Milwaukee, WI

6 Milwaukee Tools & Products That Can Help Make Decorating For The Holidays Easier – SlashGear

Published

1 month ago

December 1, 2024

6 Milwaukee Tools & Products That Can Help Make Decorating For The Holidays Easier – SlashGear

Chuck Savage/Getty Images

If you’re not careful and don’t plan ahead, decorating for the holidays can be such a grueling chore that it ends up sucking all the fun and cheer out of it. To make sure this doesn’t happen, and you enjoy preparing for the holidays as much as the festivities themselves, you’ll want the right set of equipment to get the job done as quickly and painlessly as possible. One brand that you might not associate with Santa Claus and eggnog is Milwaukee Tools, but the company is well-suited for the holiday season. The brand even makes its own Milwaukee Advent Calendar you can incorporate into your home decorations.

Milwaukee is a very popular brand with professionals and DIYers alike for its quality construction and convenient features. Milwaukee offers a wide range of products, including several that can help with putting up all sorts of Christmas decorations and other holiday adornments. These include power tools, hand tools, and other accessories you may not have even realized you could use.

Milwaukee also makes generators and other gear that can power your Christmas decorations, but you’ll also want to stock up on items that will help you set everything up. To help you figure out which are right for you, here are six Milwaukee tools and products that can help make decorating for the holidays easier, based on the reviews of people who’ve used them. More information on how these products were evaluated can be found at the end of this list.

Milwaukee 25′ Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure

The first thing you’re going to want to do before setting up elaborate holiday decorations is taking measurements. The last thing you want to do is start all over after realizing you don’t have enough lights or can’t fit all the reindeer you purchased. The Milwaukee 25′ Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure will come in especially handy as you map out your various indoor and outdoor decorations, whether you’re figuring out the biggest Christmas tree you can fit in your living room or planning to cover your house with enough lights to be seen from the North Pole.

Milwaukee makes several measuring tapes, but not all are magnetic — an especially useful feature if you’re working by yourself. The magnetic hook can easily attach to steel studs and other metal surfaces to help you take measurements. It has a 17-foot reach and a long, straight standout. With nylon bond blade protection and an additional coating on the first six inches of the blade, you won’t have to worry about tape tear, while its 5-point reinforced frame also gives it enhanced impact resistance. You’ll end up using this tape measure year-round for all kinds of applications, which is why it’s even included in some of the best Milwaukee tool sets for mechanics.

Of course, tape measures are easy to come by and there are some really affordable options, and you may find Milwaukee’s tool to be too costly. However, Pro Tool Reviews gave a slightly older model of this tape measure a positive review and said its durability and improvement to user experience make it worth the extra bucks.

The Milwaukee 25′ Wide Blade Magnetic Tape Measure is available from Home Depot for $25.

M18 Fuel ½-inch Cordless Drill/Driver

A cordless drill is a versatile power tool that can really save you time and effort while putting up holiday decorations, and the Milwaukee M18 Cordless ½-inch Drill/Driver is one of the best on the market. Pro Tool Reviews rated the drill/driver and a hammer driver variant a near-perfect 9.8 out of 10 score in its hands-on review of the test, calling its power and balance impressive. Milwaukee’s hammer driver/drill is useful for different reasons, and you might want to go with that model instead if you have more uses for it throughout the year, but for the basic drilling needs you’ll come across while putting up decorations, the M18 Cordless Drill Driver should be more than enough for you.

Since it’s just 6.9 inches long, the drill is great for smaller decorations. You can use it to drill holes for hooks or for attaching stands to outdoor Santas, reindeer, Nativity characters, and more. An integrated belt clip makes it easy to carry around, and its gearcase and ½-inch chuck are all metal for increased durability. The mechanical clutch can be used for many different fasteners, adding to the tool’s versatility.

As an M18 Fuel tool, you’ll get the usual powerful motor and long battery life you can expect from Milwaukee’s cordless line. The tool also features Autostop Control Mode, which allows you to set the sensitivity to low, medium, or high, allowing you to find the perfect balance for safety and convenience. Plus, it’s one of Milwaukee’s One-Key compatible tools, which makes it ridiculously easy to keep track of.

Home Depot sells the Milwaukee M18 Cordless ½-inch Drill/Driver for $239.

Milwaukee 6-in-1 Electrician Pliers

A set of Milwaukee 6-in-1 Electrician Pliers can be invaluable while setting up Christmas decorations, whether you’re removing old staples and nails, bending or shaping hooks, or using them to safely strip, cut, twist, or crimp wires. Pliers are also great for gripping particularly small items, especially when your fingers are numb from the cold. Milwaukee’s 6-in-1 Electrician Pliers are very popular with Home Depot customers, earning a 4.7 out of 5 average user rating based on over 2,400 reviews, with 87% of customers recommending the tool. They have a comfortable grip that comes in handy for extended use, and have tether-ready holes in the handles for easy storage and portability. Its integrated one-handed swing lock also makes sure they don’t open in your pocket or tool bag, and the pliers are spring-loaded for quick and easy opening.

