Later this week, I will be travelling to Milwaukee Tool HQ, where they will show off their latest new tool innovations. The last time I went to a Milwaukee media event, they revealed their new M12 Fuel brushless drills and drivers, along with a slew of other new tools.
I don’t know what Milwaukee has in plans for this year’s new product symposium, but there is a clue. A couple of weeks ago, I received a nicely displayed thumb drive and a riddle:
How will Milwaukee unlock the future of jobsite technology?
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The thumb drive was in the shape of a key. It didn’t fit my computer’s USB port very well, but got me thinking. Maybe it’s tool box related. A modular tool storage system similar to L-Boxxes, Systainers, ToughSystem cases, and T-Stak boxes that I compared in my modular tool box storage system comparison review? Or is that just wishful thinking?
The Knaack DataVault – now that’s what I would consider a mix between tool storage and jobsite technology. But that doesn’t seem what’s down Milwaukee’s alley. Maybe it has something to do with their new ball bearing tool storage system? But what – another new combo with digital enhancements?
Modular tool storage seems like the best bet, but it also seems too simple. How would lockable tool storage play into jobsite technology?
Maybe the lock is electronic. How about an RFID tool control system? It’s something that Stanley dabbled with before abandoning. Maybe Bluetooth connectivity similar to Dewalt’s new Bluetooth-enabled 20V Max Li-ion batteries?
Over at Twitter, Joshua Woods made a comment about how the interlocking system on the new Milwaukee organizer seemed to be “setup for more than organizers.” Yes, I cheated and tried to look at others’ answers for inspiration.
@MilwaukeeTool Can't help but notice the interlocking system looks to be setup for more than organizers. #NPS15 ????? pic.twitter.com/3Z7wrODltO
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— Joshua Woods (@CueBallJoshua) May 20, 2015
Milwaukee responded by saying “Hah! You’re sharp! You’ll just have to keep you eyes peeled!”
Okay, so this maybe this does tie into the idea of a new Milwaukee modular tool storage system. Maybe it’ll consist of a Bluetooth radio as well, or a control panel of some kind?
I give up. What do you think it means? How will Milwaukee unlock the future of jobsite technology?
And what else do you think Milwaukee will announce this week? I’m thinking new levels and layout tools developed in partnership with new acquisition Empire Level, and maybe some hammers? Hopefully the cordless miter saw or 4-in-1 M12 drill/driver similar to the ones that came out overseas last year.
What do you want Milwaukee to come out with? This could be anything – cordless, corded, hand tools, etc. If I had my way, I’d have Milwaukee come out with a TARDIS tool box that’s bigger on the inside. Doctor Who reference aside, I really would like to see what kind of spin Milwaukee would put onto modular tool boxes.
Jason
The Empire level thing makes sense as Home Depot has been clearancing them out.
Patrick
I’m in the market for a cordless OMT and currently eyeing a Bosch MXH180 – but I want Milwaukee to change my mind! I’d like to see them launch a brushless Fuel branded version of their 2626-20 that would better compete in that space.
Chris
The 2626-20 is on clearance at some Home Depot stores for $30.
Maybe they really will come out with an updated version (but for $30 I picked up the current one just to have it!)
Jason
I tried to find that deal around me, but its still full prices for now.
Joel
I’d like to see them release M18 framing and finishing nailers. It’s a very noticeable hole in their lineup as it stands right now.
Luke
+1
Joel
Oh, and since we’re playing the wishful thinking game, I’d love to see a brushless jigsaw, too!
Jon
Brushless jigsaw with barrel grip (lower control point, closer to the work, makes it easier to control and more compact in the toolbox) and ALL tool-less adjustments.
Joseph
I’m going with Bluetooth/NFC locking storage.
Chris
It has to do with the Tools not storage. I’m betting it is a way to lock your tools so they will not power up. So the word gets out there that with out the owners key the tools will not work. This will drive stolen tools now…. What do ya think?
SawdustTX
exactly what I was thinking too. Just like car manufacturers did with car radios a decade or so ago. Without the electronic “key” that the car provides, it’s useless.
KL
Great, the locking thing is not encouraging…er but first let me say Stu THANK YOU for covering this! Please post updates as soon as you know anything while at the event! I want a string trimmer and a cordless inflator! And what’s up w M28 Fuel? I want more M28 Fuel!! (Like a string trimmer!!)
Stuart
You’re welcome!
I don’t have a lot of travel time each year, but when I saw Milwaukee’s schedules has presentations and demos on Day 1 and all-day Day 2, I new I couldn’t miss it. I haven’t been there for 3 years, but didn’t want to miss this one.
