Milwaukee Tools

I like my M12 Drill Driver and 3/8" impact Don`t use them hard the odd hole to drill or bolt to run in..

Now for what Ever reason all 4 Batteries flash the red and Green Lights .

All but the battery I ran down seem to work fine in the tools. i did not feel like dragging air hose for a few clamps

Bad Charger who knows what might have happened when I might not have seen?

 

i got one within the first month it was released last year--fair warning, i'm in the midwest, so i got it at 11% off as part of home depot's competitor-discount-matching program (this year they posted a 1300-page 'exclusion list', including milwaukee tools, though all my rebates have come though). it seems to be marketed specifically to lawn professionals, though everyone that i've talked to, including myself, is really only interested to keep using the same batteries they've already got for additional purposes.

the current leading sales rep statement/internet theory is that they specifically sell it with the 12.0Ah batteries so that everyone is using the tool at its very best, instead of sticking some old 1.5Ah batteries in it and then whining about power/runtime/speed being horrible.

if i hadn't already committed to the milwaukee blower and weed trimmer, i'd recommend some non-tool brands. the EGO brand has some extremely competitive options, and have already released 3 different types of snow throwers. but i can't justify starting an entirely different battery type when i've got so many milwaukee batteries ready to use.

to be fair though, the makita lawn mower requires 4-18v packs...

 

Anyone have any legit news about Milwaukee releasing the top handle chain saw? Its been "coming soon" for quite a few months now, assuming its good I would like to buy the 12" bar version, I dont need a full size 18"-24" chainsaw yet.

 

Might as well throw the big wood blade on the Sawzall for something that small.

 

Thats what I have used occasionally for the last 5ish years, the newest m18 sawzall with 9 inch diablo 3 tpi pruning blades, but its nothing when compared to a chainsaw for speed/quality of cuts. When I own a house/need to cut down a seriouse tree I will get probably a 20 inch stihl 2 stroke saw, until then I figure a cordless 12 inch chainsaw would be perfect for occasional larger tree limb trimming and cratemurtle pruning.

 

i honestly don't trust any news until the product is in stock somewhere.

watched a guy pre-order that m18 motorized fish tape in 2020-- it was set to release in 2 months according to all sources, which was why pre-orders were open. suddenly all news on it vanished, pre-orders were sent into limbo. he finally got it in 2022. the suspicion is that they ran into some sort of production issue, but no one that knows is saying anything.

but i do love those diablo pruning blades. they make quick work of drywall as well!

 

Looking to buy the M18 inflator, but I'm curious from those of y'all with one if you think my XC5.0 batteries will be sufficient to run it or should I invest in a 6.0 or 8.0 battery?

 

The m18 top handle seems to have limited release right now. Some arborists have it I have seen preorders on one or two sites but otherwise nothing.

I personally downsized my m18 chainsaw down to 12” because I’m not cutting anything over 20” anytime soon. I feel like I would actually probably be all set with the m18 hatchet 8” for 90% of what I use it for.

 

This.

An arborist buddy has one, in addition to his m12 & m18 hatchet.

He now uses cordless exclusively for all of his climbing work.

 

If I was still climbing I would do the same. I would probably have two of the M18 hatchets. With 6.0Ah HO batteries.

Luckily my brains took over in college and told me my body couldn’t handle being an arborist for the next 30 years so now I mostly sit behind a bright screen surrounded by 3.5 walls. However I probably made more money in the last 12 years than I ever would have if I stuck with arboriculture.


Back to Milwaukee tools, had to build a railing for one of our rentals and I got to use my tools last night. Having those husky rolling totes is great. It makes it so much easier to have all my tools in one place.

 

I have the Ryobi 18v inflator and use a 4AH battery on it. I could probably top off the tires on 8 cars before needing to charge. Dont know if that helps but its here for what its worth.

 

Yeah thats my assumption that there is either a issue with the design they are fixing or a production availability issue, the pruning blades are great but they just weren't up for cutting down 4 limbs 20 feet long, 12-16 inches wide, I ended up buying a crappy HF corded chain saw for that particular job instead of still waiting for this top handled saw. I haven't done demo with the pruning blades but I'm sure your right, heck I used them for trimming 6x6 pressure treated beams a few years ago.

Thats good to know it's getting real world testing, hopefully they are doing some important redesign that was pointed out, I thought about getting the m18 hatchet but I dont need multiple chainsaws that I will rarely use so I'm gonna wait for the one I want, Ive only tested the current m18 chainsaw twice but I thought it was bulky for the bar size, my eventual plan is to also get a full sized stihl that'll last the rest of my life.

All the tree climbers must be happy with these lightweight cordless chainsaws, I would not want to be 50+ feet up a tree and dealing with starting a gas chainsaw.

 

Yes the M18 chainsaw rear handle is way oversized for the bar length. My main issue with the electric or battery chainsaws is that when you have a gas saw; when you run out of gas you top off the oil as well. I think the 12Ah battery is too large for the M12 rear handle vs oil capacity. The batteries you should size to the oil reservoir I feel like this is something that is overlooked maybe I’m paranoid.

 

I am in the same boat and was wondering the same. Also, how well (or poorly) will the M18 inflator perform on 35-37" tires? Anyone with experience?

 

I’ve noticed when it’s above 80* it cuts out and goes into protection mode pretty quickly. I keep it in my truck to cut out blow downs when I’m out hunting in Ea Wa so I’m not making a shit load of noise or running a fire breathing 2 stroke in a tender box. It’s more of a convenience item and definitely not the 038 firewood work horse. My 038 is a little cold blooded and it’s pretty convenient to grab the Milwaukee for one or two branches out mowing.

 

really depends on what you're inflating, and how long.

i've transitioned all of my 5.0's to what i consider 'constant light load' duties-- running things like that inflator, radios, or the fan. mine are all at least 5 years old. i keep my 6.0's for heavy loads like drills and saws, though i've noted that they last roughly twice as long as my 5.0's, though i believe it's mostly an age thing.

 

It'll work but you'll probably test your patience filling 37's.

Unless you need the set-and-forget psi or the portability, consider a

$240 viair 400p - 40043 portable compressor kit. tire pump, truck/suv tire inflator, for up to 35" tires

viair 400p or equivalent. You already have the truck's battery/alternator and it'll push 2.3cfm vs the red tool's 1.4cfm.

 

I have filled 33s from single digits to 32 psi with a single 5ah battery. That’s about it though. It’s usually on its last bar. I would probably do a 6 ah for anything more, simply for run time. I don’t think there’s any benefit to HO with this tool.

 

Thanks.

That's what I was thinking would happen using the 5ah batteries. The 6ah and 8ah batteries seem to be the sweet spot with this unit. But, it's good to know that the 5ah can handle 20+psi.

 

That is a very good point.