A reader mentioned something about the new Milwaukee M18 cordless Packout vacuum being made in the USA.
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The new Milwaukee Packout vac is listed for preorder on several retailers’ sites, and yes, there’s a made in the USA mention.
I have an early pre-production sample that I’ve been using (and with great results so far!).
The label does indeed say: Professionally made by Milwaukee Tool in USA with Global Materials.
I double (triple?) checked with Milwaukee Tool, and yes, the Packout vacuum is made in the USA with global materials.
What does this mean?
Generally, the “global materials” part refers to individual components or materials. With power tools, sometimes it’s the motor and control electronics.
To my knowledge, many if not all of Milwaukee’s hard Packout tool storage products and accessories are all made in Israel. It should be noted that Milwaukee Tool’s most likely Packout manufacturing partner (Keter) has USA production facilities.
The nozzle accessories that came with my Packout vacuum early production sample have an “engineering sample” type of smooth surface finish to them. But, Milwaukee already produces identically-shaped accessories for their other vacuums. They could be setting up new molds for the vacuum nozzles, which supports the possibility that the vacuum accessory parts are not being made at the same factories as for their other cordless vacuum products.
Milwaukee also DOES still make certain tools here in the USA, such as their corded Sawzall reciprocating saws. It’s possible that those facilities have been upgraded or equipped to handle Packout vacuum production and/or assembly.
Brands generally don’t get into the nitty gritty about where different tool components are manufactured. We could only speculate about which components could be made here, but what we know for certain is that the vacs are at least built here, and with the strong possibility that the vacuum’s Packout-compatible housing and connection components are made domestically.
While some could argue in favor of tools being entirely made here, it’s just not possible. Brushless motor controllers, for instance, might be fully built elsewhere, and using components that are not currently produced in the USA.
So, my assumption is that the Packout vacuum’s housing is made here, with possibly the motor and electronics made elsewhere, and everything assembled and quality-checked here. With a product like this, this scenario is about as good as made-in-USA proponents could hope for.
Price: $199
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ETA: November 2020
Adam says
I saw a post on Instagram suggesting Milwaukee are going to start making plumbers and electricians hand tools in a new factory in the US? Is this the beginning of Milwaukee re-shoring their overseas manufacturing?
Let’s hope so ? ??
Steve says
Maybe, or as Stu mentioned above, it may be just on this product because of where their manufacturing partner for it is basing production.
Stuart says
I have not seen or heard anything about any such initiative yet.
Nathan says
Makes some sense to compete with Dewalt on that marketing front. Also makes a bit of sense with rising tarriff issues etc etc.
interesting moves. Did I read that their new impact wrench is also made in US?
Stuart says
Where do you think you read that?
Nathan says
I don’t remember. I was looking up the new compact impact wrench after reading about it on this site. And I think I saw another mention of it on some other site that stated it would be made in USA.
I could be wrong however which is why I asked.
John Patel says
Man that’s a winner. I wasn’t going to upgrade but I think I will now. I’m happier to spend the money because of the made in the US part.
Plain grainy says
They can call it the PacVac for short.
Adam says
https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/milwaukee-opening-hand-tools-manufacturing-plant-in-wisconsin/52791/
Jim Felt says
This seems like a very proactive US based expansion on Milwaukee’s part.
Hope the market(s) hold. It’s been a very long expansion since 2012. Not even counting the as yet unclear effects of the weak national COVID-19 response.
Only time will tell. Darnitall.
Stuart says
I can’t believe I let this fly under my radar!
According to the January PR buried in my inbox (whoops!):
The release also says:
Russell says
Looks like Milwaukee clarified the part about the power tool manufacturing. It looks like they were only talking about vacuums.
https://www.ucbjournal.com/milwaukee-tool-clarifies-cookeville-plans/
Tom D says
I think we found where the pacvac is made.
Rob G says
I wish they would start making hand tools in the USA, I would think it would be an easier endeavor with less globally sourced materials required then in power tools. Power tools made in USA would be huge too.
Malcolm Smith says
Hmm… not sure the Packout version is worth double the cost of the original 2018 version (0880-20). I have the 0880-20 (2018 version) so I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth the investment to upgrade. From my research here’s what you get if you pay an extra $100 for the 0970-20:
Cost Comparison:
0880-20: $99
0970-20: $199
Packout Compatible:
0880-20: No
0970-20: Yes
Power Comparison:
0880-20 Blower: 45 CFM
0970-20 Blower: 53 CFM
0880-20 Suction: 32 inches of water
0970-20 Suction 47 inches of water
Weight Comparison:
0880-20: 10.1
0970-20: 11.3
Power Switches
0880-20: 1 power level
0970-20: 2 power levels (high and low)
Run time with 8.0Ah XC:
0880-20: 32 min
0970-20: 31 min (50 min on low setting)
Noise:
0880-20: 84-85db
0970-20: 87db
First off, I’m not a Pro and I do not own the Packout System (so there’s that). It looks like for double the money you get a bigger and slightly louder system that has equivalent runtime (on high) with an increase in power (+17% for blower; +46.9% for suction). I don’t know…. not really feeling the inertia to upgrade my 0880 tool. Am I missing anything? I’ve never hooked my vacuum up to any of my other tools (sander/jigsaw, etc) so maybe the increase in suction is worth it?
Stuart says
With the runtime spec, the 0880 lasts for up to 32 minutes with a 9Ah battery. The Packout specs are with an 8.0Ah battery.
Also, capacity is 2.5 gallons for the Packout vs. 2.0 gallons for 0880.
The brushless motor vs. brushed gives more power and more runtime, ignoring even longer runtime under the low power mode.
You also get the power tool dust port adapter nozzle.
As a standalone vacuum, this is an upgrade, although I would agree it’s not quite proportional as you don’t get 2X more for 2X the price. The Packout compatibility is an important feature, and not an inexpensive one to implement.
As you already own the 0880, there’s no harm in continuing to use it. If you want more suction power, longer runtime, or Packout compatibility, you can always upgrade at a later time. Or, you might come across a discount or bundle deal that helps push your decision.
Just because the Packout vacuum is better in a lot of ways, doesn’t mean it’s the better choice for all users.
I love my 0880, and for personal use I’d likely seek to upgrade its nozzle (the power tool adapter will be an optional accessory for other vacs), but I wouldn’t replace it.
There’s also a new M12 Fuel 0960-20 vac, which might be another choice against the M18 brushed 0880.
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-tool-pipeline-2020-cordless-vacuums/
I have a new-version 0880 vacuum and really like it. For my needs, I probably wouldn’t upgrade. But if it was lost/destroyed tomorrow, I would likely look towards the M12 Fuel or M18 Fuel Packout models to replace it. Or, if it were still functional but on its last legs, I would wait until the winter holiday shopping season and see what kind of deal I could get. I bought my 0880 with a 5Ah battery as a bundle deal a few years ago. There are bound to store coupons, maybe a Packout coupon, M18 bundle offers, special buys, or other types of promos that help to make these types of decisions clearer for those who can stand to wait a little.