I literally just lost my ball bearing 2 weeks ago, after nearly 13 months of having the knife, but the spring band started being sucky a long time before that. Is there any chance you can get me the bb diameter? I was advised to heat-shrink the whole retention assembly when I check the Milwaukee tools subreddit
I lost the bit a week after purchasing a few years back. Tried to get another double sided bit but it was the wrong size so no bit. 😢 I'm not going to buy a whole new tool just for the bit.
I still have the original design, it has no ball bearing, it has a wire round clip inside that holds the bit. Mine still works fine, but a lot of those round wire clips broke, or stretched, and the screw bit fell out. Milwaukee came up with a new design because of that, so now it has a ball bearing, which has it own set of problems. Mainly is that the clip that holds that ball bearing on will get caught on something and stretch out the clip, and then the ball bearing falls out. The solution is to wrap some electrical tape around the clip. Klein has the right idea, but then you have to carry an extra bit in your pocket. It’s always something.
This would be perfect tool if they could somehow include pliers. But I have never seen multitool pliers that were actually functional compared to dedicated Knipex pliers.
I had one of the originals with the ring, but lost it in a lost luggage on an airline. I got the latest version to replace and I haven't had any issues with it. I don't use the bits much, so probably not putting a lot of strain on it like others. If it does break, I'll just go get another. Having the bit holder and extra blade storage is the reason I prefer it to the other plain one. - Chris
I did find the ball coming out or the collar moving. Before I lost it, I took a mini zip tie and just zipped the collar placing the ball in the little air gap where the tie feeds into the lock. That position is great because it sticks out just where my thumb is. This makes it MUCH easier to open with and without gloves. Been 6mo and nothing has moved. However, I did break the Phillips bit on a toilet handle screw... YUP, a screw going into plastic, and the bit snapped. I got a Klein double-sided bit that has the ball on the bit. It works just fine. I also called Milwaukee, and they are sending a new bit.
The ball retainer needs to be swapped over into the bit itself. The "spring" that holds the ball in stretches too easily, especially if you use the screwdriver and switch sides of bit repeatedly.
I am a big Milwaukee guy but I stopped buying these knives. Of the 2 I still have of this model (Older version without ball bearing) the retention mechanism always gives me problems. The last one I had the dang flat heat piece wouldn't go into the holder, the round metal retention ring was warped for some reason so I couldn't use the phillips side. I ended up removing it because it was useless to me in its current capacity then of course it no longer held a bit afterwards. Both versions the socket also came a little loose, had some side to side play in the 1/4 head. I switched to the Klein version afterwards and while it doesn't have the flat head unfortunately, it does come with a removable 1/4 inch extension so in a pinch if I need a #2 phillips in my impact or drill I just pop it out and use it. The fact it hasn't broke is what I care about more. I'd rather have a tool with one bit that works than a tool with 2 that doesn't. Glad I seen your coverage of the ball bearing issues, seems their "fix" in this version isn't so good.
You might have had your for 2 years and 'not had issues' but your looks bo different to a new one out of the box. Those reviews where the retaining detent bb came out were from folks the use them a LOT as U can see by the wear on the tools.
Have any of you had issues with the ball bearing?
I literally just lost my ball bearing 2 weeks ago, after nearly 13 months of having the knife, but the spring band started being sucky a long time before that. Is there any chance you can get me the bb diameter? I was advised to heat-shrink the whole retention assembly when I check the Milwaukee tools subreddit
I lost the bit a week after purchasing a few years back. Tried to get another double sided bit but it was the wrong size so no bit. 😢 I'm not going to buy a whole new tool just for the bit.
I still have the original design, it has no ball bearing, it has a wire round clip inside that holds the bit. Mine still works fine, but a lot of those round wire clips broke, or stretched, and the screw bit fell out. Milwaukee came up with a new design because of that, so now it has a ball bearing, which has it own set of problems. Mainly is that the clip that holds that ball bearing on will get caught on something and stretch out the clip, and then the ball bearing falls out. The solution is to wrap some electrical tape around the clip. Klein has the right idea, but then you have to carry an extra bit in your pocket. It’s always something.
Yeah, ive got 3 or 4 with the wire clip missing and now ive got 1 without a ball bearing. They need to make some kinda twist or pull style lock on it.
love mine! Most carried knife I've ever carried
I use the bottle opener to pull staples out in a pinch. I use mine a lot, the 1/4 hex comes in clutch with the flat Philly combo.
Great review! Any chance you’re related to Todd from Project Farm? Your cadence is similar, makes for a great presentation!
The ball on the bit holder will fall out eventually. The ball on the bit is a better design.
This would be perfect tool if they could somehow include pliers. But I have never seen multitool pliers that were actually functional compared to dedicated Knipex pliers.
I had one of the originals with the ring, but lost it in a lost luggage on an airline. I got the latest version to replace and I haven't had any issues with it. I don't use the bits much, so probably not putting a lot of strain on it like others. If it does break, I'll just go get another. Having the bit holder and extra blade storage is the reason I prefer it to the other plain one. - Chris
I did find the ball coming out or the collar moving. Before I lost it, I took a mini zip tie and just zipped the collar placing the ball in the little air gap where the tie feeds into the lock. That position is great because it sticks out just where my thumb is. This makes it MUCH easier to open with and without gloves. Been 6mo and nothing has moved. However, I did break the Phillips bit on a toilet handle screw... YUP, a screw going into plastic, and the bit snapped. I got a Klein double-sided bit that has the ball on the bit. It works just fine. I also called Milwaukee, and they are sending a new bit.
The ball retainer needs to be swapped over into the bit itself. The "spring" that holds the ball in stretches too easily, especially if you use the screwdriver and switch sides of bit repeatedly.
I have a couple of these and use them almost everyday. No issues...
I am a big Milwaukee guy but I stopped buying these knives. Of the 2 I still have of this model (Older version without ball bearing) the retention mechanism always gives me problems. The last one I had the dang flat heat piece wouldn't go into the holder, the round metal retention ring was warped for some reason so I couldn't use the phillips side. I ended up removing it because it was useless to me in its current capacity then of course it no longer held a bit afterwards. Both versions the socket also came a little loose, had some side to side play in the 1/4 head.
I switched to the Klein version afterwards and while it doesn't have the flat head unfortunately, it does come with a removable 1/4 inch extension so in a pinch if I need a #2 phillips in my impact or drill I just pop it out and use it. The fact it hasn't broke is what I care about more. I'd rather have a tool with one bit that works than a tool with 2 that doesn't. Glad I seen your coverage of the ball bearing issues, seems their "fix" in this version isn't so good.
I love my fast back the new design is a snap ring instead of ball bearing best tool I use it everyday
Isn’t that the old design?
I use the bottle opener every single day to crack open the mineral water bottles!!
forgive me, but does EDC stand for everyday carry?
Correct. ✅
@@theREALdingusMD just noticed your nik ... 🤣good one
How is it worst rated?
You might have had your for 2 years and 'not had issues' but your looks bo different to a new one out of the box. Those reviews where the retaining detent bb came out were from folks the use them a LOT as U can see by the wear on the tools.