I’m a DIY’er so one mark against me but I need some input from you tool jockeys
I purchased a Milwaukee 18v Lithium-Ion drill to replace my dead Makita 12v Ni Cad drill. I’m doing some on-going restoration work on my 1912 bungalow so I wanted a decent drill. Multiple sites seemed to give this drill a thumbs up with little complaints. Once I got my drill I charged up both batteries as per the instructions and went to work. On the first battery, the battery died on the third hole I was drilling. The second battery died on the 5-6 hole. I was drilling out some 7/8′ holes with an auger bit but 3 holes? gimme a break.
The batteries don’t seem to be charging correctly or ??. The one battery seems to show “charged” after 5 minutes in the charger and the second battery will show “charged” after maybe 15 minutes.
I realize that it’s a fast charging system but based on the life of the batteries once charged seem to indicate either the batteries are faulty or the charger is bad. I’m going to call the 1-800 number for Milwaukee and see what they say. I was wondering if I just got a bad set or if this is common.
Diane
Replies
Milwaukee Lithium.
Strike one.
Click here for access to the Woodshed Tavern
Click here to visit the beginning of Breaktime
Edited 5/15/2008 7:03 pm ET by rez
I've considered buying one of those. So would ya let us know how it all turns out?
A: He didn't have to hear about all the men she could have married. She didn't have to hear about the way his mother cooked.
I've got a bunch of Milwaukee 18v Ni-cads, and was thinking about going to the Li-ions(need more/new batteries anyway). I love the setup now, but I'm tempted for the extra runtime and charge indicators.
Maybe it's a case of "the grass is greener", or is that just the charge LED glowing?
Waiting for updates...
What did you get, the compact drill? I have that one too (yes rez I have a cordless drill problem). I have not had an issue with my batteries-in fact I don't really have to charge them all that often because they hold their charge so well.
I'd be curious what the Milwaukee folks say. I can see one bad battery in a kit, but I have a hard time believing there were 2 bad ones. Unless the whole lot was bad.
Most nights are crystal clear, but tonight it's like he's stuck between stations.
Maybe the charger is bad. That would account to two battries having a problem
A more likely issue; good point.
Most nights are crystal clear, but tonight it's like he's stuck between stations.
Just for clarification it was the 2601-22 drill. I understand it has the smaller battery pack but it seems that it should last a little bit longer...http://tinyurl.com/6f3eoaDiane
Just for clarification it was the 2601-22 drill. I understand it has the smaller battery pack but it seems that it should last a little bit longer...
The battery pack that comes with that drill only supplies 1.4 A-hr, compared to 3 A-hr for the normal size Li-Ions.
Depending on how deep you're running that auger bit in those 3 holes, you might just be wearing it down that fast...
there is/was a recall on them.....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
if you call the 800# ask to speak with Bill...
if you bomb out see if you can land on this guy's desk....
[email protected]
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I bought Milwaukee lithium Ion 18V batteries when they first came out for use in my old 18V tools. Never had a hiccup from day one. I love the ability to check the charge state of the battery BEFORE I climb up into someone's attic.
Looks like you got a bad charger.
Milwaukee Lithium hits a single.
The bit holder stinks.
In January I bougth a Milwaukee Compact Driver 12 volt Li-ion [ 2401-20 ] the charger was bad day one, took it back next day and they gave me a new charger. Works great now.
Ah, the Li-Ion batteries have a little safety cut-out in my 18V set.
I bought my Milwaukee tools years ago. I got replacement Li-Ion units @ Chanukah (Christmas to you) and finally gave them a good workout when we put skylights in one day, and my Sawzall overheated and cut out.
If you push the units too hard, they overheat and cut out. All you do is put them in the charger and they re-set. Pop them back in and get back to work - and take it a little easier.
I also have a Makita 18V Li-Ion set, but no sawzall and no circular saw units. When I get the call for a bigger job and not enough electricitym I bring out the red iron.
Home runs for Milwaukee.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
I have all Milwaukee 18v cordless and haven't replaced the batteries with the Li yet. I wasn't sure you could, but now I know you can....yes?I want to get an impact gun to go with the rest of the tools. They make one but it seems to only come in a kit with yet another drill and I really don't need or want 3 of their drills....they're great tools, but I have yet to figure out how to use three at once, I'm finding two is plenty. I already own around a dozen drills of various sorts for multiple setups.
