According to Milwaukee these tools integrate three ground-breaking cordless technologies to deliver up to 10X longer life, 25% more power and 50% more run-time for the professional tradesman.  Sounds like a winner to us.  Milwaukee has combined their exclusive POWERSTATE™ brushless motor, REDLITHIUM™ battery pack, and REDLINK PLUS™ intelligence to deliver drills that will outperform all other 18V drills on the market, while being over 1” shorter and lighter than leading competition.

Here is what impresses us.  Both the drill/driver and the hammer drill have a whooping 725 in-lbs. of torque.  That is a huge jump over existing 18V platforms.  The new POWERSTATE™ brushless motor works harder, lives longer, and converts energy into power and torque more efficiently than leading competitors. The POWERSTATE™ motors also reduce noise and cools more rapidly, delivering years of maintenance-free performance.

Milwaukee REDLITHIUM™ batteries provide significantly more run-time, power and recharges than any other Lithium product on the market. REDLITHIUM™ also delivers best-in-class performance in extreme job-site conditions. With Milwaukee® durability built into each pack, the REDLITHIUM™ battery operates cooler and performs in climates as low as 0°F/-18°C with fade free power.
REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence hardware and software is the world’s most advanced system of cordless power tool electronics that will maximize performance and protect the user’s investment. REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence is a best-in-class system that integrates full-circle communication between tool, battery and charger, and constantly monitors this internal network to maintain ideal conditions.

In addition, all M18™ FUEL products will include the new multi-voltage charger to allow users to charge all M12™ and M18™ batteries with one charger. The new drills also come with an all metal ratcheting locking chuck for maximum grip, bit retention and durability, as well as a new contoured soft grip that gives users the ultimate comfort during prolonged use.
OK here is the bad news.  This system is not available until March of 2012.  We know it is only a month away, but we are excited and want to see this in action now.  Check out more about Milwaukee’s fuel system and other Milwaukee tools at milwaukeetool.com/fuel.

M18 Fuel Specifications

M18 FUEL™ 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit (2603-22)

• Volts: 18V
• Torque: 725 in-lbs
• Speed: 2 Speed
• RPM: 0-550 / 0-1,850 RPM
• Chuck Type: 1/2″ Metal Single Sleeve – Ratcheting Lock
• Tool Length: 7.9”
• Tool Weight (w/ XC battery):4.9 lbs

2603 M18™ FUEL 1/2″ Drill/Driver, (2) M18™ HIGH CAPACITY REDLITHIUM™ Battery Packs and Multi-Voltage Charger

M18 FUEL™ 1/2″ Drill/Driver Bare Tool (2603-22CT)

• Volts: 18V
• Torque: 650 in-lbs
• Speed: 2 Speed
• RPM: 0-550 / 0-1,850 RPM
• Chuck Type: 1/2″ Metal Single Sleeve – Ratcheting Lock
• Tool Length: 7.9”
• Tool Weight (w/ compact battery):4.4 lbs

2603 M18™ FUEL 1/2″ Drill/Driver, (2) M18™ COMPACT REDLITHIUM™ Battery Packs and Multi-Voltage Charger

M18 FUEL™ 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver Kit (2604-22)

• Volts: 18V
• Torque: 725 in-lbs
• Speed: 2 Speed
• RPM: 0-550 / 0-1,850 RPM
• BPM: 31,450 BPM
• Chuck Type: 1/2″ Metal Single Sleeve – Ratcheting Lock
• Tool Length: 8.1”
• Tool Weight (w/ XC battery): 5.0 lbs

Includes 2604 M18™ FUEL 1/2″ Drill/Driver, (2) M18™ HIGH CAPACITY REDLITHIUM™ Battery Packs and Multi-Voltage Charger

M18 FUEL™ 1/2″ Hammer Drill/Driver Bare Tool (2604-22CT)

• Volts: 18V
• Torque: 650 in-lbs
• Speed: 2 Speed
• RPM: 0-550 / 0-1,850 RPM
• BPM: 31,450 BPM
• Chuck Type: 1/2″ Metal Single Sleeve – Ratcheting Lock
• Tool Length: 8.1”
• Tool Weight (w/ compact battery): 4.5 lbs

Includes 2604 M18™ FUEL 1/2″ Drill/Driver, (2) M18™ COMPACT REDLITHIUM™ Battery Packs and Multi-Voltage Charger

For me and I am sure most people, my drill is the power tool I use the most.  So it’s important to me that I have something not only powerful, but something that has a good feel and balance to the tool, which the Milwaukee has.  The drill is powered by either the 18V high capacity battery or the M18 compact battery.  The 4 pole motor puts out 550 in-lbs of torque.  One thing I really like about this drill is Milwaukee didn’t cheap out, they went with an all metal gear case.

