Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

[Rickyd]

I have a corded dewalt and an M18 fuel supersawzall, I’d take the M18 all day everyday over the dewalt.

You can get some pretty hefty ah ratings for the Milwaukee stuff these days. That would sure help with something like a Sawzall. Even my makita version does well with just 5ah batteries

 

[Apparition]

You can get some pretty hefty ah ratings for the Milwaukee stuff these days. That would sure help with something like a Sawzall. Even my makita version does well with just 5ah batteries

I’ve always run my sawzall and grinders with the M18 high output 6.0 and 8.0, there’s a noticeable difference.

Recently picked up the Forge 8.0 and 12.0 if the performance differential of them is the same as the high output to the regular like they say they will be an absolute beasts.

 

[Wildman]

Noticed your quick recovery here after the post in Basket's thread

Didn't recall you being a hard-core anti-battery guy so wouldn't have been one to call you on it but appreciate your share and look forward to your experience with the tools.

—-

I borrowed a friend's Dewalt sawzall a couple years back to help tear down a treehouse that my extension cords wouldn't reach. They were the older battery types (2010-ish). But with 2 batteries, it managed through the wood/trees (not an axle tube) but was one its way out.

I'd long thought to add a battery sawzall to my kit and maybe I will based off that experience - for the portability.

Plus - that would be the first time I own an actual 'Sawzall' — since it would be actual Milwaukee and everything I've owned or used before was Dewalt and I'm just a poser who liked to use the word 'sawzall'.

But we all know - any sawzall, solves all. Brand isn't what matters.

Nope wasn't ever anti-battery just being a CHEAP ASS and didn't want to buy new tools that I already had. And I probably would have waited longer but happened to be looking at Home Depot because I needed a new toilet for my daughter's bathroom. They had some good deals on the buy the battery pack & get a free tool or buy the tool & get a free battery.
And yes I'm looking forward to seeing how the M18 impact compares to my air tools. The last time I tried a battery powered impact it was a joke... But I don't remember what brand it was either. It was a buddies who I was working on his Jeep and he'd brought his tools over. But this was 10+ years ago too.

 

[reddvltj]

Nope wasn't ever anti-battery just being a CHEAP ASS and didn't want to buy new tools that I already had. And I probably would have waited longer but happened to be looking at Home Depot because I needed a new toilet for my daughter's bathroom. They had some good deals on the buy the battery pack & get a free tool or buy the tool & get a free battery.
And yes I'm looking forward to seeing how the M18 impact compares to my air tools. The last time I tried a battery powered impact it was a joke... But I don't remember what brand it was either. It was a buddies who I was working on his Jeep and he'd brought his tools over. But this was 10+ years ago too.

My dad's 1/2" drive M18 impact is no doubt the strongest cordless impact we have here, and I think it's rated at something like 1100 brakeaway torque. I can't remember what fastening torque it lists off the top of my head.

I have a Dewalt and a Rigid 1/2" of the 2 the Dewalt is by far more powerful.

My Ingersoll Rand made Cornwell badged 1/2" impact that is "rated" at 940 brakeaway @90psi by far outperforms all of them in speed and torque in both directions. (we run our compressor at 135 to 150 psi)

The M18 and my Dewalt can both easily brake loose and over torque the lug nuts on the diesel trucks we have. The Cornwell/IR does it in less than half the time and it also has the strength to snap a 14mm wheel stud. None of the cordless we have have that kind of torque.
That being said, all 3 brands have since released higher torque numbers in their 1/2" impacts But in al sincerity I really don't see a need to upgrade any of them. Unless we want one for the folks 40' Diesel Pusher MH. The Cornwell/IR will brake them loose but it takes a lot of ugga duggas...

 

[sab]

Nope wasn't ever anti-battery just being a CHEAP ASS and didn't want to buy new tools that I already had. And I probably would have waited longer but happened to be looking at Home Depot because I needed a new toilet for my daughter's bathroom. They had some good deals on the buy the battery pack & get a free tool or buy the tool & get a free battery.
And yes I'm looking forward to seeing how the M18 impact compares to my air tools. The last time I tried a battery powered impact it was a joke... But I don't remember what brand it was either. It was a buddies who I was working on his Jeep and he'd brought his tools over. But this was 10+ years ago too.

