I’ve just read the JCL review of the Milwaukee 28V 4-tool system (about $700), and it does seem to be all things to all people.
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/milwaukee/0928-29/
Anyone have this set / have any experience with it? I hate cords almost as much as I hate batteries, so I’ve put off the (inevitable?) battery & system choice, but I’m trying to convince myself that this set is really head and shoulders better than the others.
I’ve been happy with all my current (corded) Milwaukee tools . . .
Forrest
Replies
I don't have the new 28 v set, and I probably won't get one. The last Milwaukee set I bought was a huge dissapointment. It is the 18v combo with the drill, circ. saw, sawzall, and the flash light. I didn't even have it 6 months and the batteries were shot. So I shelled out $150 for new batteries and they didn't last either. Now the chargers are not working. So I just gave up on them.
I hope the 28v set addresses these issues. With that price tag it better.
That's too bad. Funny thing is, the Milwaukee 18 set got the highest ratings in a recent review. I guess it worked great for you for a few weeks also.I've had good luck with my Bosch 18 volt batteries. I've four of them for about 3-4 years and so far, so good. They all seem to last a good while still, and the tools are kick a%%.I've always admired the Milwaukee lineup - but the Bosch kit included a jigsaw and offered a planer - so that was the decision maker.I do think the 28 milwaukee stuff is a bit large; the new Makita 18 Lithium Ion tools are sweet - nice size and weight.Aside from doing much ripping with the circular saw - I find that my 18 volt tools do just about everything I need - I'd appreciate less weight more than more power at this point.JT
Surprised to hear your high praise for the 18 Volt Bosch kit - especially the batteries
I kinda think they suck - but I am spoiled with Panasonic I guess.
The drill is too heavy for my liking
The Recip saw shoe should move closer to the body or something - seems I have to take it off a lot.
Circular saw is alright - would be nice if the guard would retract on its own when cutting 1 1/2" stock
I like the jig saw pretty well.
Planer is pretty nice.
Flashlight works.
Batteries are always dead.
One battery charger fried after about 15 uses and Bosch would not repair or replace as I had lost my receipt.
I, like you, bought the Bosch kit for the jig saw and planer - glad those are the best tools.
Overall kind of a disappointment - especially after all the praise I had read.
The drill is too heavy, but is also a beast in terms of use, and the hammer feature seems to work real good - very fast drilling in brick or concrete for a cordless. Also, every time I go into the Dewalt service center, I see a stack of 18 volts drills in for service - with the Bosch, it just doesn't seem that it'll let you down like that. I use my 14.4 Makita Impact for most things these days.The Recip saw has a lot of power and feels good in the hands and cuts fast, but the shoe does stick out from the body more than you'd think it has to.The Circ. saw is my biggest disappointment as it feels very unbalanced to me in use, and I've also had the guard not work as smooth as it should for me. Plus, the painted aluminum shoe is stupid, ans the paint is chipping and causes the base to be less than smooth and can cause slight scratching on surfaces, like doors being cut down.The Jigsaw is very nice - never miss the corded model.The Planer is great - most people probably think - what do I need a planer for?, but it's the handiest tool to be able to whip out and trim anything down a few hairs super fast - not just for doors or framing corrections.Flashlight does not aim downward - so it suck for a worklight if you are working on the ground or other similar situations.The batteries have done me well; but I don't keep my batteries on a constant rotation of sitting on chargers all day long. I think that kills a lot of people's batteries early. I'd probably have to if I didn't have the 15 minute charger - man, that's handy - plus, they say it's better for your batteries. Also, I think it helps to initially do a nice deep long charge on new batteries to "seat" them in right - instead of a 45 minute charge when new and start using them.Bosch also had a 3 year warranty program - I've had a few problems - but have been taken care of super quick.Not perfect, but most of the tools feel and work like quality tools - not like a buddie's Dewalt stuff - where he's burned out a circ saw, had a recip saw that's noisy and under powered, and has a bum drill that needs work.Don't get me started on what a piece of crap the radio... - though the newer one, which they call Power Box advanced fixed every problem that the first one had - better reception, a real antenna, much better sound, a display that you can read, and a cool remote control.Regards,Julian
I have this set, and have been pleased with it. The drill weighs less than my Dewalt 3 speed drill and the batteries work like they say. Full power 'til the end then the power drops off. For what its worth Dewalt is comming out with 36 volt stuff this year. http://www.dewalt.com/36v/
Edited 1/28/2006 12:46 pm ET by BETRICKEY
Boy, at what point do they stop being "low voltage" and different handling rules come into effect? How 'bout just 110 DC tools that can have a cord plugged in through a rectifier so you can do either with the same tool?
Maybe I should hold off the Milwaukee purchase until the D36V gets reviewed . . .
Forrest
I got this setup when it first came out and am real well pleased with the two saws. They will not replace their corded equivalents in a production environment, of course but the V28 sawsall comes close. The circular saw is powerful enough to cut framing effectively if kept to the line by a guide.
The light is very useful. The hammerdrill I have had no use for yet and it is very heavy for a drill. Most of my drills have been retired by the new Makita 18V Li-ion impact gun with the accessory Makita chuck.
Bump.
ya know i went to my favorite tool house last week to buy another panasonic drill, i like have the luxury of having the two drills for piloting then driving . and tryed the milwaukee 28 volt and was surprised the weight and the loss of the concept of portability. these things were real heavy, real awkward. and real expensive. my thought is that some where between concept to manufacturing to pricing these guys are forgetting the reason for these battery operated tools. it's getting slightly out of hand .IMHO, where gonna end up with battery operated back packs. falling backwards and end up looking like a beetle flipped over,
- hey milwaukee( and every one else) come towards light-
just my 2 ¢.......... had to vent little
..
" we judge ourselves by our motives, and others by their actions........."
Edited 1/23/2006 9:33 pm ET by alias
I'm holding off, at least until the competition shows up and the prices come down, which they will. Maybe if they offered the individual tools without having to buy a whole friggin shop I'd give them a try.
http://www.heavydutytools.net/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=30
$665 inc shipping