Milwaukee Tools

if they pay me enough, i'll drive anything with whatever they want on the side.

but as long as i'm paying, the logo's don't go on it.

 

I’m at a crossroads here. I have three Dewalt 18v tools two drills and a saw which someone gave( totally understandable why when I tried to use it)
Anyway batteries are scarce and not cheap for these anymore. I can get a Milwaukee 18v drill kit, the one from Home Depot posted a couple of pages back, for considerably less than I can convert my Dewalt stuff to 20v but I’d lose the extra drill in the process. Sometimes it’s nice to have an extra especially when doing some type of drill/ screw work. Any thoughts on this?

 

I don’t reckon batteries (msrp) are cheap for any good platform. I’m pretty sure they (deezwalt) don’t make 18v batteries anymore. They have moved to much better battery tech in the 20v and 60v max platform.

Assuming you’re in America.

Everywhere else they are still considered 18v batteries, just the new versions.

I personally would just start new. This is a horrible time, but normally there are decent deals to be had on some starter kits. You’d be surprised how far everything has come from the old dewalt 18v tools.

 

if you were at all dedicated to dewalt, i'd say it'd be worth converting to the 20v to keep the batteries the same. but if you're really considering switching at all, best just to bite the bullet and get it over with.

i had to do that a number of years ago with my rigid stuff. i didn't hate it, but they didn't have the tool selection that dewalt or milwaukee have for the batteries.

 

Depends on what you want to do. If you just want basic stuff (drills, impacts, saws etc) it's dealers choice. If you want to get into anything specialty (ratchets, chainsaws, inflator etc) milwaukee is the go to. IMO, milwaukee is staying on the cutting edge of tool engineering and is always coming out with tools that you never knew you needed. You probably should've guessed that response considering the thread title though.

 

I’m not really dedicated to Dewalt and I’m kinda pissed about them more or less abandoning the 18v platform. I’ve also been reading several bad reviews about the 20v conversion kit so I’m thinking I’ll go ahead and make the switch.

My wife has been asking what I want for my birthday so lt looks like I have an answer for her.

 

milwaukee's biggest draw is really the ease of access to all of the tool options, and trade-specific tools.

makita and bosche make most of the same general tools, but aren't always easily available, or only available online.

 

IMO, it's the trade specific part that draws me. I'm an electrician by trade and the specialty tools (ratchets, crimps, knock outs, vacuums, stand lights etc) are what originally sold me. Milwaukee is always coming out with new tools. The rest of the brands simply stay stagnant and continue to offer the same old drills, saws, impacts etc. Shit, I haven't seen dewault or makita offer a track saw, electric generator, inflator, soldering iron, transfer pump, chainsaw etc lately...

 

Dewalt has two track saws. A corded and a 60v.
Makita was a OG in battery track saws. Milwaukee is just late to the game.

Dewalt just came out with a new 60v chainsaw. This will be Gen 2 of the flexvolt.
https://www.dewalt.com/product/dccs677z1/60v-max-brushless-cordless-20-50ah-chainsaw-kit

Inflator, makita has a few, and Dewalt has had one for awhile. Before the m12 version came out. DEWALT 20V MAX* Cordless Tire Inflator, Tool Only (DCC020IB)

$95 DEWALT 20V MAX Tire Inflator, Compact and Portable, Automatic Shut Off, LED Light, Bare Tool Only (DCC020IB)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H39S9JQ

-Milwaukee doesn’t have a battery roofing nailer. Dewalt makes a gas generator and an inverter generator, I don’t think Milwaukee makes either. Milwaukee doesn’t make a rotary laser. Bosch and Dewalt do..more common, guys go with Stabila. Dewalt is the first to come out with stack lithium technology in the 18v tools. Etc etc etc.

People identify with tools like it’s a gang or something. They all make decent stuff, with each brand having pros and cons and a variety of offerings that cater to markets that certain sub contractors may find more or less appealing.

Makita is doing work in their XGT line, Flex is out there out performing both tools on the 18v platform in a lot of categories and hitachi is offering life time warranty on a lot of their tools and maybe batteries? (Idk, I only know a few guys that use the new metabo 36v stuff)

 

I have a tonne of milwaukee tools that I use every day for automotive work, but the makita's wobbly battery isolater thing on their impacts looks awesome, and seems to really work. I hate that I constantly have to smack my milwaukee batteries back into my impacts and ratchets because they lose connection. Dewalt makes a lot of good stuff, but I think they are a little more focussed on construction while milwaukee has a better selection for automotive. They all have great tools though. The milwaukee battery issues with both the m18 and m12 is pretty frustrating. The m12 battery design is junk; I have a big collection of broken m12 batteries.

My dad has had dewalt tools for the last 20 years, and is still using some of the same tools he had 20 years ago with 20v battery adapters, and he uses all of them professionally every day. Of course his 20v stuff is way better, but for certain tools, the 18v stuff just keeps on doing the job.

 

Grainger has the small packout boxes for $20.00. The other sizes are on sale as well. Free pickup in store.

https://www.grainger.com/product/MILWAUKEE-Tool-Case-9-3-4-in-Overall-499M36?opr=ILOF

 

..?


The saw itself, dust extractor, 39” & 55” rails were easy af to get but our 118” rail was a nightmare. Ordered two which arrived half hanging out of their box and damaged. Called about a dozen other places that wouldnt even attempt ordering it for that reason. Husband drove six hours round trip to a distributor down in RI that had about thirty in stock and got one that was packed and padded af and brought it back home. 100% worth it though, thing is the cats pajamas.

 

Turns out ACE and Northern tool also have all these on sale as well just FYI.

 

fyi, these are perfect to hack up for mounting plates. cheaper than the official mounting plate option, even at full price.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoF9iydAVGe/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

 

Buy more save more is back at Home Depot. $175 off when you buy $550 or more…

 

lies. i've only got 1 milwaukee flashlight.

these guys get all my other lighting money
https://www.yelp.com/biz/flashlight-outlet-valparaiso

 

Don’t need but want.

 

Considering this deal of the day…