Wildman, I think you're going to be surprised. I haven't touched my 1/2" drive air impact since I bought the high-torque M18 driver (one generation ago.) The only thing stronger than that M18 is my 3/4" drive air impact. I use that one with a 1/2" air line when I have to break bolts off because the nuts are cross-threaded, galled, or rusted solid. If I'm not mistaken, that M18 impact gun was my first test of the M12/18 stuff. I now have several drawers full of them. I think I've only had an issue with one battery, and the oldest are a bit over five years old now. My DeWalt old-school Ni-Cad batteries and Bosch first-generation lithium batteries wouldn't even last a year if I used them regularly. Milwaukee really figured things out...

 

[Wildman]

Wildman, I think you're going to be surprised. I haven't touched my 1/2" drive air impact since I bought the high-torque M18 driver (one generation ago.) The only thing stronger than that M18 is my 3/4" drive air impact. I use that one with a 1/2" air line when I have to break bolts off because the nuts are cross-threaded, galled, or rusted solid. If I'm not mistaken, that M18 impact gun was my first test of the M12/18 stuff. I now have several drawers full of them. I think I've only had an issue with one battery, and the oldest are a bit over five years old now. My DeWalt old-school Ni-Cad batteries and Bosch first-generation lithium batteries wouldn't even last a year if I used them regularly. Milwaukee really figured things out...

I'll admit to being skeptical at this point. My experience hasn't been good with batteries or them lasting very long so I'm hoping this will be a better experience.

I'm not throwing my air tools away just yet but am hoping for better results. I've been following the tool talk and how others have had good results with their powered tools. Life had gotten in the way before of my buying tools. Last time I'd thought about buying some my refrigerator had gone bad and I needed to replace it.

I'm really hoping these batteries will last longer than the old ones I tried previously. I do have a Dewalt drill & driver set that I got 11 or 12 years ago that are still working but the batteries don't last as long now.

 

[reddvltj]

I'll admit to being skeptical at this point. My experience hasn't been good with batteries or them lasting very long so I'm hoping this will be a better experience.

I'm not throwing my air tools away just yet but am hoping for better results. I've been following the tool talk and how others have had good results with their powered tools. Life had gotten in the way before of my buying tools. Last time I'd thought about buying some my refrigerator had gone bad and I needed to replace it.

I'm really hoping these batteries will last longer than the old ones I tried previously. I do have a Dewalt drill & driver set that I got 11 or 12 years ago that are still working but the batteries don't last as long now.

Lithium Ion has been a game changer along with the brushless tech of the tools. The 2 have all but eliminated the need for air tools.

But......
there are trade offs. My 1/2" air impact is lighter than all 3 1/2" cordless impacts we have. (and stronger) takes up less storage toom than it's cordless counterparts, and doesn't give a crap how cold it is outside whether it's being stored or used. I think you'll find cordless ones do care about the cold.

The only real pro I can think of for cordless is no teather. That's it!! Which in and of itself can be a priceless pro. I'd never replace one with the other but I have no qualms having both.

 

[Wildman]

Lithium Ion has been a game changer along with the brushless tech of the tools. The 2 have all but eliminated the need for air tools.

But......
there are trade offs. My 1/2" air impact is lighter than all 3 1/2" cordless impacts we have. (and stronger) takes up less storage toom than it's cordless counterparts, and doesn't give a crap how cold it is outside whether it's being stored or used. I think you'll find cordless ones do care about the cold.

The only real pro I can think of for cordless is no teather. That's it!! Which in and of itself can be a priceless pro. I'd never replace one with the other but I have no qualms having both.

Recently when I was working on my nieces rig my nephew gave me his Dewalt ratchet and it was so big and bulky that I couldn't fit it in some spots. The Milwaukee appears to be slimer so I'm hoping it'll work in more spots.

And YES the cold can always be a issue. But if you're not maintaining your air system you can freeze your lines too.

And yes I agree, I'll enjoy having both but as I said I think in the motorhome while traveling the battery powered tools are a better plan than trying to figure out a air system in the motorhome.

 

[reddvltj]

Recently when I was working on my nieces rig my nephew gave me his Dewalt ratchet and it was so big and bulky that I couldn't fit it in some spots. The Milwaukee appears to be slimer so I'm hoping it'll work in more spots.

And YES the cold can always be a issue. But if you're not maintaining your air system you can freeze your lines too.

And yes I agree, I'll enjoy having both but as I said I think in the motorhome while traveling the battery powered tools are a better plan than trying to figure out a air system in the motorhome.

Definitely!!! Not to mention you have much more available space and available power to keep batteries charged with the MH.
On the trail not so much.

I've been known to pour a little air line antifreeze (in lieu of a water separator) in my OBA supply for winter, regularly drained the tank, and always kept my air tools well oiled with MMO. Water KILLS!!!!

