can you mix winch and winch handle brands?
- Thread starter tonyr
- Start date
Have you contacted Milwaukee about availability? Last summer I was looking for a Bosch sander and had a similar message from every vendor. I contacted Bosch and they confirmed the sanders were not discontinued and provided a date when the sanders would be available. Apparently these tools are not in continuous production.
I'm agree with Barry. The Lewmar 10" one touch palm grip handle works very well for me and guests. No issue locking/unlocking. I leave the handle in the winch for easy and quick adjustments. I also always leave the handle pointed outboard to prevent someone from getting jabbed by it in the event they sit down hard on the cockpit seat.Selecting the 'best' handle really depends on your boat and the type of sailing you do. On my boat, this is my favorite handle
Lewmar OneTouch Palm Grip Winch Handle
The Lewmar OneTouch Winch Handle is designed for Easy One-Handed Removal. Features: Squeeze Handle and Lift Release lever runs entire length of the handle-no twisting, jiggling or fiddling around Locking Grip Type: Palm Grip Material:defender.com
I would expect the 3/8" rechargeable Milwaukee would be a better fit for operating a winch on a sailboat than the 1/2" . The horsepower that is brought to the winch is only used in the last half turn if needed and the need for the electric is moving those arm joints around in circles a lot and fast. I based this opinion on carrying a 1/2" corded Milwaukee around job sites for hours on end and switching back to the 3/8" rechargeable Makita at the earliest convenience. Part of the reason was that the Milwaukee could lift me off the ground momentarily but the Makita could not. Back in the day I could handle that but today I would not want to.
I have the M28 1/2” right angle drill I linked to (sorry @dLj….didn’t see it was out of stock).
It is relatively heavy, but once in the winch socket, you dont need to hold it up. It is long enough to be able to keep it from torquing around on you, you can. Lean it up against your leg or whatever if needed.
I burned up the switch on mine trying to use it to crank someone up the mast…so don’t do that
I put some over-sized primary winches on my boat. And ran the halyard to the primaries. With the reversible drill, I thought I could crank the winch in the low gear and crank someone up the mast…got them to about the spreaders before things went south.I am going to replace the switch and try to get my “power winch” back in business before spring.
The best part about the drill is the speed in which it would crank up the sail…especially when single-handed, it was no effort to get the main up in a hurry.
Greg
Milwaukee M28 28V Lithium-Ion Cordless 1/2 in. Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only) 0721-20 - The Home Depot
Visit The Home Depot to buy Milwaukee M28 Lithium-ion 1/2 in. Cordless Right Angle Drill (Tool Only) 0721-20
www.homedepot.com
This appears to be the newer Milwaukee right-angle drill….
Comes in a few different configurations. I have not compared specs to the M28.
Greg
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless GEN 2 SUPER HAWG 1/2 in. Right Angle Drill with 8.0 Ah Battery & Charger 2809-20-48-59-1880 - The Home Depot
Complete your job by using this impressive Milwaukee M18 FUEL Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless GEN 2 Super Hawg Right Angle Drill with Battery and Charger.
www.homedepot.com
Comes in a few different configurations. I have not compared specs to the M28.
Greg
I think they’re pretty much universal. I have three different locking winch handles of various ages on my boat and they all fit my Harken winches. The two oldest ones worked with my old Barient winches. The newest is a telescoping West Marine brand for the cabintop winches under the dodger. No floating handles and I haven’t lost one overboard yet (Hope I didn’t just jinx myself.), but I would never want to be without a spare.
I got the $70 switch for my Milwaukee M28 drill today.I have the M28 1/2” right angle drill I linked to (sorry @dLj….didn’t see it was out of stock).
It is relatively heavy, but once in the winch socket, you dont need to hold it up. It is long enough to be able to keep it from torquing around on you, you can. Lean it up against your leg or whatever if needed.
I burned up the switch on mine trying to use it to crank someone up the mast…so don’t do that
I am going to replace the switch and try to get my “power winch” back in business before spring.
The best part about the drill is the speed in which it would crank up the sail…especially when single-handed, it was no effort to get the main up in a hurry.
Greg
Wired it in, plugged the battery in, and it works!
Note the beefy winch bit that replaced the drill chuck.
Can’t wait to crank the main up with the power winch this year!
Greg
I put a 2-speed winch on the cabin top, and yes, it will crank the sail up fast. But what is really nice is that I can get the sail past the lazy jacks quickly while holding the boat into the wind.
It is fast and convenient.
Greg
Got the new main already….with Tides Marine Strong Track, so she goes up nicely.
But I do have a new 135 Genoa on order to replace my aging 150…. Can’t wait until spring!
Greg
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,825
You and me both. It is 19º F (-7º C) outside this AM. Even the birds are complaining about snow and frozen worms.
I went out a little after daybreak to put out the Humming bird feeder (I brought it inside last night so it would not freeze solid. They hate popsicle sugar water) and the resident was already buzzing about the deck complaining.