Oh yes, I do have plenty of tools and breaker bars. Unfortunately, discount tire over did it on the Lugnuts to a point that I couldn’t break them. It doesn’t help that I have some physical limitations, so that’s just how it worked out.
Milwaukee tools worth the hype?
- Thread starter Orangepeel
- Start date
I understand. I was unaware of the limitations.Oh yes, I do have plenty of tools and breaker bars. Unfortunately, discount tire over did it on the Lugnuts to a point that I couldn’t break them. It doesn’t help that I have some physical limitations, so that’s just how it worked out.
That Milwaukee is a great choice. The 18v batteries hold a charge for a long time, important for a tool that will sit in the car.
So many times I’ve had tire stores over-torque.
And not by a little.
+1
Milwaukee M12: Grease gun, 1/4" long reach ratchet, 3/8 ratchet, right angle die grinder, right angle drill, multi-tool "dremel".
Dewalt 20v: impact driver, 3/8 and 1/2" impacts, drill, mini shop vacuum, angle grinder, work light, pruning chainsaw, heat gun, off-brand plastic welder that takes the Dewalt 20v batteries.
Also some older corded Makita, Craftsman, Milwaukee, and Dewalt stuff.
Milwaukee seems to excel in the ergonomics with smaller tools, but the trade off is the M12 battery life. I have never been impressed with it, even with the larger M12 batteries, they just don't seem to last very long. My Dewalt tools with the small 2AH 20v batteries last much longer it seems, even with brand new M12 2.0 and 4.0 batteries from a reputable seller.
I don't see how Milwaukees are better than my ancient lithium converted DeWalt dw059 that i already have. How much faster do I really need to round off or break bolt or nut?
If I had to carry it to the top of a wind turbine every day or multiple times a day then the Milwaukee would be better.
If I had to carry it to the top of a wind turbine every day or multiple times a day then the Milwaukee would be better.
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oh no3 Xmas ago my local hardware had a 4 piece set that included the m12 (not fuel) drill, impact, ratchet and sawzall for $179. Even though I had everything Kobalt xtr that you could imagine, and my son Metabo, I bought us each a set. I use my tools for around the house and car while my son is a general contractor. He’s warrantied out his Metabo impact twice since then while his brushed Milwaukee is still going strong. He said that Milwaukee is hands down tools he can’t kill. I use the ratchet on just about every auto project I get into. My son on the other hand seldom uses the ratchet, but the impact and sawzall see no less than 4 hrs a day. I bought him the m18 fuel set this year but it’s to early for any feedback. With the m12 I do recommend adding at least the 3.0 batteries as the little batteries that come standard aren’t great.
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If he likes the M12 stuff, he'll absolutely love the M18Fuel line! My M18 tools aren't even fuel, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. My original drill and impact set is going on 15yo, and the original pair of batteries still work. Capacity is diminished a bit, but still solid. Got the M18 Inflator (w 2 5aH batts) last year for $200, fantastic addition. Also have the Hack-Z-All that I added about 9 years ago, plus the addt'l 1.5aH batt it came with. I use the saw most for bush/tree trimming in the yard.
Anyway, he'll love the new stuff. Highly recommend the large capacity batteries, especially if he's doing actual jobsite work with them. The extra runtime is great!
I’m sure Hercules is good for being Harbor freight, but it’s harbor freight. I’ll go there for a 12” blade if I’m doing a laminate project and wanna save some cash on something that’s going to the recycling bin after I’m done. Other than that I avoid the place like I do Walmart. I know that their stuff has greatly improved since the early days, but I’m old enough to remember their early days. I still try and purchase things that help the small business. My local independent ace for paint and power tools, Milwaukee, stihl etc, they still sell SK and I can get a warranty issue done by handing them the broken. A good friend is a paint contractor who tried their airless sprayer due to the so called “great reviews”. It lasted less than a week. IMO harbor freight still sells Chinese junk as opposed to other companies who sell Chinese junk with higher QC.
