G P NATIONAL CRANES LTD: Milwaukee Pipeline Ep 3 and 4 Recap: Lighting, PPE, and Cutting

new Milwaukee M18 Fuel Sawzall (courtesy of Milwaukee Tool)

Milwaukee Pipeline, the red tool brand’s virtual product release event, is officially over for 2020. Airing 4 total episodes, Pipeline highlighted many new tool offerings that the company will release over the next several months. Episode 1 saw the release several new M12 and M18 tools (like the M12 23GA pin nailer, updated oscillating multi-tools, several new impact wrenches, and vacuums) and episode 2 featured the expansion of the extremely popular modular storage solution, PACKOUT, and Milwaukee’s first cordless laser lines.

Episodes 3 and 4 focused on new lighting solutions, an expansion of their PPE offerings, and several cutting and drilling solutions and accessories. Let’s get into the highlights:

Updated M18 Fuel Sawzall Reciprocating Saw and Blades

Milwaukee’s Sawzall is one of the pillars of the company’s tool arsenal since they invented the concept decades ago, so I imagine they don’t like the idea of other brands matching their performance. To ensure their reciprocating saw stays on top, they’ve recently released 2 updated saws (available now), one with ONE-KEY and one without.

The new saw will feature several upgrades to improve overall durability and function, including a wear-resistant blade change, anti-corrosion blade clamp, and metal reinforced battery rails. It also delivers 3,000 strokes per minute and a 1-1/4” stroke length.

The release of the new Sawzall also comes with the release of two new blades: The Wrecker with Carbide Teeth and the Torch with Nitrus Carbide. The Wrecker is an all-purpose blade and, paired with carbide, promises much longer life. The Torch with Nitrus Carbide is meant for thick and difficult metals, like black pipe, cast iron, and stainless steel. The wrecker is available now and the Torch with Nitrus Carbide will be released in March 2020.

M18 Top-Off 175W Power Supply

Milwaukee has always had a variety of different power supply adapters for it’s M12 and M18 batteries, but the Top-Off takes that concept to the next level. It features an AC 120V outlet, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port, allowing users to charge up to 3 devices at once.

The M18 Top-Off is available now for $99.

M18 Fuel 14” Abrasive Chop Saw

Estimated Release: 2021

Framing contractors working with steel studs may be excited about the future release of this M18 Fuel 14” Abrasive Chop Saw. Boasting the same power as a 15A corded model, the saw provides up to 200 cuts in 3-5/8” 20-gauge steel studs on a single 12.0ah battery.

The saw also features a sub-3 second blade brake, tool free blade change, and tool free blade adjustment.

The 14” Abrasive Chop Saw will be available in 2021 with a price tag of $399.

Lighting Solutions

Milwaukee is, objectively, the undisputed king of cordless jobsite lighting. They offer so many different lighting options for any application, that I’m surprised every time they release another new light. On episode 2, Milwaukee announced the release of a new PACKOUT compatible light/charger, which is available now, but in episode 4, they announced even more new lighting solutions.

M18 Rocket Tower Light/Charger

Release: Available now

Milwaukee released the original version of this versatile light a couple years ago, but the 2nd generation version boasts some impressive updates. Many of the useful features remain the same, including the 3 multi-directional, pivoting heads and the ability to set it up in a few seconds, but the new light also doubles the lumen output versus the original to 6,000.

I’ve had the opportunity to use the new rocket light for the past couple of weeks and it’s been extremely useful. As it can expand up to 7 feet, it reduces shadows, and its multi-directional heads allow for simultaneous ambient light and task lighting, depending on your needs.

The M18 Rocket Tower Light is available now for $399 bare tool or $599 kitted with an 8.0ah battery.

M18 Rover Dual Power Flood Light (2366-20)

Estimated release: early 2021

For a more portable task lighting option, Milwaukee also announced the M18 Rover Dual Power Floor Light. Delivering 4,000 lumens of output, a pivoting head, 3 floodlight modes, and IP54 rating, and 12 hours of runtime on a XC5.0 battery. The light can also be plugged into a 120V extension cord for unlimited runtime.

The new M18 Rover will retail for $149

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

At Milwaukee’s 2019 New Product Symposium, the company announced their new line of PPE products, including hard hats, safety vests, safety glasses, hearing protection, and a large expansion of their line of work gloves. At this year’s Pipeline, Milwaukee announced even more safety products.

Hard Hats and Accessories

A key differentiator to Milwaukee’s hard hats is their BOLT accessory ports, allowing users to quickly mount things like lights and shields securely to the head protection. The expansion of hard hats maintains those 6 accessory slots, but the company now offers the hard hats in 6t ratcheting versus their previous 4pt ratcheting model, which provides additional impact resistance. Available in both Class C and Class E, the hard hats will be offered in 8 colors: white, gray, black, red, orange, yellow, green and blue.

The company will also offer a type 2 rated helmet with the accessory ports (available in June 2021) and a hard hat lanyard (available now).

Knee Pads

Launching in early 2021, Milwaukee will offer 5 different knee pads;

A Free-Flex Knee Pad (48-73-6000) for light weight comfort
Hard Cap Gel Knee Pad (48-73-6010) for more durability
Performance Knee Pad (48-73-6030) for maximum comfort
Non-Marring Knee Pad (48-73-6040) for use on sensitive surfaces
Stabilizer Performance Knee Pad (48-73-6050) for the most security with maximum comfort.

Safety Vests

Also launching in early 2021 are 5 new safety vests:
Class 3 High Visibility Safety Vest (48-73-5148)
Class 2 High Visibility Mesh Safety Vest (48-73-5111)
Class 3 High Visibility Mesh Safety Vest (48-73-5131)
Class 2 Breakaway High Visibility Mesh Safety Vest (48-73-5121 to 48-73-5128)
Class 2 Surveyor’s High Visibility Safety Vest (48-73-5161 to 48-73-5168)

Additional Safety Items

In addition to the hard hats, knee pads, and safety vests above, Milwaukee is also releasing a variety of different colored and magnified safety glasses, a retractable lanyard, banded ear plugs, and face masks, all launching in early 2021.