I love my M12. It struggles on thick wires 10G but it doses the job and won’t go out like a butane Get rosin flux paste and 60/40 tin lead solder. it makes solder joints on wires a lot easier. Looks like a pro every time. No more globes of solder sucks right in
I just bought that couple of weeks ago and I’m sick and tired of dragging my cord all the way to my driveway hust to solder few wires and butt connectors and that Milwaukee works great and handy!
I love my Milwaukee only issue I’ve had is when tip is installed and it gets dropped from a small height the heating element breaks. Top tip when storing is remove the tip to prevent this happening
I use mine like crazy, love it way better than any gas one. No switches failing, no burning wires that are next to the one you’re working on. Battery last way longer if just left on. It kills batteries if you keep turning off and on due to it having to get up to temp. Each time
Cool review Clay you should do more like it. I have had this tool since it came out and it's awesome. I've repaired countless dump truck and tractor tail lights with this tool. Be careful though the tip inside is ceramic and will break if you're not careful. Overall it's a really good tool
I've been through a couple of these. It's mainly used for soldering small connection for LED tape light. I absolutely love the convenience of the tool, it beats having a cord. I do however use the XC batteries, as it allows the tool to stand upright and remain sturdy. Overtime, the GF reinforced plastic does start to loosen up on the tip, and it warrants replacement. Otherwise, sweet tool, and great video!
Said it before and I’ll say it again, Aussie Irons are the absolute BEST battery operated irons on the market. Only thing is due to pandemic crap the only US distributor I know of cannot get them in for the foreseeable future. Hot enough to melt solder in 3 seconds, battery lasts me 4-5 days of heavy use and I’ve used it to solder 12awg wires together with no issues. Milwaukee is my backup. Doing remote starter installs all winter long means I’m soldering all day every day so having an interchangeable battery is nice vs. lithium rechargeable in the Aussie Iron.
I love mine. Plus I cover the tip with a plastic bolt end cover to keep it both clean and safe from poking anything. But it would be bad to turn it on while in place. I use the bolt end covers for pliers too. Especially the spring loaded ones.
Great video Clay! I just got mine yesterday. I won it at a local auction here in Kansas and It came with a battery, charging station and the iron for $70.00. I've used it twice today and love it.
That took a long time to solder that connection? I have a pistol type electric soldering gun that would flow that joint in probably 10 seconds including warm up . It looked like it barely melted the solder ?
Be nice to see Milwaukee make a v2 of this that has a faster heat up time and actually gets to advertised temp. Call it a “fuel” and charge an extra 20-30 for it and I’m all in.
Best way that I solder is a power probe with a torch and a heat shield on lowest heat solder in tight spots and done in 10 seconds. I use to solder and another tech told me your wasting time and butane. Never looked back and so dang fast now. Only down fall sometimes it burns a little insulation but heat tube or tape covers that up. I solder every single day for many hours. This is only way to go still use the same power probe for over 2 years and dont need tips at all.
Ok unscrew the tip off of the soldering iron place the moon shape heat shield over the area were the solder tip would be. Turn the butane level in the middle just to ignite after igniting lower heat all the way. Place wire between the heat shield and torch keep in mind that the back of heat shield gets hot so dont touch that part to anything. The solder will melt fast within 10 seconds. I usually heat the wire up for 5 seconds then add the solder. Keep the heat on the wire until it looks good ( were the solder melts into the braid of the wire no balls of solder).for me 10 seconds on average per wire from start to finish.
Great detailed video … I’m still undecided on buying one due to the light duty nature … one comment on your heat test and maybe why it didn’t reach 750 degrees … by clipping an alligator clip to the probe, the clip itself becomes a heat sink slowing down the temperature rise of the tip compared to a tip with nothing touching it … I’m sure Milwaukee meant 750 degrees with nothing touching the tip to drain off heat … but then of course how does one measure the temperature without touching the tip? I’m not sure … but this is meant to be constructive and not critical of your excellent work … much appreciated.
Tyler Boyd the insulated alligator clip couldn’t affect it because I had the wire that measures the temp directly on the probe. If anything it should help the temp being in direct contact with it. The alligator clip was nothing more than something to hold it against it
I have the m12 drill/ driver 3/8 stubby, 3/8 ratchet. I just picked up a rotary tool with the battery combo at home depot and after one day use the chuck that holds the bit in already broke. I don't know how this happened but I was pretty disappointed.
