Power instruments you most likely didn’t know Milwaukee invented


Milwaukee is without doubt one of the hottest software manufacturers, and plenty of fanatics would possibly even know that the corporate has been round for over 100 years. But what you won’t know is that Milwaukee invented many energy instruments, just like the Sawzall, and different new applied sciences throughout that century.

Over that point, Milwaukee Tool has led the business in a number of methods, developed highly effective instruments, and elevated productiveness and ease of use for tens of millions. It has a long and storied history that largely started in 1924, when the corporate was based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by Albert F. Siebert. Here’s what it is advisable know.

From the start

Things really began in 1918 and 1922

How properly do you really know your favourite software model? While Milwaukee obtained its begin in 1924, that is not its humble beginnings. Everything begins with the unique co-founder, A.H. Petersen, who created the “Hole Shooter.” It was the business’s first light-weight, moveable, one-handed 1/4-inch energy drill. A.H. Petersen developed it for Henry Ford to be used in car factories, and it weighed solely 5lbs.

A couple of years later, Petersen and Albert F. Siebert co-founded the A.H. Petersen Company, however a manufacturing facility fireplace destroyed the enterprise the next 12 months. Then, in 1924, Albert F. Siebert purchased the remaining property and based what we now know as Milwaukee Tool. So, technically, Milwaukee Tool was based in 1924, however its roots date again a number of years earlier.

Pictured above is a Milwaukee-branded Hole Shooter (reasonably than a Peterson-branded one) from when the corporate was once more commissioned by Henry Ford in 1924. A couple of years later, within the Thirties, the corporate started producing instruments for the U.S. Navy. Pretty neat, proper?

The Milwaukee 1/2 inch right-angle drill (1949)

Loved by plumbers and electricians in every single place

Credit: Milwaukee

Another main invention got here in 1949, when Milwaukee Tool launched the globe’s first 1/2-inch right-angled drill, enabling plumbers and electricians to achieve tight areas. Naturally, it appeared lots totally different from the mannequin proven above and wasn’t cordless, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly neat to listen to about.

Until then, reaching in tight spots, corners, or between wooden was fairly troublesome, and Milwaukee’s angled software was a game-changer. This unique 1949 software paved the way in which for the heavy-duty Hole Hawg tool the corporate supplies at present. That similar 12 months, Milwaukee began testing and including a spring clutch to sanders, grinders, and round saws to cut back recoil and backlash.

Milwaukee’s do-it-all Sawzall (1951)

“Sawzall” is a trademark owned by Milwaukee

corded Milwaukee sawzall Credit: Milwaukee

I’ve talked about this earlier than in a few of our energy software protection, however Milwaukee really invented the primary moveable electrical hacksaw with a reciprocating mechanism, and trademarked it the Sawzall®. In 1951, it launched the Sawzall, with its distinctive reciprocating blade that strikes forwards and backwards because it cuts.

It’s such an iconic, fashionable, and great tool that the title is a fairly generic time period nowadays. Similar to each pill being an iPad or any tissue being referred to as Kleenex, relaxation assured, Milwaukee owns the time period Sawzall. That’s why each different model, like Ryobi and DeWalt, sells a reciprocating noticed, however none of them particularly name it a Sawzall. We name it that, however the firm doesn’t.

Everything modified in 2005

Lithium-ion battery techniques, and a giant acquisition

Milwaukee M18 6.0 Ah Battery

A ton occurred between 1951 and 2005, like massive expansions into Mississippi in 1974 and turning into the primary American energy software firm to launch a 4-1/2-inch angle grinder. The 80s had been quiet, although Milwaukee revolutionized the moveable band noticed class with the introduction of the Deep Cut Band Saw.

Everything modified in 2005, when Milwaukee was credited with introducing the primary main business lithium-ion battery system. After years of testing and tens of millions spent on analysis and improvement, Milwaukee unveiled its all-new V28 cordless energy software platform with lithium-ion battery packs and unequalled energy.

Fun truth: Bosch was technically first when it launched a lithium-ion powered IXO palm micro-screwdriver in 2003. And Makita was barely behind Milwaukee when it launched its 18V lithium-ion slide-battery platform, which it nonetheless presents at present below the Makita LXT model in 2005.

The subsequent main change in 2005 occurred when the Milwaukee of previous was acquired by the Chinese conglomerate Techtronic Industries, often known as TTI Group. Before that, Atlas Copco acquired Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation in 1995.

For these unaware, TTI owns Milwaukee, Ryobi, HART Tools, ORECK, RIDGID, AEG, Dirt Devil, and extra. Yes, the identical firm owns each Ryobi and Milwaukee, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same. Still, you may say that to pals who’re providing you with a tough time for getting Ryobi.

Hands holding a Milwaukee tool and a Ryobi tool against a split gray and yellow background. Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek

With TTI’s assist, Milwaukee’s engineering group continued to take a position closely in lithium-ion expertise and, a number of years later, launched the primary Milwaukee M18 cordless energy software in 2008 with a unified battery design. This was probably impressed by Ryobi, which TTI acquired in 2000.

The preliminary M18 launch in 2008 was a giant deal, adopted by the M12 a number of years later. Both launches laid the inspiration for REDLITHIUM batteries in 2010, the high-performance M18 FUEL brushless line in 2012, and way more.


Milwaukee continues to guide the cost (pun meant)

And now, 18 years later (or 100 years later), the Milwaukee M18 FUEL line is as massive, highly effective, and fashionable as ever. The firm has continued its efforts to ship significant merchandise and highly effective new applied sciences, such because the Milwaukee FORGE battery system and the M12 FUEL SURGE, which was the business’s first 12-volt subcompact hydraulic driver.

Screenshot 2026-01-14 at 11.43.36 AM

Color

Red

Warranty

5 Year (Tool), 3 Year (Batteries)

Make simple work of any job with this Milwaukee FUEL two-tool combo equipment that includes a strong hammer drill and an affect driver. 




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