I’ll post to social media channels (mainly Twitter) if I can. It probably won’t be much, but I’ll try. You can follow the #NPS15 hashtag on Twitter for continuing media coverage from all outlets, AND I’ll be working with Tools in Action for a constant streaming feed. You’ll need a Twitter account to access the live feed.
KL
I refuse to twit anything but that’s just my thing. I’ll search the fancy information matrix thingie for info.
WBC
Yes, a Milwuakee string-trimmer! Although, I’d prefer a double M18 battery unit, sort of like how Makita does it with their 2x18V batteries in a string trimmer.
Dennis
It’s about time they came out with storage, I really hope that’s it.
Id’ also like to see a M12 pivoting head driver.
Jason. W
I do agree on the time lord tech. can you imagine carrying around a small box but fitting your whole shop inside? One can dream
Jon
Um, sonic screwdriver? Yes, please!
Matt S
I would really like to see an M12 brad nailer.
M. donegan
The problem with tools is that they, as a group, are heavy. And at a job, you’re always, one tool short and 5 tools too many. So what is one to do?
Ed
I would like to see Milwaukee’s take on levels and hammers. I think they will come out with a drywall screwgun. Would love to see some cordless nailers,but I don’t think Milwaukee is interested in the nailer market.
Jimmie
An M12 stapler/pinner or maybe an M12 16ga finish nailer would probaby collect some dollars from me.
Jared Fournier
How about a milwaukee table saw with stand….or some finish nailers….
Matthew
I have been wishing for a Milwaukee table saw for years……… I’d be the first one to buy one that’s for sure
ktash
The riddle: maybe it’s a computerized system to track hours worked via tool use and/or track tools on the jobsite so they don’t get “lost”. This could help with tracking for billing purposes.
ktash
Or maybe track inventory in some way. Home depot pro lets you order and assign your order to a job. Helps figure out costs. documentation. In other words, records are kept automatically as part of the system. Something like that.
Though I like the idea of a systainer/lboxx system personally and hope they do it, it’s not technological.
fred
How about an embedded chip on their power tools that lets you use an app on your smartphone to figure out where the tool is currently located and/or allow the owner to disable the tool if it is stolen .
ktash
Yes, I was thinking about an embedded chip on the power tools as part of the system, but I like the smartphone feature and the ability to disable 🙂
Richard G.
I am still waiting for a nailer, dewalt nailed them all this time on it. I also hope that milwaukee will finally redo their jig saw and make it brushless with staible and straight blade holder. It would be good to have a brusless planer and a sander. And onother thing, maybe they need to hire someone, who will improve an ergonomic for their tool handls? Love max20 dewalt handles, I think they are the best all around. This time I am buying that m18 fan which is coming out, weather is asking for it ))
Carl
I badly need a fuel screwgun, the remodeling version with the two different size tips. And maybe a premium impact driver with more of a slow start. And less noise.
Glenn
Thanks for the opportunity to post what we would like to see.
I would like to see and be able to buy the following.
M12 Inflator .
M12/18 DC only chargers,
M12 Stapler/brad nailer. Along the lines of Ryobi’s P300 specification
M12 Angle grinder,
M12 fan.
Then I can get out of all the remaining 18v gear I have.
RX9
Given that TTI owns both Milwaukee and Ryobi, I imagine that since Ryobi has a few nailers in its system, it would not take much for Milwaukee to add them to its lineup. I suppose Milwaukee is biding their time, using the Ryobi experience and watching the competition. I just hope they don’t wait too long.
Glenn
Agreed, sooner the better haha!
Jay k.
Glenn, you and i think alike…
Glenn
Great minds?????
Nate 818
This kind of info makes me want to yell BURGER BARN!!!
Sparky603
Genius!
Jay k.
I have the bosch 12 v set for the sheet metal shears – debating on buying from toolstop uk for the 12 v drywall gun. Ridgid has a right angled impact, and craftsman nextec had a decent trim saw not to long ago… boy i wish i had one platform! Want everything Glenn said. Also, when I would love to have something simple yet functional – a lunchbox with a place for small handtools and insulated food area that can hold my body weight 195lbs, when i sit on it, yet can lock it closed as well as around some object so i’m not constantly wondering until breaktime… if some jerk is trying to steal my food. M12 soldering iron – just need a butane cartridge. Foldable push carts. A milwaukee cell phone – durable yet tool app related… (still thinking)
Jay k.
Heated gloves,
Jay k.
A cordless printer that can hook up to phone or tablet… in a paperless world we still always need paper…
Jay k.
Cordless watercooler
alien
Taking things back down to earth, I expect them to debut of a M18 miter saw, since this has been available in europe for at least a year. Furthermore, all these companies coming out with their own competing interlocking tool box systems is lame. Tanos Systainers are expensive, but at least they are standardized over multiple brands. I refuse to be locked into any tool “ecosystem,” though this is what Dewalt and Milwaukee are striving to accomplish. I will buy tools based on their strengths, not their brands or what kind of storage box they are in.