Can you try it again using a larger battery? Most of the M12 tools are shitty when using the smaller batteries (3 cells), and a heating element isn't exactly a small load.
I have the Power Probe butane soldering iron. Heats up quick and has different fittings with the kit. It also can be used as a torch for heat shrink. So it’s a torch and a soldering iron all in one. Pretty cool tool.
Good review. I went with ryobi cordless iron and soldering station because i do not have milwalkee battery platforms. Direct tools had the ryobi cordless iron for 20 no including the battery and 40 for the soldering station no battery which was hybrid. Battaery and plug,in the wall. Do no have any Milwaukee cordless my battery plaforms are memards, ryobi 3/8 air line and plug in the wall. Great video and review Milwaukee makes great tools keep the videos coming.
Nice, but how hard/easy is it to get replacement tips without going to Amazon. Lowes and Home Depot both sell soldering irons but do not carry spare tips...go figure...
I have been thinking about buying one of these for quick jobs. I have seen the reviews where the plastic screw-on end cap melts for some people. If I do get one, I may design up a 3D printed end cap made out of a more heat resistant resin to prevent that problem. Have you seen these reviews where that cap melts? If so, did you feel any real heat in that area in your testing? Think it could be a problem? I imagine it is really an issue only if you use it for a long periods and it allows the heat to transfer further down into the handle over time. Anyway, I am in the M12 platform already so would like to try one so that may be my fix if it truly is an issue.
@@KoonTrucking Yeah, the Milwaukee website for this tool has as many 1 star reviews as 3,4, and 5 combined. lol All from that plastic melting. Without seeing it, I can't tell for sure what all melts. If it is just that screw-on piece only, that could be a simple fix with a little high temp resin part made up. Only $80 so may just have to take the plunge and check it out. Thanks
I have no idea about the Matco when I showed it on the video that was the first time I had ever seen it. If you are thinking of cost I guarantee you Milwaukee will be less expensive and I didn’t even ask the price of the Matco
Just bought 1 this week, cornwell has them on sale this month and if you buy the 2 pack of m12 batteries you get the solder gun for free. Hopefully I can try mine soon, good video as usual!
I'd use something else to measure the temperature such as an IR thermometer. You're using some of that power to heat up the alligator clip and plastic resulting in lost heat and a potentially inaccurate reading.
NOTE: After a lot of research on the M12 solder iron, buyer beware: Anything over 3ah CP batteries and ~10 min of run time will start to deteriorate and melt the housing cap of the solder wand. There are literally hundreds of 1 star reviews claiming this issue, rendering this device useless after only a few months of use. That said, I am still buying one, but limiting my usage to ~10 min on before cooldown and only using compact batteries. One guy I found did this consistently and was able to put hundreds of hours of use on this device over the course of several years. God bless!
Forgetting the Gas is no different than forgetting to charge the spare battery. Comparing it as such is silly in my opinion. I ALWAYS have a can of butane in the tool Box. The Tool may be great but in no way would it ever be better that the butane Iron! If you don't think so, you simply do not know how to properly use a butane Iron. For instance, the exhaust port in my Portasol is perfect for shrinking heat shrink tubing!! Let's see if the milwaukee can do that. And to say it heats up faster?? Again do some research on other Soldering solutions!! The Portersol would not have taken that long to melt the solder on that wire you had. I don't think this Video is any good. If you compare, compare don't just talk about it.
Well I have the snap on and powerprobe butane guns and the issue is more of them actually lighting or staying lit than anything else. But if you never been on a service call and it not light or run out of fuel then you have no idea what I am talking about. We live in a rural area not always close to a store especially when on a service call. I have an inverter and batteries on the truck but i can not make butane or replace the bottle that got dropped in the box and a pry bar or gold tool fell on it and popped a hole in the can because it was coming a flood when we were packing up fast and trying to get back in the truck
@@KoonTrucking I use the Portasol literally all the time and I do go on service calls!! I have 3 or 4 cans of butane all the time and the next time I head to walmart i grab one or 2 at the cash register. But whatever to each their own. As for yours not lighting or staying lit??? I don't even know what to say. This one is at least 5 years old and I never have a problem with it staying lit.