 

[Wildman]

Definitely!!! Not to mention you have much more available space and available power to keep batteries charged with the MH.
On the trail not so much.

I've been known to pour a little air line antifreeze (in lieu of a water separator) in my OBA supply for winter, regularly drained the tank, and always kept my air tools well oiled with MMO. Water KILLS!!!!

I'm still torn on the idea of running battery powered tools on the trail. I would always be worried about keeping the batteries charged.

 

[reddvltj]

I'm still torn on the idea of running battery powered tools on the trail. I would always be worried about keeping the batteries charged.

A 300 watt inverter is all it takes to power a charger... it just takes up more storage space.

 

[Wildman]

A 300 watt inverter is all it takes to power a charger... it just takes up more storage space.

It's when it's sitting for a month or two between trips is what I'm talking about. Where as with a gas chainsaw I just have to remember mixed gas...

It all plays into having to remember stuff. I could keep the batteries topped off in the garage or the MH and then put them into the Jeep when I loaded up for the trail.

 

[reddvltj]

It's when it's sitting for a month or two between trips is what I'm talking about. Where as with a gas chainsaw I just have to remember mixed gas...

It all plays into having to remember stuff. I could keep the batteries topped off in the garage or the MH and then put them into the Jeep when I loaded up for the trail.

I wouldn't leave tools or batteries out where the temp can get below about 40°, so unless you're keeping the MH heated all winter long I wouldn't even leave them in there.

 

[Wildman]

I wouldn't leave tools or batteries out where the temp can get below about 40°, so unless you're keeping the MH heated all winter long I wouldn't even leave them in there.

I'm referring to when I start traveling with the MH. Out boondocking and need to make repairs to the Jeep is what I'm talking about.

 

[Rickyd]

Lithium Ion has been a game changer along with the brushless tech of the tools. The 2 have all but eliminated the need for air tools.

But......
there are trade offs. My 1/2" air impact is lighter than all 3 1/2" cordless impacts we have. (and stronger) takes up less storage toom than it's cordless counterparts, and doesn't give a crap how cold it is outside whether it's being stored or used. I think you'll find cordless ones do care about the cold.

The only real pro I can think of for cordless is no teather. That's it!! Which in and of itself can be a priceless pro. I'd never replace one with the other but I have no qualms having both.

And no big generator/air compressor carted around everywhere so you can use those high cfm air tools. Same with corded tools on jobs with no power

 

[Wildman]

And no big generator/air compressor carted around everywhere so you can use those high cfm air tools. Same with corded tools on jobs with no power

I've got the generator covered on both the MH & Jeep. The Premier Power welder has a 120V outlet but you can't use a variable speed drill. As far as air goes I've used the York to power a lot of my tools but it's slow.
So yes I'd been thinking about having a smaller 30 gallon compressor that I hauled around. Same with a larger generator for powering a welder.
I've got to do a little more investigating and see if the RV generator can do 230 single phase or not.

But yes I agree that the powered tools make more sense 95% of the time.

 

[reddvltj]

And no big generator/air compressor carted around everywhere so you can use those high cfm air tools. Same with corded tools on jobs with no power

Sorry but... You don't need a huge generator and compressor to run air tools....
A York can keep up with impact tools all you need is an aux air tank, and there are other engine driven OBA compressors that put the York to shame, which happen to be not much bigger than a sandin A/C compressor.

 

[Wildman]

Sorry but... You don't need a huge generator and compressor to run air tools....
A York can keep up with impact tools all you need is an aux air tank, and there are other engine driven OBA compressors that put the York to shame, which happen to be not much bigger than a sandin A/C compressor.

You're not running air tools nonstop with a York. I've tried. Not the same as having a 30+ gallon tank to draw off of.
And I carried air tool in my TJ. You just have to stop and let the York catch up & cool off.

 

[reddvltj]

You're not running air tools nonstop with a York. I've tried. Not the same as having a 30+ gallon tank to draw off of.
And I carried air tool in my TJ. You just have to stop and let the York catch up & cool off.

That's why I mentioned an aux air tank, at minimum 5 to 10 gallons. Cranking up the cut out pressure of the pump helps a lot but you need to have the aux tank between the compressor and a pressure regulator to protect the rest of your air system.

 

[Wildman]

That's why I mentioned an aux air tank, at minimum 5 to 10 gallons. Cranking up the cut out pressure of the pump helps a lot but you need to have the aux tank between the compressor and a pressure regulator to protect the rest of your air system.

My cutoff switch is 150 PSI in both my shop compressor & York. It's why I have regulators in the Jeep & the shop.