Just a rant on quality of tools

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tonyou812

Senior Member
Location
North New Jersey
I just want to tell you guys that the Millwaukee v28 tools are garbage. I bought a set 8 months ago and it really stinks. For one the batteries discharge way to fast and the drill really seems to lack oomph. My origional 18 volt nicad was a lot better and the batteries seem to last a lot longer. If you were drilling something tough the drill would almost take your hand off if you didnt hold on tight. I much rather that then listening to the chuck slip like on the V28. I paid big bucks for this and I really feel like sending it back to the company with a nasty hate letter.
And what the hell is up with greenlee snakes? I recently got a new one and when you uncoil it, it coils up like a corkscrew. Once again a once fine tool is now a piece of crap. What the hell is going on? Has anyone else noticed a decline in quality? And what cordless set would some of you recomend? I know that Dewalt has also fallen from grace as of late. what is left? Im thinking of Bosh or Makita.
Oh and what portable generators say 5500 watts would some of you recomend?
 
maybe there's a problem w/ your specific tool. I've used them and thought they were great, and know several people w/ the v28 who have no complaints at all and highly recommend them.

makita makes a quality tool.
 
It was fine for about 4-5 months and all of a sudden it really seems to discharge to quick. I am not one to abuse them either. If i need to make a big hole Ill go to my right angle or hole shooter. I think Ill give Hilti a shot next.
 
For 99.00 I purchased a Ryobi kit (18v screwgun, circ. saw and flashlight). A special they were running threw in a palm sander which I have yet to use. I've had this kit for about 18 mos. Not bad for what its worth.
 
I have been wondering what other peoples experiences were with the Li-ion sets were. I have an 18V Milwaukee and when the Ni-Cd's ran their course I "upgraded" to Li-ion. While I can't honestly say I am unhappy, they are definately not all that. The only thing I am holding on to now is that they have a longer life than the Ni-Cd's. All of the other claims (longer run time, no fade power etc)seem to have fallen a bit flat.

On a separate but related note, the motor on my drill burned out and the motor I replaced with (from a factory authorized dealer) does not have the same power as the original.
 
Wow that is harsh angry criticism I am a big fan of milwaulkee and it disturbs me to hear this. I have burned out thier 14 v s and use them only as screwguns now but it is sad to hear displeasure from thier products as I believe you over the manufacturer.
 
quogueelectric said:
Wow that is harsh angry criticism I am a big fan of milwaulkee and it disturbs me to hear this. I have burned out thier 14 v s and use them only as screwguns now but it is sad to hear displeasure from thier products as I believe you over the manufacturer.


I was a VERY loyal Milwaukee fan but as they outsource production to China, I have to go elsewhere for my tools.
 
quogueelectric said:
Wow that is harsh angry criticism I am a big fan of milwaulkee and it disturbs me to hear this.

Since Ryobi acquired Milwaukee, all yall Milwaukee studs became the proud owner's of Ryobi guts with the Milwaukee name.

Earlier this year all the Lithium tools were choosing between two different Mfg's, who developed their own Lithium technology independently. There was no apparent advantage between the two from what I remember, but the best info on cordless performance is found every December in Consumer reports Mag.
 
i like my dewalt 18v but the last two drills i bought the trigger switch went bad in like two weeks. it wasnt that big of a deal i sent it in and had them back in like a week and since then no problems. the only thing i dont like about dewalt is everybody has them so you really have to watch your batteries on a job. ive used a buddies rigid 18v and i like them im thinking of buying a set but the batteries are kind of hard to find around here, you have to special order them. i had a ryobi kit years ago, bought it for like a hundred bucks. it was the biggest piece of crap ive used. i had everything burnt up in like three months. maybe alright for a homeowner but has no place on a jobsite.
 
Buy the extended warranty. Got a Dewalt four piece set from Lowes with and extended warranty. Had a problem with one of the 18V batteries, and I bring it in. Guy asks where rest of the kit is - I tell him it's on the site - that I only have an issue with the battery. He grumbles and calls the manager - they have a side discussion out of ear shot. Then he comes back, and tells me that he'll get me a new battery this time - but next time I've got to bring the whole kit in and they'll exchange the whole kit. Well next time the battery fails I'll have a whole brand new four piece set.

By the way, other than the battery, Dewalt has held up very well. I have heard good things about the Rigid that sells at the other big box store.
 
I've got a Milwaukee electric hammer drill that I'm pretty unhappy with. It just doesn't stand up to hard usage. It was made in the Czech Republic. Whenever I buy power tools or cordless tools now, I only buy Makita. So far I've been satisfied.
 
westelectric said:
For 99.00 I purchased a Ryobi kit (18v screwgun, circ. saw and flashlight). A special they were running threw in a palm sander which I have yet to use. I've had this kit for about 18 mos. Not bad for what its worth.

Why would you need to sand your palms?

Between this comment and the one where MD was talking about the camera covering someones arse I am beginning to wonder. Grin.
 
ramsy said:
Since Ryobi acquired Milwaukee, all yall Milwaukee studs became the proud owner's of Ryobi guts with the Milwaukee name.

Not exactly. The parent company of Ryobi, TTI, purchased Milwaukee among other brands. Milwaukee is still a stand alone brand, although I'm sure they are using some cross-cooperations between product lines.
 
westelectric said:
For 99.00 I purchased a Ryobi kit (18v screwgun, circ. saw and flashlight). A special they were running threw in a palm sander which I have yet to use. I've had this kit for about 18 mos. Not bad for what its worth.

I was at the "big blue" yesterday, and happened to check out a Ryobi drill.
Seemed OK....by the feel.

What really caught my eye was the pack of (2) 18V batteries that you can buy for $49.00.

I don't know if that's "cheap" or "low priced":rolleyes: .

I recently purchased a 18V Makita drill set.
It's great....so far.

steve
 
Oh, you guys are going to hate me for this. I have a set of 24V Craftsman and a set of 18V Coleman. Yes, Craftsman and Coleman. I don't do field work like you guys, so I don't need heavy duty tools.:grin: So far, the Coleman are perfect for when I need them, and the Craftsman are great tools, the drill has enough torque to break bits if you aren't careful, but the batteries on the Craftsman are crud! They wear down in about 1/2 hour of use.

I know one of our field guys has a dewalt set that isn't that good. The batteries wear out too fast.

In the cabinet shop, they have panasonic and bosch drills, and they work great! I think they're 9.8V, not really heavy duty, but work well for drilling and screwing cabinets.
 
Cell Killer

Cell Killer

wawireguy said:
Don't run your batteries down to far. Will ruin most of them.
I agree with wawireguy. You should not run your batteries cells into the ground but change the battery when you notice a reasonable decrease in performance.
I use Hilti products and have never been disappointed.
 
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