Haven’t had any issues at all so far…. Kinda hard when the soldering iron doesn’t get that hot. If you have ever used one of these battery soldering irons you obviously know they don’t get nearly as hot as a butane or plug in one. Keep thinking you know everyone. I’m sure you really impress your colleagues at work 😉
I love my M12. It struggles on thick wires 10G but it doses the job and won’t go out like a butane Get rosin flux paste and 60/40 tin lead solder. it makes solder joints on wires a lot easier. Looks like a pro every time. No more globes of solder sucks right in
All hail the mighty Flux plaste!
Picked up the little mac pocket prybar set after i saw you picked one up and i def dont regret it! enjoy your channel!
I just bought that couple of weeks ago and I’m sick and tired of dragging my cord all the way to my driveway hust to solder few wires and butt connectors and that Milwaukee works great and handy!
i use one everyday. i think it hand down the best thing out there. no hot gas port.
Had mine a couple years now Clay.
I use a 4 amp battery on mine because it's got a flat base for standing upright use a 2amp battery in tight spots 👍
It's a practical tool for been mobile or on site 👍
I love my Milwaukee only issue I’ve had is when tip is installed and it gets dropped from a small height the heating element breaks. Top tip when storing is remove the tip to prevent this happening
I use mine like crazy, love it way better than any gas one. No switches failing, no burning wires that are next to the one you’re working on. Battery last way longer if just left on. It kills batteries if you keep turning off and on due to it having to get up to temp. Each time
Cool review Clay you should do more like it. I have had this tool since it came out and it's awesome. I've repaired countless dump truck and tractor tail lights with this tool. Be careful though the tip inside is ceramic and will break if you're not careful. Overall it's a really good tool
After watching your videos I've gone broke buying a bunch of tools I see you review, mac rbrt stuff, matco stuff, snap on etc... Thanks a lot clay!
I've been through a couple of these. It's mainly used for soldering small connection for LED tape light. I absolutely love the convenience of the tool, it beats having a cord. I do however use the XC batteries, as it allows the tool to stand upright and remain sturdy. Overtime, the GF reinforced plastic does start to loosen up on the tip, and it warrants replacement. Otherwise, sweet tool, and great video!
Said it before and I’ll say it again, Aussie Irons are the absolute BEST battery operated irons on the market. Only thing is due to pandemic crap the only US distributor I know of cannot get them in for the foreseeable future. Hot enough to melt solder in 3 seconds, battery lasts me 4-5 days of heavy use and I’ve used it to solder 12awg wires together with no issues. Milwaukee is my backup. Doing remote starter installs all winter long means I’m soldering all day every day so having an interchangeable battery is nice vs. lithium rechargeable in the Aussie Iron.
I love mine. Plus I cover the tip with a plastic bolt end cover to keep it both clean and safe from poking anything. But it would be bad to turn it on while in place. I use the bolt end covers for pliers too. Especially the spring loaded ones.
been looking @ getting one of these as well as the M12 grease gun
Your RUclips studio is awesome
Thank you
Great video Clay! I just got mine yesterday. I won it at a local auction here in Kansas and It came with a battery, charging station and the iron for $70.00. I've used it twice today and love it.
That took a long time to solder that connection? I have a pistol type electric soldering gun that would flow that joint in probably 10 seconds including warm up . It looked like it barely melted the solder ?
Be nice to see Milwaukee make a v2 of this that has a faster heat up time and actually gets to advertised temp. Call it a “fuel” and charge an extra 20-30 for it and I’m all in.
you should not reward companies for making false claims
CPO has this soldering iron for free when you buy a m12 battery two pack for $120.
UK got to be number one
For corded soldering irons I love my us made wall lenk irons
awesome video as always.... Never fails you forgot the shrink tube:)
Pretty cool! I need to get one!
Great video have a great day and stay safe 👍
Best way that I solder is a power probe with a torch and a heat shield on lowest heat solder in tight spots and done in 10 seconds. I use to solder and another tech told me your wasting time and butane. Never looked back and so dang fast now. Only down fall sometimes it burns a little insulation but heat tube or tape covers that up. I solder every single day for many hours. This is only way to go still use the same power probe for over 2 years and dont need tips at all.
