Heated Jacket - YAY !

[stevewestern]

OK, so feel free to call me a total wuss, but I get cold, so when I saw the mechanics at my local garage with Milwaukee heated hoodies under their overalls I asked a few questions, and have now got both a hoodie and a jacket. along with a couple of M12 batteries and a charger.
Boy, they are worth every penny.
I looked at the Makita ones, but having a bl**dy great 18V battery hanging off the said didn't appeal, despite me owning lots of Makita batteries.
The Milwaukee hoodie is perfect for wearing under an outer layer while the jacket is fairly smart, fairly weather-proof and has heated pockets too, making me feel loved by my children when out in the cold.
Batteries seem to last about 3-4 hours on full, and initially you notice them in their pocket at the back left hand side, but that soon goes.

So, if you feel the cold or just feel like pampering yourself then get one. I found the sizing to be rather off - my chest is about 45-46" so by their guide I am an 'XXL' - I had to return mine for an 'L' as the 'XXL' fitted both me and my 14 year old together.

As an added bonus I can now feel smug when out with anyone who is complaining about feeling chilly.

[Rorschach]

I made my own heated t-shirt that works quite well in the right circumstances. Unfortunately my biggest problem is cold hands and the only solution for that is to heat the shop so I don't use the heated t-shirt very often.

[kellys_eye]

Wuss.

When 'ah were a lad we used to rub two apprentices together to start a fire.

errrr.... maybe that's too much information.

[Job and Knock]

OK, so feel free to call me a total wuss

Steve, mate, YOU'RE A WUSS!

I looked at the Makita ones, but having a bl**dy great 18V battery hanging off the said didn't appeal, despite me owning lots of Makita batteries.

Well, I use 18 volt 2Ah batteries in mine which are somewhat slimmer, but Makita do make a 12 volt jacket as well (it's the same jacket, just a different battery adaptor AFAIK). Only reason I have 18 volts is because I have the batteries

As an added bonus I can now feel smug when out with anyone who is complaining about feeling chilly.

I've been called "Sparkie the Battery Boy" (remember him?) when wearing mine (the Makita has three LEDs to indicate heat level)

...my biggest problem is cold hands and the only solution for that is to heat the shop....

What I find with a heated jacket is that after my body has warmed-up surplus heat seems to get pumped out to my hands (through the bloodstream), so they stay reasonable as well. If I'm handling sodden timber or frozen stuff then a minute or so with my hands in my pockets (next to my tosty torso) does wonders! Doesn't cure cold feet I'm sorry to say.

[steviejoiner74]

The dewalt heated jackets will kill your battery’s if they are left on. They take them past the point of recharge and the battery is goosed.
I dunno if other brands have any problems but it’s worth checking out.

[Rorschach]

:

...my biggest problem is cold hands and the only solution for that is to heat the shop....

What I find with a heated jacket is that after my body has warmed-up surplus heat seems to get pumped out to my hands (through the bloodstream), so they stay reasonable as well. If I'm handling sodden timber or frozen stuff then a minute or so with my hands in my pockets (next to my tosty torso) does wonders! Doesn't cure cold feet I'm sorry to say.

Doesn't seem to have the same affect for me, but then I am often handling metal tools like files or the lathe. I am also skinny which doesn't help with circulation.

Feet are another problem for me, I wear thick wool socks and insulated boots, long johns really too. When the weather is really cold I do have heated insoles which are awesome, if a little awkward.

[kellys_eye]

I've been called "Sparkie the Battery Boy" (remember him?)

That was TORCHIE the Battery Boy!

[Job and Knock]

I've been called "Sparkie the Battery Boy" (remember him?)

That was TORCHIE the Battery Boy!

See, you old faaart - you DO remember!

[Job and Knock]

The dewalt heated jackets will kill your battery’s if they are left on. They take them past the point of recharge and the battery is goosed.
I dunno if other brands have any problems but it’s worth checking out.

The Makita 18 volt one cuts out when the battery charge gets to a certain point - the batteries can then be recharged, This is now the third winter I've had mine and I'm yet to kill a battery with it. Thanks for the heads up about the DW - I ALMOST bought that one!

[big-all]

The dewalt heated jackets will kill your battery’s if they are left on. They take them past the point of recharge and the battery is goosed.
I dunno if other brands have any problems but it’s worth checking out.

are these genuine dewalt batteries ??
if so they should be replaced assuming they are less than 2 year old

[steviejoiner74]

The dewalt heated jackets will kill your battery’s if they are left on. They take them past the point of recharge and the battery is goosed.
I dunno if other brands have any problems but it’s worth checking out.

are these genuine dewalt batteries ??
if so they should be replaced assuming they are less than 2 year old

Yeah genuine 18v 2ah batteries. Some dewalt tools other than the jacket drain the batteries as well if left in the tool.

[stevewestern]

I may be a wuss, but I'm a warm one.
I also find that at my stage in life it's a good line to use with the girlz - 'hey, wanna feel how warm my pockets are Hun..?

Hours of fun while in the pension queue on a Monday morning....

[Rorschach]

I may be a wuss, but I'm a warm one.
I also find that at my stage in life it's a good line to use with the girlz - 'hey, wanna feel how warm my pockets are Hun..?

Hours of fun while in the pension queue on a Monday morning....

"Is that a 12v battery in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?"

"It's a 12v battery love, to be pleased to see you requires a little blue pill, half an hour, and judging by your face a good dirty movie"

[big-all]

The dewalt heated jackets will kill your battery’s if they are left on. They take them past the point of recharge and the battery is goosed.
I dunno if other brands have any problems but it’s worth checking out.

are these genuine dewalt batteries ??
if so they should be replaced assuming they are less than 2 year old

Yeah genuine 18v 2ah batteries. Some dewalt tools other than the jacket drain the batteries as well if left in the tool.

thats a bad design fault
do you get a warning that this can happen in the paperwork or have they sorted it with newer gear