Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 0490-22 4-Volt Lithium-Ion Screwdriver Kit

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I finally broke down and purchased a cordless screwdriver after years of alternating between a cordless drill with a screwdriver bit and a manual screwdriver.

This is a definite improvement over using the drill. I am now able to reach areas that were inaccessible before.

The drill ships with two batteries and a charger that will return a battery to full charge quickly - long before you will be able to run down the second. The battery charge indicator is a nice touch. Whenever you operate the screwdriver the charge level indicator lights up on the battery.

The power is not impressive, but certainly adequate for almost all jobs. For tougher jobs you will need to use the slower of the two speeds as torque is limited at the higher speed. This is the only issue I have had, and probably comes from using a drill for this task for so long.

Building a deck using screws? This isn't the tool for the job (no, I didn't try that ;). I believe it is up to any other task, as long as you select the appropriate speed.

The ergonomics are ok, but not perfect. The units with more sculpted handles will be more comfortable for a lot of people. I was willing to overlook that in order to get a brand that I trusted to work for years. I would make the same purchase again and recommend the screwdriver to others.

I am the proud owner of several Milwaukee tools some that are electric and some that are battery powered and have had nearly 100% satisfaction with all except for a few qualms with this screwdriver. It DOES have much longer battery life and more power than the predecessor 2.5 volt which probably makes it worth buying for the most part. THIS TOOL WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY AMOUNT OF WATER THAT GETS INSIDE, we're talking DRIPS!!! I have had a couple of these get ruined because of using in a partially sheltered area in the rain, and also one got barely dripped on under the edge of a cabinet near a sink while changing a dishwasher supply hose. There is a very small IC in the handle that shorts out when the leads get corroded with mineral deposits, soap, etc and will burn the unit out. (2) the battery keeps falling out. You can't use the unit like a manual screw driver as you could with the older unit as the gear mechanism is NOT a positive lock, and the battery twists locks so it keeps coming unscrewed and falling out. However you can lock the button on the side to use it this way. (3) Milwaukee does not make a case for this model. Regarding cases, it surprises me to no end that Milwaukee still makes a very space wasting slot in their cases for the manual. How many are there of you that are like me and like to keep your tool manuals CLEAN and organized in a file cabinet. How many of you actually look at your manual every time that you use your drill,etc?? Would you like to see some of that space actually used to hold driver bit accessories or something useful?? Please write to Milwaukee and let them know this!!

This screw driver's MFRS price of $250 is way out of range for what this unit is. Unless you are desperate for owning Milwaukee like I was, I would not give over $75 for this unit and am warning you to keep it away from any and all water. I informed Milwaukee of the Battery problem and they just brushed me off like it was nothing, and in no way shape or form was interested in improving their product. I am not one to abuse my tools and have not had any problems with the other milwaukee tools that I own.

First let me say I use this Milwaukee Screwdriver everyday, I am happy I chose the Milwaukee over the other brands I was looking at, it was a little more money but their reputation for quality and the higher rpm (600)sold me.

I really enjoy how compact this screwdriver is, it conveniently fits in my tool pouch so I no longer have to carry around my heavy cordless drill for simple tasks like installing lights, switches, or outlets. The easy change bit collar is also a nice touch, you do not have to keep holding back the collar it will click and stay open until you replace the bit. Sounds like a simple thing but it's the little details like this that makes an already great tool a better one.

Battery life last a long time but it's still nice that Milwaukee included two batteries and good charger with this screwdriver. Some other brands I looked at had a permanent internal battery making the screwdriver useless while it was being charged.

My only regret is I should have bought this cordless screwdriver a long time ago, it has been a real time saver. I still carry my old fashion hand screwdrivers but the first tool I usually reach for is my Milwaukee screwdriver!

Only had it for 5 days. Day 1, as I charged one battery, I ran the other as shipped from 3 LED's lit down to nothing by driving 8 x 3/4 screws into an OLD piece of pressure treated wood (not new an soft) and then backing them out with the drill torqued to 12.
The battery ran down after 30 screws in and out.
I then swapped batteries.
The fresh battery has been in since.
My primary use so far has been for unhanging and rehanging doors. I use it to disassemble, drill pilot holes, reassemble. So far, after 5 days and 6 doors (I'm not working fast) it still shows 4 LED's. On the first charge.
Clutch seems to work well. Weight is ideal.
I'm glad I found it because based on reviews of the previous Milwaukee model I ALMOST bought the yellow competitor which weighs 2.75lb, vs this at 0.9lbs.
Although MADE IN CHINA (how much would it cost if made in Mississippi?) it looks like they have quality control (I hope).
Summary - I'd recommend it.
6 month update - still going strong. I'll lay it down, come back 3 weeks later, battery still good. Just bought 3 more from HD.