Hey, would you mind explaining this as if I'm stupid. I'd really like to try this but didn't quite understand you. Thanks
Ok unscrew the tip off of the soldering iron place the moon shape heat shield over the area were the solder tip would be. Turn the butane level in the middle just to ignite after igniting lower heat all the way. Place wire between the heat shield and torch keep in mind that the back of heat shield gets hot so dont touch that part to anything. The solder will melt fast within 10 seconds. I usually heat the wire up for 5 seconds then add the solder. Keep the heat on the wire until it looks good ( were the solder melts into the braid of the wire no balls of solder).for me 10 seconds on average per wire from start to finish.
Can evan do the tiny vw wires and chevy ignition wires. I suggest practicing on open area before trying tight spots.
@@haroldberwanger3298 thanks mate, much appreciated.
Great detailed video … I’m still undecided on buying one due to the light duty nature … one comment on your heat test and maybe why it didn’t reach 750 degrees … by clipping an alligator clip to the probe, the clip itself becomes a heat sink slowing down the temperature rise of the tip compared to a tip with nothing touching it … I’m sure Milwaukee meant 750 degrees with nothing touching the tip to drain off heat … but then of course how does one measure the temperature without touching the tip? I’m not sure … but this is meant to be constructive and not critical of your excellent work … much appreciated.
What if you used a higher amp battery? Would it increase the heat to the “750” claim and speed up the heating process?
No clue I was just going off what they claimed with the compact 2.0 battery that’s why it was used in this video
They probably didn’t take the temp with a temp probe and insulated alligator clip either.
Tyler Boyd the insulated alligator clip couldn’t affect it because I had the wire that measures the temp directly on the probe. If anything it should help the temp being in direct contact with it. The alligator clip was nothing more than something to hold it against it
I use flux with the solder and it works faster
I was going to say that and possibly mention some soldering lessons lol..
@@badlilstang Honestly if he had fluxed the wires he would have had it soldered in the first 5 seconds
I have the m12 drill/ driver 3/8 stubby, 3/8 ratchet. I just picked up a rotary tool with the battery combo at home depot and after one day use the chuck that holds the bit in already broke. I don't know how this happened but I was pretty disappointed.
Great Video
Thank you
Haha wanted to see this for awhile
What is the part number for the milwaukee temperature meter?
Where can I get one of those wire holder things?
I got mine off Matco truck but Lisle makes them
Can you try it again using a larger battery? Most of the M12 tools are shitty when using the smaller batteries (3 cells), and a heating element isn't exactly a small load.
Good video.
I have the Power Probe butane soldering iron. Heats up quick and has different fittings with the kit. It also can be used as a torch for heat shrink. So it’s a torch and a soldering iron all in one. Pretty cool tool.
Theoretically you could use this for heat shrink, or just a long tip lighter.
did you give any thought that the alligator clamp would be taking some of the heat away from the tool?
Good review. I went with ryobi cordless iron and soldering station because i do not have milwalkee battery platforms. Direct tools had the ryobi cordless iron for 20 no including the battery and 40 for the soldering station no battery which was hybrid. Battaery and plug,in the wall. Do no have any Milwaukee cordless my battery plaforms are memards, ryobi 3/8 air line and plug in the wall. Great video and review Milwaukee makes great tools keep the videos coming.
looks to me like it just about works
Nice, but how hard/easy is it to get replacement tips without going to Amazon. Lowes and Home Depot both sell soldering irons but do not carry spare tips...go figure...
How long did it take to come up to soldering temperature.
It was live on this video unedited so you seen it
Hi Clay, is the spelling of the Jersey website correct? Thanks for posting, I really enjoy your tool videos!
That is slower than Hakko battery-powered soldier. For $80, I expected it would be hotter faster.
I have been thinking about buying one of these for quick jobs. I have seen the reviews where the plastic screw-on end cap melts for some people. If I do get one, I may design up a 3D printed end cap made out of a more heat resistant resin to prevent that problem. Have you seen these reviews where that cap melts? If so, did you feel any real heat in that area in your testing? Think it could be a problem? I imagine it is really an issue only if you use it for a long periods and it allows the heat to transfer further down into the handle over time. Anyway, I am in the M12 platform already so would like to try one so that may be my fix if it truly is an issue.
