Beware buying power tools on Amazon...

[LarryM]

My wife is gifting me a Milwaukee 3/8 Electric Impact this year so a few weeks ago I ordered one off Amazon (considerably cheaper than Home Depot). It arrived wrapped in a couple layers of bubble wrap and placed in a paper envelope. No box, no warranty card. I immediately returned it and two weeks later my account was credited the $197.

Now when I go back on Amazon and search for the same tool, it doesn't give a price but instead has a link to "see all buying options". The sellers listed on that link all have 4 star ratings or below. It looks pretty shady. I suspect many of them are selling used tools, warranty returns, demos, etc.; that's why they're able to sell them so cheap.

I decided to order one off HD's website and it arrived the next day, packaged in its original box. I paid about $40 more than I did at Amazon but at least I know I got a brand new, genuine Milwaukee tool from a reputable seller. Small difference in price to pay for a tool that will probably outlast me.

[Mike W.]

Amazon buying 101. You always have to look at who you're buying it from. Not that third parties are necessarily bad, but they might be, might have radically different return policies, shipping charges, delivery times, all of it. Read the fine print and remember, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Now Milwaukee is probably ok, even if it isn't what it used to be when I was an apprentice, dinosaurs walked the land and cordless tools weren't even a wet dream in designers minds, much of their stuff is just on a par with Harbor Frieght, everyones favorite tool store they love to rag about. If you're using it everyday, get the good stuff. If you're a weekend warrior, you might get a lot of bang for the buck, but might end up like my pic below, which I did fix and is going strong.

[LarryM]

The seller of the Milwaukee impact I purchased had almost 1200 ratings with 4.8 stars. Despite researching previous buyers' experiences, which I always do, they still sent me something packaged as if they're working out of a back alley garage. You just never know.

Interesting comment about Milwaukee vs. Harbor Freight. I happen to live a few miles from HF's headquarters and flagship store, and they've been my source for low-cost, basic items (clamps, face masks, nitrile gloves, hammers, simple hand tools...). A few years ago they were having one of their big sales and I bought an "Earthquake" 1/2" drive electric impact with charger, battery and a nice plastic storage case for just over $200. It's rated at 1200 ft. lbs. torque and has already paid for itself in spades with several suspension jobs. There's a YouTube video comparing it to an equivalent Milwaukee 1/2" impact and their performance was very similar. However, when they disassembled both products to analyze the quality of the internal components they discovered a few weaknesses in the Earthquake; mostly in that the way it was designed, it couldn't be repaired after some of the internal contacts wore out whereas the Milwaukee's contacts were easily replaceable.

HF no longer sells the Earthquake products or the dedicated batteries they require, so when one or both of them fails the tool will be useless. That's one good argument for buying an established brand like Milwaukee that's more committed to long-term support of their products. HF is basically just a marketing company. Still pretty good for tools that don't have any moving parts though; I think their new "Icon" line of sockets and other hand tools is pretty good and comparable in quality to most anything else out there at their price point. As you said nothing is as well built as the tools from 40-50 years ago (I still have some made-in-USA Craftsman tools...the ones that some thieves fortunately missed when looting my garage in the '80s). But I have to admit cordless electrics, regardless of the quality, are pretty handy.

[Mike W.]

OK, sounds like you did do your homework.

I'm neutral/plus on Harbor, more plus when the had so much free stuff, I've got around 8, 25' tape measures scattered everywhere, but down to 2 or 3 free DMMs, I'm running low. I have at times felt like I've gotten much more than I've paid for. Occasionally not so much.

Batteries. Check, you never know on Amazon again, or ebay, but ebay is likely to be used. And depending on the price/value etc of what you need a battery for... build it. I've got a couple of old Craftsman 12V cordless tools with NLA batteries. I got an 18V battery from Harbor, managed to fit the appropriate number of cells in there and it works! Actually better than new, it holds a charge for months instead of a couple of weeks. Not my main cordless tools, but something that comes in handy every once in a while. I am a little nuts on DIY though.

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[vinceg101]

I can't add anything more than what you two have already discussed, but I have always followed the working trades when it came to choosing power tools. Back in my woodshop days in school, two tools stood up to the constant 24/7 abuse of a student woodshop: the Porter-Cable 690 Speedbloc sander and the Bosch 1587VS Jigsaw. I witnessed first-hand how these stood up to the worst environment possible and kept coming back for more. I bought a pair of these when I got out of school (when I could afford them) and still have them today after nearly 33 years.

