Looking to chat about cordless power tools/kits! Leaning towards Milwaukee

It has come time to make an upgrade and I need to just buy a combo kit. The problem is no one yet has figured out how to offer a "build your own" combo kit because throwing in a flashlight as a "piece" is annoying. It seems every combo I look at, something is missing but maybe that is just part of the game.

A friend has been looking and he is convinced Milwaukee is the right choice over Dewalt. I realize there are better tools for more specific things, but I usually will use something up first to gauge the investment in a better tool.

I am most curious about build quality between lines? Battery quality? It does seem like Milwaukee is doing a great job at releasing a cordless option for about everything.

Here is a quick list of what I "think" I need or want.
1. 1/2" brushless hammer drill. The go-to tool for many people
2. 1/4" impact driver. I don't even own one and not sure why. I borrow these all the time. Handy!
3. sawzall. Gotta have one.
4. the mini circular saw. Chopping up a pallet or something, just handy!
5. Jigsaw. Not exactly sure how much I would use this and for what? Certainly more precise than sawzall
6. 1/2" impact. Should be closer to top! Would never leave home without it! Tired of air hoses for 2 bolts
7. Angle grinder. This is currently what is driving my shopping! I need one and need it now for 10min work!
Here is where I get into special tools.
1. impact ratchet. I would lean on the impact driver when I can though. I walked away from air ratchets yrs ago because they will bash knuckles, are slow, and some are loud. However, SP Air has a mini impact ratchet that is just BA! Are there cordless impact ratchet options? I am talking real impact like the 1/4" pistol drivers.
2. 90* die grinder. Cleaning up gasket surfaces, cut off a quick screw, etc. I use a Dotco all the time. Have not seen anyone but Milwaukee offer this?
3. Grease gun. I want one that uses full size tubes and actually works! tired of junk guns.

I bought a 12V Makita 3/8 drill years ago for a specific manufacturing job and I use it a lot for small odd jobs. Much lighter when the big drill is not needed.

If you are looking to fully customise your kit, check out Hilti. Aimed at professional use and not cheap, but with good warranty and repair turnaround guarantees.

I had a mixture of Cordless tools and about 3 years ago I swapped them all for Milwaukee. I’ve got impacts, drills, angle drills, lights, grease gun, boroscopes, grinder, and even a fan. So far I’ve replaced a couple of batteries but all my tools have held up even after being left in the service truck during the winter months. The grinder is great but if you’re doing any heavy grinding you may as well dig out the electric grinder. I can kill a battery on my grinder in about 15 minutes. On the other hand I can use my 1/2” impact for multiple days on the same battery as long as I’m not rattling on a bunch of frozen bolts.

home improvement tools.

Truck Shop said:

home improvement tools.

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Blasphemous! I’ve had way less trouble with the Milwaukee than I did with my snap on cordless tools and I’m normally a snap on fan.

Happy DeWalt owner here....had some issues with the first run of Milwaukee 12 volt stuff and stayed away when I upgraded my full size cordless stuff.

Milwaukee does have a broader lineup and does more with an 18 volt battery than anyone. Their chainsaw is the real deal and you can't beat a Milwaukee sawzall, I'll end up with both eventually.

Most of my 12 volt stuff is Bosch, it just doesn't die.

I do have a Milwaukee 12 volt staple gun that is the neatest thing since birth control, don't even know where my old arrow stapler is....

Ed

Quality is pretty even through most of the big names. I was all about Dewalt when I was younger doing carpentry work, but swapped to Milwaukee in 2012 as a mechanic.

Good deals can be found on Home Depot or Zoro Tools for kit sets to start with a build off of (even if you do end up with a flashlight). Go with the authorized dealers versus lowest price to keep warranty intact. My biggest complaint was with the M12 battery tabs breaking, but they've remedied that with the newer batteries.

Only use them for cab interior/I don't have to recharge my air tools, just a drop of oil.

