July 31, 2012
Tags
Article Type - Review, Battery Type - 18/20V, Manufacturer - Milwaukee Tool, Power Type - Cordless, Tradesman - Carpentry Tool Reviews, Tradesman - Electrician Tool Reviews, Tradesman - HVAC Tool Reviews, User Type - Professional
About the author
Makita has had this 3 speed and brushless impact for years and to bootits made in Japan. 18V LXT also has the most extensive cordless tools in the business. I’m not saying the Milwaukee is bad, it just seems late to the game.
Makita beat just about everyone to the punch on the brushless, but I don’t think it’s fair to say Milwaukee is late in the game. Dewalt just released a brushless driver in late April, has Bosch or Metabo released a brushless tool period? What I can’t wait to see is the 4ah Red Lithium batteries.
Now I will write this the best I can to help all understand. Yes I do believe Milwaukee and Dewalt are both late in the game as well as Bosch and Metabo not even being there. The problem with the Milwaukee and Dewalt id that standard charges take 60min and 70 min to fully charge a battery. Now, when you take Makita for example, having Brushless and a fast charger 30min Max time, this entails more work being done by the tool operator than comparable impact/drill driver. 4ah batteries may give you a bit longer runtime, but will take well over an hour to charge making a fast charge system ideal for contractors- like myself, who are doing fast paced, intensive fastening jobs.
Don’t get me wrong, Milwaukee has the market in 12V for sure, but Makita simply dominates the 18Volt segment. When referring to Dewalt 20V, all it is is the pEAK OUTPUT of what the battery can deliver at one moment. Just like all the 10.8Volt batteries went to 12V. They run current at 10.8 Volt and not 12V peak. It is simply a marketing tool for tool noobs who think higher voltage is better.
Taking Bosch 36Volt, much heavier, awkward to hold and use, does not deliever more work per hour than what the competition is offering. If you bring muscle to muscle and overall tool performance, the Makita is still the leader.
In my opinion. I would like to hear your thoughts.
Good site BTW.
Milwaukee now has a 3 way charging system where tool,charger and batter communicate with each other. Makita has had it for years. LED light was a MAkita patent that every other company has now standard on their tool. 3 speed impact, first in the industry. It seems as though, Makita has really forged ahead in this feild. LEst we also forget, have a look into the Panasonic line of cordless and brushless.
i have had 2 milwaukee tools 4 2years the warranty sold me. 2 years down the track my rattle gun half inch drive stopped working every now and then and also my top of the range impact drill was over running took them in 4 warranty.in picking them up i was given a bill for $146. because the triger had worn out.then went on to read on the recipt the armiture would be next faire ware and tear?? obviosly pulled the triger 2much.also now my drill wont hammer
Well said Andrew, well said.
I just bought this impact to replace my rigid x4 and there is no comparison. I have also used the 14 volt hilt impact and I think the hilti Is better but is more expensive. The Milwaukee has plenty of power and feels great. Only time will tell if I t will hold up
Hi, I have been a any tool will do kind of guy, But in 2005 I bought my first 5 piece kit, it is the Bosch 18 volt ni-cad. Now I can say this is quality tools. I know ni-cad is old tech, but ask around , like I have and you will see, ni-cad batteries have been still working in all types tool brands, this being said, I think Bosch has good strong tools that don`t stop. charge and treat your ni-cads properly and they will last, lion do have a shelve life, I know they have no memory for charging, and you can charge them any time.Also they stay charged longer, but not sure if they will last longer.
Ni Cads are not the most powerful but they last a VERY long time sitting in a garage – if they were never overcharged.
I have some NiCad powered tools that still work after 20 years on the original batteries.
I need some advice! I am a DIY guy. Work on cars, home, metal fab. So on. I have the m18 circ rec saws and hammer drill. Love them. I am not sure what to buy a 1/4 hex driver or 3/8 square foot impact wrench. Main problem is I want to be able to twist lugs and use 1/2 sockets to pull transmissions and stuff like that. I was thinking to get the shock wave 3/8 to 1/4 hex adapter to use the hex option when driving a lot of fasteners(Has anybody used it?). I can’t see myself buying both as I am not using them enough to warrant that. But at the same time I would like both options in one machine. Any feedback! Thanx
I would go with the 3/8″ and get this https://www.homedepot.com/buy/milwaukee-3-8-in-square-x-1-4-in-hex-shockwave-impact-adaptor-48-03-4405.html#.UJ_31OOe_jA 3/8″ is stronger than any 1/4″ :}
Cool thanks Dan think I will do that. I have heard that Milwaukee is coming out with a brushless 3/8 compact impact. Is it worth waiting for? Also, maybe you know about when it is going to be available?
Not sure about that, Maybe Eric can chime in on that.
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