I have owned this product for several months and find it to be a good tool. I agree with most everthing the other reviewers say. The only problem I have found is the way the battery attaches to the tool, it's not that great. The battery doesn't seem to lock very solid and the battery has come out in my hand during use and nearly always separates from the tool if dropped. If you place your hand on the back of this tools during use, this might be an inconvience for you. Otherwise a layer on vinyl tape will hold it secure until recharge time. I'll rate it 4 stars, it has good power, comfortable grip, and long lasting battery life.
Big Mo

Not much is said in the reviews I've read about the bit holder on this device. It's great. You can truely do one-handed bit changes. Pull the release out and it stays released. Then you can take your hand off the release and pull the bit out. When you put a new bit in all you have to do is push it in. No more pull-out-the-release-and-put-in-the-bit-at-the-same-time business. I'm sure the light on other devices is nice, but this easy to use bit holder trumps a light any day in my book.

Spend the money to get this, you will save in the long run. I've owned several different drivers through the years while I had been using the same Milwaukee for years at work. You'de think I would have learned. Well my last Black and Decker just blew its gears and I bought this one. Someone will inheirit it.

I purchased this model because I had been using the older model Milwaukee nickel cadmium cordless screwdriver and the batteries died, so I decided to purchase 2 new batteries for it and realized that I could get this entire kit for just a little bit more than the replacement batteries for the old model. I'm very glad I purchased the new one. I have also used a nickel cadmium version from AEG and Panasonic and they worked and looked almost exactly like my older Milwaukee.

This is my favorite tool I have ever purchased. I am a computer technician and I rebuild a lot of laptops. When you have to rebuild a laptop, there are around 50 screws, that's not an exaggeration. With a manual screwdriver, the job is a pain in the butt. With a good battery operated screwdriver, the job gets closer to enjoyable.

When working on electronics with a cordless screwdriver it's nice to have a couple of different speeds, which this tool has (200/600 RPM). A clutch is mandatory so you don't damage the circuit boards. This tool has a great electronic clutch.

The batteries are the best I've ever used. They last a very long time and recharge in 30 minutes or less. With the lithium ion batteries you don't have to worry about overcharging, or the memory issues that you have with nickel cadmium's. I've ruined many batteries on my old screwdrivers not remembering to take them out of the charger, some of them actually melted to the point where they wouldn't even fit in the charger anymore. This alone will save me lots of money. With this unit you can leave one of the batteries in the charger at all times so you will always be ready.

I have absolutely no complaints. Okay, maybe one but it's not a big deal. Like many things in life, it's made for right handed people and I'm a lefty. But over the years I've learned to use the forward/reverse switch properly with my left hand and it's not an issue.

I'm not a handyman so I don't do a lot of heavy duty drilling, but for electronic work, this is by far the best cordless screwdriver I've ever used!

One more thing, the quality of this screwdriver is excellent. The feel, the look, the performance, I really couldn't ask for a better cordless screwdriver. I paid around $70 and after using it, I believe it's worth twice that.

I purchased the standard battery model Milwaukee screwdriver years ago and liked it. Over the years I also purchased several other brands which I never liked. When the old batteries finally gave out I made the jump to the Lithion battery model. What a difference. This one is far behond any others. Small,powerful and charges very quickly. I especially like how it bends in the middle.

This is the best screwdriver/drill for the money based on what I paid. Home Depot sells it for $59 and the store it on sale for $39, which is an amazing price considering that it is selling it for more then $100 elsewhere.

It is quite small comparing to other compact drivers like Bosch, Hitachi, etc. The best part of this driver is the 21 position clutch with auto shut-off that stops rotation of the bit once the desired torque setting is met. You can change it depending how much tighten the screw you want to do.
Does not come with any case but for what I paid for this, no complains!