Did I go to big? Milwaukee Impact..

[Cummins2015]

Today, I bought a M18 Fuel Electric Impact, 1/2, Up to 700ft fastening tq and up to 1,100 nut busting tq lol.. Now that I got it home and stuck a battery in it.. I'm afraid its going to be to aggressive for what I work on..

This impact is for personal home use only.. I have my 2015 cummins I work on.. So very little maintenance with it.. But I do change wheels a lot (break lug nuts).. A srt4 that I work on when things break, Wifes 15' wrx, mainly just various cars..

I see a ton of people buy these.. Tons of people say they love them.. Am I overreacting about the size of this? Or should I return it and drop down a 3/8 with less torque?


Also a side note.. Im OCD about tq specs.. I always have to tq my wheels to spec. I can't hit them with an impact like I see tons of shops do.. It drives me crazy if things are not tq.. My main use with this electric impact will be to break bolts loose.


Thanks GJ friends.

 

[one9gt]

If it's mainly for wheels then it's perfect. Even if you torque wheels to spec you'll need a lot more to break them because of dirt/grime buildup.


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[dodge610]

That should do the job fine do not know if 3/8 would be undersized. I have both and allways worried 3/8 might struggle to get it done. Just remember too much is just enough.

 

[kctyphoon]

You'll probably need it just to break lugs loose.. If you have a Cummins, it's at least at 2500 series im guessing.. Best answer though is to get both.. I did. I've used the 3/8 to remove and install lugs on the Honda I have.. It's struggled a couple times, (I'm sure I've made them tighter than then need to be by hand when re-installing) Haven't tried either on my f350 diesel dually yet, but I'm sure the 1/2" impact won't care when I do..

I just got a set of sunex metric swivel sockets to use with the 3/8 impact.. Will be good for suspension and brakes when those days come.. The 3/8 can probably be used on more stuff, but the 1/2" just for the lugs on a truck is worth having if you bought it just to make life easier (and just a little more fun)

 

[xjfish]

Just use it, you will want the 1/2" for lug nuts.

 

[General Geoff]

No such thing as too much torque when breaking stuff loose.

It should have a "low torque" mode you can use (goes up to ~100 ft lbs) if you want to use it to install fasteners without overtorquing.

 

[TheEuronater]

The ½" you got is for breaking rusty bolts loose and things like crank bolts, and lugs on big trucks. The ⅜ is definitely more versatile for taking apart suspension components and the like especially with the smaller footprint. I would personally rather have the ½ if I couldn't have both because it will help break loose the tough stuff. But it sounds like most if what you have to maintain is relatively new and I'm not sure of you live in a rust prone area

 

[redwrench60]

It's perfect for what you're going to use it on. If you prefer to do final torque with a torque wrench (nothing wrong with that) then just run down the lugs gently with the impact, then do a final pass with your torque wrench. You'll appreciate the extra hard hitting torque of the 1/2" impact.

 

[Cummins2015]

Very glad I made this post and very thankful for the quick replies..

I have a M12 3/8 and I use it on everything.. I always have used air impacts.. Im away for work now and have no air compressor.. The electric impacts are new to me.. but the 3/8 M12 is the best tool ive ever bought. No question I love it. It does 117ft and 17ft

I'm glad you brought up the rust prone area.. I live in VA usually. So rust isn't so bad but it is around time to time and over time.. I bought a 05 srt4 out of NJ that did have some rusty parts.. I actually got my pinky stuck with an impact 2 years ago that I'm still reminded of because my air impact didnt have enough *** to break it loose..

and my 86 dodge omni glh doesn't look the best either.. So it will be nice when I do start working on it.

I think Ill keep it like most of you said and get a 3/8 one also just to have both..

 

[Cummins2015]

East Tn is where I'm from.. I live on the VA side.. but 30 mins from the TN line.

 

[zkling]

No, just sleep knowing that had you bought the 3/8 it would have just been marginal, if that.

