Milwaukee M12 Tool Line

[Wagtail]

and the Makita LXT 18V

My Makita pole saw is the double battery type. It came with an extension 'section', which can make it somewhat unwieldy, but it works very well.

A bonus is that Makita sells a whipper-snipper attachment that fits the operator section. I bought that separately and it works fine.

 

[camshawn]

We already had a Stihl combi so it made sense to me to plan for a battery Stihl power head. We purchased a Stihl lawnmower a few yrs ago ( before Milwaukee or Mikita) and picked up the combi power head last fall when they were on sale fore a good price with 2 batteries. 3 batteries lets me trim, blow, and cut the lawn. The first battery is charged before I am finished.

 

[kenmbz]

I am considering upgrading to an expensive better-made pole saw. The M18 Milwaukee is one I am considering. That, and the Makita LXT 18V, a Husky, and an Echo. No M12 pole saws made, which makes sense. Stihl, just too expensive.

I am on my 2nd 40V Greenworks pole saw, after blowing up the first one. 40V power is just too much for it. I also used an 18V B&D NiCad for years before that.

Is yours the single-battery pole saw, or the dual (36V)?

Single battery quick lock head pole saw.
I really like it with the 8AH battery.
I have the middle extension which I use sparingly, but I have bucked a lot of small ash trees and branches.
It came in real handy when a Maple branch came down across one of my new apple trees, able to place the saw into the various branches and cut them one by one and save the little tree.

 

[dfkrug]

Single battery quick lock head pole saw.
I really like it with the 8AH battery.
I have the middle extension which I use sparingly, but I have bucked a lot of small ash trees and branches.

I like the telescoping (vs. sectional) polesaws, which seem to be increasing in popularity. If the M18 pole saw is as well-made as the M12 tools, I will be happy.

 

[kenmbz]

I like having the sectional, much lighter than the telescoping ones I tried out.
It has an oregon bar/chain and a decent oiler.
Slower than a gas one, but I have used it on some big branches, just need patience.

 

[rScotty]

I wonder how many others still use Milwaukess M28/V28 cordless power tools?
We bought a full set of M28 tools about 2004, and still use them.
Reliable & powerful, but sure are heavy.

 

[dfkrug]

I wonder how many others still use Milwaukess M28/V28 cordless power tools?
We bought a full set of M28 tools about 2002, and still use them.
Reliable & powerful, but sure are heavy.

That is a good experience. Are the M28 tools NiMH?

The sad truth is that tho I love the M12 tools, how long will it be before newer technology will essentially obsolete them? Or at least seduce us into moving to a newer system?

I have many 120VAC corded tools that are truly lifetime tools. Some from the 70s.

 

[rScotty]

That is a good experience. Are the M28 tools NiMH?

The sad truth is that tho I love the M12 tools, how long will it be before newer technology will essentially obsolete them? Or at least seduce us into moving to a newer system?

I have many 120VAC corded tools that are truly lifetime tools. Some from the 70s.

Yes, we also still have corded Milwaukees from the 70's, too. Nice old tools; they hardly ever get much use now that the cordless are so convenient. A couple of corded Craftsman tools do get a lot of use. Nobody else has yet made such a clever scrolling variable speed jig saw or really good sheet metal nibbler as those old 1970's Craftsman.

All the M28 and V28 Milwaukee batteries are Lithium ion type. They may have been the first of Milwaukee's lithium ion line. Originally the line was V28, and them became M28. As far as I can tell, there is no difference. Same battery & same everything.
They have seriously more torque than the M18 & double the runtime. You can still find some of the M28 tools new with a google search, but be aware they are large and heavy in spite of most having magnesium alloy cases.

None have ever needed any parts. Even the M28 batteries still work.

The standard M28 hammer drill is still my favorite go to drill. Not too large and has full torque at a very controllable low speed - which makes it especially good for drilling stainless or thick carbon steel. Has a reliable hand tightened carbide faced chuck that doesn't bugger bits.

The M28 circular saw is a real oddball saw. It is "left handed" compared with other circular saws. I rarely use it for that reason.

The big right angle drill is a monster. It has a big keyed chuck and when equipped with a "winch bit" adapter that drill was popular for use to power sail boat winches and anchor winches. I can't imagine what use that size tool would have for drilling holes. It takes two hands just to lift one.
Nice for powering big winches though....

The M28 impact driver weighs an astonishing 20 lbs without the battery. That weight means it doesn't kick back much and will loosen the lug nuts on most tractors....not on the JD310 rears though. Those need an air impact.

More recently, we also have a little M18 drill and M18 work light. Both get a lot of use when I don't want to lug an M28 monster. And I'm looking forward to getting some M12 tools.

rScotty

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I had an Milwaukee M18 angle grinder. I found it to be an absolutely miserable tool. It would go for a few seconds then turn off.

I have four of them (hate switching between different discs) and they all work fine.

Same with the M18 impacts...all three work great. Well, the early non-Fuel one is less great, but still. One Fuel is always in the tow vehicle.

 

[4570Man]

I had an Milwaukee M18 angle grinder. I found it to be an absolutely miserable tool. It would go for a few seconds then turn off. I ended upgrading batteries which helped some, but ultimately didn't solve the problem. I got very quick at restarting it, but ultimately overheated and smoked the tool.