The drill has two speeds that move the 1/2″ chuck with the ranges of 0-450 for low and 0-1700 for high.  Move the setting over to hammer mode and you get 0-29,000 bpm.  The drill is not too heavy as it only weighs 3.5 lbs.  I used to own a Makita, but sold it because there was too much walk and don’t really care for that.  I noticed with the Milwaukee, there was absolutely no walk, so I was a happy camper.  Another thing I noticed was the DPM or the Digital Power Management.  If you know me, you know I am not a big fan of the overload protection feature manufacturers put on these tools.  However I drilled  through some pretty heavy stuff and the drill didn’t shut off.  I tend to see these overload protection problems coming into place with reciprocating saws and grinders, but not much with drills.

I could go on and on about the drill, but this is just my drill of choice.  The balance and feel is what first attracted me to it, well maybe the Milwaukee name.  But after using the drill, I have to say the power is what I like best.  I think this is the best Hammer Drill on the market.

The first thing I noticed when I ripped open the cardboard box, was how big the Milwaukee case was.  To me this is always a good feeling because either the tool was extremely big or Milwaukee included some nice storage in this case.  Since I knew the dimensions of the saw, it only could mean that the case had some nice room.  There is nothing more frustrating then buying a tool, taking it out for the first time and finding out it will never fit back in the case the same way.  Not with this Milwaukee.  The Saw has a specific place, in fact you can even leave the blade in the tool when it is stored in the case and the blade is protected.  The extra battery has a specific place and even the charger fits backs easily and you don’t have to roll up the power cord perfectly.  There are two spots for blade storage to keep two separate stashes.

Picking up the saw, I noticed this bad boy has some weight to it.  In fact it weighs about 7.75 lbs.  This is a huge key and I was happy it had weight because that means more control and most likely less vibration, which when using, the saw didn’t have a lot of vibration.  The overall balance of the tool is great and the weight seems to be evenly distributed over the whole tool.  One of the biggest things I noticed was the handle.  The handle runs parallel to your work.  While most of the other manufacturers also run parallel to the work, they tend to slope up a little where your index finger rests higher than your pinky finger.  While both are great designs and reduce fatigue, I like the Milwaukee design better.  I had more control.

This saw has a lot of pros and it is hard to figure out where to start.  The first thing is that this saw has all the major options you would want on a Jig Saw and none of them need a tool in order to use them.  If you want to make a bevel cut up to 45 degrees, you can do that with a flick of a lever and the saw even has some positive stops for accurate cutting, 0, 15, 30, 45.  The non-marring removable shoe is a nice feature for the cuts.  Two things I like best about this saw is the blade system and the orbital action.  To insert and remove a blade, you pull a lever in the front of the saw and insert a blade.  Once the blade is inserted, pull it again and the blade pops out, so no more trying to grab a hot blade to make a change.  The orbital action is great.  There are 5 settings to really fine tune your cutting.  The trigger is variable speed which moves the blade up and down 1″ for a nice stoke length.

Let’s jump into the Strokes Per Mintue or SPM.  Some would say this is a con while others say this is a plus.  The Milwaukee has a 2,200 spm while most of the competitors have 2,700 or 3,000 spm.  So what does this mean?  Does Milwaukee cut slower?  While I guess technically speaking it should cut slower, a lower SPM would indicate that.  However when we ran it through some 3/4″ plywood, I really couldn’t tell a huge difference.  There seems to be a plus with this.  Now this is something we are speculating, but Milwaukee indicates the battery lasts longer than the competitors.  So we are speculating that since the saw has a lower spm, the motor isn’t working as hard, therefore, saving the battery and getting longer run times.  We didn’t time the battery, but we sure did get a lot of cuts from one charge.  So all things considering do you want a faster cut or a longer battery?  Since I didn’t see a huge difference in the speed of the cut and I am not trying to break any Jig Saw cutting records, I would rather go with the lower SPM and longer battery life.  Again, there could be other factors that make the battery last longer such as a better battery, better motor or other factors.

