Kinda chapped at Milwaukee Tools

[woodlandfarms]

So I have a nice Milwaukee impact driver. A fuel 18v. It died. I think the trigger stopped working. A simple switch in my mind. Went to the Milwaukee repair store. Walked in. Guy looked up from the counter and said. “Don’t bother. The switch costs more than a new gun”. Turns out that the whole innards are soldered together including the motor. Frustrating.

 

[oosik]

That's the way it is with most power tools & household appliances. I had a Makita plug in drill go bad. They didn't even look at it - just gave me a brand new one and threw the old in the trash.

 

[standup616]

So I have a nice Milwaukee impact driver. A fuel 18v. It died. I think the trigger stopped working. A simple switch in my mind. Went to the Milwaukee repair store. Walked in. Guy looked up from the counter and said. 泥on稚 bother. The switch costs more than a new gun? Turns out that the whole innards are soldered together including the motor. Frustrating.

.
SOS here. What happens to me next is they have changed designs and my old batteries that i just replaced 6 months ago, because the originals died, wont work in new drill driver replacement

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have been "chapped" at them ever since they moved to china!!

SR

 

[Redlands Okie]

Agreed on the China deal. What a mess.

 

[AndyMA]

So I have a nice Milwaukee impact driver. A fuel 18v. It died. I think the trigger stopped working. A simple switch in my mind. Went to the Milwaukee repair store. Walked in. Guy looked up from the counter and said. “Don’t bother. The switch costs more than a new gun”. Turns out that the whole innards are soldered together including the motor. Frustrating.

I haven't had a problem getting their tools repaired under the 5 year warranty.

Andy

 

[Thomas]

Getting to more and more of than now a days,some call it throw away models.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The reason why I went with Rigid with their lifetime warranty, including batteries.

 

[thekkfan]

The reason why I went with Rigid with their lifetime warranty, including batteries.

I've seen it, but know no one that has exercised the warranty. Have you? Most people don't know they have to register within 90 days to get the lifetime.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have, but only the LED light. Sucks that you can't take it back to HD! Actually, never mind. If I don't have to go there and put up with the Canadian style of retailing, that's ok.

I have to go to a local warranty depot, a really good competent tool store, but they have to order the replacement.

I have had the tools maybe eight years or so and of course, having the warranty I have had no issues. Being not regularly used, it's the batteries I worry about most.

 

[prichard]

A friend gave me a Milwaukee framing nailer. Worked for a few nails then quit. Opened it up and found broken pieces. All the aftermarket parts suppliers said the parts were obsolete. Called Milwaukee and very nice young lady in Mississippi said we have them right here, $4.95. Made an order for that part and several others. They showed up a couple days later.

I'm happy with Milwaukee.

 

[cqaigy2]

The reason why I went with Rigid with their lifetime warranty, including batteries.

I've seen it, but know no one that has exercised the warranty. Have you? Most people don't know they have to register within 90 days to get the lifetime.

I've replaced two batteries. The thing is, you need to register them within a certain time frame, or you don't get the warranty.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

It is pretty universal that the retail stores do not get involved in warranty or parts support. Keeps the retail cost down. I have evolved to the throw away market.

Ron

 

[stuckmotor]

It is pretty universal that the retail stores do not get involved in warranty or parts support. Keeps the retail cost down. I have evolved to the throw away market.

Ron

Me too.

 

[Howling]

I have good experiences with Milwaukee warranty support. Online form tool model, serial number problem. Gives RMA and ship label. Turn around week or 2.

Do have older 18v drill with pair of dead batteries. Nice drill but batteries are different then current standard M18 batteries. Either have to scrap or get aftermarket batteries.

 

[LD1]

Agree you need to look into warranty.

It's 5 years on Milwaukee tools....and 1 year if it's a factory refurbished tool (see those on eBay from time to time).

I bought a used one off eBay. 1/4" hex impact driver. Wanted a second one for putting up roofing/siding when building my barn.

It quit impacting. Was like a drill only.

I called them, told them I bought it second hand and didn't know if warrant applied, gave them serial #. Saud yep, still under warranty as it isn't more than 5 years old.

Sent it in, must not have been feasible to repair, I had a brand new one on my doorstep a few weeks later.

I question the Ridgid warranty as well. These tools/ models/ voltage/ etc change frequently. 10 or 15 years from now when it's obsolete...I think you will be sol.

And last time I had a warrant issue with "Ridgid" lifetime warranty....I was told...and I quote "lifetime warranty means the lifetime of the tool, and not your lifetime. And you may have exceeded the lifetime of the tool"

That was over a nearly new pipe wrench that split the lower jaw in half. Not worn at all. Was told I had to pay to ship tool to a service center...if they deem it a warrantable repair, they would fix and return (with me still out the shipping charge). It it wasn't what they would deem "warrantable" then I pay for repair and to ship back, or can elect to have them dispose of tool...still out the initial shipping.

Just wasn't worth the risk over a $30 wrench. And all I wanted them to do was send me a lower jaw and I'd install.

Wonder if their warranty on batteries and power tools is as much of a PITA.

Milwaukee's is painless.

 

[nyone]

I have a old pre fuel 1/4in quick connect milwaukee impact. Last week it burned up its 3rd set of brushes. There $14 shipped and a few minutes with a soldering iron. This impact has outlasted 1 of the two 1.5ah batterys it came with and been through drops, falls, rain and being thrown across the yard.

My father uses ridgid cordless stuff. The battery life sucks. His ridgid batterys last no where near as long as my 8yr old 1.5ah M18 battery.

 

[kenmac]

My mikita tools have served me well. I have gone through 2 sets of replacement batteries.

Now, it's time for new batteries again. Since I don't make my living with tools anymore, I think I'm just going to buy the cheaper ryobi impact and drill combo for less

 

[Oaktree]

My father uses ridgid cordless stuff. The battery life sucks. His ridgid batterys last no where near as long as my 8yr old 1.5ah M18 battery.

I question the Ridgid warranty as well. These tools/ models/ voltage/ etc change frequently. 10 or 15 years from now when it's obsolete...I think you will be sol.


And last time I had a warrant issue with "Ridgid" lifetime warranty....I was told...and I quote "lifetime warranty means the lifetime of the tool, and not your lifetime. And you may have exceeded the lifetime of the tool"

Agree on the battery life on the Ridgid cordless stuff. The upside is that they charge quickly.
The drill I have uses NiCads. It doesn't appear anyone makes lithium replacements for it. :thumbdown:

That's one thing I like about the Ryobi 18V tools, they made the newer batteries compatible with older tools so there's less planned obsolescence.

As far as the lifetime warantee goes...while I get why they do it, calling it "lifetime" is a bit deceptive unless they clearly define what they consider the life of the tool to be.

I have evolved to the throw away market.

Given how fast technology's evolving, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Look at the improvements in torque and battery life just in the last 5 years or so.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I replaced the switch on my M28 sawzall. As I recall, $35 for the switch. I desoldered the old switch and soldered in the new switch.