Milwaukee Reviews

I have used the 8977-20 heat gun from Milwaukee for one entire day. It was on virtually the entire time for the purpose of removing varnish. It is light weight, quiet and provides ample heat for the job. The temp control is conveniently located at the rear of the gun. My only suggestion would be to provide a stand that would allow it to point upwards without blocking the airfow. It does have a flip-out stand but it rests the gun on the air intake. Other than that minor point, it is a great product

This puppy works great. I have run for several hours while prying up self-adhesive floor tiles and have had no problems. It's light weight and the handle does not get overly hot so you can use it without a glove.

The Milwaukee heat gun is very quiet and provides rapid, constant heat. Temperature adjustment is easy, granted it does take some guess work to determine the output temperature. I've used this unit constantly for paint removal and shrink sleeving applications.

I give this saw five stars now considering all factors and leaving some emotion out. I bought the saw because of space constraints in my shop trying to handle and cut large panels on my table saw without any help. That, and at the time I was getting ready to start on my kitchen cabinets.

I set the saw up and added my additional options of wheels, stand, extensions and Quick-stop guage. Probably due to something during shipping, my saw would not cut a straight line. It was off by nearly 3/32" over a 48" cut (I cannot believe Safety Speed Cut would crate it up and ship it when it was off by that much). After making the first few test cuts, I thought I was going to have to cut pieces oversized and then trim to square on the table saw, but after reading the manual and making some adjustments this was not the case.

So here is why I still gave it five stars.

The instruction manual was very thorough and clearly explained how to check for square if your cuts were off. They walk you through every possible option and even explain how to make up a large tri-square to dial the saw back into square. After making up the large tri-square (at some additional expense) the saw was very easy to adjust and before long I had the saw cutting square straight pieces for my cabinets.

This saw makes handling large plywood sheets easy, and with less effort and fatigue compared with a table saw, you can have 10 sheets cut down to size in no time at all. The optional Quick-stop guage makes repetitive cuts quick and accurate - great for cabinet sides, backs etc.

So, other than a slight initial alignment problem, the saw has been one of the best additions to my shop. I am considering adding the dust collection option in the future and my only observation there is that it is a fairly high dollar option ($347) for something so necessary. In my opinion, this should be standard on all of the saws instead of an accessory.

Another plus in choosing this saw over a 3HP cabinet saw is that you can use standard 110V power versus adding a 220V circuit for your cabinet saw.

If you work with large sheets often, I highly recommend this saw especially if you have a smaller shop. If you have room to spare, you might consider the H-4 saw which is what I originally wanted but could not get into my shop.

I have found this saw to be very accurate, and easy to use. I have owned it for about a year, and use it far more than I though I would. It makes it very easy to cut a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. It is however not very portable. I ussually measure up what I need to cut at the job site, and take the work to my shop.

This is a scaled down version of the panel saws used at most lumberyards and home centers. I have had mime for about a year and really depend on it now. Before, I had to struggle with large sheets on the table saw, which usually required the help of a second person. Now, I can manage these easily by myself. The saw was delivered factory adjusted for precision cuts. I highly recommend purchasing the optional wheels, extensions and stand unless you plan on mounting it in a permanent location. I use mine in the garage and wheel it out when weather permits. On the downside, the material rollers are made of plastic and could presumably break if a heavy sheet such as melamine was to drop on them. Also, it is sometimes difficult to switch the saw from crosscut to rip mode as sawdust particles build up between the rotating plates causing them to bind. I have tried silicone spray in this area but it doesn't seem to last. Overall however, I feel this was an excellent investment.

If you want a right angle drill with the power to drill most anything this is it. It is a little on the heavy side but will do the job. We use this drill for "Maxis" wire puller. It does an outstanding job.

The new "Super Hawg" is what all hole drills should be. As a Southeast Texas homebuilder I put it through it's paces and it has turned some of the dreaded work into pleasure. I shopped all of the hole drills before chosing this one. It costs a little more than the others but it is worth it. I am very impressed with it's high quality construction, power, and comfort. The swiveling trigger handle is a feature all hole drills should have. The more powerful motor, (almost twice the competition), is put to good use running the drill at higher RPM's than all of the competitor's. This is one fast hole drill.

