Milwaukee 2011 Media Event Showcases New Tools
Milwaukee New Tools
I recently attended Milwaukee Electric Tool 2011 media event in Brookfield, WI.
I enjoy going to these events to get a sneak peek at some of the newest tool releases. The best part of these events is getting time on the tool and the one on one conversations with the Product Managers.
Unlike other events I also got a chance to meet, speak and even have dinner with Milwaukee’s President Steve Richman. No other tool manufacturer has done that before. To me that show’s top down buy-in as well as sends an important message to the Milwaukee Team as well as the media that the president of the company is interested in the line level process.
The team at Milwaukee Electric Tool often reminds me of Aristotle’s quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, 
then, is not an act, but a habit.” I love that saying and felt it applied to the Milwaukee event.
Milwaukee consistently produces high quality contractor grade tools. Here’s a peek at some of what I did at Milwaukee:
Milwaukee Thermal Imaging Tool # 2260-21
Probably the most cost effective tool I saw at this event was the Thermal Imaging tool, model 2260-21, which Milwaukee is going to sell at $2,000 LESS than their competitors. Very impressive!
The 2260-21 Thermal Imager had some very cool features. It has a 160×120 pixel camera and allows you to take up to 6,000 
photos and thermal images. The images are saved on a 2GB SD card.
The idea behind taking a photo as well as the thermal image is that the photo helps you later locate the area in question. Brilliant!
The 2260-21 measures from -10 to 350C has a 2% temperature accuracy and has an impressive IP rating of IP54. Which means it can withstand dust and water spray and a drop onto concrete from 6.5 feet.
The camera has a 3.5″ LCD screen [640 x 480] and the battery lasts 4 hours. A 30 minute charger is included.
A built in LED flashlight also is included and was extremely bright and useful. t
Milwaukee Specific Action Sawzall Blades:
For newly expanded 
accessories Milwaukee hit a home run with two innovative sawzall blades. The new Flush Cut and Rough-In blades. I tried both blades and was impressed with their speed and durability when compared to other blades I tested.
When cutting out bottom plates in doorways the Flush Cut blade has a unique shape to protect against floor impacts and a Floor Guard design to shield the teeth from floor contact. Additionally, the Flush Cut blade features a Double Truss design that guides the blade for straighter window cut-outs. Most contractor can attest that window and door cut-out applications can be frustrating and slow. Most times these cuts end up wavy and messy, often requiring going back to trim spots.
The Rough-In Sawzall Blade addresses those frustrations 
encountered when cutting through-holes in nail-embedded wood during plumbing and HVAC rough-in work. It features a low profile for cutting holes as small as 2-1/8″ in diameter and an optimized 7-3/8″ length that allows the blade to cut holes through double top plates.
Both blades have Nail Guard™ and Fang Tip™ designs that Milwaukee introduced in November 2010. The Nail Guard tooth design keeps nails out of the gullets and protects against tooth fracture. The Fang Tip design bites into the wood on first contact for faster plunging.
Milwaukee 5/8” SDS Plus Hammer Drill 
Model 5263-21
The new 5/8” SDS Plus Rotary Hammer, was super light at 4.6 lbs, and this hammer is ideal for drilling overhead and in tight spaces. Milwaukee had constructed a cool overhead drilling station for us to test this out on.
I was so impressed with this tools weight, size and power. Rick Gambaccini, Group Product Manager explained to me that the new drill has an innovative gear design and a drop motor which balance the tool and allow it to feel super light.
The 5263-21 drills with 1.5 ft-lbs of impact energy and 0-3,700 RPM. The Anti-Vibration System (AVS™) looks like a huge spring mounted in the handle and is designed to minimize vibration, it worked!
Milwaukee® M12™ Camouflage Heated Jacket
I think it was last year that Milwaukee introduced the M12™ Realtree AP™ Heated Jacket. This year they will be releasing a jacket line to include gear for activities off the job site like hunting and fishing. I got a peek at the camouflage pattern, it is a nice jacket. Todd Fratzel, editor of Tool Box Buzz told me he has a M12 jacket and wears his hunting. He likes the bright color for safety and the jacket allows him to dress lightly and gives him more comfort and mobility with out heavy clothing. I guess it works!
This jacket is powered by a M12 battery and has heating coils,located at the core areas of the body to stimulate blood circulation. The battery is hidden in a sleek back pocket, and the newer jackets can hold an XC battery, the M12™ RED LITHIUM™ battery for up to six hours of continuous heat on a single battery ch
arge.
The jacket is made from a water and wind resistant material and is well built. It was a popular topic of discussion.
Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jigsaw
I got to play with a nice cordless jigsaw powered on the M12 platform. This jigsaw was super lightweight, comfortable in my hands and cut real well. This tool is small enough to use inside cabinets and powerful enough to use on the job site. I was impressed.
