Milwaukee Tools FAQ: Ace Hardware, the 48-22-2718 Screwdriver, Torque Screwdrivers, and a Hydraulic Pump Reset

Milwaukee Tools: Straight Answers to the Questions I Get on Job Sites

I coordinate tools and equipment for a mid-sized construction company. In the last six years, I've handled more rush orders and same-day tool calls than I can count. When a crew calls at 5 p.m. with a broken drill and a deadline, I'm the one who has to make the call. Here are the Milwaukee questions I answer most.

Questions this article covers:

• Does Ace Hardware really stock Milwaukee tools?
• Is the Milwaukee 48-22-2718 screwdriver set still worth grabbing?
• Do I actually need a torque screwdriver?
• When Milwaukee pliers go on sale, are they worth it?
• How do I reset a dump trailer hydraulic pump?
• What else should I check before paying for a hydraulic pump repair?

Does Ace Hardware really stock Milwaukee tools?

Yes. Honestly, I used to overlook Ace. I figured it was for paint samples and caulk, not for M18 batteries. Then in March 2024, we had to replace a drill driver on a tight turnaround. Ace's website showed the M18 FUEL drill in stock at a store 15 minutes from the job site. We reserved it online, picked it up before lunch, and finished the install with time to spare.

Ace Hardware Milwaukee tools are genuine, and they're covered by the same warranty as tools bought anywhere else. Selection varies a little by location, so use the stock check before driving. As of January 2025, at least, the online inventory has been pretty accurate for us. That saves way more time than wandering through a big store looking for an employee.

One caution: if you're ordering a specific kit online, call the store if it's a big purchase. The website's stock count might be a couple days old. It's a small step, but it beats showing up to an empty shelf.

Is the Milwaukee 48-22-2718 screwdriver set still worth grabbing?

If you're searching for the Milwaukee 48-22-2718 screwdriver set, you're probably looking at the multi-bit screwdriver with the bits stored in the handle. I keep one in my truck, one in my tool bag, and one in the shop drawer. It's not a flashy power tool, but it's one of those basics that gets used every day.

It won't replace an impact driver, and it's not a torque screwdriver. But for those times when you need to turn a screw and you don't want to drag out a drill, it does the job. The bit assortment covers the common Phillips, slotted, and Torx sizes, and the handle is grippy enough for work gloves.

I'll be honest: the 48-22-2718 isn't a flashy purchase. It's a workhorse. If you see it on sale, buy two. (Note to self: I still need to put a backup in the job box.) It's one of those tools that disappears, and you don't realize how much you needed it until it's gone.

Wait, do I actually need a torque screwdriver?

Short answer: you need one for fasteners that have a specified torque value. I'm not talking about door hinges. I'm talking about small screws on control panels, terminal blocks, scope mounts, and hydraulic valve bodies. If you overtighten those, you strip the threads or crack the plastic.

I used to think torque screwdrivers were for lab engineers. Then I swapped a pressure switch on a trailer pump and tightened a terminal screw until it snapped. That cost me an hour of work and a $35 part. I still kick myself for not buying a torque screwdriver earlier.

Now I own a click-style torque screwdriver, and I use it whenever the manual gives a torque number. Milwaukee makes excellent hand and power tools, but for calibrated torque, I use a dedicated torque screwdriver. It's not about brand—it's about having the right tool for the job.

When you see Milwaukee pliers on sale, are they actually worth it?

Yes, if they're the pair you need. Milwaukee pliers are real hand tools, not freebie marketing items. The lineman's pliers and tongue-and-groove joints have held up pretty well for us. When Ace puts them on sale, it's usually a seasonal promo, not a way to unload bad stock.

Per FTC guidelines (ftc.gov), advertised "sale" prices have to be truthful and not misleading.

So if you see a pair of Milwaukee pliers on sale, you're not getting scammed. But don't grab one just because it's 20% off. Get the one you'll actually use. Electrical work? Lineman's pliers. Plumbing or mechanical work? A 10-inch tongue-and-groove. If you work on trailers, a set of diagonal cutters lives in the glove box.

One trick: when there's a good pliers sale, I buy one for the shop and one for my truck. That way I don't have to walk back to the truck when I need a pair.

How do I reset a dump trailer hydraulic pump?

This isn't a Milwaukee tool question, but I get it more than any Milwaukee question, so here's the field answer.

Most 12-volt dump trailer hydraulic pumps have a thermal overload reset. When the motor gets hot, a switch trips to stop damage. If the pump hums but the bed won't move, turn off the power and find the reset button.

1. Kill the power to the pump. Pull the battery leads or unplug it.
2. Wait at least 15 minutes so the motor cools.
3. Find the reset button. It's usually small, red or black, on the end of the motor or under a rubber cover near the wiring.
4. Press it until you feel or hear a click.
5. Check the hydraulic fluid level with the bed fully down. Low fluid causes the pump to run hot and trip again.
6. Restore power and try again.

If the reset button clicks but the pump trips again right away, don't keep pressing it. You're masking the real issue, and you'll make it worse.

What else should I check before calling for a hydraulic pump repair?

The most frustrating part of these calls is not knowing if the fix is $20 or $800. So before you call someone, do a ten-minute check. I've seen this exact sequence save our customers from a lot of needless service fees.

• Battery voltage. A 12-volt pump wants a fully charged battery. If it's below about 12.3 volts, charge it first.
• Fluid level. Add the recommended fluid if it's low. Don't substitute motor oil if the label calls for hydraulic fluid or ATF.
• Connections. Corroded or loose terminals can mimic a dead pump. We once found a "wrecked" pump that just had a loose ground wire.
• Controls. If the remote doesn't click, the issue is probably wiring, not the pump.

Honestly, this check flow has saved us more time than any tool sale. It's the same reason I use online stock checks and keep our tool inventory in a spreadsheet. Efficiency is a competitive advantage, and it matters just as much on a broken dump trailer as it does on a deadline job.