Why Choose Milwaukee?
If you’re trying to figure out how to choose the best chainsaw, you might notice quite a few people recommending Milwaukee tools. Milwaukee’s only been producing chainsaws for a few years, but the company’s been around much longer. They have a reputation for quality and durability and are one of the leading tool suppliers for the Navy. Milwaukee’s been a leader in saw innovation for over 70 years, and they produce some very unusual and effective designs. When you want a solid, reliable chainsaw with a few extra features, Milwaukee is the way to go.
History
Milwaukee’s history dates all the way back to 1918. As World War I came to an end, there was a huge boom in industry and innovation. Automotive manufacturer Henry Ford started looking for someone to produce a lightweight version of his power drill, and he eventually hired A. H. Petersen. Petersen was very young, but he’d already developed a reputation for quality work and creative designs. He created one of the first hand-held power tools in the nation. Called the Hole-Shooter, this tool was light enough to hold in one hand but sturdy enough for a factory setting.
Petersen’s invention quickly attracted more attention. In 1922, he joined with Albert Siebert to found the A. H. Petersen Company. Their manufacturing company had a strong start, but a fire swept through their plant, bankrupting the company a year later. In 1924, Siebert was able to repurchase the company’s remaining assets at a bank auction, and he started the company back up. This time, Siebert named the company the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. His main goal was to improve on Petersen’s original designs and make longer-lasting tools.
Throughout the 20s, Milwaukee mostly stayed in business by performing repairs for customers. They learned what tended to go wrong with most tools, so they could design better versions. Milwaukee began to get a reputation for quality work, and in the 1930s, it became an official government supplier. Milwaukee began producing tools that met U.S. Navy Standards, and they expanded their line to include additional tool designs. During World War II, the company became one of the Navy’s lead tool suppliers.
Throughout the next few decades, Milwaukee continued to innovate. In the early 50s, they released the Sawzall. This tool was the first to combine a reciprocating mechanism with a portable saw. The Sawzall helped make Milwaukee a national tool provider. In the 1970s, they expanded to selling their products in the southeastern United States. They also produced multiple new designs. Some of their creations include the first large-hole power driller, first professional pistol drill, and first 4.5″ angle grinder.
Despite producing many iconic saw designs over the years, Milwaukee didn’t release a chainsaw for quite a while. The brand explained that they didn’t want to produce a chainsaw until they could guarantee quality performance. In 2018, the first Milwaukee chainsaw was launched. It contained multiple new features and was very well-reviewed by users.
Over the years, Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation has been sold several times. It is currently a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries which also produced Ryobi and Hoover products. This Hong Kong-based corporation has allowed Milwaukee to extend to additional markets. They now sell their tools internationally. Despite being owned by another company, Milwaukee has retained a lot of creative control. They offer longer warranties and spend more time on design than many other similar brands.
Founding and Milestones
Milwaukee’s founding contains a unique blend of business acumen and creative engineering. A.H. Petersen created the brand’s flagship product and encouraged them to prioritize innovation and quality. Meanwhile, Albert Siebert’s focus on satisfying customers and meeting professional tool standards allowed the company to succeed financially. Ultimately, Siebert’s leadership allowed the company to flourish. Here are a few of the key moments in the company’s history:
- 1918: A.H. Petersen creates the Hole-Shooter that will later become the company’s first product.
- 1924: Albert Siebert founded the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation after his initial attempt with Petersen failed.
- 1930: The brand gets a specialized equipment specification rating from the U.S. Navy that lets them produce tools for the military.
- 1935: The company produces a tool that functions as both an electric hammer and an electric drill.
- 1949: The company adds a spring clutch to its tools, so they run smoother with less recoil.
- 1951: Milwaukee designs the Sawzall, which is the very first portable reciprocating saw.
- 1965: The company moves its headquarters to the nearby town of Brookfield, Wisconsin.
- 1974: A second plant is opened in Jackson, Mississippi
- 1986: Milwaukee Tools is sold to Merrill Lynch.
- 1991: The brand releases a Super Sawzall with a new counterbalance and gear-protecting clutch.
- 2005: Technotronic Industries purchases the company.
- 2018: The first Milwaukee chainsaw, the M18 Fuel, is released.
Production and Manufacturing
One of the main things that make this company stand out is its tool design and production techniques. The company is able to satisfy consumers’ durability and ergonomic needs by putting a lot of effort into manufacturing.
Products
The company’s always focused on quantity over quality. Instead of producing hundreds of different designs, they focus on designing a few, high-quality saws. Their very first chainsaw, the M18 Fuel, remains their flagship product. The cordless saw features a brushless motor and an incredibly fast cutting time, and it runs on battery power. The M18 Fuel has overload protection, overheat prevention, a 16″ guide bar, and a high output HD12.0 battery.