We cut through some 3/4″ plywood to see how this tool handles.  Overall we were both very impressed by the saw.  No jumping when making cuts, even on high orbital setting.  The control was easy and produced a great cut primarily because it was easy to control and move around. I had an opportunity to take this on a roof and make a couple of vent cuts for a roof and I have to say it worked great.

Overall this is a great saw.  The feel and balance of the tool are great.  Easy to control and I like how Milwaukee implemented so many features and all without having to use a tool to make changes.  The battery lasted longer than we expected, but we think this is partly because the motor is not working as hard with it only putting out 2,200 spm.

The Wet/Dry vacuum is shaped like a toolbox.  On one side of the vacuum is the inlet and on the opposite side is the blower.  On the left hand side of the vacuum is a storage place for the 1-1/4 hose.  The hose, when not extended, is around 23″ and when extended it reaches roughly 65″.  Well it can stretch a little farther, but by the time you stretch it farther you will be pulling the vacuum.  One good thing about this vacuum is the hose locks into the vacuum, so you will not pull out the hose by stretching it.  On the top of the tool is a nice carrying handle and access to the on/off switch.  One thing this doesn’t have which I have seen some people complain about is a power cord.  Some people like a power cord in case they want extended run time.  Personally I don’t want a power cord on a cordless vacuum.  The cord would just be one more thing to get in the way and this really isn’t designed for cleaning the whole jobsite.  It’s designed to carry with you and help those small cleanup jobs or after a punch list item task is complete.  We ran the vacuum a couple different times to see what run time we got out of the tool and we averaged about 13 minutes of continuous use.  One note is that the unit weighs 11 lbs. 6 oz with all the tools and the battery.

To insert a battery or access the supplied tools (Crevice tool and Wide Nozzle), you unclip the two latches on the front and open the top.  Both tools are held in place by clips so you don’t have to worry about them sliding around.  One cool feature is you can have the top open and still turn the machine on or off.  The battery slides down and locks into place.  You can use any Milwaukee 18V slide battery to power this vacuum, Lithium-ion or NiCd.

The two gallon storage tank is at the bottom of the vacuum.  To access this compartment, just undo one latch in the front and one in the back.  The replaceable filter is also located here.

I would like to say I use this everyday, but I don’t.  However I do have two kids, so my wife snagged this from me and she uses it everyday to clean up after them.  It does get a lot of use and has been awesome.  The couple of times I was able to take it away from my wife and use it, it was great.  I really like the toolbox design and the weight of the vacuum.  Not too heavy where I don’t want to carry it around, but not too light where every-time I use the hose it just drags the machine around and it falls on its side.  As you can see by the video below, it is powerful.  Sucking up the nuts and bolts is cool, but what really impressed me was the ability to clean wood shavings from carpet.  I was working on the porch the other day.  We have a 5×3 rug or rugget as my 3 year old calls it.  I cut a couple of 2×4 over the rug ( I wasn’t thinking) and the shavings went onto the carpet.  Well after walking all over it and grinding it into the carpet, the vaccum was able to pull it all out quickly.

All in all if you are looking for a cordless wet/dry vac, you have to look at the Milwaukee M18.  I love this tool.  Who would have thought I would get excited by a cleaning tool, but I am.

Milwaukee has been announcing some pretty cool new toys, I mean tools.  Last week they announced the new arrival of the Milwaukee M18 Fuel.  We could only find one small problem, it doesn’t come out until spring of 2012.

Milwaukee just announced their new Deep Cut Band saws.  Two new models are available, 6232-20 and 6238-20.  Milwaukee will also sell the 6232-21 and 6238-21 versions which just have the case included.  We listed the stats below for both models.  We have never used the Milwaukee Saws, but I have seen them being used at various job sites.  A very effective tool for cutting pipe and more.

Okay, here is the deal with the new saws.  Milwaukee claims they are 2 times more durable than the competition.  The reason Milwaukee claims they are more durable are changes to the internal and external parts of the saw.  On the outside, Milwaukee uses Job Site Armor Technology, which is a proprietary composite material, and crush zone barriers to absorb impacts.  On the inside, Milwaukee uses an all metal direct drive system to increase the life of the tool.  This system requires less servicing than a chain drive system.  Milwaukee also implemented a gear protecting clutch which absorbs high impact forces caused by blade lock up.  Milwaukee has a design that is a sealed design of the direct drive which protects internal gears from water and debris.

