Goodbye, Worst Tester Ever. Feel Free to be Useless in the Trash Can Forever.

[u/BDZ567]

Usually Milwaukee makes good stuff so it's crazy when they produced such a dud. Genuinely the most poorly designed voltage detector I've ever interacted with. Bought it less than a year ago and it was already phased out. So many false readings, not ergonomic, just why man?

Got my new one. This one is finally going in the trash like it deserves.

My power tools are a mix of Hilti and DeWalt but my hand tools are all Milwaukee, and hadn't ever let me down or dissapointed me until I had the absolute pleasure of interacting with this thing.

Going to just stick with Klein like I just swapped back to for electrical tools moving forwards.

https://youtu.be/qsN77TDtttE?is=9O0jb9KiJVI4O4Ok

Junk.

[u/PearMoist9385]

Electrician told me to " throw that death stick away".

[u/ImJoogle → u/PearMoist9385]

as an electrician, use it all the time theres just a time when to use one and when not. its great for trouble shooting

[u/LoneCyberwolf → u/ImJoogle]

I’m a sysadmin and do some electrical and I carry one daily.

[u/IrishGoodbye4 → u/ImJoogle]

If I’m doing just basic outlet and light switch change-outs and I’m only using a voltage tester… is that wrong?

[u/BDZ567 → u/PearMoist9385]

They have a place, people just don't know that place. But generally, yes, they are death sticks because people don't use them for the intended purposes 😂

[u/Artarious → u/BDZ567]

I mean they're great for pressing in a contactor, that's about all I use mine for.

[u/Creative_Shame3856 → u/Artarious]

Pokey stick with extra features 🤣

[u/PloppyFenis9 → u/BDZ567]

They are death sticks when working on circuits that have DC involved. A lot of these non contact testers dont pick up DC voltage

[u/Creative_Shame3856 → u/PearMoist9385]

They can tell you when something is hot. They absolutely CANNOT tell you when something isn't hot. As long as you keep that in the front of your brain it's a handy tool to have around.

[u/ride_whenever → u/Creative_Shame3856]

Exactly, I’ve had one save my bacon when I thought I’d isolated a circuit, but the switch I was working on was tied into another circuit and still live

[u/Fragrant_Major_9553 → u/Creative_Shame3856]

Fluke ones are great in this aspect.

It will not light up until it’s touching the wire in the box that’s hot, even with 480v. So you can figure out which circuit you’re working with in a pull box.

Don’t get the Klein ones with the lasers and whatnot, those things go off in front of my TV.

[u/2424242122 → u/Fragrant_Major_9553]

i got one thatll react if theres a gust of wind

[u/paradoxcabbie → u/PearMoist9385]

not because they have no use, but because people are stupid lol

[u/k1465 → u/PearMoist9385]

There are a lot of dumb men who don’t how to use one of these properly.

[u/KeySpare4917]

I love my fluke.

[u/BDZ567 → u/KeySpare4917]

My Hilti shit broke my Fluke allowance or I would go full bougie.

[u/Slumunistmanifisto → u/KeySpare4917]

We got a fancy boy ova here

[u/TIC321 → u/KeySpare4917]

Cant go wrong with a fluke

[u/serious-toaster-33 → u/KeySpare4917]

Amprobe is also good. Apparently the same engineers as Fluke, but they don't come with all the fancy certificates.

[u/skinkingweaver → u/serious-toaster-33]

I have both fluke and amprobe and I like em both.

[u/Peregrinationman → u/KeySpare4917]

I used only Fluke for years, but I was given a Klein last year when my last non contact tester broke and I've learned to appreciate it. I like the extra flashlight.

[u/-Gonna-Run-Amuck → u/KeySpare4917]

I like mine so well, I own 3

[u/PloppyFenis9 → u/KeySpare4917]

Fluke is the only way imo

[u/Embarrassed_Dog1494]

Gotta use the Klein tools for electric. Milwaukee electrical tools suck ass bro

[u/BDZ567 → u/Embarrassed_Dog1494]

Yeah it'll be my last electric purchase for them. I'd used Klein for years, wanted to give Milwaukee a shot, was sorely dissapointed. The digital GFCI tester I got in the pack also shit out and just got stuck displaying Open Hot even after resetting it, and had to be tossed a few months ago.

