Milwaukee Tools

finally took the plunge into milwaukee 18V tools, we needed/wanted a vacuum for quick cleaning/hard floors but I didn't feel like investing in a new battery system from hoover, samsung, dyson, etc... so I have been procrastinating on it for a while. Was at home depot and saw them advertising this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...VRtKzCh3ScgyPEAQYAiABEgJ8FPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds with a free XC5.0 battery, and I snagged a 18v starter kit with the 12/18v charger, cp2.0 battery and xc5.0 battery on clearance for $100 more. I love their 12v stuff and am really excited phase out my rigid tools and upgrade to milwaukee. The vacuum works well, especially with the powered head, The hard floor attachment is weird as it has a squeegee instead of brush. The XC5.0 battery had enough runtime with the powered floor tool to clean a 90sq ft room with laminate flooring, and entire kitchen I would guess about 300-350 sq ft, and a test spot on a carpeted stair landing. The only possible downside I can see is the weight with a bigger battery if my Fiancée is doing a lot of vacuuming.

TL;DR: this vacuum is a perfect excuse to break into the milwaukee 18v world.

 

This is growing quickly…

 

Nice! I like the Stubby ones even if I don't have any. Yet...

 

The stubby is great. Perfect for 90% of the stuff on both my cars.

the mid torque was on sale for 199 with a free 5.0 battery the other day and I couldn’t resist

 

Agree - the stubby does almost all that I need, but when it doesn't, the 1/2" high-torque absolutely will!

 

Took this bugger camping. Set up in the dark with it and most of my other lights and was like daylight (AWESOME). Used it every day (night, duh) for cooking cleaning, playing games, etc......then used it and just one of my lanterns to tear down early AM in the dark. It was down maybe one bar (led dot) - with a 12V 4A battery - right now down two, just checked it. Very excellent for the amount of use and light thrown.

BTW we were near Mt. St. Helens. Toured the Ape Cave lava tubes. Saw the Meatball (photo with head lamp and other flashlights)

 

Please explain "The Meatball"

 

Mt. Saint Helens: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/moun...ted_con=0#qt-science_support_page_related_con

(we had not been in years stayed in a WA state campground, NO ONE around)

https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/moun...ted_con=2#qt-science_support_page_related_con

While there, we visited the Ape Caves (worthy)

https://www.visitmtsthelens.com/things-cowlitz-county/mt-st-helens-ape-caves/

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40393

"The ‘Meatball’ is a blob of lava that dropped off the ceiling, floated down the running lava, and got stuck at a narrow section."

https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Ape_Cave_Hike

 

Got this in the mail today

 

I'll admit.... I'm stumped. What the deuces is that thing?

 

Straight die grinder. I got the angled last week, used it a few times so far I like it.

 

Straight die grinder

 

Both of those die grinders are on my hit list. Most of the time I see this thread updated I’m hoping to find a tool only deal for them hopefully something happens for Black Friday.

 

Not sure where you are looking, but CPO Milwaukee is usually the cheapest that I've found. They occasionally run certain deals on combos too. Have purchased a number of batteries/tools from them and highly recommend...

https://www.cpomilwaukee.com/

*edit: they are doing 10% off for orders over $129 and another deal for free m12 battery with certain bare tool options.

 

I was buying from Home Depo because I “needed it now” on my first tools. Now that I have the basics I want some of the handy amenities. Every time I scrape gasket sealer I’m like fuck this I need that die grinder and sticking a wire wheel in the drill to get by making grounds or cleaning battery post gets old too. Lol, do I have $350 of shit to clean… no, but I have better things to spend my time on the weekends doing rather than playing tidily winks by hand.

 

You're probably well aware, but be carefull with "grinders" for gasket surfaces. I've used them in the past with various bits (wire, scotch Brite, discs), but have seen horror stories with all. They are usually associated with broken wire strands and other disc material breaking off inside tight clearance parts (value covers, water pumps etc), but I try to avoid it unless absolutely necessary and even then I take precautions.

 

The M18 7 1/4 circular saw is on the list too. My wife bought the chainsaw and 12amp battery combo for me on the Father’s Day sale. I modified the chicken coop and used it instead of stringing out a hundred feet of cord to it and using the Ol skillsaw. That sucker is also pretty handy to grab real quick and take care of the light work around the property without have to break out the big saw. I never would have bought it but she heard me talking to a buddy about them and spoiled me.

 

Damn HomeDepot, its like they know I have no impulse control!

 

Took the plunge last Christmas and have really enjoyed them so far.

I have always had a ton of air tools but it always seemed like a hassle to use them.

I use the Milwaukee stuff over my hand tools most days now.

 

I love my Milwaukee stuff, after working at a Home Depot for 2 years and using them for store projects I bought the m18 impact, drill and circular saw with my tax returns. Then I picked up the fan for my dog for his kennel for dog sports. 10/10 on everything