Which Milwaukee Tools Have A Lifetime Warranty?

A warranty is always nice to have when you buy a new product, doubly so if the product in question is a tool you'll be putting through its paces. With the help of a warranty, after all, you can get your tool replaced or serviced at no additional cost, saving you money and downtime. Warranties sound exceptionally generous on paper, but that's why they often come with a proverbial mountain of exclusions and qualifiers.

Take, for example, the warranties offered by hardware brand Milwaukee. The majority of Milwaukee's products are covered by some manner of manufacturer warranty, promising that you can get it replaced or serviced if there's something tangibly wrong with it. However, a big thing to be mindful of with these warranties is the precise time span for which they're eligible. Most of Milwaukee's products only have limited warranties that are good for a few years, while a certain few have lifetime warranties that can last far longer. It can seem a bit daunting to try and find a few proverbial needles in a haystack, but if you read up on Milwaukee's registration and warranty procedures, you can find what you need to know.

Briefly, let's go into a little extra detail on what differentiates Milwaukee's types of warranties. Many of the brand's tools and products only have limited warranties, which can only be claimed up to a few years after they're originally purchased. After that warranty period passes, even if the tool suffers some manner of problem that might normally be considered fair game for a claim, Milwaukee won't help you.

A lifetime warranty, however, is good for the tool's entire lifespan. We should stress "the tool" in that sentence — the warranty may cease to be valid if Milwaukee stops selling the tool in question, as that would mean the tool's "lifespan" has ended. Outside of that circumstance, as long as you own the tool and don't do anything to violate the warranty terms, Milwaukee will replace or fix it for you if it breaks.

No matter which kind of warranty the product has, Milwaukee will only honor it if the damage is a result of a defect in material or workmanship. If you use the tool improperly or attempt to have it serviced by someone who doesn't work for Milwaukee, the company won't honor it. Additionally, warranties go into effect as soon as a product is purchased from an authorized distributor. This means, if you buy something used from an unauthorized third party, the warranty may be voided.

The first major category of Milwaukee products that have lifetime warranties are hand tools. These include simple, non-electric implements like hammers, screwdrivers, or scissors. All hand tools of this classification come with Milwaukee's limited lifetime warranty. According to Milwaukee's documentation, all hand tools are warrantied to the store or distributor you originally purchased them from. So long as the distributor is an authorized distributor of Milwaukee products and if the tool's damage is a result of material or manufacturer error, they'll take care of it.

In addition to the limited lifetime warranty, Milwaukee hand tools also come with the brand's lifetime guarantee. This guarantee is similar to the lifetime warranty, except Milwaukee will handle it personally rather than the store you bought it from. As with the warranty, any failure of hand tools must be attributed to material or manufacturer error; if they are damaged by unusual circumstances, neglect, or simple wear from the passage of time, Milwaukee will not replace or repair the tool. If you want to claim a replacement under this guarantee, Milwaukee has a submission form you can use.

While most of the miscellaneous accessories that Milwaukee sells don't come with lifetime warranties, there are two distinct exceptions. The first of these exceptions is the Hex-Lok 2-in-1 handle, a Tap and Die threading handle. This specific product comes with the limited lifetime warranty, which means you can get a replacement at any time in the product's lifespan, so long as the problem is in its materials or workmanship. This warranty only applies specifically to the Hex-Lok 2-in-1 handle — it does not apply to taps, hex dies, tap collets, tap wrenches, drill bits, thread gauges, T-handle bars, or die stocks. If you're looking to claim this particular warranty, Milwaukee has another dedicated submission form.

The second instance of a specific accessory with a lifetime warranty is the Hole Dozer bi-metal hole saw. This accessory is covered by the limited lifetime warranty, with a particular emphasis on the saw's teeth. If the saw's teeth suffer any breakage or fracture, and those problems are determined to be the result of material or workmanship errors on Milwaukee's part, then the warranty will be honored, and you can get a repair or replacement. This product will need to be returned to a Milwaukee Service Center, which can be done either in person or through the mail. Milwaukee's documentation notes that the warranty only applies to the bi-metal Hole Dozer — a Hole Dozer hole saw with carbide teeth is not eligible for the lifetime warranty.

Milwaukee sells a variety of different personal lighting products, intended primarily for mechanics, campers, and other such rugged situations. Interestingly, rather than only a few of these lights having lifetime warranties, there's actually a minority that doesn't have them. Specifically, Milwaukee only offers two-year limited warranties on the 2010R Rechargeable 250L Penlight and Laser, the 2011R Rechargeable 500L Everyday Carry Flashlight, and the 2012R Rechargeable Magnetic Headlamp and Task Light.

All other Milwaukee personal lighting products come with limited lifetime warranties. Upon an inspection by certified Milwaukee personnel, any lighting product with defects determined to be the result of material or workmanship mistakes will be eligible for replacement or repair. As Milwaukee's documentation stresses, though, this warranty does not apply to components of lights that endure regular wear, including clips, straps, charging cables, wall plugs, and rubber gaskets. The warranty also does not apply to cordless battery packs or chargers, as these products have their own separate warranties. The big focus is on the LED light sources themselves, which are eligible for replacement and repair so long as they meet the stated limitations. Any lighting products that you're looking to have repaired or replaced will need to be brought or shipped to a Milwaukee Service Center.