Milwaukee M18 5cfm Vacuum Pump Real World Use, and Review

[@kg4muc]

First off glad you found your probes! Now to the vac pump. That thing is impressive!! Portability is the big thing. I think you’ll give it a good workout and that will show just how good it really is

[@stephenbullock-yn3vh]

Nice vacuum pump. I also like the idea of not running power cord and it's compact.great repair curtis 👍

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks 👍

[@billybrown1979]

you found a new vacuum pump to save you time on the jobs. be bless and keep your eye out on the hurricanes.

[@Balticblue93]

So out of curiosity, how does a 5CFM vacuum pump battery powered pump save him time versus his VP87 8CFM electric pump running double Trublue 1/2" hoses? He can hook the VP87 directly to the contactor power leads or extension cord and go, which will also connect to his Job link app or MeasureQuick. M18's have to be charged, what happens if the power dies part way through the vac cycle, plus those batteries are expensive when they die? What about Triple vacs? How many systems can it do before the battery is out of juice? One? He was down to one bar a 357CFM, I make my employees pull to 100 microns and valve off for a decay test. I get battery powered tools and I use all of Milwaukee M12 and M18 tools, but that is one that is like a battery powered lawnmower, the corded models are so much stronger and way more torque and more power. Hand tools, press tool and shop vacuums are one thing, that is a pump sucking the tin man through a keyhole requires extensive power. I see this as a backup only or for mini-splits at best.

[@robalexander7348]

A nice change over job Curtis, and i'm pleased you are happy with your new Vac pump 👍 Au

[@teeg3275]

I just bought one haven’t used it yet but from the video 23 24 mins isn’t to bad, my 8 cfm field piece blows it out the water but the m18 is about half the size 48 minutes of run time is great! Especially if that’s only a 8.0!

[@rickr6908]

Thanks for the shots of Reily yesterday. That new vacuum pump looks like it should save you a lot of time. Good luck with it.

[@hinspect]

Nice pump! I still have my Edwards from years ago. I feel like an antique!😊

[@johnwalker890]

Good deal Curtis, and good job.

[@kens.3729]

Keep up the Strong 💪 Efforts, Curtis. 👍🙏

[@stevencossaboon3237]

Nice job Curtis. Thats a nice pump.

[@billbrown1476]

I think your Demo showed how impressive the Milwaukee Vaccum Pump is. Plus you have your corded pump as a backup.

[@fshn76]

I will probably get one when I get the extra dough to buy one. Thanks for the video Curtis.

[@ReliableHVACR]

That would definitely be a nice addition to the arsenal 👍🏽

[@jthonn]

99% of Milwaukee products are top notch. They cost a little more for a reason. Nice job, well done.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@c21meister]

Think I will pick one up too

[@chrisnapier5626]

Great video,Curtis!

[@hvacman954]

Thanks for the great review. You answered all my questions. With the biggest one being the check valve

[@joeaugustine2245]

Thank you for this review! I’ll be getting one

[@chuckquinn8026]

I think I would use the 12 amp battery all the time. Keep the 8 as backup 👍👍

[@boilerman2540]

I have had my navac 8cfm pump now it’s the built in micron gauge and alarm I just grab one leg from the disconnect but if some ever happens to it I will definitely look into one of those!!

[@zekenzy6486]

Great Video. Thank you for sharing.

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks for watching!

[@AllTattedUp13]

You need the hilmore hydraulic swedge tool, so easy and effortless.

[@joeoehm4341]

Is there coming more from Milwaukee? Recovery station, digital manifold, ...?

[@frankblankenship3026]

I have been looking for vacuum pump like that for a while and it looked strong, great video

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@fernandobazan829]

NAVAC has a battery operated vacuum pumps which I had no it’s better

[@fernandobazan829]

I think is better

[@user-ln7of9gs4s]

@@fernandobazan829what’s better? And why? I like the Milwaukee since most people already have their tools, so less batteries and chargers.