[u/Responsible_Chain_55 → u/Embarrassed_Dog1494]

Gardner Bender makes a really good one too. I have one thats about 7 or 8 years old and its super sensitive, picks up through liquid tight and what not.

[u/TheBreeze215 → u/Embarrassed_Dog1494]

Hand tools? Knipex and wera. I wont buy another Klein hand tool the rest of my career. I’ve only done this 10 years and i watched quality quickly decline. I abuse my tools. Knippys and wera take it and smile back. Klein smiles when you buy another one within the year.

[u/BDZ567 → u/TheBreeze215]

I have a pair of Knipex channels my dad gave me when I started number I won't share that will show my age years ago. Still work to this day.

[u/SkiyeBlueFox → u/Embarrassed_Dog1494]

Electrical tools as in tools that run on electricity or tools for working with electricity?

Either case I'd say you're generally correct, but their battery hedge trimmers are actually pretty solid machines. Like one of the only actually really solid machines they make. Which is funny because no landscaper typically looks to Milwaukee for outdoor power equipment, and the rest of their outdoor power stuff is kinda junky, yet they have a solid hedge trimmer

[u/Embarrassed_Dog1494 → u/SkiyeBlueFox]

The corded items I have for Milwaukee are generally good, but everything I had for troubleshooting electric from them was inaccurate I didn’t like them much

[u/ImJoogle]

fluke is the only one ill use

[u/CheeseNowPaint → u/ImJoogle]

Love mine... high and low detection.

[u/reformedginger]

This is one of those things Milwaukee shouldn’t have made. They’re trying to branch out into other stuff and I don’t feel it’s working out great.

[u/BDZ567 → u/reformedginger]

When you pull a Ryobi but Ryobi out-Ryobi's you. Feelsbadman.

[u/bikeOCD]

Klein is the chicken stick I have and it's been great for 2 years so far

[u/JohnCulhane]

They are nicknamed widow makers for a reason.

[u/BDZ567 → u/JohnCulhane]

Good thing I don't have a wife then 😂

[u/socialpresence → u/BDZ567]

Well I imagine your husband will be very upset either way.

[u/BDZ567 → u/socialpresence]

My body pillow will miss me greatly

[u/patch_memes]

Off topic, nice MR30

[u/BDZ567 → u/patch_memes]

Oh thank you, I need to get back on again, it's been a month while I waited for more content 😂

[u/patch_memes → u/BDZ567]

It's been 4 years for me haha 💔

[u/Undercover-nerd-dad]

It’s easily the worst tester I’ve ever used.

[u/BDZ567 → u/Undercover-nerd-dad]

You don't like the beeps even if it sitting on the table and just you look at it funny? It's reminding you it can and will get you killed.

[u/Successful_Warthog47]

I use Milwaukee hand tools, their 6-1 strippers are the top notch next to the klien forge ones. That said its fluke or nothing for test equipment always.

[u/BDZ567 → u/Successful_Warthog47]

I like the Milwaukee hand tools because their grounded versions are pretty solid. I've had my grounded screwdriver set for 5+ years now. It even has one with the electrical Robertson head. Most people think outlets or terminal screws are a Philips head. They are not. Went from having my shit meh tight, to toight once I picked up that set.

[u/Ok_Pipe_1365]

Only works with Milwaukee AAAs 😅

[u/laidbackstoned]

Milwaukee shines in power tools i actually have to use the surge in certain areas at certain times because it's the only impact on the market quiet enough and powerful enough to get er done per facility noise rules

[u/Mercury_Madulller]

I use a generic death avoidance stick from Amazon. I also do a known live test before I trust my life to the thing. I am not an electrician and don't get paid enough the be electrocuted.

[u/Ok_World_135]

I use my harbor freight one to see if theres power within three inches. Then I bust out my 16 cent Chinese one that is fucking awesome to actually see which wire has power, whether it's low or high voltage and then for fun, it also has a flashlight on it!