I’ve heard complaints they will melt but this is the first time I used it in the video so .... time will tell
@@KoonTrucking Yeah, the Milwaukee website for this tool has as many 1 star reviews as 3,4, and 5 combined. lol All from that plastic melting. Without seeing it, I can't tell for sure what all melts. If it is just that screw-on piece only, that could be a simple fix with a little high temp resin part made up. Only $80 so may just have to take the plunge and check it out. Thanks
Witch one would you recommend this or the matco and do you know the price for the matco
I have no idea about the Matco when I showed it on the video that was the first time I had ever seen it. If you are thinking of cost I guarantee you Milwaukee will be less expensive and I didn’t even ask the price of the Matco
Just bought 1 this week, cornwell has them on sale this month and if you buy the 2 pack of m12 batteries you get the solder gun for free. Hopefully I can try mine soon, good video as usual!
What do you think of it now???
Works good, never have to worry about this one lighting!
@@KoonTrucking sweet
I'd use something else to measure the temperature such as an IR thermometer. You're using some of that power to heat up the alligator clip and plastic resulting in lost heat and a potentially inaccurate reading.
I like it work on construction equipment and 18 wheelers that would be nice for not going up and down on rigs
Didn't look like it was quite hot enough to really flow??
As I said in the video I would like to have seen it get a little hotter but it does work
At first I thought you said dirty discount tools. lol
I’m sure it gets hotter, probably loses some accuracy through that long temp prob lead.
Where has Bill been lately?
He’s been off
NOTE: After a lot of research on the M12 solder iron, buyer beware: Anything over 3ah CP batteries and ~10 min of run time will start to deteriorate and melt the housing cap of the solder wand. There are literally hundreds of 1 star reviews claiming this issue, rendering this device useless after only a few months of use. That said, I am still buying one, but limiting my usage to ~10 min on before cooldown and only using compact batteries. One guy I found did this consistently and was able to put hundreds of hours of use on this device over the course of several years. God bless!
Ts100 with a cheap m12 battery adapter is a much better iron and much more versatile
...ill keep the trend going....5th
Anyone looking at this do yourself a favour and get a ts80 soldering iron. Its on a completely different planet than this.
It’s too chunky, I like to hold my soldering iron like I would a pencil for more precise detail.
Didn’t get up to temp. Takes a long time to heat up, Seems like useless junk unless you need to solder near gasoline.
You saw him soldering with it. 600 is plenty to solder. Just because it didn't go as high as they claimed doesn't mean its bad.
Almost first
First!
Forgetting the Gas is no different than forgetting to charge the spare battery. Comparing it as such is silly in my opinion. I ALWAYS have a can of butane in the tool Box. The Tool may be great but in no way would it ever be better that the butane Iron! If you don't think so, you simply do not know how to properly use a butane Iron. For instance, the exhaust port in my Portasol is perfect for shrinking heat shrink tubing!! Let's see if the milwaukee can do that. And to say it heats up faster?? Again do some research on other Soldering solutions!! The Portersol would not have taken that long to melt the solder on that wire you had. I don't think this Video is any good. If you compare, compare don't just talk about it.
Well I have the snap on and powerprobe butane guns and the issue is more of them actually lighting or staying lit than anything else. But if you never been on a service call and it not light or run out of fuel then you have no idea what I am talking about. We live in a rural area not always close to a store especially when on a service call. I have an inverter and batteries on the truck but i can not make butane or replace the bottle that got dropped in the box and a pry bar or gold tool fell on it and popped a hole in the can because it was coming a flood when we were packing up fast and trying to get back in the truck
@@KoonTrucking I use the Portasol literally all the time and I do go on service calls!! I have 3 or 4 cans of butane all the time and the next time I head to walmart i grab one or 2 at the cash register. But whatever to each their own. As for yours not lighting or staying lit??? I don't even know what to say. This one is at least 5 years old and I never have a problem with it staying lit.
I will stick to MetCal
U can’t solder for shit lol. , holding heat to the wires that long ruins the conductivity of the wire lol, solder and iron placement is key
Haven’t had any issues at all so far…. Kinda hard when the soldering iron doesn’t get that hot. If you have ever used one of these battery soldering irons you obviously know they don’t get nearly as hot as a butane or plug in one. Keep thinking you know everyone. I’m sure you really impress your colleagues at work 😉
Way too long to solder, start to burn the covering down. I wanted it, but now won’t buy it.
I thought the same...a full minute to solder a simple splice? Glad I watched this video, I won't waste my money on this one.
Firstn't
Please don't do any soldering for me.
Definitely won't be buying this, thanks for the review.
All in all, it looks like rubbish to me ...
So LLLLLdering what is soddering