Not only are they more durable, but they have the best in class power and the largest cutting capacity.  One thing Milwaukee states is that these new band saws have incredible cut visibility.  The new motor technology has increased copper.  We know the extra copper would produce a more powerful motor, but you would also think it would increase the size.  However, the extra copper does not make it bigger.  In fact it gives the saw a smaller motor housing which increases the line of visibility for cuts.  If you notice the stats below, these are around 3 pounds lighter than older models which is amazing.  Normally we don’t see that much weight cut from a tool as it usually happens in small increments, so congrats to Milwaukee for making a real difference in the weight.

Specifications (6232-20)

• 11Amps
• 120 V Ac
• 0-380 SFPM
• 5” x 5” Capacity
• 14.5 lbs

Includes AC Deep Cut Band Saw

Specifications (6232-21)

• 11Amps
• 120 V Ac
• 0-380 SFPM
• 5” x 5” Capacity
• 14.5 lbs

Includes AC Deep Cut Band Saw & Carrying Case

Specifications (6238-20)

• 11Amps
• 120V  AC/DC
• 300/380  SFPM
• 5” x 5” Capacity
• 14.5lbs

Includes AC/DC Deep Cut Band Saw

Specifications  (6238-21)

• 11Amps
• 120V  AC/DC
• 300/380  SFPM
• 5” x 5” Capacity
• 14.5lbs

Includes AC/DC  Deep Cut Band Saw & Carrying Case

So let’s go over the kit.  Here is what all comes in the box:

1 M12 Propex Expansion Tool

2 M12 Red Lithium batteries

1 M12 30 minute charger

3 Expansion heads  1/2″, 3/4″and a 1″ expansion head

1 Tube of expansion grease

It all comes in a nice blow molded case.

The tool itself weighs in at 4.5 lbs, has slender tubular base with a metal right angle business end where the spreading occurs. The head has an integrated belt clip so you can hang it.  The kit comes with 3 expansion heads that easily twist on and off.  They have included grease that aids in the head expansion.  The tool is a snap to operate, insert it into the Pex pipe and just pull the paddle switch and the tool expands the pipe.  The expander also rotates as it expands, this helps make an even flare.  The tool has a built in battery fuel gauge and an LED light at the base of the unit that illuminates your work and stays on for a few seconds.  In my humble opinion there is no easier, faster or better way to connect Pex tubing.

This tool is an example of Milwaukee innovation.  They basically went out in the field to talk to plumbers and designed a tool from scratch to fill the need.  The tool comes with a 5 year warranty which is awesome!  The M12 line up just keeps expanding and with no signs of slowing down.  It makes it one of the best 12V lines to get into.  This is a huge advance in building technology and using the Milwaukee Propex Expansion tool will save a plumber hundreds of man hours.  Check out MilwaukeeTool.com and also check out our friends over at PexSupply.com  They have some great information about Pex and their service is Stellar!

• PowerState Brushless Motor
• Red Lithium Battery Technology
• RedLink Plus

Milwaukee PowerState Brushless Motor

Milwaukee Red Lithium Battery

Milwaukee RedLink Plus

OK you have the tool and the battery, now you need a way to make them work efficiently together.  That is where the Redlink comes into play.  Redlink bridges the gap and makes the tool, battery and charger all work together to maintain ideal conditions.

So we talked about all the positives to this new generation of technology.  Here is the downside, it doesn’t hit the market until Spring of 2012.  I don’t know about you, but I want it now.  Check out more about the Milwaukee M18 Fuel system.

After waiting many months for the saw to hit the market, the day finally came.  I couldn’t wait to open the box and start playing with it.  Actually it came at the right time because we were just finishing up our fireplace project and needed to cut some wood and metal to insert into the flu of the fireplace.

The very first thing you notice with this saw is the feel and balance of the tool.  The tool is truly amazing.  When I opened the box I had a piece of 3/4″ plywood nearby and just started cutting away.  At the time I didn’t think about how expensive plywood is, but it was fun.  In hindsight, I wish I would have cut it up neater so I could use it.  The saw was very smooth and unbelievably easy to control for straight, bevel or rounded cuts.  The big part of the control has to do with the hybrid grip design which brings your hand closer to the material, roughly about two inches away.  This innovative design allows you to have precise control over cuts.  I think the other two reasons that make this jig saw so easy to control and gives it the incredible feel is the weight and the placement.  The saw only weighs about 4.5 lbs with the battery.  So it is very light and easy to work with.  All the weight, well a majority of the weight, is directly over the area you are cutting, on top of the blade.  So the low profile and weight are a huge plus to the design of this tool.