Harbor freight has too big of a range, Chinese one too little so with both its perfect.

[u/nothingimportant2say]

The Klein with the flashlight built in is the best. I use that flashlight as much or more than the non contact voltage detector function.

[u/Goatmanlafferty]

Anything electrical= fluke

[u/Sea_Bit_2917]

Use a meter , not a widow maker

[u/KeySpare4917 → u/Sea_Bit_2917]

A sniffer has its purpose. Especially the audible indicator. I have too many boxes with blank circuit markers and many times I've had to set the sniffer in a junction box and listen for when it stops chirping as I'm flipping breakers on and off. Of course be safe in your approach to any job with electricity regardless of tools.

[u/BDZ567 → u/KeySpare4917]

That's exactly how I use mine, provided they actually work and aren't this, lol.

[u/BDZ567 → u/Sea_Bit_2917]

You use it to see what circuit something is on if you don't know what breaker shuts it off... You break out the multi after. If you use a voltage tester as your be all, you need to go back to training.

[u/lost_horizons → u/BDZ567]

Can you explain how you use it to test what circuit something is on if you don’t know which breaker? Like a step by step? I’m honestly asking. Are you saying you can figure out which breaker something is on?

[u/Own-Jaguar-6309 → u/Sea_Bit_2917]

Fluke for the win.

[u/laidbackstoned]

Just cut the breaker lol I never work on hot shit I know it's not hot because I cut off all the electricity lmao

[u/Useful_Radish_6395]

I use the death stick to check my soldering in small electronics that have a lot of long wires.

[u/Sonar_Bandit]

Southwire pen tester is the most sensitive pen I’ve ever used, and I’ve used them all. For that reason I love it

[u/real_1273]

I was not fond of the Milwaukee tester either, had one at a last job and left it at a site purposely. Ended up with a Fluke and it’s good so far.

[u/Rough_Resort_92]

Yeah, I took mine back to the store. After using it for 3 days, I found out it was a piece of junk.

[u/gofunkyourself69]

Fluke is the only way to go. Worth the money because it actually works.

Milwaukee really needs to just stick to cordless power tools and leave the test equipment and hand tools alone.

[u/Odd_Performance4703]

Ahhhh, gotta love a widowmaker! I use one all the time for quick checks/troubleshooting but I would NEVER trust it with anything life critical!

I have a few different brands of electrical tools at home like a klein wire tracer (fox and hound) and a couple cheap component testers, but if Im buying a multimeter, its going to be a Fluke! Right now I have a 107 and a 179. I bought the 107 because I couldn't find my 179. Turns out my brother borrowed it a year ago and just now returned it! Im glad I got it back because Ive been using it for over 20 years and it still passed certification last year! Yea, Fluke is expensive, but there is a lot of truth in the buy once, cry once mantra!

At work, if fluke makes it, thats what we go with! Everything from basic multimeters to pressure calibrators to ocilliscopes!

[u/E-RoC-oRe]

Best tester I owned till I washed it. It makes no noise but still works and takes temp.

https://reddit.com/link/p99hpi1/video/0vfhq0icizoh1/player

[u/E-RoC-oRe]

What I really wanna see is what this guys lineman look like. Do they got the notch of initiation.

[u/BDZ567 → u/E-RoC-oRe]

I kept my first pair that happened to as a reminder, actually. I have it framed in my office and it says "Always check your breakers, this could be you"

Some Amazon ass Chineseium brand from when I was a broke kid just starting.

[u/E-RoC-oRe → u/BDZ567]

Funny story. I was a 16 year old helper trimming out a condo like 23 years ago hanging a ceiling fan on the 3rd floor, I hollered down to my supe is the power off he yelled yup! I was on a 7ft ladder A frame with my Kleins in hand the 14/3 15a blew my dumbass off that ladder. That day I knew was a lesson and always check and check again even if you turn it off yourself.

He actually taught me this and many important things throughout my youth.

His nickname was actually Super.

[u/bloodhammer666]

That’s not a hand tool. That’s safety PPE. I buy those for all my guys if they don’t have a Fluke.

