Milwaukee fuel impact wrench mid vs high torque

[Grant Gunderson]

Well my Milwaukee ½" mid-torque impact wrench decided to let the smoke out of it after my 4 year old accidentally knocked it off of the work bench (small price to pay for the pleasure of him helping on projects). So I need to replace it. I'm debating on getting the high-torque version this time, but unsure if the additional size makes sense. Its mostly used for projects around the home shop, working on our Rav4 / My F250 diesel. In the past the mid torque has suited me well, but thinking the high-torque might be nice for projects on the F250.... or is it just going to be overkill? Thoughts?

 

[humpty]

Is it your only one? It will be a bit heavier than the mid-torque. If it was your only one and your old one did everything you asked I'd stick with it.

I have a bunch of the stubby versions now so if my mid ever died I'd step up, don't need to but it's not my go to gun.
My stubby 3/8" sees a lot of use now, the 1/2" mid is a lug nut machine or when something won't cooperate.

When it was my only gun I never cared about how heavy it was, now it feels massive.

 

[Nthill93]

The high torque is a lot bigger than the mid torque so it doesn’t always fit. I have the high torque 1/2” mid torque 1/2” m12 stubby 1/2” m18 stubby 3/8 and the 1/2 right angle impact. I hate the m12 stubby even with a 6.0 it struggles taking mower blades off. The mid torque is great fits in a lot of places and good power. The high torque only comes out occasionally now but it’s been needed.

 

[humpty]

The high torque standard will be 7.5 pounds versus the standard mid torque at 5.1 pounds.

 

[humpty]

The high torque is a lot bigger than the mid torque so it doesn’t always fit. I have the high torque 1/2” mid torque 1/2” m12 stubby 1/2” m18 stubby 3/8 and the 1/2 right angle impact. I hate the m12 stubby even with a 6.0 it struggles taking mower blades off. The mid torque is great fits in a lot of places and good power. The high torque only comes out occasionally now but it’s been needed.

Do you find you use the RA very often?

I have the M18 mid torque, M18 3/8" stubby, M12 3/8" stubby and the M12 1/4" M12 stubby. Plus the ratchet, I wonder how much I'd use it.

I find the 1/4" and 3/8" stubbies are good for assembly, body panels, underhood work etc. My M12 can take lugs off if they are torqued to 90lbs like mine are.

 

[Nthill93]

Do you find you use the RA very often?

I have the M18 mid torque, M18 3/8" stubby, M12 3/8" stubby and the M12 1/4" M12 stubby. Plus the ratchet, I wonder how much I'd use it.

I find the 1/4" and 3/8" stubbies are good for assembly, body panels, underhood work etc. My M12 can take lugs off if they are torqued to 90lbs like mine are.

Haven’t used it yet. I bought it just to remove/install over the tire tracks on my bobcat. I got it used for $100 so I couldn’t say no.

 

[jpaw]

Do you find you use the RA very often?

I have the M18 mid torque, M18 3/8" stubby, M12 3/8" stubby and the M12 1/4" M12 stubby. Plus the ratchet, I wonder how much I'd use it.

I find the 1/4" and 3/8" stubbies are good for assembly, body panels, underhood work etc. My M12 can take lugs off if they are torqued to 90lbs like mine are.

How does the M18 stubby compare to the M12 stubby?
I have M18 batteries but the M12 size is appealing. They are both rated 250 ft lbs so I was just wondering real world is the M18 any stronger?

 

[Buckgnarly]

Wow, I've dropped mine off my lift arms at height and it's still ok...what broke on it? How old is it?....Milwaukee is one of the best warranties out there, might try that if it's less than 5 years old.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

You do killer work

Is it your only one? It will be a bit heavier than the mid-torque. If it was your only one and your old one did everything you asked I'd stick with it.

I have a bunch of the stubby versions now so if my mid ever died I'd step up, don't need to but it's not my go to gun.
My stubby 3/8" sees a lot of use now, the 1/2" mid is a lug nut machine or when something won't cooperate.

When it was my only gun I never cared about how heavy it was, now it feels massive.