I doubt you will go wrong with dewalt or milwakee I use Dewalt myself the 60 volt grinder is downright amazing with a 6 inch 3m cutoff disk it will cut 1 inch bolts like butter,
The 20v impact will take off semi wheels appears to be stronger than milwakee according to the internet but I would like to have one in each hand to know for sure
20v drills have a lot of power but I have let the smoke out of a few so not so sure that they are the best

Truck Shop said:

Only use them for cab interior/I don't have to recharge my air tools, just a drop of oil.

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You work in a shop, too. You don't often have to walk back and start a gasoline engine to get air, or lay out 200' of air hose.

I thought the same thing until I started using them. I only use air now for my big impact. My 1/2" drive 1400 ft/lb Milwaukee will take most Budd wheels off.

mitch504 said:

You work in a shop, too. You don't often have to walk back and start a gasoline engine to get air, or lay out 200' of air hose.

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That's true.

You could make a case for either brand. I bought a Ryobi 7.6V back when Makita 7.6 was nearly the only thing available. The Ryobi died only after my drunken idiot friend hammered the battery in backwards. No joke. I loved it. The case with batt and charger fit under the truck seat. Had nearly the staying power of the Makita, and was better in the hand.

In the latest round, I was shopping for a set after my batteries for the old 12V Milwaukee setup finally gave up. Homeless Despot had an 18V set of drill/driver and 1/4 hex impact, 2 batts and charger, Milwaukee and Makita, same price. My best buddy has been running 18V DeWalt for A LONG TIME, and they still suffice, but they were not available at the time I had to have something.

Easy, says I. I will buy the Makita, since it is made in Japan, right?? Nope. Both the Milwaukee and the Makita are Made In Bloody China.

Long, drawn out post to get to the point-

The brushless tools offered by everyone these days are lightyears ahead of the old stuff. Not cheap, but very efficient, easy on batteries, and will AMAZE you with their power. If you buy an impact, be sure to verify/appreciate their power, or make sure you have plenty of left handed drill bits handy.....don't ask how I know....

Have to agree with westerner on the brushless stuff, power and battery life is awesome.

Ed

Check Amazon for deals.
I was contemplating the Milwaukee 18v 1200 lbs torque.
Thought it was a bit pricy, a popup appeared, stating if I opened a amazon account I could take $90 off. click, clickety click!
I really like it. I have added more cordless tools to my collection
Good deals on the 12v ones if you do not require max. ower

Milwaukee and mainly cause they have the best grease gun and most versatile 18 volt platform I carry a grease gun grinder and a 3/8 and 1/2 impact and they are the stubys believe it or not I cant believe how lazy they made me

I really like there ratchets to pretty decent power and quiet

Also millwakee makes 90 degree die grinders as well as normal die grinders

I carry the blower in both lowboys for cleaning the deck between loads

Well.....After several hours shopping, I am sort of starting to wonder about Rigid???? They are made by the same company as Milwaukee. I have a couple Rigid tools and they have held up. They are not a LOT cheaper, but noticeable. One thing I liked was the in store lifetime warranty, vs 5yr mfg warranty of the big M.
However, I am not sure I want to be seen with Rigid tools.....lol But I guess if that was the case, I should get Hilti goodies.

They are very specific about registering for the lsa on Ridgid tools, might want to read the specifics.

Ed

Milwaukee all day long. Have the 3/4, 1/2, 1/2 stubby and half ratchet along with die grinder, grinder drill and a lamp. Nothing has failed and I treat with the same respect a drunk treats a cheeseburger at 4am

Maybe I am too old to consider the cordless stuff. Power tools don't feel right to me without an extension cord or air hose hanging off of it.

I have a good friend that has been a mechanic for 20 plus years and been a loyal Snap-on customer. A few weeks ago I stopped by the shop to BS with him and happen to notice a 'well used' Milwaukee 1/2 drive impact on his box. When I asked how he liked it, he said that thing just laughs at the 18 volt Snap-on impact. It's the best he has ever had. Just my $.02