Okay,  I know what you are thinking or at least what I was thinking.  How much can a 12V really do?  What type of power or options does this tool have?  Actually a lot.  To start off it has 3/4″ stroke length and puts out 0-2,800 SPM using a variable speed trigger.  The variable speed trigger is fairly easy to control and keep a consistent speed.  When we were at the Milwaukee event, the Milwaukee spokeman indicated you could cut three sink holes into a counter top before the battery needed to be replaced.

I would have never guessed I would like a 12V Jig saw so much, but I do and there are two other things that amaze me.  First, this actually has the capability to make bevel cuts.  I don’t know why, but I would have just assumed that a 12V would not make bevel cuts.  And the cool thing is, it is tool-less to make a bevel cut.  We just reviewed an 18V Metabo and even that jig saw you need a tool to make a bevel cut.  The Milwaukee, no tool needed.  You can make up to a 45 degree bevel cut in either direction and it has a positive lock at 90 degrees.  So after your bevel cut, you can easily put it back in the 90 degree position and know your next cut will be straight.

The second item that I like a lot is the Quik-Lok feature of the saw.  The saw uses T-Shank blades and in the front, just turn a lever and insert the blade.  Again no tool required.  When you are done making your cut and the blade is hot, just open the Quik-Lok and the blade will actually pop out so you don’t need to grab a hot blade to make a change.

A couple other items to note is a fairly useful LED light to light up your work in front of you.  On the saw there is also a battery power indicator (Fuel Indicator) that uses four red lights to show your battery power.  The saw comes with a no mar removable shoe that fits on the bottom.  As with all the Milwaukee tools there is a five year warranty and a two year warranty on the battery.  Almost forgot, the saw comes with a blade, 1 battery, a 30 minute charger and bag.

One thing we would suggest is buying the XC battery for the saw.  It is always nice to have a little longer run time.

The saw is perfect for any contractor.  Great control, easy to work with, powerful, bevel cuts, compact and lightweight so your bag doesn’t weigh a ton.  If you are a homeowner, this is just one of those tools you have to have.  Even if you don’t own any Milwaukee M12 tools (which we don’t know why you wouldn’t), it pays to buy this saw.  This saw packs a powerful punch with lots of options.  I really can not say how much this saw rocks.  It surpassed my expectations of a great saw.

Lets talk specs, it cranks out 35ft/lbs of torque and rotates at 250 rpm which is quite powerful for its 1.9lb compact design, it will twist out of your hand if you don’t have a tight grip on it.  It has a low profile head that is 3/4 long,  this allows you to get into tight spots without running the risk of the ratchet direction switch hitting something and reversing.  I was quite surprised at the torque from this ratchet.  It was able to break free almost all the bolts I threw at it, and if it doesn’t you just pull the trigger and use it like a regular hand ratchet, which gives you more breakaway power.  It is 10-3/4″ long with the included M12 RedLithium battery.  The kit also includes a 30 min standard M12 charger, a Milwaukee soft case to hold it all and a 1/4 drive adapter.

A powerful compact LED at the base of the head illuminates the work area very well.  A lock button above the paddle switch allows you lock out the unit when the tool is not in use to prevent acidental power up .  The variable speed paddle switch is made out of metal which really gives the tool a solid professional feel and the steel reinforced housing makes it durable.  The handle area has a over molded rubber grip that makes the tool easy to hold with or without gloves on.  On the side is the standard Milwaukee battery fuel gauge.

This tool speeds up the work process, the variable speed paddle switch allows for precise control.  It replicates an air ratchet rather well, except for you do not have to drag a air hose and compressor around, it is completely cordless.  I really cannot find anything about this tool that I do not like.  It is another reason Milwaukee is changing the game with their new innovative tools.  Milwaukee has more 12V tools than anyone else and they keep adding, its a great 12V line to get into and we highly recommend the Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8″ Ratchet Kit 2457-21.