The company’s next chainsaw, the M12 Fuel Hatchet, is a mini version of their flagship design. The chainsaw has a 6″ guide bar and only weighs 5 lbs. Mostly designed for pruning, this chainsaw is lightweight and maneuverable. Despite being very small, it’s still designed to meet the performance standards of the M18 Fuel. The M12 Fuel Hatchet still has the same brushless motor and overheat protection as the original.
In addition to their base chainsaw models, the company also produces some pole saw variants. These use the blade and motor of the M18 FUel while adding a 10″ pole saw arm. Like the regular version, the pole saw can do 150 cuts on a single battery charge. It also contains some attachments like an edger and string trimmer.
Manufacturing
Since the company was purchased by Techtronic Industries, some of its manufacturing is done overseas. They produce many of their smaller components at Techtronic factories in China. However, the main tools are still assembled in the United States. In the past five years, the company has invested over $350 million in domestic expansion. They employ over 7,600 people in the United States and have facilities in Mississippi, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Tennessee.
The company’s chainsaw manufacturing focuses on well-made items that are carefully designed. Right now, they’re focusing on creating next-generation lithium-ion batteries. These batteries provide powerful cordless tools that can cut through hardwood without requiring frequent charges. They also use proprietary materials and Redlink Plus intelligence technology to ensure motors last longer and work more efficiently.
Key Facts
When it comes to manufacturing, one of the company’s big goals is creating growth in the United States job market. Despite being owned by an international conglomerate, they regularly use profits to invest in domestic expansion. Another thing that sets the company apart from other power tool providers is its cordless technology. The M18 and M12 cordless systems use revolutionary battery technology to provide industrial power without requiring inconvenient electrical cords.
Milwaukee’s chainsaw design process starts with the company’s “disruptive innovation” ethos. As their president explains, they don’t try to make assumptions about what users will need. Instead, they visit professionals and explore job sites to understand what real-world chainsaw users actually want. The brand then uses emerging technologies to manufacture unusual designs that cannot be found anywhere else.
Warranty Information
One of the brand’s main selling points is that its products are very durable. To help emphasize the quality of their chainsaws, they offer unusually long warranties. The company has a three-year warranty for all of its chainsaw products.
In addition to having longer warranties than their competitors, they also make their warranty easier to use. You don’t have to register or sign up for anything. Just purchasing the project automatically enrolls you in their warranty program. If something goes wrong, you can use the eService center to schedule repair or replacement. Another nice thing is that the company doesn’t exclude commercial users from their warranties. They know many of their tools are used by professionals, so they offer the same warranty regardless of whether you use the chainsaw for residential or commercial work.
Milwaukee Appliance Parts
Milwaukee directly produces a lot of parts for their chainsaws. You can purchase chainsaw accessories directly from them or from a partner like Home Depot. These parts include a wide variety of items to upgrade your saw or extend its lifespan. You can get new chains and guide bars or find pole saw attachments. If you need a specialized part not available for general sale, you can check with the Milwaukee eService center. They can assist you with shipping your chainsaw for service or getting any parts you need.
Check Out More Milwaukee Content From Chainsaw Selector
ChainsawSelector is your go-to hub for all Milwaukee information. To learn more about the brand, explore these helpful links.
Milwaukee Chainsaw Reviews
To see what users have to think about specific Milwaukee chainsaw models, explore our product reviews.
Milwaukee Chainsaw Roundups
How does Milwaukee compare to other chainsaw brands? Explore our product roundups to see which Milwaukee chainsaws make the cut.
Milwaukee Press Releases
Milwaukee is constantly innovating, so make sure you’re up-to-date on the company’s latest news. Click here to see all of Milwaukee’s press releases.
Milwaukee Recalls
If something goes wrong with a Milwaukee product, we want to make sure our readers are informed. Follow these links to learn about potential recalls.
Where To Buy
This chainsaw manufacturer is one of the leading tool providers in the United States, so you have a lot of options. You can always buy chainsaws directly from the Milwaukee store website. Another option is purchasing from an authorized retailer like Home Depot. If you prefer to shop online, you can also buy chainsaws from Amazon. Different retailers tend to have the same products, but they often have slightly different prices. Taking the time to shop around can help you find excellent deals.
Similar Brands
If you like the durability of Milwaukee saws but want more variety, give one of these brands a try:
Online Presence
The company has a pretty solid online presence. You can visit their website to see their products and arrange repairs at any time. If you’re interested in catching up on company news, explore their Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest details. When you want to learn more tips and ideas for using Milwaukee products, visit the company’s Instagram and YouTube pages.
Contact Information
- Customer Service Number: 1-800-729-3878
- Customer Service Center
- Written Contact: Can address a letter or question to MILWAUKEE TOOL, 13135 West Lisbon Road Brookfield, WI 53005-2550.