This is an improved version of the Hole-Hawg. This new tool has more power, easier to use, and fits into tight spaces better. I depend on Milwaukee tools for my livelihood and they delivered a great new tool with this one.

Our company bought a few of these drills about 5yrs ago. They are all still going strong (the Bosch drills have burned up). Most drills rated by the manufacturers for 7/8" say they can handle 7/8" drilling periodically, but their mainstay is 1/4-1/2". These Milwaukee drills have been put through the wringer with our guys using up to 1&1/8" hammer bits going through solid block walls with very little effort. Milwaukee's 3/8" hammer is also a strong workhorse that is worth every cent.

This Milwaukee 1\2" 5370-6 Hammer Drill gets the job done! I had a DeWalt cordless hammer drill for 3 years and except for masonry mortar work, it was just a good drill that was a play toy at cracking and drilling concrete! When I found this Milwaukee model at a close out price, I purchased it and sold the cordless. I shouldn't have waited this long . I always wanted the Milwaukee drill. Powerful, reliable, lightweight, built like a tank and indestructible! It will drill through anything I can put in front of it. This is a very high quality tool with a Great reputation. I though I could kill two birds with one drill?! NOT! Got a new "Cordless Drill" separately for convenience and this Milwaukee to lay the hammer down! Would have been worth the full price 3 years ago, but I'll live and learn!

This Milwaukee #5370-6 1/2" MAGNUM hole shooter is the absolute best in drilling in masonry or brick. It chews it apart with little effort on the user! This tool uses the masonary bits and drives them two steps further in the implemantation of drilling holes for either fasteners to be placed inside or holes for your wires to run through. I have pysically wasted two other well known brand name drills {AEG! } because they just were not TOUGH ENOUGH. This Milwaukee drill IS tough enough to do the job and I just wish I had bought this in the first place. If you are going to do a job: use the right tool and go to Milwaukee Tools as they have the toughest tools that outlast the jobs!

Smooth and torquey. Very easy to handle. For most jobs I prefer this to a heavier model. It is refreshing that this power tool comes in a useful case that actually can hold more than the tool and a bit. I'm not big on the plastic cases supplied with power tools these days since they take up too much room and have no space inside for anything else. This metal case is actually useful. The supplied bits are pretty high quality too.

I've had my 5397-6 3/8" Heavy Duty Hammer Drill for a few months and used it a lot. It has performed flawlessly. I have yet to do any all day drilling in hard granite, but it goes through concrete and limestone like butter. It has the solid feel and smooth action you expect from a Milwaukee tool. It switches out of hammer mode with a simple turn of the chuck collar. I do wish it had the detachable power cord like the 1/2" model, but that is a minor issue. The depth stop mechanism is a little cheesy, but it seems to work fine (I dont use it that much). The 3/8" capacity is plenty for most applications, I'm usually drilling for Tapcons, and its perfect. The case is typical Milwaukee, very sturdy. The set of bits included with the drill are good quality. I am very happy with the 5397-6 and would recommend it without reservation.

I run a large automotive repair shop. We relocate equipment and perform building maintenance on a regular basis. Our technicians have asked for a hammer drill for a long time. I finally broke down and got them one. In the past we borrowed a 1/2" hammer drill(a different brand). Our techs claim the 3/8" Milwaukee drills faster with less vibration.They love the balanced lightweight design.The masonary drill bits included are first rate, I have not replaced any of them yet. The case is top quality and has enough room to hold some of our most common fasteners. The depth guage does seem a little cheesey at first, but it works fine, mounting behind the removeable side handle. Overall truly a 5 star product

This is the third polisher I have purchased, the first two were inexpensive Craftsman units and neither lasted very long. I have owned a Milwaukee sawzall for twenty years and it has been great. This Polisher is every bit up to the quality I expected. I have used it for polishing and sanding and its power and speed range are up to the tasks. Changing sanding disks or polishing bonnets is quick and easy with no tools required, also the speed control feature makes using the unit almost fool proof. The Bottom line is you get what you pay for.