I'm in snapon for their long power ratchet, and have been looking at their ¼ and ⅜ small guns for a while as I already have that battery system. I'm in Milwaukee for all of my yard tools, so thinking I'd mostly just use this on stuff a ⅜ cant do.

Wow, I've dropped mine off my lift arms at height and it's still ok...what broke on it? How old is it?....Milwaukee is one of the best warranties out there, might try that if it's less than 5 years old.

I've had it at least 5 years, if not 7+. its served me well. Cant see any major damage too it other than it won't change modes, and when you pull the trigger smoke comes out.

 

[jobo1004]

I'm in snapon for their long power ratchet, and have been looking at their ¼ and ⅜ small guns for a while as I already have that battery system. I'm in Milwaukee for all of my yard tools, so thinking I'd mostly just use this on stuff a ⅜ cant do.

I've had it at least 5 years, if not 7+. its served me well. Cant see any major damage too it other than it won't change modes, and when you pull the trigger smoke comes out.

If you want to be sure of its age just look at the serial number. Digits 6 & 7 are the year it was made and digits 8 & 9 are the week it was made.

 

[HPRifleman]

I have the M18 3/8" Mid-Torque and an F-350 with plenty of rust. The Mid-Torque hasn't failed to take off a fastener yet. Additionally, if the tool was any bigger I would have a harder time using it on some other applications. I'm not sure what the specs are on the stubby version but that may actually be a better way to go if you anticipate having to get into some smaller spaces.

 

[humpty]

How does the M18 stubby compare to the M12 stubby?
I have M18 batteries but the M12 size is appealing. They are both rated 250 ft lbs so I was just wondering real world is the M18 any stronger?

I haven't noticed any real difference. I got a really good deal on it and I figured on a big job I would like to have them each with a different set up on them. That part has been nice.

They each have pros and cons. The M12 battery is smaller and as a result can be easier to get in to bad spaces. The M12 battery is in the handle a bit so it is a little fatter, the M18 is a little thinner. One of those may be more to your preference.

 

[Sumboodie]

The high torque isn't much larger than the mid torque. I'd never consider the lesser one. I ended up with it by accident, bought it not knowing there was better.
Even the "high torque" doesn't spin off nuts and bolts that my IR2135 air impact will. Granted that's 1100 ftlbs and the Milwaukee is what, 700? I know it's not taken off lug nuts several times.

 

[ATC]

High torque all the way. Why settle for less?

 

[M635_Guy]

I would not get a High Torque if the Gen 1 Mid (2861-20) has served you well. (I have my original lightly-used Gen1 Mid with the Milwaukee boot I'd be willing to sell at a decent price if you're interested in keeping your outlay low.) People who say "It's not that much heavier" and "it's not that much bigger" about the 2767 probably haven't held both or maybe they're just willing to deal with more weight than I am. In-hand, the 2767 is a good bit bigger and noticeably heavier rig. It's a beast, but I never needed more than the Mid and my M12 Stubby, so I sold my 2767. During a complete suspension replacement last year, I never once missed it. It was definitely too big for doing brakes on my Mini and other things. I know there are jobs where the 2767 would be best for the job - I'm just not doing any of those jobs, and I do not like the weight and size when the Mid can do everything I've thrown at it.

I replaced my Gen1 with the Gen 2, which is a fantastic impact. I don't really notice the extra power (both have plenty), but the triple-lights, the better "modes" and the smaller size/weight of the Gen2 were enough to make me get one when I had some extra money in my pocket.

Some images: (FWIW all of these are 1/2")
L-->R 2767 High Impact - Mid Gen 1 - M12 Stubby All here have 6.0Ah batteries




L-->R M12 Stubby - Mid Gen 1 - 2767 High Impact


M12 Stubby --> Mid Gen 2 The Mid here has a 3.0HO battery to get as close to the Stubby as it can. I run it like this most of the time.


M12 Stubby --> Mid Gen 2 --> Mid Gen 1 All here with 6.0Ah batteries.