[@fernandobazan829]

it Navac is built for the hvac tech it pulled 31/2 ton in 15 min to 300 microns plus it didn’t use the whole battery charge plus I can get a least three to five normal pull downs from one battery charge plus if you buy Navac products then you can use the battery on almost everything about Navac so there y’all enjoy and do some research before you speak btw where is Milwaukee tools built Milwaukee tools are currently manufactured in China, Germany, Mexico, the United States and Vietnam. where is Navac built Lyndhurst, NJ - NAVAC, the world's largest supplier of HVAC vacuum pumps in addition to a wide array of tools, gauges

[@sergiodominguez2103]

Nice work. I like the pump save time running cord and all the rest.

[@hvacotj]

Awesome video. Great work Bro.

[@HVACGUY]

Appreciate it!

[@AaronPowellvox]

Awesome!

[@paulblanton1793]

Checkout Navac. Game changer for me. Super lightweight and compact almost $400 cheaper than Milwaukee. However, I do not like the battery time on the Navac. 25 to 30 minutes max👌🏼

[@raulmeza3149]

I need one!

[@harrydickson4575]

Awesome review and job too lol 👍👍👍

[@HVACGUY]

Thanks

[@jw3843]

I have always wondered how often those press fittings leak. I know if you do them right, they should be good for a while just based on the videos I have seen them in. I know mixed oils can cause issues with rubber seals, I think I heard not to use them when changing from r22 to 410a for that reason. I know I saw them for sell about 5 years ago and for 2500 plus dollars I just could not see buying them for myself as a service tech. I would rather the company buy it then paying for it out of my own pocket. That vacuum pump would be really handy when doing things on roogtops.

[@UncleEarlHeatingAirCondition]

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your content!... Your milwaukee DC Pump is rather noisy compared to my Navac DC ( one Navac battery lasts 1hr, so i carry two).. It's good to see the comparison to the Navac. QUESTION: HOW MANY MICRONS WILL THE PUMP PULL DOWN WHEN MICRON GAUGE IS ISOLATED TO PUMP ONLY?

[@HVACGUY]

I don’t know

[@UncleEarlHeatingAirCondition]

​@HVACGUY would be good to know. That's how you test your pump performance before connecting your hose set up. Also, you test your hose set up before connecting to the system.. When testing the pump only, should pull at least below 50 microns, idealy would be 15-25 microns. Just passing on info, we all in this HVAC thing, together!

[@edmnich8255]

I like cordless but battery prices are killer

[@Firehawk841]

tip: valve the unit before the true blue hose. they will not hold vacuum and leak. trublu says they are designed to transport not hold vacuum.

[@mikedillon6233]

Curtis . what I was truly curious about is, How do you like the Crimping system you are using? I asked another h v a c guy I work around About this ,"im an Electrican", And what he told me was this. They were great. But not in all situations, and then one time He told me about how he tried to braze one on and it burned the rubber seals out of it! So far i'm curious about your experiences with that system . Thank you.

[@HVACGUY]

At times it is the best option. And other brazing is the best option. So far, I’m finding them reliable.

[@burgerbunns]

All of those pretty red tools and then that ugly yellow fan 😉. Great video man!

[@topher8634]

Never saw that kind of blower in a Goodman before.

[@montanaspring7176]

i might buy one. 850 retail. might get them cheaper though the company acct

[@sgallant04]

Thank you for the video. I’m curious to understand why you chose to use the RLS press fitting on the evaporator and filter dryer but braised in the condenser what’s your logic that you use to decide to use which connection type?

[@mikelilley]

Great unit, except its $1500 on Amazon and its only a 5cfm. I just got the Fieldpiece 6cfm, change oil on the fly and it was $450.

