Milwaukee, 2704-2804 Handle Confusion

[hawg]

It seems like there’s been a lot of confusion over the two different handle styles of the Milwaukee 2704 & 2804 (same drill) . In fact, the drill thread on here now seems to have some also. Here’s two pictures, in the one you can see the old style and the new style handles on my two drills. The old one was just a Shorty that pinched onto the top and the new one actually wrapped around the Chuck housing. The old style came off on me many times that I never trusted it. Someone on here (thank you) recommended to cable ties like you see in my second photo and that actually solves the problem but I still didn’t trust it. It was also a pain in the neck when you wanted to use your drill without the handle for small projects. So I bought the new one when they were selling them out for $99. I couldn’t see a better reason to have one. The new style seems pretty foolproof and I haven’t heard a lot of complaints about it . So here you are actual pictures of both.

[RStock521]

I think the "old style" in your picture is from a 2704, no?  I thought they upgraded the handle when they went to the 2804 generation, but I could very well be mistaken.  That's what I've got on my 2704 and it snapped off a chunk of the housing.  I sent it in for warranty and Milwaukee replaced, but I still don't use the handle anymore.  I'm thinking about upgrading to the 2904 since you can pick them up online for under $120.  I'd prefer to use the handle and it has the new auto-stop feature if the drill binds.  I'm waiting for reveiws to see how well it actually works though.

[hawg]

You’re right RStock, thanks for the reminder.

[Ronnie D]

Ditched that handle years ago when i put a nero/ nimbus adapter on my auger setup. Haven't twisted my wrists or been stabbed in the ribs since.

[hawg]

I must be a slow learner. I can’t see how that adapter, if it spins independently of the auger, which it does, or it would have to go around in circles, why the drill wouldn’t still come around if the auger bound. What am I missing?

[Ronnie D]

The nero rests in a pillow block style bearing that allows the user to put hands on opposite sides of the auger creating better balance of the bit when boring.
Not having a fixed position handle at a 90° angle that's coming towards you when it binds ( cause you lean on it) is gonna drill straigher & smoother w/ less shock to the user if it locks up, which is why the handles loosen & strip from the inertia placed on the drill housing.
Cordless drills are an added benefit, they weren't designed to turn ice augers, the units that do are a post hole digger design

[hardwater diehard]

2704




2804...about 5 years ago




2803 bought 1 year ago

[hawg]

HD, is the bottom picture the new 2900 series handle? Or is it just an optical illusion that it’s a little bit more circular?

[hardwater diehard]

HD, is the bottom picture the new 2900 series handle? Or is it just an optical illusion that it’s a little bit more circular?

I believe it is a lot more rounder and does have more contact with the drill barrel

It may be I added some text to the pictures ..but I am not certain

If a member who has the 2904/2903 model handle posting a picture would clear things up ..the new models may have a completely different handle altogether

[filetandrelease]

 1 have a 2804-20 and it came with the bottom Handle , I tried it worked ok only used it to steady the drill no down pressure applied to Handle

[GBguy]

I have the 2803-22, purchased March 2021, handle is garbage.




Here's what it did to the housing.

[calgarygringo]

I have one. I will pull it out this morning and post a pic or 2 of the new style. Looks pretty similar off the top though I read somewhere it is slightly different than the 2800 series.

I believe it is a lot more rounder and does have more contact with the drill barrel

It may be I added some text to the pictures ..but I am not certain

If a member who has the 2904/2903 model handle posting a picture would clear things up ..the new models may have a completely different handle altogether

[Buckshots]

Here is the handle that came with my 2904

[hardwater diehard]

Very similar between the 2803 and the NEW 2904

2904

screen shots

2803