which is rated much higher and still compact, is not strong enough to count on for certain suspension fasteners. I wouldn’t count on it as my only one.
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Sorry to go off topic, but you don’t keep a breaker bar and some tools at your house?Here’s another vote for Milwaukee. At my age I think I’ve used them all, whether they’re blue, yellow, or red. Last Christmas I bought myself their 1/2” impact driver (#2967) for changing tires on the road. Following an incident where I had a flat in my driveway where I couldn’t break the torque. I was embarrassed that I had to call for service because nobody in my area could help me. I immediately ordered the Milwaukee and a full set of sockets. I guess my age and health finally caught and up with me.
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This is a great impact, and a nice tool to have, but I would have thought that most folks on this forum have a basic set of tools on hand and for me, basic includes breaker bar.
When I gave my daughter her Volvo, I included a breaker bar and socket, and a few basic tools, to be kept in the car.
Tire stores over-torque bolts - and a breaker bar is a much better tool than the factory lug wrench.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
AZ sells a telescopic lug wrench that I carry …
My thinking is long to break and short to make …
Agreed. Not one makes the best tool. I have about 30-40 different tools, all of different brands, predominately Milwaukee, but also ridgid, bosch makita ryobi, and dremel.
In my experience, nothing beats a Milwaukee Super Hawg
Makita Circular saw
Bosch Jackhammer
all other tools are up for grabs on the "best"
having worked on construction projects all over the country, brand also seemed dependant on region.
In the SW, in the early 90s Makita and Milwaukee were king, this was pre cordless era, where the only cordless thing you would see was a Makita, internal battery 7.2 or 9.6 volt screwdriver drill.
In the SE Milwaukee and Dewalt were common, with exception to circular saws which were Makita, and still are.
Yeah those DeWalt 18V saws were junk. I think DeWalt figured it out. I have 6 DeWalt 20VMax saws (4 circ diff sizes) and they are work horses. I do like my 12V Milwaukee circ saw, so light and handy but doesn't look rugged (it's fine though, no complaints)
