Joining the Milwaukee cordless universe

1. only buy the "Fuel" line of tools
2. avoid the 1/4 hex driver IMO
3. look for a kit with the tools you want that includes a couple of batteries to get you started
4. look for deals that include a free bare tool or free batteries
5. the holidays bring some great deals at Home Depot etc

Home Depot was running a sale buy $450 worth and get $150 off don’t know if it’s still on.

Buy the combo kit if you will make use of the tools. After that watch for the individual tools that you want and pick them up when they have a free battery promo. The only issue with this is you will eventually end up with a shelf of chargers.

Start with this kit and then you can on the missing tools later on.

Plumber1 said:

Start with this kit and then you can on the missing tools later on.

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There's probably $3K+ in batteries alone here. An impressive display to say the least!

On black Friday I did the buy 2 batteries and get a free tool deal.

Sometimes the full kit isn't unreasonably more than a bare tool so if you need the batteries check prices.

bucky said:

So I currently have Porter Cable 20v cordless 3/8” drill and 1/4” impact driver that are starting to show their age. All my other tools are air or corded. I’ve decided to join the Milwaukee Universe. I’m trying to figure out how to implement this change. My main concern is the cost of batteries. It seems if I buy a package with drill, 1/4” driver, 4 1/2” grinder, saws all and circular saw they only give you 2 batteries. Individual batteries are quite pricy. Is it more cost effective to buy the drill/driver combo and at least one other complete tool with batteries and charger and the rest as a bare tool? I use/travel with my drill/driver more often than I use the other tools. I do not want to carry all the tools together when I will not need them all most of the time. Jumping to the Milwaukee Universe is going to cost some big $$ so I want to be careful. The options and tool packages are varied I think I need to set up a spreadsheet to figure the best route to go.
I’m hoping that there will be some good sales for Fathers Day. You input is greatly appreciated.

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As stated, do not buy any tool where power and performance matters that isn't Fuel.
If you get a 1/4" driver, avoid the straight Fuel and get the Surge Fuel version. The higher level of control is worth it. Don't expect it to be great with sockets and stuff on the Jeep but if you drive any fasteners in wood or concrete, invaluable. We do use them a bunch on self tappers in the frame to mount fuel and brake lines.
If price and how much you are going to spend is a concern, you have two options. Find another line of tools that are cheaper because if you set one foot on the Milwaukee path, it is very hard to step back off and it just doesn't stop. Second option is get on Offer-up and start looking for local peddlers. My buddy across the street slings Milwaukee on the side. I'm paying 80 bucks for a 6.0 M18 and less at times. 150 for a 12ah M18. Most tools he has are 60-70% of retail.

Avoid the 5.0ah unless you want to run them in some lights or similar. They are pretty much junk for anything else. 6.0, 8.0, and 12.0 are good. Get ready to give away or sell battery chargers with single bays. Look for kits that have chargers that do a M12 and M18 at the same time because you will wind up with M12 tools.

Irun said:

There's probably $3K+ in batteries alone here. An impressive display to say the least!

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Wait until you see the new shop vacs.

I'd avoid sets, pick the tools you want carefully. They cost allot and I personally didn't want one sitting around dusty in the drawer.

To save on batteries I use Creabest available on Amazon, green label on the bottom. They used to be really cheap on ebay but now I can only find them there. They last and perform just as good as my red batteries did at a fraction of the price. I use M12 three and six cell packs. I haven't purchased a new Red battery in awhile so there's that. The small packs on a small driver are really worth not getting the M18 stuff for me. You can get more out of an M12 using the six cell but you can't make an M18 smaller. Just something to consider, everybody has different needs.

As for buying individual tools on markets like craigslist or ebay, I try not to do that. Crack heads are paid good money to just walk into stores and take the tools out the front door to break down and resell. Security doesn't want to deal with these guys so they let it happen. It happens because there is a good market for the tools. I use places like CPO outlets or reliable vendors, ya it costs more but it's worth it to me. I think used is fine, especially if it really is visibly used and priced accordingly. Pawn shops have these all the time and they are pretty careful about not taking stolen stuff in my experience.

mrblaine said:

Wait until you see the new shop vacs.

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One of the handiest tools out there. We have a bunch at work.

NskLJ said:

One of the handiest tools out there. We have a bunch at work.

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The new 2 battery M18 9 and 12 gallon versions?

Beware of the sets from the big box stores. A lot will say they are Fuel but not all the tools in the set will actually be Fuel.

mrblaine said:

The new 2 battery M18 9 and 12 gallon versions?

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We actually have a some of the older 28v handheld versions and some of the smaller18v versions the 2.5 gallon. They get used a lot for cleaning out electrical cabinets and motors. I’m looking to replace my bigger shop vac at home with one.

bucky said:

I’m figuring it will cast me about $2K when all is said and done to join the club so I want to spend my money wisely. Milwaukee has too many options to choose from. Having many a crackhead pull up to the shop thru the years and try to sell me tools that they do not know anything about, I will only buy from authorized dealers. The only reason those assholes steal tools is because another asshole will buy them. I do not care if it is a good deal. I will only buy new because you never know what you are getting used.
I’ll put the Fuel Surge on the list. My 1/4” driver is mainly for driving screws into wood. I use my drill and drive almost daily. The rest are used sporadicly. Owning 2 Wranglers I’m familiar with dumping money down the rabbit hole.

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My neighbor does not sell any used tools whatsoever. The only tools that are not in original packaging are battery two packs he breaks up and tools out of kits when no one wants the kit it total. He and I are of the same opinion in that if it is used, there is no way to know how much or by whom with what skill level.

The Fuel 1/4" driver has a touch more raw driving power than the Surge, but the finesse to run a self tapper into the frame of a rig for example, isn't there. It is also a lower count harder hit so it tends to bounce even a good Phillips bit out of the screw when the going gets tough. The Surge doesn't do that since the power delivery is a lot smoother.

bucky said:

I use the Milwaukee driver bits because they seem to hold Phillips screws the best. I have not used Offerup before how can I find you neighbor on it?

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Do the local Offer Up, he does not ship, he does everything from a smart phone and cash.

mrblaine said:

Avoid the 5.0ah unless you want to run them in some lights or similar. They are pretty much junk for anything else. 6.0, 8.0, and 12.0 are good. Get ready to give away or sell battery chargers with single bays. Look for kits that have chargers that do a M12 and M18 at the same time because you will wind up with M12 tools.

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Why don't you like the 5.0's? I've only ever had the original three 5.0 XC's that came with my 3/8" impact 6+ years ago and they're still going strong. I don't put near the use on them you probably do, but they still give me quite a bit of use between charges for what I do with them.

I've been tempted to pickup a 12.0 as Milwaukee claims it'll boost the power of the tool by 50%, which would be awesome for my 3/8" fuel impact, but I haven't done it yet.

Trevlaw said:

I've been tempted to pickup a 12.0 as Milwaukee claims it'll boost the power of the tool by 50%, which would be awesome for my 3/8" fuel impact, but I haven't done it yet.

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The time the tool lasts is pretty much based on how much the battery weighs. The power you get from an impact is based on how many cells are in parallel for a good tool like these. That's why for an impact the 12.0 is much better, instead of two banks of five cells in series it has three. You will notice an obvious difference in how hard the tool hits. Going from 2 to 3 cells is exactly 50% more strangely enough.