Appreciate the info. Based off of cost, he better love it lol. And I hear you on the batteries. It didn’t take long for me to purchase the 3.0s while he’s added 4 of the 5.0 that I know of. He made a point out of trying to destroy them. He always shied away from Milwaukee and was more or less against the brand due to price. He's since changed his tune. I know he spent a kings ransom on the 1/2” impact for driving lag bolts and added the hammer drill as well. A brushed m12 set probably isn’t something that should last under daily use for a contractor but it somehow has. Now for my use it’ll end up in my will. My son in law works for an ag company that builds and installs silos among other things. Milwaukee all the way. My nephew build bridges and that’s all you see with his crews. Milwaukee for a reason usually.
I just bought the m12 stubby 1/2” impact with a 5amp battery to add to a service pack for road trips. Jump box, tire plugs and an inflator. I slapped a 3 amp battery on it and was shocked that it had no problems taking a lug nut off of my 00 f250 diesel. It claims 550lbs which for such a small profile is pretty good. I’ve got Metabo for my cordless finish and crown nailer and an impact. Tons of Kobalt xtr as well as the pole saw and the Kobalt stuff is pretty impressive for the price. My son used and abused my Kobalt tools getting his business off the ground while he slowly built his own sets (Metabo). I’m slowly putting together some tools to stock up my soon to be winter home, which will be a park model in central Florida. I don’t use power tools like I used to but have them like a hoarder. My uncle retired from sk tools and I inherited 5 gallon buckets of wrenches, ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers and wrenches. The good ones and not the stuff sk puts out now.
That is not a great tool, it is a quick attempt to outdo Dewalts DCF921 which is a much better tool. The Milwaukee has a janky switching/trigger mechanism because they left no room inside for the regular selector switch, it only performs as advertised when used with the 5 amp battery and it has poor battery life. I don't like or buy Milwaukee tools for good reason.
This guy is a professional tool repairman and not selling anything.
I'm definitely wanting the 2562 although I suspect Milwaukee will issue a redesign soon. The double tap trigger thing seems dumb.
That said, I get by just fine daily with the Milwaukee stuff I have, so kinda hard to justify ~$200 just because.
That said, I get by just fine daily with the Milwaukee stuff I have, so kinda hard to justify ~$200 just because.
I watched the same video last night and it was a bit eye opening. He mentions that warranty is only 1 year in Europe vs the 5 year in US. Each tool he repaired he showed the breakdown on what was orderable and what wasnt, and many of them were too expensive to repair because individual parts couldnt be ordered. It is concerning for Milwaukee products and I'm thinking hard before buying more from now on.
I also had the older 3/8 stubby and hated the hand feel, it could be my hands are large, but the DCF921 feels just right.
I watched the whole hour-twenty. Very cool.
The OMT at the start I swore he said was 2001? I'm surprised Milwaukee was offering a cordless OMT in '01? Back then the corded Feins were just catching on in the States.
At the very end he talks about billable on these and reveals he's just an employee of a repair shop. Good for him because I don't know how the shop owner makes money.
I'd be curious to know what brands he thinks are profitable to repair. At one point he kinda hints Makita.
But I'd propose no cordless tools are profitable to repair after you mark up parts and charge a fair price for your labor.
The entire business of repairing tools that sell for $200‐$400 new feels like a very low margin proposition.
I think he meant 2021 but yes he did say 2001, I don't think they made that tool in 01. I guess he works for a company that deals in power tools, he also does some videos from home. In Europe most homes are made of brick and concrete, there are very few wood structures outside of Scandinavia except for garden sheds and some interior stuff so tools take a real beating.
Most tradesmen will buy their power tools from a local specialty company and have them serviced in the same shop, the mindset is quite different from the USA which have an over populated DIY customer base where even the low end home gamer tools are mixed in with and look the same the the pro tools eg Bosch green, a diy tool, blue is pro, in the US they are all blue ditto Makita, the MT series diy tools were red.
He is definitely a Makita guy but also doesnt mind Dewalt except their saws (check out his Dewalt miter saw video) he does like a lot of the Bosch stuff, does not like Hilti, not because of the tools quality but because of Hilti shenanigans with service lights that only they can turn off and poor parts availability. He seems to go by what is inside not just how much torque say and impact puts out but what are the bearings, is the switch replaceable or at least repairable and are they worth repairing.