Jer
Check e-bay, I aways see them individually there, used as well as new.
Hey, thanks! I didn't even think of that and there they were.
Yep, they all interchange.
The chargers however, have to be the newer style with the grey battery holder, and will charge either. The old chargers will only charge the nicads I believe.
Yup you need the new charger, also the "compact" isn't interchangeable.
Thanks. It'll be my next new tool. Or should I make that a new Forrest 12" chopmaster blade?...Hmmmm
Chopmaster, huh? I've never used one...worth the extra coin?
Yes, I think it definitely is worth the extra. There are those who will argue that CMT or Amana is every bit as good, but I've been through a great deal of the major brands over the years and have found that Forrest is what I will use from now on. I run them in my table saws as well. I just ordered another tonight, 12" Chopmaster 80 tooth. Forrest also has great rates on resharpening and I would recommend that only they resharpen them.
A saw is only as good as the blade.
Good stuff Jer, thank you.
Try CPO They sell refurbished Bosch, Milwaukee, Makitahttp://www.cpomilwaukee.com/impact_wrenches/18v_impact_wrenches/BruceT
Everyone else has answered you - DW had me doing gardening and more on the new deck.
Yes, the 18V Li-ion batteries are exact replacements for the old Ni-Cad units, a lot smaller and lighter. I had to get the new charger, which I did off Amazon. Because I have a full 18V kit with circular saw, flashlight, drill and sawzall, getting the new batteries was a no-brainer. I also have the 18V Makita drill and impact driver set, but the Mil. kit is so much more versatile! If I have access to electricity for the charger and a smaller job needing 2-3 tools I take the Mil. set and leave the corded tools at home. I could never do that with the Ni-Cads.
Cheaper tools (or singles) are as easy to throw out and replace when the batteries die due to the cost, but when the entire kit is at stake and the tools work fine - there is nothing wrong with 15 year old tools.Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
Thanks Aaron....and everyone for your responses. I am following in your footsteps with the batteries & impact gun.
" 7/8" auger bit" my guess is you are overheating the drill, that's why it recharges in 5 minutes. Get a heavy duty corded model for such tasks.
Just my $0.02
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
I don't think your overheating.
I have that gun, the compact milwaukee. Three inch screws, ledger locks,
spade bits it has handled them all.
I do have to switch to low gear from time to time. The clutch will
still give even in drill at the high end. Maybe that's normal now, but
a first for me.
Anyhow, I have overheated mine but it takes some doing.
Very nice tool.
DianeA
I have the 28v Li-on as does a buddy of mine. He got a new 28v Sawzall and had exactly the same problem. Make one cut and the battery dies. I try one of my batteries in my tool so I know it's charged and good, then try it in his, same problem, one cut and dead. Problem is in the tool itself not the charger or the batteries I'd bet.
Milwaukee Lithium.
Strike two.
Doode, instead of the crypticity, enlighten us...be a homerun! If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
he's making ya read all the posts...
and several other threads too....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
guess I'm stayin' in the dark then... If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
rez is being judge, jury and executioner on the Milwaukee Li series of cordless...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Hey look, I'm just tryin' to gather real data for a future purchase.
Wanna buy something that is going to work trouble free and don't wanna buy a song and dance rountine and another tool that will just lie on the shelf like a waste of money is all.
be all
Click here for access to the Woodshed Tavern
Click here to visit the beginning of Breaktime
Wanna buy something that is going to work trouble free and don't wanna buy a song and dance
Can I interest you in a Panasonic drill, slightly used............
I kiell you
makes sense... let me know how the research goes. One of my guys got the makita li-ion drill & impact kit... very nice... never did have it out in the cold though.. we'll definitely give it a test in the heat If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
I like the Makita Li. It was OK in the cold, not as good as my old Panasonic NiMH in the cold, but better all around. Charger sux though.Steve
The charger we use seems fine, and pretty quick too. If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
I'm on my fourth one, and it still has a gawd-awful noisy fan. Manages to charge the batteries though. And yes pretty quickly.Steve
All:
Just to close the loop on my original query, it turns out to that the charger was the culprit. The faulty charger was not fully charging the batteries hence the short operational time between charges.
Diane