I have looked all of the polishers available here at Amazon. Using something at 1750 RPMs might be ok for some finishes, but to get true high quality gloss, you need a 2400 RPM machine. Less than that, you don't bring up deep gloss. More than that, with the speed of a sander or grinder (4500=6000 RPM) will burn your finish right up.
This Milwaukee has the right speed, and it is variable if you want to go into a different level of polishing, than the automotive level. With 11 amps in the motor, you are sure to have the kind of power that will guarantee a constant speed, even when you have a 7" bonnet loaded with compound.
Another great feature is the locking collet. I had a body shop for 20 years, did a lot of high end cars, personally spent more hours on a 7" polisher than would be believable if I stated it, seriously, and locking collet would be a dream come true. Most polishers have an allen wrench based nut in the center of them, which holds the rubber backing pad to the shaft. When it is time to change a pad, it is often frustrating, because of the center nut. All you can do to change the pad is hold on to the backing pad, and use an allen wrench. That resulted in a slipping backing pad, sliding around the spindle. To have a locking collet is an engineering dream for a polisher.
Since polishers require a lot more torque, and beefy components, than a grinder, it is comforting to know that this Milwaukee has helical gearing, and all ball and roller bearings.
I have come to appreciate the heavy duty build on Milwaukee tools. Their new Lok Tor cordless drills are the highest torque in the industry. Their 11 amp sawzall is the best, and the list goes on.
I noticed a comment in the editorial review, that a pro might need more speed. NOT. This polisher covers the proper speed. A burn mark in a polished finish, looks like a raising of the material, in a little series of ridges. Another peril of too much speed is a quick burn through the finish, revealing base coats for example primer. I mention this because this is the heavy duty unit. You don't need something faster, or more powerful. You would be hard pressed to find another tool out there that does the job better. The competition, with less power, slower speeds, and that funny handle that goes over the top of the polisher is not what you want. I went into the local home center and felt that handle position just today. It is uncomfortable for polishing. You want your hand out out to one side of the head, just the way this Milwaukee is. They further enable you to choose a side, in the event that you are left handed. It gives you a wider stance with a side handle, which equals better control.
All in all this is a five star piece of equipment. It costs a little more than the competition, but the extra money is put in the tool. Highly recommended.

This is the best High speed Polisher i have evre used.It's light and easy to use.not only has it out lasted my outher polishers it stil works like it's new. It also has the best feel to the hands,it never heats up or slows down it's one Heavev Duty tool.

Unlike DeWalt, Milwaukee used the same design of their electric saw to build a cordless. The early model had less than spectacular quick-change clamp but that was remedied quite nicely.

Just want to say that it's great Milwaukee offers the "tool only" so we don't have to keep purchasing batteries and chargers. I've purchased 2 milwaukee cordless tools with 2 batteries and a charger each, and then was able to purchase this saw and a work light without those items. So now I have a bettery for each tool and a backup charger, and they all fit in one case....beautiful!!!

P.S....I've had the 18 volt drill, circle saw, sawzall and light for well over a year now and use them heavily , no problems, excellent tools.

I'm a concrete and masonry contractor and my guys use this tool for everything from cutting forms to cutting roots in their way. Exceptional performance, we usually use up two batteries in a day, but the fast charge can usually keep up. Almost indistructable, have seen it droped from over 8 ft. from scaffolding and just bounce. The keyless chuck is fantastic. I have had too many tools with keys or allen wrenches sit in the truck unused for the want of a key. Have had the tool for over two years and am still using the original batteries but, this morning the battery charger gave up the ghost. I guess thats what you get for leaving it out in the rain a half of douzen times, more or less. I do not buy cheap tools, I feel that my employees deserve the best to make them the best. If I only had enough money to buy one tool this would be it.