[@jamesfitzsimmons381]

Think I would still use the field piece since you’re already using power for the recovering machine

[@jamesfitzsimmons381]

Would be helpful if the system is out of refrigerant already

[@fernandobazan829]

Again I like fieldpiece where you can change the oil on the fly I got a 8 cfm and it works like a champ plus you are pumping milwaukee stuff just to get free stuff and kick backs you know you do lol

[@HVACGUY]

Milwaukee hasn’t helped me in any way. But that doesn’t mean I’m not trying to get their attention

[@fernandobazan829]

@@HVACGUY it all good Curtis not meant to offend I just know that most of the influencers like you get free stuff is all and why not if it works great looks like it did a great job for now Milwaukee is going hot and heavy into all kinds of trades and i guess it up to the individual to choose what the can afford I started with a old JB 2 cfm vacuum took me 2 hours to pull down system over 25 years ago anyway good videos keep them coming thanks

[@Bob.W.]

Cool. :)

[@juanlanda2561]

Nice review! I have a 2cfm navac pump with 5.0 and I can pull down below 400 microns in under 10 minutes on a 3.5ton unit with 25’ lineset. But that’s just pulling on the lineset and indoor coil, not the outdoor unit.

[@Bill-jq2eo]

Have you ever tested how many microns a simple machine can reach? I bought this machine and the writing limit was 25 microns, but it couldn't reach it at all.

[@老甲-j2v]

A powerful pump

[@hediervarelamedina987]

blessings, a question are you welding under the presence of nitrogen? Because no matter how much sweeping is done and how much vacuum is done, when the soot generated by the welding internally is released, there will be a certain obstruction and those residues will end up inside the compressor. If I use nitrogen when welding, great. For the rest, the video is respectable.

[@vincenteng7473]

Nice job. Like that vacuum pump. My boss bough 1 not to long age. How much was it?

[@HVACGUY]

$849

[@althompson3332]

I like the new pump. I have heard a few good things about it. As yet to hear the cost. Next time give us a update on the cost. Thanks

[@Audaz_Firme]

HvacGuy is it dual power? Meaning, does it offer a corded and uncorded options?

[@HVACGUY]

No. But JB sells a 120V adapter for their version that also uses Milwaukee batteries

[@montanaspring7176]

stupid question. does it take oil

[@HVACGUY]

Yes, but none comes with it.

[@woodystokes1543]

How do you incorporate the expense of the press fittings

[@HVACGUY]

just charge approximately $20 per fitting

[@AllTattedUp13]

Def telling the wife to buy me this for xmas 😂😂

[@AllTattedUp13]

For $850 they should have given us either two 8ah batts or a 12ah. But like all milwaukee tools I'm sure they'll have a kit with 2 batts shortly.

[@orionwarren4244]

Hopefully, Milwaukee is 'compensating' you with free or deeply discounted tools in exchange for your prominent 'product placement' , Curtis? 😎👍

[@HVACGUY]

I wish!

[@ricardocastaneda4541]

If you already have the torches out , why not just braze in all the connections . Are you 110% confident those fittings won’t leak over time ?

[@HVACGUY]

I believe this system will fail and be replaced long before those press fittings fail.

[@garciajr913]

I used to say the same thing until i invested and bought my own last month cost me 5k totally worth it if you use it how the manufacturer tells you to

[@davemc3650]

Let battery cool down before recharging, they go dead fast using hot back to back, I have two 12 amps paper weights

[@SergeUnburnt]

Hello! And if instead of an electronic station, you use pressure probes with a phone? Will it be more convenient?

[@noswad7898]

What would be nice is if this thing had the option to plug it into a wall also. Then I would 100% sold on it.

[@rwcasto]

I hate those dryers in the goodmans-

[@wilmermendoza7752]

Looks nice but I’ll rather keep using my fieldpiece 10cfm vacuum pump.

[@nelsonflores67]

After 8 Months, how does it still performing?

[@camriedesel1202]

Do you have to buy special jaws to use the pro press hvac fittings? Or just the standard ones?

[@fernandobazan829]

How many CFM was that unit ??

[@HVACGUY]

5

[@wmgmusicgroup]

Can you do a review in a commercial setting?

[@thesilentonevictor]

I saw the price on amazon over thousand

[@HVACGUY]

It’s selling for $849. Supply house.com

[@jonathanhiggins7859]

Was that the m12 or m18 press tool? I’m going back and forward on which I should invest in between the two.