The unit is powered by Milwaukee’s M12 battery.  The unit does not charge the battery which is understandable since I believe Bosch has the patient on this technology.  Besides the radio comes with a power cord in case the battery goes dead while jamming out to some tunes.  When I first put my hands on this radio, I wasn’t expecting much since it is very small and light.  The system only weights 3.5 lbs and is 10.5″.  I grew up in the late 70′s and 80′s, so I was use to bigger speakers being better.  They just put out a better sound quality and were louder.  So after inserting a battery into the bottom of the unit, I have to say I was very surprised how loud it was and clear.  The reception of the radio is not bad, but I live about 40 miles from Chicago, so we have lots of stations.

The unit will play your MP3 player which is cool.  Again it will not charge your MP3 player and you have to control it from your phone as the top of the radio only controls the tuner, volume and EQ.  The radio does have ten presets.  The screen is nicely light by an orange background color.  On the display you can see the station, volume, preset number, time and battery life.  When the player is off you see the time and battery life.

The speaker are weatherproof made from aluminium for durability.  Also on the outside are two handles on the left and right which come in nice when carrying it along with twenty other things.

The radio comes with a five year warranty, which is good.  Overall I really like the radio and it did surprise me.  I do wish the tuner and volume used knobs instead of a push button, but I know some people do like the push buttons better.

As you know, I hope you know, I just switched to the Milwaukee M18 line.  What could be better than to have some tunes jamming in the background while you work, no more whistling while you work.  I was very excited to get this radio.  When it finally came, I had to rip open the box while Dan was breathing over my shoulders.  We both wanted to see it for different reasons.  I just wanted my radio, Dan wanted to compare it to the Ridgid he just bought.

Looking at the radio, it looks awesome.  Nice hard plastic to protect it during the rough rides and abuse on a job site.  Handles on the front and both sides.  The screen looks big and easy to read.  There is a place in the back to wrap the cord up when not in use.  Heck, it even has a bottle opener on the back, so when you get thirsty and need a beer, you are set.  I am sure a foreman loves to hear that.

Well the time was here to install a battery and fire it up, plus I was tired of Dan jumping up and down asking me to turn it on.  Oh yeah the batteries.  The batteries fit into a sealed compartment to protect from weather and debris.  You can power this radio with almost any Milwaukee battery, the M12, M18, V18, V28 and the 12 and 18 NiCd.  There is also a spot where you can insert 2 AA batteries, so when there is no juice to the radio, it still keeps time and your presets.  I almost forgot.  On the back is a 12V plug which will provide power to most small devices like your cell phone.  OK we fired it up and found a station.  Man it sounds great with its 40 watt 4″ speakers and tweeters, loud and clear.  I was a little surprised as it does have digital reception with tuner processor, we did get more static then I expected.  Especially since we are only 40 miles from Chicago and get a boat load of stations.  So we decided to hook it up to the iPhone and jam some tunes.  I have to say this is the loudest radio I have ever heard, with the best sound quality.  We have tested the Dewalt, Ridgid and Makita.  No Bosch yet, but heard good things about that.

The sound is great and the esthetics are all good.  The screen is very easy to read, but I was left a little disappointed.  When we changed the stations, there was a delay when we pushed a button for sound or station changing and even sometimes it didn’t register the push of a button.  This is frustrating as it takes more time to tune and adjust the volume.  I wish they would have a knob to make these adjustments instead of a push button.  The Ridgid was nice because it has a remote.  The Ridgid also had the knob adjustment I really like.  While the Milwaukee will play MP3 players, it’s not like the Ridgid.  With the Ridgid, you can insert your iPod and have full control with the buttons on the radio or remote.  With the Milwaukee you still have to open the top and make the adjustments on your iPod.  Also the presets.  You can not just jump to a preset, you have to press the button to get to your selection.  So if you want the last preset, number ten, you have to push the button ten times to get there, instead of hitting a preset button that says ten.

If you have the M18 line or another Milwaukee line of tools, this is a good radio to have.  If you are looking for a radio and do not have a line of tools and just want the radio, I really like the Ridgid better.  The Ridgid is just more user friendly, even though it doesn’t have the sound quality the Milwaukee has.

