[RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
Ray Walters
ray at solarray.com
Wed Nov 30 10:05:55 PST 2016
I get the torque wrench out occasionally to check, especially if using
some new hardware with different specs. However on a daily basis, I
generally do it by feel. I have come across an amazing number of over
and under torqued connections over the years, though, so it really is an
issue for all of us to watch out for. Even though I'm not toting a
torque wrench up on the roof, I still hand tighten the final half turn
on all connections, to make sure they are right. I don't run a big crew
anymore, but I could see the advantage in having pre-programmed settings
for the new people.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 11/29/2016 2:01 PM, Kirk Herander wrote:
>
> My strategy is to have several spares in a multi-bay charger, and
> change out when the battery reads 50% (2 bars). Subjective, I know,
> but we are talking in-lbs when tightening rack hardware, not ft-lbs.
> Anyway, I’ll report back to the list once I get my programmable M18’s
> and try it out.
>
> And I’m curious, how many of us actually use a torque wrench on the
> job with any regularity, be it rack or electrical connections? I have
> never seen an everyday electrician use one, even on serious industrial
> work in a tightly controlled jobsite. Every lug, connector, fastener
> has a recommended torque. I think we all have seen the damage heat
> causes as the result of a loose connection.
>
> The last commercial system I did, a third party was hired to audit the
> PV work. It was on the checklist to spot check torques. I have been
> spot-checking torque ever since.
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]
> *On Behalf Of *Ray Walters
> *Sent:* Tuesday, November 29, 2016 1:14 PM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
>
> I own the M18, and the power varies noticeably with discharge, and
> also with higher amp hour packs. My drill screams with a 5 AH pack!
> I agree its less of a drop with discharge than with lead acid or
> NiiCad, but its still enough to make torque settings inaccurate.
>
>
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
>
> On 11/29/2016 10:32 AM, Kirk Herander wrote:
>
> M18 lithium batteries deliver full power until they are almost
> fully discharged. I doubt it’s an issue.
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
> *Glenn Burt
> *Sent:* Monday, November 28, 2016 8:59 PM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
>
> Most battery powered ‘torque’ settings change as the batteries are
> depleted.
>
> Do they say that this is not so for this model?
>
> -Glenn
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]
> <mailto:[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]> *On
> Behalf Of *Kirk Herander
> *Sent:* Monday, November 28, 2016 12:39 PM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
>
> As I understand it, there are 4 buttons on the drill, each can be
> programmed to one of 10 torque levels through the app. And yes the
> torque levels are 1 – 10, not torque values. For example, tighten
> an L-foot to a scrap piece of rail at each torque increment,
> measuring after with a torque wrench, til you have the values of
> each increment. Then program the drill buttons to your most often
> spec’ed torques, and you’re done. Just press one of the four
> buttons on the drill to get the required torque. The values are
> set in the drill even with battery removed.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiX8HPqXitQ
>
> Here’s one of the videos of how the app works. Anyway I need a new
> M18 driver, so I just ordered one. I will see about practicality
> in our trade.
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of
> *Dan Fink
> *Sent:* Sunday, November 27, 2016 11:51 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
>
> I thought the idea of being to preset torque RPM settings from the
> app was good, my reasoning being have one impact set (by the boss,
> behind password) for installing racking lags, another set more
> delicately for mounting equipment, etc, but watched one of their
> videos and the torque is not calibrated to in-lbs, it's like a
> range of 1-4, and the app lets you do a 2-1/2 for example. The
> actual torque is up to you to figure out.....so you still need
> calibrated hand torque wrenches.
>
> Not enough to make me switch brands (that would be super
> expensive)....and I'm not sure I like the idea of adding
> complicated electronics to a really simple, reliable tool.
>
>
> Dan Fink
>
> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
>
> IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
>
> ~ PV Installation Professional
>
> ~ Small Wind Installer
>
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
>
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
> 970.672.4342 <tel:970.672.4342>
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 27, 2016 at 8:17 AM, William Dorsett
> <wmdorsett at sbcglobal.net <mailto:wmdorsett at sbcglobal.net>> wrote:
>
> Pardon my ignorance but what would be the purpose of a smart phone
> app for a cordless drill? It’s not like we’d be using it
> hands-free anyway. You can imagine being up on a ladder, drilling
> with one hand and adjusting at the same time with the smart phone?
> Sounds like a bad mismatch.
>
> Bill Dorsett
>
> Manhattan, KS
>
> *From:*RE-wrenches
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> <mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of
> *Christopher Warfel
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 26, 2016 10:12 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Milwaukee M18 one key tools
>
> Don't tell me this, I just bought Dewalt tools. ahhh
>
> On 11/22/2016 11:21 AM, Kirk Herander wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Anyone out there invested in these tools yet? Looks
> interesting. Amongst other things, you can custom program the
> cordless drill to various speeds and torques using a smart
> phone app.
>
> *Kirk Herander*
>
> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC *
>
> */Celebrating our 25^th Anniversary 1991-2016/*
>
> *www.vermontsolarnow.com <http://www.vermontsolarnow.com>*
>
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> NABCEP^TM 2003 Inaugural Certificant
>
> VT RE Incentive Program Partner
>
> 802.863.1202 <tel:802.863.1202>
>
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