[@romeoser5397]

So this vacuum doesn't need oil?

[@HVACGUY]

Yes, it does

[@frankblankenship3026]

Hey Curtis what was the cost for that pump?

[@HVACGUY]

Right now they are only selling the kit. $849. Comes with pump 8ah battery, and rapid charger.

[@thomasrux465]

To slow bigger is better

[@raymiron6375]

Do you find the vacuum pump loud? I just bought one and it seems excessively loud.

[@joshuahack3231]

do you still use this vac pump?

[@Balticblue93]

Nope, I own every Milwaukee hand tool and system there is. Besides the lawnmower, because that is like $1000 and I will just run a Honda gas mower that is better. The battery ran down pulling down one single system and only got to 350. This isn't a drill, press tool, a saw, a shop vac for clearing drain lines, etc etc etc. Those batteries are expensive as hell too and to replace when they die. Not wasting my money on that. I will bet you $100 bucks, he is back to the VP87 within the month.

[@paulyfoy9966]

“One more” famous last words before fuuuuuu… gotta get a new piece

[@joecooksey4331]

As a side note.... daughter has 2 pinhole leaks in an aluminum evap coil. She calls long time man in business... 35ish years as a contractor. Orders replacement coil.... Aspen brand. I'm impressed with coil. Brazes in coil... no nitrogen, no pressure test, no vacuum (RH @ 20%), no new filter/dryer and no scale to weigh in refrigerant. He went for "beer can" cold it appears. Signed an eyewitness. Bill 1,500 bucks.

[@chuckquinn8026]

🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@yorkrojas1452]

He really played her.

[@doelmorales1165]

🙂👍

[@beaverdamservices]

But what about recovery? You’ll still need a drop cord… seems kinda pointless and more of a struggle with making sure batteries are charged etc

[@attackthedefault8042]

I have this size battery charged for grinder and blower Also lots of times you can pump down not recover, lineset, evap, liquid solenoid repairs

[@woodystokes1543]

I hate where they put the dryer

[@iraregister7589]

Doing residential, you really will never need it, always have 120v right there for the cheater, neat tool though.

[@corruptedbrain6]

thats lowkey true

[@stevenvacanti2676]

Not much of a fan of battery operated tools ( except of course drills and such) as the battery sooner or later will become obsolete. Imo

[@AllTattedUp13]

Somebody with 3d printers will always be around to make battery adapters, literally millions on the web now.

[@paulyfoy9966]

The amount of times they change the batteries is so rare. By the time the reconfigure stuff, your corded tool would be in need of replacing anyways lol

[@travisrockwell7804]

I was kinda thinking the same. But how many uses will you get out of it before you’re replacing the expensive batteries. How fast does it drain a charge. I’m down for the pump but I’ll probably still use a cord for it and only use the battery when it’s necessary

[@herranenspearguns]

​@travisrockwell7804 you can run the pump for a hour or more per battery (depending on the battery uses ) I love mine it's soo much nicer than having to find a outlet and pulling a cord .

[@ashash4tube]

Seems like it's very slow and will eat your batteries up

[@hvaccounty9402]

That pump takes to long is really slow inless u had shader valves still in

[@HVACGUY]

Valves were out.

[@junixsk8]

I believe it's a pump IF you already have the 8amp or larger battery. If you don't have one, because it doesn't hold vacuum, utilizing an 5amp or smaller and having to switch batteries start to loose the convenience of a battery power tool that needs almost all 8amp. When you add the vacuum cost PLUS the very expensive 8amp battery, your taking a whole lot of money to justify a couple of alligator clips on the disconnect. Don't get me wrong, still a great idea and pump, but without the extra cost of the battery - given you don't have one, it is not worth the squeeze in my opinion. Great video, tho

[@bbrlocal]

ill stick to my fieldpiece and some cheater cables

[@philip6106]

You are not putting the right one back you do a hackjob job