Cordless tools have been a mixed bag and while handy, the earlier generations of NiCad batteries have been more trouble than they are worth. I have countless older Porter-Cable 12v & 14.4v drills, Craftsman C3 19.2v tools with a mountain of dead batteries and chargers. There was a time that it was cheaper to buy a whole new kit (tool, battery, charger) than a replacement battery, so that's how I ended up with numerous PC drills (this was before PC's demise as the original independent company, folding into the Stanley-Black & Decker corp and subsequent loss in quality). Most of the professional builders and cabinet makers I worked with swore off cordless tools for this reason.

Lithium (LiO) batteries came around and seemed to be the answer to everyone's prayers in regards to cordless tools. Lighter, more powerful, faster charging, and most importantly, longer charges. I bought into the Craftsman C3 platform only after they were on their way out. Their 1/2" 19.2v Impact driver is a workhorse and supplants my pneumatic impacts when it comes to wheel changes. I still have a work light and small vacuum that are indispensable shop tools here at home.

Getting back to following the pros, I can't help but notice that there are really only two cordless tool brands on every jobsite: DeWalt and Milwaukee. Mostly the 18v platform, but it depends on the actual trades. It was amazing to see the mix of either red & black or yellow & black pack-it box systems strewn around a recent jobsite; it was similar to the Ford vs. Chevy truck debate as each had their cult followers. Both tool systems are incredible and can take the abuse of modern construction sites.

I have migrated to the Milwaukee M12 system and haven't looked back (after a brief dabble with the more limited Bosch 12v drill which is now at my parent's house). They are light (something my wife appreciates), small enough to get into tight spaces, powerful, plentiful and can sit on my bench for a month without losing charge. The variety of tools for the M12 and their larger M18 system is boggling and keep growing every season as are the variety of batteries for each. I am confident that Milwaukee will be around for a long time as will their current M systems so warranty issues, batteries, replacement parts, etc will be plentiful for decades to come.

[jayjaya29]

Amazon is not a certified seller of Milwaukee tools, hence your experience. The tool was probably legit. There have been some comparisons on youtube between a tool bought from Home Depot and off Amazon and it was the same tool.

[Shawn D.]

I have migrated to the Milwaukee M12 system and haven't looked back (after a brief dabble with the more limited Bosch 12v drill which is now at my parent's house). They are light (something my wife appreciates), small enough to get into tight spaces, powerful, plentiful and can sit on my bench for a month without losing charge. The variety of tools for the M12 and their larger M18 system is boggling and keep growing every season as are the variety of batteries for each. I am confident that Milwaukee will be around for a long time as will their current M systems so warranty issues, batteries, replacement parts, etc will be plentiful for decades to come.

I am not quite a fanboi, but have decided to stick with Milwaukee. Mostly M18, as I wanted to minimize the variety of batteries, so I didn't get any M12 until I got the M12 Pruning Shears (which are awesome).

Where I wish I'd had an M12 is with the oscillating tool, which I have in M18. I got it to do a lot of overhead work, and it can get tiring holding it up working on a ceiling/joists.

[stuartinmn]

I think it often comes down to the old saying, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." I've read plenty of stories where people have attempted to purchase tools from sites that are offering them for much less than retail, only to receive a used tool or nothing at all.

[Mike W.]

I am not quite a fanboi, but have decided to stick with Milwaukee. Mostly M18, as I wanted to minimize the variety of batteries, so I didn't get any M12 until I got the M12 Pruning Shears (which are awesome).

Where I wish I'd had an M12 is with the oscillating tool, which I have in M18. I got it to do a lot of overhead work, and it can get tiring holding it up working on a ceiling/joists.

Assuming it's got a lithium battery, just imagine what it would be with a NiCad. It should feel lighter just thinking about it.

[vinceg101]

Assuming it's got a lithium battery, just imagine what it would be with a NiCad. It should feel lighter just thinking about it.

I think that has been the most revolutionary development in cordless tools, those smaller 2.0v lithium batteries (like those in the M12 system) seem too small to take seriously, but they really pack a lot of punch. Of course they have larger 6.0v versions which increase the 'footprint' of the tool but are ideal for things light work lights, impact tools and recip saws (I have the small M12 recip saw that I use for tree/shrub pruning alot for which it's ideal).

