Milwaukee’s annual new product media event is coming next week! NPS17 will be held on June 7th, 2017.
You can follow live coverage on social media by searching for #NPS17. Different tool media sites and other attendees will be in different rotations, and so you’ll see a lot of different things at once, likely all day long.
We’ll post what we can on our social feeds:
- Instagram: ToolGuyd (ToolMag), Ben (Electronsmith)
I looked at my agenda – our day starts at 6:15am. 6:15. *groan* That’s how you know we love you guys and Milwaukee Tool too. =) I’m not a morning person.
What is NPS, and what can we expect from NPS17?
Milwaukee’s New Product Symposium is their new product showcase event, where they introduce recent releases and the next few months of new tools, accessories, and technologies. There are usually hands-on opportunities, and Milwaukee product managers and engineers are available to answer questions.
Here are my predictions and hopes about what we’ll see this at this year’s Milwaukee Tool New Product Symposium:
Revamped M12 Brushless Drills and Drivers
It’s been 4 years since my first Milwaukee Tool media event, and 4 years since they first came out with M12 Fuel brushless drills and drivers.
I think there’s a good chance of a revamp, but possibly not. I think the biggest possibility is that we’ll see M12 One-Key drills and impact drivers, and if so, that would be a reason to see similarly built non-One-Key models.
One-Key impact tools would be more appealing to me than a One-Key M12 drill. Do we need customizable torque limits or anti-kickback on a 12V-class drill? I don’t really think so.
One-Key… Stuff
I think we’ll see something new from One-Key, maybe a hub of some kind. Maybe a One-Key-equipped jobbox or similar.
Mobile Storage System
Milwaukee has come out with some nice tool storage cabinets, and they already have some decent USA-made tool boxes.
Would it be a big leap to think they’d come out with a more modular system of tool boxes, perhaps with a spot for a Tick to make them One-Key-enabled?
Modular Tool Bag or Pouch System
Husky recently came out with a modular tool bag, which features mounting points for smaller pouches, allowing users to carry what they need and stow what they don’t in their truck or workshop.
While shopping around for a small photo gear accessory pouch for the Milwaukee event, I came across a ThinkTank belt and modular pouch system.
Milwaukee has come out with tool bags and zippered tool pouches before, but what about tool belts and pouches? I’d like to see what kind of spin Milwaukee can put on this.
Modular tool storage and carrying products are tricky. There are benefits, but always potential tradeoffs in tying design engineers and users to a system.
2-Battery M18 Fuel Cordless Table Saw
C’mon, you know you’re thinking it, and also wanting for it. This would of course have been Milwaukee’s best kept secret – their first cordless table saw, and first dual-M18 battery-powered tool. But if they can pull it off, it’ll likely be amazing.
Hmm, I seem to be confusing “wishes” and “predictions” with this one. But while I’m at it, here’s what I would want from the cordless table saw:
- Powered by 2 M18 battery packs
- Brushless motor
- Hybrid “plug it in” option
- High efficiency dust collection (something that Milwaukee didn’t get perfect on their M18 miter saw)
Higher Capacity Battery Packs
Milwaukee is committed to their M18 battery packs, and have promised to keep things backwards and forwards compatible.
With Bosch, Dewalt, Ridgid, and Ryobi being among the brands to move to higher capacity battery packs that utilize higher volume Li-ion cells, why not Milwaukee too?
I’d like to see Milwaukee move to a 20700 cell form factor for their next-gen highest-performing compact, XC, and HD battery packs.
Cordless Battery AC Power Source
Dewalt’s got one. Why not Milwaukee too? For Milwaukee’s I’d expect to see a more compact form factor.
Maybe it could look like this, just a little bigger.
Hand Tools
Hmm, what hand tool space has Milwaukee yet to shake up?
I’d like to see some nicer screwdrivers. Maybe a bigger push into mechanics tools?
Test Equipment
Milwaukee has been awfully quiet when it comes to test equipment – digital multimeters, thermometers, and thermal imagers.
If they could come out with new meters, potentially One-Key connected to log or share data and imagery via smartphones, it could potentially disrupt the limited-competition market.
USA-Made EDC Knives
Milwaukee’s EDC knives are decent, but I’d like to see more.
I’d like to see them partner up with Kershaw and Zero Tolerance (same company) to come out with a range of USA-made EDC pocket knives at $35 to $200 pricing.
Oscillating Multi-Tool
It’s about time for a new oscillating multi-tool, potentially one that utilizes Bosch and Fein’s Starlock interface system, which is ridiculously easy and convenient to use.
Cordless Trim Router
Ridgid’s got one, and Ryobi’s got one. I think Milwaukee’s bound to get one too.
Your Tool Predictions and Wishes?
What do you think Milwaukee will be announcing next week?