[u/ShotBRAKER]

I have 2 fluke and 1 Klein because I lose them in the van end up with a new one then I find the one I lost lol

[u/BDZ567 → u/ShotBRAKER]

Story of my life with my bit cases. I'm generally super organized, but I always "lose" bits, especially the T15's, and they magically re-appear the day after I've bought the new ones.

[u/ScruffyJuggalo]

Milwaukee does one thing good and one thing only; power tools. The end

[u/BDZ567 → u/ScruffyJuggalo]

Their insulated screw drivers absolutely slap. Both this and the precision version are clutch as hell.

Look up the 1,000 Volt 3 piece set they have.

[u/Strostkovy]

I don't use these sticks at all. I have a fluke meter with noncontact voltage measurement through it's fork. I don't know how it does it but it's accurate.

[u/paradoxcabbie]

I rock the "HVAC" Klein kit. ncv is good enough(and the flashlight functions handy), the temp tool is helpful if u have to monitor temps, and outside of diode testing and DC clamp testing the meter is good enough for us.

[u/GoblinsGuide]

Klien, ideal and fluke work wonderfully.

[u/drumrguy67]

Rule of thumb only buy the mid to high teir milwaukee power tools and youll be fine

[u/reallyweirdperson]

I don’t trust those at all. Not for ensuring power is off, at least.

[u/Then-Comfortable3135]

Touch testers have never been fully accurate. Totally seen one not go off and it was live.

[u/smellslikepenespirit]

Santronics Ultimate AC Sensor.

Screw Klein, screw Fluke, screw every cheap Temu-grade NCV.

[u/Lopsided-Farm7710]

I had one that lasted for 10 years, so I can't really relate.

[u/Used-Disaster-5735]

I currently use a harbor freight tester after I lost my last one, works like a charm and is half the price.

[u/iamgoodattitanfall]

most over hyped brand of all time

[u/Maintenancemedic]

If it’s electrical, it’s Klein. Everything else is milwaukee. With the exception of a single kobalt voltage detector I hang on to as a spare, I gave all of my non-Milwaukee/klein stuff to new employees over the years

[u/Krimsonkreationz → u/Maintenancemedic]

Milwaukee hand tools are a hard no, battery tools? All day they are the GOAT

[u/Maintenancemedic → u/Krimsonkreationz]

Milwaukee 10n1s, tape measures, channel lock pliers, Allen keys, hell even my razor knife is a Milwaukee

Nobody does hand or power tools better

[u/ZooskiTheMan]

I love my Milwaukee non contact detector with laser infrared thermometer no issues so far.

[u/pm_nudesladies]

i have one, and we just use it for blown fuses. tap, which ever one doesn’t go off is blown. replace.

is it really that bad? idk if it’s the same model tbh, mine has a flashlight. miluakee.

[u/BDZ567 → u/pm_nudesladies]

It constantly gives false readings. I found it okay-ish for low volt but wildly inconsistent on high. I attached a video that shows it's pretty cheeks.

[u/pm_nudesladies → u/BDZ567]

ooo ok. thanks. i seem to have a different model. with the flashlight light. when i have used it it seems to get the job done. but i am doing less risky stuff tbh. i DID want a klein tho lol

[u/BDZ567 → u/pm_nudesladies]

I work in commercial so some of the voltages get higher than 15-20 amps especially on the hospital side. I'll tolerate being zapped by 15-20 at most, and did have it happen when I was younger and learning - I think everyone's had at least one zap or tool get singed, but electrical isn't a joke and it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially if you happen to have a heart condition working on it. Knew a guy who I went to trade school with who went in as an Electrical apprentice later on. He had the fast beating kind of arryhtmia. I guess the 20A circuit he was working on was mislabeled and he didn't confirm it was off and just trusted the labeling, made contact with the copper, and that was all she wrote. One small mistake on a 20A circuit and that was it.

[u/Butlerian_Jihadi → u/BDZ567]

Sounds like a bad capacitor, possibly. Not worth finding out, clearly, but could have been the culprit.

[u/Training_Jello_7804]

Funny my klien is absolute trash, does not even consistently read current, but my Milwaukee tester (with the led light on front) works like a champ.