New Milwaukee Tools Sneak Peek At My Favorites
If you follow AConcordCarpenter on Facebook you most likely saw a ton of coverage from the Milwaukee 2012 Media Event. I spend a few days in Milwaukee looking and and playing with their most recent tool releases. Many of these products that will be launching in the second half of 2012 and even into 2013. While some are still hush, hush many were not and I will be reviewing them and sharing that information with you in the next few months.
The Event
Milwaukee never seems to disappoint. Milwaukee comes off as totally committed to support the professional tool user with innovative heavy-duty power tools and more recently hand tools that are durable and reliable.
As a remodeling contractor I’m more of a generalist and often find myself performing a multitude of tasks across different trades. Milwaukee seems to have all of these the trades covered. While admittedly less inclined to the carpenter Milwaukee certainly gears their tools to the plumber, electrician, HVAC, maintenance and repair trade.
I left Milwaukee with a few favorites that I wanted to share with you.
Milwaukee M12 Bandsaw:
The M12 Cordless Sub-Compact Band Saw was impressive especially since it is only 6.75 lbs and 12″ in length. That’s smaller than a loaf of bread. This band-saw runs on a 12 volt battery and is perfect for light duty cutting – cuts like unistrut, 3/8″ threaded rod, small diameter pipe and rebar are all fair game for this kick ass tool.
The best part – the M12 band saw is OSHA approved for one hand operation and I couldn’t help to think about the shoulder aches this little bad boy will save especially when cutting overhead EMT, threaded rod and 1 5/8 Unistrut.
My brother, a plumber, is already talking about getting a few of these for his vans and the guys at my job site have all watched my video below and are blown away at the possibilities.
This saw can cut through 3/4″ EMT in only 3 seconds, and will deliver over 150 cuts per charge with the included M12 Red Lithium XC High Capacity battery. A 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ cut capacity is not huge but this tool is not your heavy duty band saw.
I got the opportunity to use this tool – watch me demonstrate here.
Milwaukee M12 SDS Hammer Drill
You have to see this drill in action to believe it – its designed for the contractor who is installing a ton of fasteners to concrete walls. I was shocked at the power and versatility of this tool battery. The M12 SDS Drill will be released this October 2012.
Here are a few bullet points for the M12 Rotary Hammer. I should have more details in a few weeks.
M12 Hammer Drill Features:
- 9” long and 3.9 lbs:
- Compact & lightweight design allows for work in tight spaces and reduces fatigue
- Electro Pneumatic Mechanism: Drills up to ½” holes in brick block and poured concrete
- LED Light: illuminates work space in dark areas
- 2-mode operation: rotary hammer and rotation only for maximum versatility
Milwaukee M12 Heated Jackets:
Milwaukee also updated their M12 heated jacket line. The jackets now come in Milwaukee Red,Realtree AP Camoflauge, Black [my favorite] and High Visibility yellow with an ANSI Class III certification. The new High Visibility Jacket features a zip-in removable hood and a hidden inside pocket to facilitate custom embroidery. Additionally the High Visibility Heated Jacket has extra storage pockets on the chest and left arm to provide storage for the user’s cell phone, pens, badges,
The coolest thing about these M12 heated jackets is they are set up with three sewn-in carbon fiber heating zones on the chest and upper back to warm the user’s body core. The pockets are also heated – a nice touch!
The heating element can be set to low, medium, or high with a simple touch of a button on the lapel – see video.
All M12 Heated Jacket are also water and wind resistant to provide comfort and durability in harsh environments.
A hidden side / back pocket can hold an XC battery, for extended run time with up to six hours of continuous heat on a single battery charge.
Milwaukee also offers a Heated Jacket 12v DC Plug Adapter (49-24-2301). This adapter will be compatible with all Milwaukee Heated Jackets, the adapter utilizes a 7-foot coil cord and can be used on any vehicle that has a DC plug in.
Milwaukee will also offer a M18™ Power Source (49-24-2371) in the fall of 2012. The M18™ XC and Compact battery packs, will provide up to 18 hours of run-time on a single charge.
the M12 jackets sell for approximately $130.00 online here: Milwaukee-2330-XL-12-Volt-X-Large-Heated
Watch this video of me modeling the new black M12 Heated Jacket – move over Vana White !!!
Stilletto Cats Paw and S tainless Steel Pry Bars
For you carpenters out there I got a sneak peek at the Stiletto line of stainless steel pry bar. Many folks are not aware that Milwaukee branched into the hand tool market in 2008 by purchasing the Stiletto Tool Company, the leading manufacturer of professional titanium hammers and other hand tools, www.stiletto.com.
Stiletto’s titanium pry bars are my absolute favorite of all bars. Let’s face it, not everyone can afford or wants to pay for a titanium tool so Stilletto made a new line of bars made out of stainless steel.
The Stainless Steel multipurpose flat bar has a cast arch and fulcrum points provide strength and maximum prying power. The multifunctional design minimizes the number of tools you have to carry. This bar bar pries 16d nails, staples, shingles, boards, and more. If your like me I never go oanywhere without my prybar.
Stainless steel providese strength resistance from corrosion. This bar is so shiny that I doubt I’ll miss it when dropped in the bushes or levae it on the ground.
A patented Dimpler feature creates a recess around the nail head allowing the claws to slide underneath, thereby reducing the chance of chipping the wood.
M12 PVC Shear:
The new 2470-21 M12 Cordless PVC Shear has a super sharp stainless steel blade that easily slices through 2” PVC in approximately 3 seconds, and offers an offset blade to cut PVC mounted to a stud or close to a wall.
The M12 PVC Shear is powered by a Lithion-ion battery and is able to cut over 200 times on a single charge.
I tried out this cutter and was super impressed. My only cooncern with this tool is how will it cut pvc pipe in freezing temperatures. Will the pipe shatter?
PVC Shear Features:
- Cuts up to 2″ schedule 40 PVC in 3 seconds
- Ultra Sharp Blade with Pierce Point – No burrs or shavings to remove
- Offset Blade – Cuts PVC / PEX in-wall, in-ground, or close to wall
- Quick Return Blade for repetative cuts
- All Metal Planetary Drive – Delivers over 200 cuts per charge
- Stainless Steel Blade and Aluminum Jaw – Impact, water and rust resistant
- Variable Speed Trigger – Controlled cut in warm or cold weather
- On Board Fuel Gauge – Displays remaining run-time