 

[M635_Guy]

How does the M18 stubby compare to the M12 stubby?
I have M18 batteries but the M12 size is appealing. They are both rated 250 ft lbs so I was just wondering real world is the M18 any stronger?

The M18 Compact (which is what I'm pretty sure you're referring to) is probably as much a compatibility play as anything for folks who want something like the Stubby without having to add M12 to their platform. Personally, I didn't care and got the Stubby, and it's been pretty great. It's not as Do-Everything as the Mid (for me), but works pretty reliably on lugs (though not all) and does great with brake caliper bolts and all kinds of other stuff.

 

[jpaw]

Thanks humpty and M635.
I have my air tools for all the heavy lifting. I have several M18 tools including the latest fuel impact driver so I have a few different batteries, also have a M12 fuel 1/4 ratchet and impact driver with 2.0 batteries.
I was hoping that they would clearance out the small gen 1 M18 impact when the new one came out as I like that profile better. Probably going to end up with the M12 stubby and spring for some bigger batteries.
Oh the decisions.

 

[humpty]

They all have a space in the world and we all do different things and use them different so your experience may vary.

I like my 3/8" stubby and use it all the time. I am just sad that with all the ones I have, there really isn't anything more I "need" so the justification gets a little harder.

 

[finn]

I have three Milwaukee M18 impacts, all the latest versions, Compact, mid, and high torque.

The mid torque is the most versatile, and is used most often. Well, that’s until I bought a Dewalt Atomic. Now I use the Dewalt 90% of the time while the Milwaukees gather dust on the shelf.

If you’re stuck on Milwaukee, go for the mid torque. The high torque isn’t well balanced and the physical size makes it harder to get into some places.

Having said that, the Dewalt Atomic and, from what i have read, the recently released Dewalt mid torque eat Milwaukee’s lunch. That certainly wasn’t true for prior Dewalt impacts.

 

[jonshonda]

I have both, and only because the mid torque didn't do what I needed it to on a few rusted bolts. So I got the high torque. The mid is obviously easier to use, but I am very happy with how the high torque has performed

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Thanks guys. I’m going to go with the newer mid torque

 

[dnschmidt]

I have three Milwaukee M18 impacts, all the latest versions, Compact, mid, and high torque.

The mid torque is the most versatile, and is used most often. Well, that’s until I bought a Dewalt Atomic. Now I use the Dewalt 90% of the time while the Milwaukees gather dust on the shelf.

If you’re stuck on Milwaukee, go for the mid torque. The high torque isn’t well balanced and the physical size makes it harder to get into some places.

Having said that, the Dewalt Atomic and, from what i have read, the recently released Dewalt mid torque eat Milwaukee’s lunch. That certainly wasn’t true for prior Dewalt impacts.

I'm Mr. Milwaukee but I agree with you on the Atomic. It can replace both the Milwaukee Stubby and the Mid-Torque most of the time. I disagree with you with respect to the new Dewalt Mid-Torque as it's bigger and heavier than the comparable Milwaukee although according to the Torque Test Channel it does have more torque but to me smaller and lighter is better in my book.

 

[infinite97]

I have the gen 2 mid torque in 3/8” (2960) and the 1/2” high torque (2767). The 3/8” gun is my DD, I use it for everything. The 1/2” gun only comes out when I’m working with sockets bigger than 1” or when I need to use swivel sockets that **** tools power.

 

[finn]

I'm Mr. Milwaukee but I agree with you on the Atomic. It can replace both the Milwaukee Stubby and the Mid-Torque most of the time. I disagree with you with respect to the new Dewalt Mid-Torque as it's bigger and heavier than the comparable Milwaukee although according to the Torque Test Channel it does have more torque but to me smaller and lighter is better in my book.

I figure that the Atomic bites pretty far into the Milwaukee mid torque range, and the new Dewalt mid torque is going to bite into high torque territory, so the high torque isn’t too useful anymore for many users. I rarely use my Milwaukee high torque, although it’s nice to have.

The Dewalt mid torque is still smaller than the Milwaukee high torque.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I ended up buying the mid torque. It’s really nice how much more compact it is than the previous version!