Went over to the red side.

hedgerow

Active member
Jan 2, 2015
277
244
43
Malcolm NE
Buddy stopped by over the weekend. He had won a Milwaukee 18 Volt cordless grease gun in a drawing. Had no need for it offered it to me for a hundred bucks. Looks like the kit with the battery, charger and tool is normally three hundred bucks on sale for two twenty or so. I thought a hundred was a bargain. My current cordless grease gun is a very old Lincoln and its been a good one. I have Dewalt 18 volt tools. We'll see how the red tools hold up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Daren Todd

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
Massey Ferguson 1825E, Kubota Z121S, Box blade, Rotary Cutter
May 18, 2014
10,149
6,579
113
Vilonia, Arkansas
I've only had experience with their cordless impacts. Power was good, but the locking mechanism for the batteries seemed to wear out pretty quick causing the batteries to not seat tightly.

The other issue seemed to be the bearings would prematurely fail.

I can see your grease gun holding up for quite a long time though.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,411
4,905
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
some 'friend'....
a REAL 'friend' would have said 'happy New Year' to you and given you the tool for FREE.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 4 users

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
Their brushless 7-¼" circular saw is an epic waste of money.
I had their corded circular saw, (i bought it new) and took it to the dump.
Worked fine, but was horrible to adjust for use!
 

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,815
2,826
113
Virginia
I've got a number of their cordless tools- drill, impact driver, impact wrench (one in the truck and one in the garage), impact ratchets, Sawzall..... used for many years in racing. No complaints. The m18 impact takes off the lug nuts on the trailer and truck (165 lb-ft) easily.
Thinking about that grease gun.....
 

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,781
2,965
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
I standardized on Dewalt 20 volt max cordless tools, but really think the most important thing is to choose a platform that shares the same batteries and chargers, and go with it.

Initially I thought "who would buy so many cordless tools"?

Now I have a couple 1/2" drills, a couple impact drivers, an impact wrench, string trimmer, circular saw, hedge trimmer, 12" chain saw...and a couple other things I am forgetting at the moment. :oops:

Edit: Sawzall and one of those vibrating cutting tools just came to mind...wonder what else I am forgetting...LOL
 

Mark_BX25D

Well-known member

Equipment
Bx25D
Jul 19, 2020
1,753
1,277
113
Virginia
Their brushless 7-¼" circular saw is an epic waste of money.
I think you'd need 80 volts to start to compete with a corded circular saw.


I have their 2 3/8 metal cutting circular saw and it's been excellent.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,199
6,370
113
Sandpoint, ID
Oh I'm a Milwaukee tool hoarder!

Corded
3/8 drill
1/2 drill
Hole Hawg
Sawzall
5"Grinder
7 1/2" framers saw

Cordless M12
1/4" Driver (really small)

Cordless M18
1 Drywall gun
4 Drills
4 1/4" impact drivers
2 Vibrating multi tools
1 Sawzall
1 Rotary cutter
1 5" grinder
1 7 1/2" circular saw
1 7 1/2" cabinet saw
1 12" sliding miter box saw
1 Framing air compressor
1 Blower
2 Weed eaters
1 Lawnmower (Weed and grass eating Beast)
1 20" chain saw

6 Rapid chargers
2 dual rapid chargers
and probably at least 40 batteries
I've probably for gotten a few.

That's only Milwaukee, there is a lot more in other brands, Yes I have a tool problem
I've only had a few that have died.
Vibrating tool (My fault) they don't like getting rocks in the motor!
2 Drivers and one drill, ( My fault) they fell to their death, newer ones have clips so less likely now.
1 7 1/2" circular saw, that one just went poof!
I also haven't lost any batteries, yes a couple are on the week side, but they are 6+ years old.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: 4 users

Lil Foot

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
May 19, 2011
7,516
2,547
113
Peoria, AZ
Wow, and I thought I was a tool hoarder! :ROFLMAO:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 1 users

PaulR

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 23S -- 100 hours seat time so far
Aug 3, 2020
579
459
63
Hadley, MA
I switched 8-10 years ago and it has been hit or miss ever since, mostly good. All batteries still functioning, But I'm a shadetree and not a really real working guy.

3/8 circ = Works but not powerful
3/8 ratchet = very weak, worthless almost
12V screwdriver = awesome, little sucker will rip your wrist off
18V vac = Junk, I'm on my third warranty
18V blower = good, but drinks batteries
18V "mid torque" 1/2 impact = really nice, lots of powa'
4.5" Fuel Grinder = Excellent, lots of power
18V Fuel hammer drill = lost my high range soon after purchase, should have warranteed it but never got around to it, big waste of $$$$

My plumbing buddy had a cordless crimper, that thing was wicked slick.
I'm sure I forgot many others......
 

