Milwaukee Tool introduced equipment at its annual New Product Symposium on June 7. PHC News attended the trade media exclusive event with more than 80 new tools on display. These are our top 10 picks.

Drum machines, drain cables and drain snakes — oh my!

One of the biggest highlights was the new line of cordless drain-cleaning equipment powered by the company’s M12 and M18 FUEL platforms – the M18 FUEL Sectional Drum Machine; M12 AirSnake and the new addition to its M18 FUEL Drain Snake. For good measure, the company also highlighted a line of rust-resistant cables. All these new products will be available in October.

• M18 FUEL Sectional Drum Machine

Almost 75 percent of the time spent on secondary drain line jobs is in the preparation for the job, and then packing all equipment back up. The M18 FUEL Sectional Drum Machine aims to change all that through the use of an interchangeable drum that allows users to select the right cable for the job, the ability to backpack transport the entire unit (including the ability to separate the drum from the machine to lighten the weight), and an electronic drum break so users can react faster when the cable starts to bind up in a pipe.

• M12 AirSnake Drain Cleaning Air Gun

The first cordless alternative in pipe cleaning tools, the M12 AirSnake Drain Clearing Air Gun drastically changes the way users clear grease clogs, slow drains, and other non-retrieval clogs. The tool is the first cordless version on the market to use compressed air to flush away clog build-up. Completely cable-free, the tool allows for fast setup time and no disassembly of fixtures, drain covers and p-traps. With a 0-50 variable PSI gauge, the tool can instantly reach clogs 35 feet out. 

• M18 FUEL Drain Snake with CABLE-DRIVE Locking Feed System

Building off Milwaukee's current M12 Drain Snake, the M18 FUEL Drain Snake represents the next level in performance for hand-held units by offering more power, cable drive locking feed system, and zero drum contact. With two times more power than corded, it boasts a max power of 50-feet down the line and is the first brushless drain cleaner. The CABLE-DRIVE Locking Feed System is the only automatic cable feed system that allows users to select and maintain a desired feed speed.

• Milwaukee Rust-Resistant
Drain Cables

Milwaukee Tool's new line of drain cables will focus on a fundamental user frustration that hasn't been directly addressed for years: cable corrosion. Protected by a new-to-world rust resistant plating, these drain cables will change the way users look at cable life. When it comes to performance, these cables will  have the flexibility to maneuver bends and maintain  strength to clear tough clogs.

ONE-KEY Update

Now with more than 38,000 tool applications and 500,000 daily location updates, ONE-KEY functionality continues to grow and provide more value across all Bluetooth-enabled tools. Coming this fall, is its Places Management Tool. Users can use this tool for geofencing, job metrics, receiving alerts and notifications. ONE-KEY will also simplify the way locations get set up and managed as well as add more features to Tool Tracking that will enable a user to view location history and get directions to a specific tool location. 

TICK

This location and asset manager keeps track of equipment and tools in real-time. Anyone who has ever had to juggle multiple jobsites, misplaced a tool, or experienced theft will find this tracker helpful. A single lost or damaged tool on a jobsite can increase the time spent completing a task by over 30 percent. The TICK can be easily attached and hidden from sight on any product, regardless of brand, providing users an invaluable way to track anything in their inventory through the ONE-KEY app. The app updates whenever any tracker comes within 100 feet range and refreshes every five seconds.

Ratcheting Pipe Cutter

Milwaukee Tool really stepped it up to improve HVAC and plumber hand tools. The 1-5/8- and 2-3/8-inch Ratcheting Pipe Cutters have been engineered with the blade durability needed to deliver straight and easy cuts in PVC, CPVC, PEX, rubber hose, and ABS. A durable stainless steel blade has been designed with a pierce point that penetrates the pipe instead of crushing or cracking it. It can handle up to 4,000 cuts, saving time and money for blade replacement. The company has been focusing on ergonomics and tool safety, providing a more comfortable handle design for extended use. The handles can be locked closed with one hand.

M18 Compact Heat Gun

The M18 Compact Heat Gun reaches operational temperature in half the time and delivers the same max temperature as corded solutions, as well as the portability advantages of the M18 system with a compact profile, the M18 Compact Heat Gun offers superior productivity to the user. Altogether, the power of cordless, the high-performance heating coil, and the compact size allow users to heat connections quickly anywhere, anytime.

PACKOUT

The PACKOUT Modular Storage System allows boxes, organizers and totes of multiple sizes and configurations to easily stack and lock together. An intuitive and quick attachment mechanism gives users the freedom to stack and lock PACKOUT tool boxes, organizers, and totes of different sizes in numerous configurations. The customizable system will consist of eight products — three tool boxes, two organizers and three storage totes. The storage system will be available in September.

M18 Short Throw Press Tool w/PEX Crimp Jaws

M18 Short Throw Press Tool with PEX Crimp Jaws, optimized for residential installations, delivers a force optimized for PEX installation and eliminates downtime caused by calibration intervals. Many users working on PEX systems have pressed manually with bulky, tedious hand tools, or invested in hydraulic press tools designed to press metals. This press tool enables the installer to press with just one hand. The tool has a 3-second cycle time, and the ability to press 400 1-inch connections on a single charge.

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