The folks at Milwaukee have been very busy over the past few years; currently it looks like they have as many as 30 different tools in the M12 line that didn’t exist at all 3 years ago. We have already talked about many of these new products after our recent trip to Milwaukee a few months ago. A few to mention again which are either just now out or coming very soon (before the holidays I’m told) would include: M12 ProPex Expansion Tools, M12 Palm Nailer, M12 Hammer Drill, M12 Oscillating Multi-tool & M12 heated Jacket all of which you can order from Ohio Power Tool at Milwaukee M12.
The newest items we got to see for the first time at the show from Milwaukee were from their full line of rotary hammer drills. A few years ago Milwaukee discontinued many of their older SDS-Plus, SDS-Max and Spline drills. Currently there are really only a few models and no spline drive hammers to speak of, which is pretty funny because they are apparently the second most popular brand of Hammer Drill Bits & Accessories. In 2011 it looks like Milwaukee will correct this by adding a Spline, 1-9/16” (most popular size), SDS-Max 1-9/16”, SDS-Plus D Handle 7/8” (think Bosch Bulldog), SDS-Plus 5/8” as well as an M18 cordless SDS-Plus 7/8” hammer. We haven’t seen any specs yet but we were told to expect these tools to be category leaders with anti-vibration integrated on all of these units.
Milwaukee Tool also had a nice get together at the hotel after the show where we got to meet the UFC champion Cain Velasquez who seemed like a really nice guy for someone who could end your life in a matter of seconds. The only thing that might have been more popular than him at the party was the 20+ M12 Heated Jackets they raffled off, as the event was on an outside patio and it got cold later on in the night. Personally we can’t wait to give it a thorough testing/review at the upcoming OSU vs Michigan football game the week after next, so keep an eye out for that post.