DaTow'd

Active member

Equipment
what ever it takes to get the job done
Aug 13, 2013
209
194
43
Bella Coma BC Canada
My son gave me a duffel bag full of "red" tools for my birthday 2 years ago. Every one of them has been great no complaints at all.
The 1/2" impact driver will take every lug nut off a F350 on the same battery.
I heard that the newer style 1/2" impacts don't hold up but so far and many jobs later the one I have is amazing.
I did a couple small projects from the honey do list using the circular saw it worked fine and a lot lighter than my old work horse corded Makita saw
Then this birthday he gave me the red chain saw with a bigger battery and rapid charge .
My grandson got on the give me something red this time a heated vest
I'd give the red products two thumbs up for sure.
and thanks to my son and grandson
Hank
 

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,040
3,316
113
Texas
I had been avoiding battery-powered tools but have begun to succumb.… They are truly helpful in out-door occasional tasks where elect power is not readily available. For instance, I installed outdoor sheathing (R-panels) all around my house…climbing up/down ladders etc …. and the battery powered drills and impact drivers were life-savers for this job. (sure is important to pick a battery-system and stick with it tho’ for cost—reasons.)

Here’s the first wall I attacked.. back of the garage:

C6027486-0B6C-42A5-A051-5CD5A0539404.jpeg

One of the more complicated ends of the house:


A8495A6F-D101-4ED3-8647-46E9E134C19B.jpeg


How it looked before:

4D6380F6-FDA9-4000-A4BC-E8AB24AAB5AD.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

My Barn

Active member

Equipment
Kubota, Ford
Sep 14, 2022
135
37
28
Michigan
The problem with Milwaukee is batteries. They where killing me...Always changing! I always had Dewalt's too. But now I have Ryobi's. Going on +8 years no problems and still on the same batteries!
They all getting better as time goes by. I also have (+10 yrs.) 80 volt chain saw. One of buddies came and laughed at me...We used for over 8 hours it measure up. Still have gas chain saw for big trees.
 
Last edited:

mcmxi

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,322
6,324
113
NW Montana
I have Dewalt 18 volt tools. We'll see how the red tools hold up.
I typically buy DeWalt tools because I've had such a good experience with their products over the years. I have many, many DeWalt products including a steel blade chop saw, table saw, jig saw, drills, impacts, lights etc. The last DeWalt purchases were a grease gun and a bluetooth "boom box", both of which are good tools.

That said, I succumbed last year and bought an M18 1/2" drive impact which has proven to be very useful and a good tool. But I don't see myself buying more Milwaukee products. This was a one shot deal I think.

By the way, I see no problem with your friend selling you something he won for $100 which would cost you $300 or more. You didn't win it so you both made out. That's called symbiosis. And maybe he needed the money and you were happy to pay him.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,821
5,562
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
I had been avoiding battery-powered tools but have begun to succumb.… They are truly helpful in out-door occasional tasks where elect power is not readily available. For instance, I installed outdoor sheathing (R-panels) all around my house…climbing up/down ladders etc …. and the battery powered drills and impact drivers were life-savers for this job. (sure is important to pick a battery-system and stick with it tho’ for cos—reasons.)

Here’s the first wall I attacked.. back of the garage:

View attachment 93701
One of the more complicated ends of the house:


View attachment 93702

How it looked before:

View attachment 93703
You sure dressed up that asbestos. That's been there a while!
 

JimDeL

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2380; R4 tires; 54" MMM; FEL w Pirahna bar; Ballast Box; BXpanded skid plate.
Aug 31, 2022
295
311
63
Austintown, Ohio
I've got a number of their cordless tools- drill, impact driver, impact wrench (one in the truck and one in the garage), impact ratchets, Sawzall..... used for many years in racing. No complaints. The m18 impact takes off the lug nuts on the trailer and truck (165 lb-ft) easily.
Thinking about that grease gun.....
I have quite a few Milwaukee 18V tools, and have never been disappointed with any of them. I do have the 18V grease gun, and it's great! I put a locking tip on it, which makes it a bit easier to use in tight spots.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

The Evil Twin

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, LA526,
Jul 19, 2022
2,815
2,826
113
Virginia
I have quite a few Milwaukee 18V tools, and have never been disappointed with any of them. I do have the 18V grease gun, and it's great! I put a locking tip on it, which makes it a bit easier to use in tight spots.
The only thing that keeps me from it is that I have 3 guns now. Lithium soap, lithium moly and the calcium sulphonate.