Now I go all out with bits and one of the bits I have been using lately, besides the OEMPTA bits, is the Milwaukee shockwave.  The kit I have is the 29 impact drive bit set model 48-32-4401.  The kit comes with the following items:

• Phillips Bits: 1″ – (1) P1, (7) P2, (2) P3; 2″ Power – (2) P2, (1) P3
• Square Bits: 1″ – (1) SQ1, (4) SQ2, (1) SQ3; 2″ Power – (2) SQ2
• Torx® Bits: 1″ – (1) T15, (1) T20, (1) T25; 2″ Power – (1) T25
• Magnetic Nut Drivers: (1) 1/4″ Red, (1) 5/16″ Amber, (1) 3/8″ Blue
• (1) Magnetic Bit Holder
• (1) Case with Bulk Storage Container

When I first heard about the Shockwave, I didn’t think much about it.  When we went to the Milwaukee event and saw them in action, I was sold.  I have to say these bits are worth every penny.  If you look at the bit up close, you can see the shock zone.  This zone absorbs shock and prolongs the life of the bit, great for heavy duty use.  The bits are made from a proprietary steel and heat treated to control hardness.  The forged tip allows for a secure grip and maximum contact eliminating stripping or slipping.

If you haven’t tried these impact bit, you have to give them a try, you’ll be hooked.

Check out the Shockwave video

The battery powers a 4 pole frameless motor that turns the disk at 9,000 RPM’s.  One disappointment was the tool didn’t come with any disks or grinding wheel, yes I am that cheap.  However it does come with both guards the type 1 and 27 guard.  Before we get into the OP and why that irritates me, lets cover the pro’s to this tool which are numerous.  First is the balance of the tool.  The balance and feel to this grinder are awesome.  I love the large paddle switch, so you can use all your fingers to power this bad boy.  Besides the paddle, two things I love about this tool are the side handle and the guards.

Milwaukee put a user optional handle not only on the right and left side of the tool, but also the top of the tool.  There are many applications where the top handle approach is the way to go.  When you don’t have it, you need it.  So I am happy Milwaukee included this.  The next thing I love about this grinder is the guard system.  To change the guard angle, you don’t need a tool, I love it.  No more pains trying to adjust guards.  Just push the spring loaded button and turn the guard to the desired position an your set to go.

Ok now the downside to this tool, the OP or Overload Protection.  I understand why manufactures put OP on tools, but I just don’t like it.  We recently reviewed the Ridgid reciprocating saw and after pushing down hard, but not to hard, the saw stopped on us and that was cutting a 2×4.  As you can see by the video below, the same thing happened with this grinder.  Now I was putting extra pressure on the grinder to show how the OP works, but not a heck of a lot of pressure.  We were cutting through 1/2″ rebar and it stopped on us.  Not a big deal because it resets right away, but still enough to be annoying.  This happened to us a few times on different applications.  I just think it’s a little to sensitive.  All this means to me is I will still use the grinder, but I will probably grab one of my older cordless grinders that doesn’t have the OP or a corded grinder that can take a little more abuse.

Overall this is a great grinder despite the OP.  The balance and set up of the tool is great.  The guard system is great and makes my life easier, which is always a plus.

The cordless Sawzall 2620-20 came in my new M18 kit.  I currently own a corded 13 amp Sawzall which I love and always reach for when I need to do a tear down.  I will still use that for most jobs, but it is nice to have a cordless version around for quick jobs or the times I am lazy and don’t want to get the extension cord, OK now thinking of it, I will probably use this more.  The feel and balance is what you expect from the Sawzall, they are all about the same where they have great balance and are very easy to work with.  The over molded grips are perfect to have complete control while wearing gloves or in hard to reach areas.  This cordless version uses a variable trigger to control the speed rating of 0-3,200 spm.

This saw uses the same Quick release system as the other sawzalls.  Instead of manually turning the release to insert the blade, there is a lever on the side that will turn the quick release to insert the blade.  When I first saw this, I almost cried because I thought Milwaukee changed their locking system.  After looking closer, I saw it was actually the same.  The reason Milwaukee implemented this lever system, is because while the shoe pivots, it doesn’t extend so there would be no way to access the release system.  Just wish the shoe extended.  Now this is up to you, but I think this is light weighing only 7.75 lbs.  I have seen some people complain about the weight, but you really don’t feel it because the balance in both hands makes it very easy to work with.

As I already complained and whined about, I don’t like clean up.  So while we didn’t tear down a house, Dan and myself did play around with the tool cutting a lot of different things to see how well it would work.  The counter balance mechanism seems to be just as good as their other sawzalls and while we did get the expected vibrations, it’s not nearly what we have felt on other reciprocating saws.

I do like this saw and will reach for it when I get to smaller projects, however there is still nothing that replaces my 13 amp Sawzall.  For quick jobs and even the jobs where power is absent, this saw is a great fit.