The pliers employ a curved cutting blade for cleaner cuts, even with larger wires. It can cut #6 and #8 bolts easily, as well as strip 8-18 AWG solid wire and 10-20 AWG stranded wire. The tool also features a reaming head design and is constructed of forged alloy steel for improved durability and rust protection. They may not be as precise as needle-nose pliers, and to be honest, it’s good to have a few different kinds of pliers on hand, such as the 9-inch 7-in-1 High Leverage Combination Pliers, which is one of many Milwaukee tools no handyman should be without. But, if you’re only going to carry one pair, the 6-in-1 pliers will be plenty useful during the holidays.

You can purchase Milwaukee 6-in-1 Electrician Pliers from Home Depot for $15.

M18 Rocket Dual Power Tower Light

Wintertime means festive holidays, but it also means much shorter days and early sunsets. There’s a good chance you’ll end up having to put up some of your decorations in the dark, but fortunately Milwaukee makes several lighting options to brighten up the worksite. That includes the M18 Rocket Dual Power Tower Light, which can run for hours on batteries if your Christmas decorations are using up all of your outdoor outlets. If they aren’t, the hybrid light can also be plugged in and be used indefinitely.

It can be set up in just a few seconds and has 7-foot reinforced extension legs that have a compact footprint. The tool is impact resistant and has a low center of gravity to keep it stable, as well as a protective guard for the lamp head while you’re moving it from site to site. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a bright, 2,500 lumen output in neutral white, with an even beam pattern for optimal visibility. A low battery indicator will keep you from losing light unexpectedly.

One downside to the product is that it’s fairly pricey for a work light. Like many Milwaukee tools, you can find cheaper alternatives, but they’re less likely to offer the same quality and features. Both customers and professional reviewers, such as Tools in Action, have favorable opinions of the M18 Rocket Dual Power Tower Light.

The M18 Rocket Dual Power Tower Light retails for $179 at Home Depot.

Milwaukee 48-inch Redstick Digital Level

If your holiday decorations are even slightly crooked, it can ruin the entire look and make it feel like all your trouble was for nothing. You can prevent this nightmare with the Milwaukee 48-inch Redstick Digital Level, which uses Pinpoint Measurement Technology and offers a precise, easy-to-read measurement on its dynamic hi-res display. The screen will automatically adjust its brightness based on ambient light so that you won’t have to squint to read it, and a power save mode will preserve battery life. It’s easily rechargeable via USB.

In addition to a large font size, it uses lights and sounds to signal when it’s found a measurement. Its digital menu is also simple to use and includes settings for mode, sensitive, tolerance, power, and language. You may be hesitant to expose an expensive piece of digital equipment to the elements, but the Redstick is IP65-rated for protection against debris, dust, and more. High-density, removable end caps to protect the frame and make it easier to use in tighter spaces.

After testing the product, Pro Tool Reviews scored the Redstick Digital Level an 8 out of 10 and reported that it’s “chock-full of functionality,” as well as praising its “excellent carrying case.” Having a high-tech, digital level can certainly make measuring easier, though it comes with a couple of drawbacks. With a traditional bubble level, you can make measurements instantly and don’t need to worry about turning on the device for it to work. Milwaukee makes a significantly cheaper 48-inch Magnetic I-Beam Level that will offer the same measurements as the Redstick — but you may prefer the modern, digital touch of the latter.

The Milwaukee 48-inch Redstick Digital Level sells for $299 at Home Depot. Shorter and longer models are also available.

M18 Packout Radio Charger

One item you may not have thought of using while decorating for the holidays is a radio. After all, you’re likely to be spending at least a few hours toiling away, and what better way to put you in a festive spirit than by listening to some Christmas carols — or at the very least, Mariah Carey. While you can easily listen to tunes from any number of devices, the Milwaukee M18 Packout Radio + Charger is a smart choice for a few different reasons. For one thing, it’s built to withstand rough-and-tumble jobsites, unlike many more delicate radios and Bluetooth speakers. This makes it perfect for the chilly, windy, snowy conditions you may face while putting up outdoor decorations.

Another advantage is that it can last for hours on battery power — which means you can even incorporate it into your decorations themselves, adding a fun audio element to your visual display. The device can also charge your devices, as well as M18 batteries you may be using for other Milwaukee tools while you work. It’s also one of several accessories that make for great Milwaukee Packout options, as it easily attaches to the brand’s modular storage system.