Getting back to the OP's issues: as stated, standard rules of thumb about purchases holds true. I have had some success with M12 battery and a few tool purchases through ebay (as long as you stick with NIB items with actual photos of the them). Likewise with lesser success on local Craigslist listings. At least with both of these you get to see what you're buying up front (mostly).

[bert poliakoff]

I buy a lot of stuff on Amazon as it is returnable. But look at Amazon reviews. Almost everything they have listed has a 4.5 rating and something is off there

[Notae30]

My wife is gifting me a Milwaukee 3/8 Electric Impact this year so a few weeks ago I ordered one off Amazon (considerably cheaper than Home Depot). It arrived wrapped in a couple layers of bubble wrap and placed in a paper envelope. No box, no warranty card. I immediately returned it and two weeks later my account was credited the $197.

Now when I go back on Amazon and search for the same tool, it doesn't give a price but instead has a link to "see all buying options". The sellers listed on that link all have 4 star ratings or below. It looks pretty shady. I suspect many of them are selling used tools, warranty returns, demos, etc.; that's why they're able to sell them so cheap.

I decided to order one off HD's website and it arrived the next day, packaged in its original box. I paid about $40 more than I did at Amazon but at least I know I got a brand new, genuine Milwaukee tool from a reputable seller. Small difference in price to pay for a tool that will probably outlast me.

ohio power tool gives good deals/ or northern tools

[Blue Shadow]

150 tools in the M12 catalog and more added all the time.

I'm in the old school air tool camp. Couldn't go the NiCd route because infrequent use left batteries in need of a charge and less work now means I don't need M12 or such gear, yet. And for work around the house it is way cheaper to get an air tool than most M12 options.

[Mike W.]

150 tools in the M12 catalog and more added all the time.

I'm in the old school air tool camp. Couldn't go the NiCd route because infrequent use left batteries in need of a charge and less work now means I don't need M12 or such gear, yet. And for work around the house it is way cheaper to get an air tool than most M12 options.

I think most of us, certainly myself, are talking about cordless tools around the house or on a jobsite. I've got air in the garage, but I'm not draggin' an air hose thru the house upstairs to drill to mount a shelf. Never had a ton of air tools, but I think the only ones I still use are the impact wrench and paint sprayers. My D/A died, it was an air hog anyway, so now I've got an electric (not battery) one from HF that works pretty well and never runs out of air. I've got a 3/8 impact and a ratchet impact, but I never use them.

But on battery I've got 2 or 3 drills, an impact, usually good for tires but not always, a sawzall, a baby skill saw, a right angle drill and I use everything a ton except for the right angle drill. Craftsman C3 has been great to me.

[Blue Shadow]

When George moved out of the neighborhood I picked up his compressor that will run a D/A just fine, replacing a big Craftsman oilless. I can stand near the big one and have a conversation, the Sears job drove you outta the garage.

I was thinking of asking for an M12 drill and driver kit from Ace they had on sale for cheap before Christmas. Mighta been a good start. My drills have cords and just seem to work when I need em. Maybe I need to have, I mean do more projects.

[vinceg101]

I was thinking of asking for an M12 drill and driver kit from Ace they had on sale for cheap before Christmas. Mighta been a good start. My drills have cords and just seem to work when I need em. Maybe I need to have, I mean do more projects.

Milwaukee's M systems are really ideal for both the tradesman and serious DIY'er. After decades of cordless tools getting larger and larger (and heavier and heavier), I really appreciated the smallness of the new LiO generation of cordless tools. My only real complaint against the M10 system (and probably the M18 system is similar) is the battery design. Getting them out of the tool sometimes takes two hands and depending on the tool, pinching those side clips to get it out is a real PITA. Milwaukee really could have designed that better. The nice thing about the small 2.0v batteries is you can drop one in a coat pocket or even two in a tool belt and not really feel the weight or size of them. You could never say that about an old NiCad battery.
If you buy a drill kit, make sure it's the 1/2" Fuel version vs. the standard 3/8"; I have both because they came out with the 1/2" drive after I bought into the system and it's the 1/2" drive is the only one I use at the shop. Their tire inflator/pump is also invaluable; I almost never turn on the compressor for tire checks anymore.

Do it. You won't regret it.