m12 purchase question

[chipper]

Hey gj lately I've been expanding on my m12 line and I'm looking at the 3/8 impact my question is is it worth the extra 70$ to upgrade to the feul or stick with the regular gun i think the cost is $88 vs. $157 btw this will just be diy use thanks for your thoughts

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Define DIY use? I have few M12 Items such as the Driver, Impact, LED Flashlight and FUEL Drill. I purchased the Fuel drill b/c it was a $25-30 difference at the time on Ebay. I am a HD Diesel Mechanic by trade and use all them all on a daily basis in which I am EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH!

I have put the 3/8 to the tests. It will not take take LUG nuts off a car BUT when clutches on a Tractor or 26ft Freightliner and International the 3/8 makes simple work of Clutch Bolts, Flywheel Bolts, as well as Flywheel. Also when I repair rear roll up door hinges the gun is to torquey and send the bracket puncturing the door with each. Doing mudflaps on a truck is a breeze depending on how rusted the bolts are. Taking them off is a 50-50 but zapping them on I'm 100% using the gun!

 

[tstaude]

I have the 3/8" M12 Impact, and it has worked out well. I use it mainly for light duty stuff under the hood, and some interior work. Usually if a bolt is rusted the impact does not have enough torque. It also works great for driving in lag bolts, self drilling screws and a variety of other construction uses.
If the fuel version were available when I purchased, I probably would have upgraded.

Tom

 

[Ign]

I paid right around $100 for my 3/8" gun a-la-carte but that was well before Fuel even existed. So $88 ain't bad; can you do better if you search harder? There should be clearance(s) going on with Fuel coming out.

I've not used the Fuel and would definitely choose it today, but the "old" brushed unit works well enough and I like mine. You probably won't be disappointed with either, let your checkbook guide you.

If you don't have XC batteries you might buy the brushed driver and get an XC battery too, you'd still be under $157 I think and the battery will be useful in all your tools. I'm NOT saying an XC battery will make it compete with a Fuel, merely that it's a great investment.

 

[cheechi]

I have the non-fuel impact driver, it works well and gets in tight spaces. I've used it with a square adapter for small items and it's pretty ok. nothing is going to be perfect like that anyway.

If I were to get a 3/8 anvil version I would definitely get the fuel. Has 3 speed settings doesn't it? so you can limit the torque on smaller fasteners. To me, its about the same as getting a 1/4 and 3/8 wrench so you dont have to worry about overdoing it on smaller sizes.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have the non-fuel impact driver, it works well and gets in tight spaces. I've used it with a square adapter for small items and it's pretty ok. nothing is going to be perfect like that anyway.

If I were to get a 3/8 anvil version I would definitely get the fuel. Has 3 speed settings doesn't it? so you can limit the torque on smaller fasteners. To me, its about the same as getting a 1/4 and 3/8 wrench so you dont have to worry about overdoing it on smaller sizes.

M12 only has 2 settings, full torque and (IIRC) about 11 ft./lb. Low power mode is still really handy though, and honestly with 3 speeds I usually only use 1 or 3 anyway.

I have the M12 Fuel hex impact. IMO the 3/8 anvil is a waste with M12, only a little more torque than the hex version. I love the 200 ft./lb. out of my M18 Fuel 3/8" impact, though.

 

[chipper]

I paid right around $100 for my 3/8" gun a-la-carte but that was well before Fuel even existed. So $88 ain't bad; can you do better if you search harder? There should be clearance(s) going on with Fuel coming out.

I've not used the Fuel and would definitely choose it today, but the "old" brushed unit works well enough and I like mine. You probably won't be disappointed with either, let your checkbook guide you.

If you don't have XC batteries you might buy the brushed driver and get an XC battery too, you'd still be under $157 I think and the battery will be useful in all your tools. I'm NOT saying an XC battery will make it compete with a Fuel, merely that it's a great investment.

I was thinking the same thing about the xc battery. i think that's the route ill go i was also on amazon and saw some knock off xc batteries for about half the price i wonder if they're any good

 

[sloppy]

I would go fuel all the way. Larger battery, belt clip, and more power

 

[BK13]

My Fuel WILL take the lug nuts off of my Jeep. Granted, they get removed fairly frequently (I'm kind of a freak that way). Haven't tried them on my F150, but I see no reason why it shouldn't do the trick.

 

[Conductor562]

Milwaukee is going to maintain the brushed line in addition to the Fuel, so no worries about losing support for the line. For non-daily use I'm not sure I'd drop an extra bill on the Fuel though. My pre-fuel Milwaukee tools (all 18 or so of them) have all been fantastic. Who the hell am I kidding, I'd buy the Fuel.

 

[BK13]

Damn, I ws was strutting around here, thinking I was a big man with four M12s!

 

[Conductor562]

Damn, I ws was strutting around here, thinking I was a big man with four M12s!

Not all of them are cordless. I have 8 M18 tools, 6 M12, and 4 electric. Guess I should have been more clear. Sorry.

 

[MN4x4]

I already have a ton of the M12 tools, but if I were starting today I would purchase the Fuel versions. It's a better technology, newer, and I'm sure will soon replace the non-fuel versions.

That said, if you need to mind your budget I wouldn't be at all averse to snapping up any 'deals' on the non-fuel models, especially any kits.

 

[BK13]

Not all of them are cordless. I have 8 M18 tools, 6 M12, and 4 electric. Guess I should have been more clear. Sorry.

It's fine, I was just joking. I'd probably have more but for my stupid divorce. And a Half dozen or so M18s.

 

[TheGrooveking]

A few weeks ago I noticed on the Milwaukee website that they had new 1/4" hex, 1/4" impact wrench and 3/8" impact wrenches that were NOT brushless or Fuel, so there must be some underlying reason they have them. Of note the 1/4" impact driver looks like it may share some things in common with redesigned Ridgid 1/4" 12 V impact driver and since both companies are owned by TTI I've always wondered about some common internal parts similar to how various GM cars share parts.

TheGrooveking

 

[03protege]

The best value is the new non-fuel impact. 33% cheaper with 85% of the torque.

OLD m12: 1000 in-lbs
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...ench-Tool-Only-2451-20/202196524#.UgSAMm2Tcmk

NEW m12: 1200in-lbs
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...ess-Impact-Wrench-Tool-Only-2463-20/204390536

m12 Fuel: 1400 in-lbs
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-in-Impact-Wrench-Tool-Only-2454-20/203807399

 

[Fedwrench]

Are we talking 3/8 square drive? If so, I have both versions and I would spring for the fuel version. the fuel version is slightly more compact. I like the two power settings. It has a different feel, balance, and weight over the older version.
I would also wait for a special at CPO for your best deal. The 1/4 ich square drive fuel impact is also sweeet!!

 

[firebox40dash5]

The 1/4 ich square drive fuel impact is also sweeet!!

Is it a typo, or is the 1/4" square version seriously limited to 500 in./lb.?

It was in the running since I use sockets on it so much, but that torque is way low.

 

[Fedwrench]

Is it a typo, or is the 1/4" square version seriously limited to 500 in./lb.?

It was in the running since I use sockets on it so much, but that torque is way low.

I couldn't tell you cause, I haven't tried measuring anything with it. It does seem low but, whose specs can you believe? I use it on upper engine type stuff, brackets, battery hold downs, trim, window regulators, etc. mostly 13mm and below bolt head stuff. the lower power setting helps not to crack plastic components. I mean it is 1/4 inch drive so, I'm not asking it to do grunt work.