Since then I have jumped to Harbor Freight Hercules tools. And I've been mighty impressed with most of them. The Angle grinder in particular seems to have plenty of power and the only times I've stopped the grinder is when I twisted and bound the disc.

My corded DeWalt 1/2" impact is mysteriously underpowered, and I've moved to either Hercules or Earthquake cordless impacts.

Are you using at minimum a 5ah battery preferably bigger? I have a Dewalt and Milwaukee grinder and they work well. They probably wouldn’t be my go to for a whole day of grinding but they run long enough on a charge that I can sharpen my lawnmower blades. They also work great for cutting rebar. I can cut at least 50 pieces on one battery.

 

[matt1roh]

Are you using at minimum a 5ah battery preferably bigger? I have a Dewalt and Milwaukee grinder and they work well. They probably wouldn’t be my go to for a whole day of grinding but they run long enough on a charge that I can sharpen my lawnmower blades. They also work great for cutting rebar. I can cut at least 50 pieces on one battery.

I would guess it is a non-Fuel grinder where he says that he "smoked" it.

Matt

 

[chim]

There are still times that the corded tools are simply better. Just this week a B&D corded angle grinder was brought out of mothballs because there was a need for something that would be leaned on hard for 1/2 hour. There's a current project where and old Milwaukee Die Grinder will be used. Most of the time there's a cordless tool being used here.

The only M18 tools I have are a hammerdrill and a large boxy work light that were gifted to me at work. They were given to the company and the COO didn't want to contaminate the DeWalt pool. I'm a big DeWalt fan, but that Milwaukee drill has better speed regulation than my DeWalts. 90% of the guys I know probably don't even realize tools have variable speeds - they just mash the trigger

I started out with DeWalt 18V tools, but when the 20V tools came along we had opportunities to trade them with a vendor. The extra run time made it a no-brainer. In 20V I currently have (3) ¼” Impacts, ½” Impact, Drywall Screwgun, ½” Hammerdrill, (2) 4-1/2” Grinders, (2) DCL050 Lights, DCL040 Light, Compressor, 7-1/4” Circular Saw, Jig Saw, Recip Saw, String Trimmer, Hedge Trimmer, Chain Saw, Pole Saw, Band Saw, Grease Gun, Pressure Washer and probably something I forgot.

The only 18V DeWalt tools still here are 18V Vacuum, ¼” Impact, Doublecut Shear and a drywall cutout tool. I modified the vacuum to take a 20V battery and have a 20V to 18V adapter for the others.

I have a few of the 20V battery adapters with wire leads that are used for different stuff. One was used to make a work light from two leftover Maxxima work lights and an old tripod (below) and another powers a yellow magnet mounted strobe light.

I have no experience with Rigid cordless tools and don't know anything about them. If I were starting out from zero I'd check them out purely due to their lifetime battery replacement policy. Admittedly, with a box full of DeWalt 20V batteries that I've been accumulating since their introduction only one has failed. It was a 4AH battery that came with a Christmas Special from a box store.

 

[BlueKnife]

I have no experience with Rigid cordless tools and don't know anything about them. If I were starting out from zero I'd check them out purely due to their lifetime battery replacement policy.

I worked for another contractor for a short time who had all Ridgid tools. There's no comparison to Dewalt or Milwaukee (or Metabo or Makita for that matter). The tolerances aren't as good. Bearings give out sooner, motors aren't as strong and the batteries don't last as long. They are less expensive and have a nice warranty though, which I think is what keeps them selling.

 

[CliffordK]

Are you using at minimum a 5ah battery preferably bigger? I have a Dewalt and Milwaukee grinder and they work well. They probably wouldn’t be my go to for a whole day of grinding but they run long enough on a charge that I can sharpen my lawnmower blades. They also work great for cutting rebar. I can cut at least 50 pieces on one battery.

I would guess it is a non-Fuel grinder where he says that he "smoked" it.

Matt

I did upgrade the battery. It helped with the power, but not the stalling problem

As mentioned, I think this was the winter of 2019/2020. I had bought the grinder new from the local hardware store, but I think it came without packaging, so either open box or refurb. Or perhaps I inadvertently got old stock.

I think it was just slightly before Milwaukee started marking their tools with "Fuel". I don't know if it has brushes.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

A half inch drive Milwaukee 12v impact will take off 250ft-lb lug nuts all day long. I use 12v at home and work. Dewalt lost my business back in the 2000's when nearly every Lithium battery they made went bad just sitting on the charger.

I have many battery sets now, for many brands, Dewalt is NOT one of them.

 

[MechanicalGuy]

I'm a big fan of the 12v Milwaukee grease gun too.

I have just begun buying Hercules stuff for the battery and accessory prices. I don't think they'll hold up to Milwaukee, but they have a 5 year warranty so I'm happy to buy them.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I have a toolbox drawer with several barely used DeWalt drill motors, impacts, and batteries that have tried to give away...and failed.

 

[chim]

I have a toolbox drawer with several barely used DeWalt drill motors, impacts, and batteries that have tried to give away...and failed.

If they're 18V it's understandable. almost everything I had in 18V went away. The 18V batteries stink. I have one 1/4" impact that escaped the purge but I don't use it. I do use 18V drywall cutout tool and doublecut with a 20V adapter and a vacuum I've converted to take 20V batteries.

 

[dfkrug]

Right now you can get 4 genuine M12 XC3.0 batteries for $100 on Woot.com, an Amazon subsidiary.