Hugh
Agreed
RX9
Sadly, that isn’t going to happen until
1. Battery makers come out with a universal 12v, 20v, and 40v battery pack standard.
2. At least two major power tool manufacturers (not different brands but different companies) adopt those standards.
In other words, we need what happened with SD cards to happen with larger rechargeable batteries.
Hugh
I bet they come out with a cordless planer and a orbital sander both m18.
I would like to see a fuel Jigsaw and a multi-tool. It also would be cool if they made some type of waterproof joinable
tool boxes.
Glenn
An M18 planer was hinted at on Milwaukee Australia’s Facebook page a few months ago. The post disappeared after a couple of days though.
Mizzourob
How about M18 yard tools! DeWalt silently launched 20 volt max string trimmer and leaf blower. Add in a M18 hedge trimmer, and 21″ mower and I’m sold. I’d also like to see an M18 brad nailer and pin nailer. A bonus guess would be a m18 table saw.
Jon
A lot of drywall guys use leaf blowers to blow dust off the walls. Fastest way to finish up. This would be a great addition, and not just for home/yard use.
Senorpablo
Cordless straight and angle die grinders.
KL
Straight ones already exist in all of Milwaukee’s other markets.
Which reminds me, if Milwaukee just announces things like the miter saw and die grinder (ie foreign-market tools which are already out there), that’s GOOD but I’d ALSO like to see truly new tools. I mean if they just delay release here in the US and then slap new packaging on it to sell here a couple years later that’s kinda lame, esp because you know the marketing dept will play it up like, “Look at the brand spankin’-new products we JUST created!”
Pete
I want-
-cordless inflator
-cordless nailers
-cordless miter saw
Basically everything that ryobi already makes!
Oh! And a m12 vaccum that actually sucks hard lol the demo in store was lame. Way less that i imagined, only to suck up dust really. I doubt it would suck metal shavings.
A modular tool system would be cool. Learn from the others and make the best!
I would rather them not do outdoor power equipment. Focus on your current lines!
Glenn
Bit surprised you were not impressed with the M12 vac. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago to use on site and am pretty pleased with it.
We do split system aircon installs, so our mess is usually limited to just gyprock (drywall) dust, smaller bits of masonry debris and dust as well as wiring offcuts and it has done the job well.
Perhaps the store demo had a blocked filter? I have found with all hand vacs, cleaning the filter after each use gives the best performance.
pete
That what i was thinking, that something probably wasn’t working correctly. Although the milwaukee rep was the one who handed me a battery to try to tool.
It’s good to hear that it works for you. Maybe i’ll have to try it out again and make sure that the unit is working correctly. I really want it to work well so i can justify buying one lol.
Dmitry
Brushless version of M18 Multitool 2626 and metal cutting saw 2682 will be good!
Also I would like to see new brushless successor of M18 Jig Saw 2546 which is now quite heavy with crisp plastic.
Storage system is hot topic for everyone – I would agree!
Noah
M12 right angle impact driver
M18 hot melt glue gun
adjustable wrenches
RX9
We need more torque on the m18 right angle impact. Ingersoll has Milwaukee beat by a factor of three on this application.
KL
True! My 2668 never comes out of the box, for me it’s useless.
Mike
What I’d really like to see is an M12 radio/charger with Bluetooth. Drives me nuts that I can get a M12 radio but I still need a charger.
Stuart
Put a charger into anything and it drives up cost not to mention size. It’s more reasonable to fit chargers into 18V-class tools. And there still might have to be a licensing fee to Dewalt as they have a related patent.
Jon
Charging circuits are dirt cheap. Fully programmed circuits with overcharge protection, voltage range detection, and more are available for a couple bucks each on eBay for many battery chemistries and voltage ranges, including shipping from China/Taiwan/HK. That’s buying them one at a time, and paying to ship just one around the world. The circuits in Milwaukee’s chargers aren’t any more complicated. They don’t even have to sing like Makita’s. That simple circuit plus power cord, a few pennies worth of injection-molded plastic, battery electrical contacts, and a couple LEDs, and you have a full charger. Adding that to a bluetooth radio would cost more, yes, but BARELY more while increasing the value far more than the cost of production.
ktash
Did you find the answer to the riddle? Or did I miss it in another post?
Stuart
I know the answer to the riddle. =)
But I signed an NDA and can’t tell you until August 1st. =(
ktash
Ok, thanks for letting us know–that you know and we can’t yet. 😉
John
12 volt 4″ Side Grinder??
Stuart
Nope. Think Bigger.