Panasonic/Milwaukee Professional Classic 2-Speed Screw Driver Review & Teardown

This is the famous milwaukee/panasonic clutch two speed 2.4v NiCd screw driver. these were pretty nice but were expensive. they were a institution many years ago as they were the best screwdrivers available years ago. panasonic still makes electric screwdrivers but they are modern and much more powerful.

[Terinjim]

Appreciate you taking the time to show the rest of us how to break it down. I retired years ago as a mechanic and found some old tools of mine and bought some replacement batteries for my Milwaukee cordless 2.4v screwdiver thinking that it was the problem of not working. Looked to see a block diagram on taking it apart but found nothing. Low and behold I found your YouTube and took the time to see how it goes, thanks! I didn't want to buy a new

[jazzfreek]

I've had the Milwaukee for over 15 years, just ordered a couple new batteries for it very cheap. I just keep it in my house and it can come in handy for certain small tasks. It's in like new shape and can't bear to just toss it! Just like my 15 year old Ridgid 12V drill and impact driver set that the charger is broke. All tools are like new and it's a real shame that they build these things to be obsolete after a few years with no parts availability.

[jeromekaidor]

I have two of these, and one of the Milwaukee version. I love them! Their great weakness is the charger. The charger always seems to fail. It seems to decide that the battery is charged - and stops charging - long before the battery actually is charged. At this very moment, I am charging two of the batteries with a lab supply. It's set to 2.9V with current limited to half an amp. I connected to the batteries with clip leads - by winding a rubber band around the end and clipping the clip leads to the rubber band. The end of the battery has "-" and "+" molded into it.

[RT-piwc]

It isn't under powered. There designed for electronics were you need low torque not for driving screws into wood. The skill one is useless for electronics. It's ment for diy there is no real comparison.

[Gamer__]

The Panasonic one is not NiCAD, it's NiMH. This is a screwdriver (not a drill) and it is for electronics. Also it is still available to buy brand new.

[danielabbey]

Got several of the old Milwaukees off of CL cheap - going to use them to power feed a small lathe and mill. Very informative video!

[vendetta]

Now I want to see a video about you putting this all back together. Haha

[hardlyb]

I had an old Skil NiCad screwdriver back in the day, which I got for a present, and I never found it even slightly useful. By contrast, a couple of years ago I got a new Hitachi screwdriver and I used it to put together a gazebo with over 1000 cap-head machine screws. I gave that a real workout, having to switch batteries a couple of times a day, but the second battery was always charged before the first one died, and it had plenty of power.

[andrewsmactips]

Thanks, that was very interesting. As a sidenote, I had to sit through five ads for diamonds during the video. Go figure.

[Dark_Knight_USA]

Greetings: I serviced electronics about 50yrs. I bought mine in '88 when my partner boasted about his SkilTwist. Which I knew was junk- 2 slow, bad torque and poor battery life. My hand had advantage over that POS. At the time AEG had 1 similar. It was close in performance, however really cheap manufactured compared 2 the EY-503 (steel parts). Mine ran circles around his SkilTwist - doing it faster, stronger and safer on the screws using the correct clutch setting ( which I mostly had at 6). Also I usually only charged it once a week. I have repacked the 2 batteries ( 1 was a Milwaukee I modified) 2 times and now I am seeking more cells. Now difficult 2 find.

[hardnock-theoriginal..]

Thanks for your video it was very informative. I recently picked up a charger from the swap meet and it makes a buzzing noise. Is this dangerous to charge the battery? I tried and the battery does get a bit warm.. If I shake the charger while plugged in and charging, the noise does go away in different orientations. Thoughts?

[colchronic]

Catus: maybe I should swap out the camera for one that focuses!

The camera: *HEAVY BREATHING*

[boosted._sky]

Hitachi had a similar type driver too... people seemed to like it...

[aussiehardwood]

Yeah, but the current modern versions of that Panasonic screwdriver are way better. I have a 3.7v Lithium Ion Battery model by SP+tools & it's great, I'd say it's more powerful than the Skil you have. You would be surprised if you reviewed a new one in that Panasonic style.

[fastbusiness]

With all the precision parts, I can see why it cost so much back then.

[williamchow]

AEG I believe was the original company