For more than ten years this tool has never failed to function perfectly. I like the forward and reverse rocker switch. When used by a "lefty" the switch is easily operated by the index finger. For right hand operation the thumb is used. Another great feature is the lock switch which prevents the tool from accidentially being turned on. For example, if you want to snug up a screw by hand you can lock the switch off. Locking the tool before placing it in your tool box prevents accidential turn on while in storage. The battery removes easily and seems to always run longer than I expect it would. Of course, in ten years I have replaced them from time to time. The adjustable torque is a great feature too. It's a great tool for electrical work, electronic equipment repair, and working on door locks, etc. I have not missed variable speed since a quick on/off works well. I often underestimate its power. The two speed model might be worth checking on if you want to drill with it. My two single speed units give me good control. These tools have seen a lot of service and I have never regretted the purchases!

Fantastic tool for the truck or auto tech,this is definetly a case were less is better, reffering to the voltage of the unit.It is very compact yet has a nice balance between power and it's ability to get into very tight spaces.The driver is very well constructed, so is the charger ,all of which are produced in Japan,which means you are getting quality.The package also includes a jabobs chuck and chuck key, 2 batteries, a high impact carrying case and some assortyed bits.Add a good bit selection for some real versatility
.From the use I have had so far I can tell you the batteries are long lasting and the unit has been trouble free.I would recommend the offset as an assesory,it comes in very handy.Don't let the lower voltage fool you,this is a very effective tool.If your looking for a more powerful unit look to the Dewalt driver, but is is not as nearly as compact ,the price paid for more power.I personally have both of the drivers and each has it's place.This is a killer package from Milwaukee, and a must have addition to your tool chest,you will not be sorry with your choice.

This is the best screw driver I have ever used for working on computers. With the clutch set at 1 I can drive screws in any computer component with out fear of over tightening. I have been using this screw driver for 7 years now on all things computer related and have absolutely no complaints. I have even driven screws into plastic with out stripping them.

The two speed setting is great most of the time I leave it in high with the clutch on one and don't think about it. There are the times with the occasional sticky screw where you might need to turn the clutch up and set the speed to low but the screw driver has the ability to do that with in easy reach of your thumb.

The rocker switch between forward and reverse makes it easy to take the screw back out that you just mistakenly put in.

I can't think of a more essential tool for working on computers that this screw driver

Having been a long time woodworker and used routers only as hand held, I made the jump to a Table top router.
As most woodworkers know changing bits can be cumbersome.
with the Rousseau its EZ. Another item is getting the correct depth is like pulling teeth without novocaine. This lift takes that out of the equation. I would recommend this to any novice or hardcore woodwork, it saves time and knuckles.

The router lifter did everything I could ask for and more. Ran 2,200 lineal feet of stock through the unit without any problems. Well worth the cost. A great addition to my collection.

What it is: This is a JessEm Rout-R-Lift FX router lift, bolted to a much thickened phenolic Rousseau mounting plate. It appears to made of machined aluminum and/or alloy, possibly with some steel, most of which has a anodized finish. The tolerances are very tight and it operates very smoothly. This device fits in all Rousseau and the Bosch RA1200 router tables.

What it does: It allows for extreme precise height adjustment. Using a hex bolt atop simply turn to the right to raise or left to lower. It is that simple, no need to loosen something first or tighten after. One full turn equals 1/16" with numbers at 1/64" intervals and marks at every 1/512" in between. It lifts full up in around 30-40 turns for easy above the table bit changes.

Assembly: I was able to unlatch the quick-release cam lock level, drop in the router motor and latch with out adjusting anything right out of the box. A 7/16" bolt is used to tighten or loosen the tension if needed.

Was it worth it: The speed and accuracy of adjusting bit height is incredible. As is, removing and installing the router motor off the lift, which has no effect on previous setting. This allows for true one router motor for all bases. 5 stars.

This is just as advertised. Great instructions, Sturdy and adaptable to my needs.

although i rated it 5 i had to return for a non drilled benchdog becouse of fit.