Plus, it sounds great, which is obviously important when it comes to radios. After thoroughly testing the product, Bob Vila said the unit offers “unmatched sound” from its 10 speakers. However, you can save money by opting for a non-Packout model of the M18 radio. The M18 Jobsite Radio is more affordable, but it doesn’t offer the same storage and portability convenience as other Packout accessories, so it may come down to what’s more important to you.

The Milwaukee M18 Packout Radio + Charger is available from Amazon for $272.99.

How these Milwaukee products were selected for this list

Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

The best way to know if a product reliably works as advertised is to test it yourself. Short of that, you can rely on the feedback from others who have had the chance to do the same, including professional reviewers writing for reputable publications. Most of the recommended Milwaukee tools and products on this list have been vetted by such publications, including Bob Vila, Tools in Action, and Pro Tool Reviews.

It can be tough to find professional reviews of smaller hand tools, however. No professional reviews were referenced when writing about Milwaukee’s 6-in-1 Electrician Pliers, but fortunately the tool has strong feedback from customers who’ve purchased and used them. Based on over 2,400 reviews, Home Depot customers rated these pliers an impressive 4.7 out of 5. With so many people weighing in, this can be considered a reliable customer score, as any fake reviews or outlier scores made in bad faith, whether positively or negatively, won’t overwhelmingly skew the rating. You can thus be confident that the pliers, along with the other recommended Milwaukee products on this list, can help make decorating for the holidays an easier endeavor.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee ICE detention facility proposed for city's northwest side

Published

42 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee ICE detention facility proposed for city's northwest side

article

What we know:

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed to open an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Milwaukee, an alderwoman announced Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Ald. Larresa Taylor, who represents Milwaukee’s 9th District, said DHS requested modifications to a building located at 11925 W. Lake Park Dr. Those modifications include adding a sally port and a chain link fence with privacy slats. A sally port would be used to transport prisoners to and from the facility.

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“I want District 9, and the rest of the city, to know that we do not support the Department of Homeland Security in their decision to move into our district, and we definitely do not support any such modifications to any building in our district (as a location to house prisoners!),” Taylor said in a statement.

What’s next:

Taylor scheduled a news conference at 1 p.m. Wednesday outside the building. She invited all organizations that will be impacted to join her, noting “Milwaukee’s 9th Aldermanic District will no longer be Wisconsin’s dumping ground for detention facilities.”

The Source: Ald. Larresa Taylor provided information.

MilwaukeeNews

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Milwaukee, WI

Criminal justice advocates express high hopes for Milwaukee’s new district attorney | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Published

10 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Criminal justice advocates express high hopes for Milwaukee’s new district attorney | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

In the Milwaukee County Safety Building at 821 W. State St., Kent Lovern discusses his past, present and future as a prosecutor within the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. (Photo by Devin Blake)

District Attorney-elect Kent Lovern has made it a priority to listen to residents on the North and South sides of Milwaukee.

“What I have heard loudly and clearly is everyone wants to feel safe, and everyone wants that safety in their daily lives, and they want that for their children,” Lovern said.

At a ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 16, Lovern will be publicly recognized in his new role. With nearly 30 years of experience as a prosecutor, he’s recognized for his collaborative approach to systemic issues.

Lovern focuses on collaborations outside his office, in part, because he believes these collaborations are necessary to sustainably reduce violence and increase public safety in Milwaukee.

“I just feel like we need to better connect into one another and develop our own system of public safety – one that is really framed up as community development, economic development, educational development and the public safety comes with that,” he said.

Among Milwaukee’s large network of criminal justice advocates, many say they feel heard by Lovern.

“Kent has always been thoughtful and responsive to me,” said Emilio De Torre, executive director of Milwaukee Turners, which advocates for various criminal justice initiatives as well as those impacted by the criminal justice system.

Working together

“We can’t unring the bell of a crime, right? If somebody commits a crime, like myself, they need to be prosecuted,” said Adam Procell, who coordinates the monthly resource fair Home to Stay, for formerly incarcerated individuals reentering society. “But after that time period, when somebody gets out, he (Lovern) also understands that if we don’t provide the person with an opportunity to lead an optimal lifestyle, they’re going to have to prosecute them again for another crime.”

For Lovern, people reentering have a unique ability to lead others away from crime.

“People returning back to communities, looking to be proactive members of their community, looking for ways to help mentor young people and help instruct young people about the pitfalls and the mistakes they made – that’s a very powerful group,” he said.

Milwaukee County has the largest population of people on parole, probation or extended supervision in the state. At the end of October, nearly 13,000 people were under supervision, state correctional data show.