I thought I blew the transmission out of one of my higher end Makita drills but it turns out that Makita deliberately put a nylon ring gear in that cost $3 and is available that would fail under extreme lock up instead of blowing a $100 trans out. I just got the gear and the old girl will be up and running withing the next few days.
I had hopes of going to one battery platform but it seems impossible, so I buy the best from the company that makes the best product of the type I need.
BTW This guy has no problem calling any make out for junk stuff.
Most tradesmen will buy their power tools from a local specialty company and have them serviced in the same shop, the mindset is quite different from the USA which have an over populated DIY customer base where even the low end home gamer tools are mixed in with and look the same the the pro tools eg Bosch green, a diy tool, blue is pro, in the US they are all blue ditto Makita, the MT series diy tools were red.
He is definitely a Makita guy but also doesnt mind Dewalt except their saws (check out his Dewalt miter saw video) he does like a lot of the Bosch stuff, does not like Hilti, not because of the tools quality but because of Hilti shenanigans with service lights that only they can turn off and poor parts availability. He seems to go by what is inside not just how much torque say and impact puts out but what are the bearings, is the switch replaceable or at least repairable and are they worth repairing.
I thought I blew the transmission out of one of my higher end Makita drills but it turns out that Makita deliberately put a nylon ring gear in that cost $3 and is available that would fail under extreme lock up instead of blowing a $100 trans out. I just got the gear and the old girl will be up and running withing the next few days.
I had hopes of going to one battery platform but it seems impossible, so I buy the best from the company that makes the best product of the type I need.
Yes 1 year in Europe 2 years in Germany by the product warranty law. In the USA they figure most of the sales will be to DIY customers and will never break down no matter how inexpensive the make it and those pro's that do buy are paying the same premium for the tool so they can afford to exchange it without incurring any loss. They are gambling on low use diy buyers like some others do and many tools will be replaced due to newer models being introduced.
BTW This guy has no problem calling any make out for junk stuff.
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- 172
I have SNAP ON, Dewalt, Kobalt, which is a beast from Lowe’s, and a hart impact from Walmart 1/4 inch and a half inch impact and a drill that you cannot beat for the money
Hart wins for the money
Hart wins for the money
My local alignment/ tire shop guy uses this all day long which is part of why I bought it. No idea how many batteries a day he goes through. Plus having a fair amount of Milwaukee batteries and chargers and to throw it in a roadside service bag won’t take up much room.
I have had makita for over a decade for house stuff and I have been using Milwaukee for car repairs just for over a year now.
I have M18 impact gun with 1200 pounds of torque that absolutely rips stuff apart. I have new m12 3/8 impact gun that does everything I need on my Ford flex which is a BIG passenger car.
One of my work locations is a truck salvage yard, I don't mean your barbie doll play house bro dozer I mean C15 18speed monstrosities and silly geared dump trucks.
We used to have a BIG work van going around our salvage yard (40 acres full of trucks) loaded with a diesel powered air compressors and big air gun. It was a bulky nightmare and a pain.
Guess what? Now we just a "tiny" 1" M18 impact in the back of the car that zips the wheels off way better and faster than the box van monstrosity with a diesel air compressor all the lines and the headache. The future is now.
At our rear end and transmission rebuild shop we have air hose reels everywhere. Every one switched to cordless.
I love my Makita angle grinders, I love my Milwaukee impacts and ratchets.
Brand loyalty is a joke. Get what works for you.
I have M18 impact gun with 1200 pounds of torque that absolutely rips stuff apart. I have new m12 3/8 impact gun that does everything I need on my Ford flex which is a BIG passenger car.
One of my work locations is a truck salvage yard, I don't mean your barbie doll play house bro dozer I mean C15 18speed monstrosities and silly geared dump trucks.
We used to have a BIG work van going around our salvage yard (40 acres full of trucks) loaded with a diesel powered air compressors and big air gun. It was a bulky nightmare and a pain.
Guess what? Now we just a "tiny" 1" M18 impact in the back of the car that zips the wheels off way better and faster than the box van monstrosity with a diesel air compressor all the lines and the headache. The future is now.
At our rear end and transmission rebuild shop we have air hose reels everywhere. Every one switched to cordless.
I love my Makita angle grinders, I love my Milwaukee impacts and ratchets.
Brand loyalty is a joke. Get what works for you.