“On the whole, I have heard more interest in reentry across the board … than I have heard at any time in my career,” Lovern said.

Causes of crime

Lovern’s support of reentry is consistent with an overall preventive approach to crime.

He cites the relationship between drug addiction and crime as a good example.

“We’ve had a strong approach to this for some time, because right after John (Chisholm) was elected, 18 years ago, we created an early intervention unit, and that was immediately designed to offer opportunities for people to work through a criminal charge…and we’ve seen a lot of success with that.”

WISDOM, a statewide faith-based organization, wants Lovern to expand on this philosophy.

“There’s a lot of room for certainly expanding treatment alternatives to incarceration for people living with mental illness and with addiction issues, and there are many opportunities to divert more people from the system. I’m definitely optimistic that those types of programs will continue and will expand,” said Mark Rice, coordinator of WISDOM’s Wisconsin Transformational Justice Campaign.

Lovern is proud of Milwaukee’s mental health courts, which address cases involving mental health concerns, including assessments of competence and insanity pleas.

An intermediate goal the DA’s office is close to achieving, he said, is increasing the number of cases handled in these courts to 30 cases on an ongoing basis, compared to 10 cases previously.

“Somebody might come first through the police department or to the DA ‘s office, and we may be saying, ‘Look, this person isn’t really committing criminal behavior – the bigger concern here is the mental health piece,’” said Lovern.

Current crime and safety risks

Recent data from the Milwaukee Police Department show notable declines since 2023 in violent crimes, especially homicides and non-fatal shootings, and a reduction in most property crimes.

But certain violent crimes have increased since 2022, including robberies and carjackings.

“There’s no question that there is additional work that needs to be done to drive down the level of violent crime we see in this community,” Lovern said.

The problem, he added, is not evenly spread throughout the city.

A quarter of Milwaukee County homicides since 2023 occurred in only two ZIP codes.

“Everyone’s concerned about crime everywhere, but we know where the concentrations of violent crime exist,” said Lovern, adding that many residents in these neighborhoods tell him that we need “a strong response” to crime and that these “neighborhoods need to be valued.”

Limits of the office

Rice, of WISDOM, does not want fairness and justice to be lost, however.

“We still in Wisconsin incarcerate Black people at one of the highest rates in the nation,” he said. “There’s a lot of discretion up front when plea bargains are reached in terms of who gets diverted from the system and who goes in.”

Rice and others also worry about the systemic limitations of the DA’s office to address such problems.

“Jobs like the DA’s office, mayor’s office, police chief tend to be very difficult, with unforeseen pressures and inherent flaws in how they’ve been systemized over the years,” said De Torre, of Milwaukee Turners. “The real test is how a person acts and what they do within a flawed system.”

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Khris Middleton out tonight vs. Kings. Starters, TV channel, odds

Published

17 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Khris Middleton out tonight vs. Kings. Starters, TV channel, odds

The Milwaukee Bucks try to bounce back tonight vs. the Sacramento Kings following a disappointing 34-point loss to New York on Sunday.

The Bucks (20-17) have won three of four and are in a dogfight in the middle of the Eastern Conference as they begin the day two games behind the Knicks in the loss column for the No. 3 seed but are behind Orlando (23-18) and Indiana (22-18) in the playoff standings.

The Magic, led by Milwaukee native and head coach Jamahl Mosley, are in town tomorrow night.

Sacramento fired head coach Mike Brown on Dec. 27 when they were 13-18 and under interim head coach Doug Christie the Kings have seven in a row and are 20-19 overall.

Is Giannis playing?

He is probable to play vs. the Kings. He has been managing pain in his right knee since training camp but has yet to miss a game with the issue.

Khris Middleton ruled out of Kings game

First, Khris Middleton was pushed back to the bench and now the team is taking him out of back-to-back situations. Middleton played 12 straight games from Dec. 6-Jan. 4, including a back-to-back set on Dec. 20-21.

But on Jan. 8 he was moved to the bench because of his continued minute restriction and issues surrounding his complete return from offseason ankle surgeries.

And he was immediately ruled out of Tuesday night’s game against the Kings on Monday, presumably to make sure he’s ready to play in a more important Eastern Conference game against Orlando on Wednesday night.

In a Bucks win over the Magic on Jan. 10 in Florida, Middleton scored 11 points and had four assists in just under 23 minutes of play.

Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. hosts coat drive

Second-year Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. is hosting a coat drive outside Fiserv Forum prior to home games on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. New and gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarves will be accepted and donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and the Greater Amsterdam School District. Cash donations are accepted online here: Andre Jackson Coats | Powered By GiveSmart

The 23-year-old guard is from Amsterdam, New York, and played collegiately at the University of Connecticut.

What channel is the Bucks game on?

The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast local on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.