 

[redwrench60]

East Tn is where I'm from.. I live on the VA side.. but 30 mins from the TN line.

Well then greetings from home your home turf neighbor

Unfortunately, I won't be visiting Virginia for vacations or really any reason any longer due to them no longer recognizing Tennessee handgun carry permits as of 2016. I can tell when I'm not welcome somewhere.

 

[Cummins2015]

oh man I agree! and I have also signed multiple petitions on it.. It makes it so hard on my area specifically.. I am regularly on states street.. Either to eat, shoot billiards, alot of things.. One side of the street is VA, the other side of the street is TN.. The whole tri-cities is based in VA AND TN... Its hard for sure.. Especially how much the area has grown within the past year even... very disappointing..

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have all the impacts.

For my Dodge 3500 I use the compact 1/2" more than the big dog or the 3/8" impact.

I say the perfect 2 is M12 Fuel 3/8" and M18 1/2" compact......or just get them all.

The big dog is just too large to fit in anywhere. I'm glad I have it because I work on a lot more than just my truck. Hell, I even have the M18 3/4".

 

[Cummins2015]

after reading all the replies I agree.. I just now bought a 3/8 M18 from ohiopowertools.com.. I don't know how common this deal is.. but it was the only website offering this...

Free M18 Starter Pack and FREE SHIPPING with purchase of TWO qualifying M18 bare tools with coupon code M18START...

Includes m18 Redlithium XC5.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack (48-11-150), M18 & M12 Multi Voltage Charger (48-59-1812)

I don't nee another M18 tool right now... BUT I added the M12 Heated hoodie I've been wanting (Jacket was out of stock) and the coupon code worked! So I went with it lol

 

[Banshee365]

Honestly, the 2655B is probably the ideal impact for what you need until you really need a lot of power. That said, I have the 2763 and not the 2655B. But, that one of the 3/8 compact fuel impact will probably be next for me.

 

[kctyphoon]

Since we're taking about them, I gotta ask.. What's so great about the m12 3/8" impact.. Why would you want that over the m18?? The head on the 3/8 m18 is smaller, shorter, and it's much stronger.. So why pick the m12?? Is it just for smaller bolts you don't need an m18 for? I think I'd rather just use the adapter on the m12 impact driver.. I up for spending money on **** I don't need - why would anyone want the 3/8 m12 if they already have the 3/8 m18?

 

[Cummins2015]

Tho I just ordered the M18 3/8 tonight.. I can't give you a side by side yet... but as for my first intentions of ordering the 3/8 M12. It was mainly for size. The battery shape of the m12 and how it drops inside of the actual tool itself.. I also have enjoyed the 17ft setting for the interior work of my vehicles, and on the more fragile low tq things... so for me it was size really

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Well, for example, when I did bushings, shocks, track bar and all that good stuff on my 3500 the big M18 1/2" was too large.

At the time I didn't have the smaller M18 1/2", so I used the M18 3/8" and had to keep using the adapter to 1/2", which sucked. Because the magnetic GP one ***** and the socket falls off, and if you used a normal adapter you just gained an inch or whatever in length.

The small M18 1/2" is 10 ft-lbs more than the M18 3/8" IIRC. But even the 3/8" was kickin *** under the truck. Just hate adapting.

The M12 3/8 (these are all FUELS btw) seems to do most* 3/8" stuff, unless it's a rusty SOB or red loctite type deal.

And the M12 is so much smaller and lighter, which is a plus. But you're saying the access is better from the M18 3/8 ??? I haven't noticed, I'll have to go out to the garage and do a side by side.

I guess there is no solid answer, as what you work on determines what you should buy. But I think a lot of here work on everything from our housewares to the truck, trailer, and tractor out back.

 

[ImStricken06]

I first bought the 3/8 and then the 2763. Both the 3/8 & 1/2 are great tools, but very different. You really shouldnt be asking if you should buy 1 or the other. They are so far apart torque wise, that you'll need both. They cant do each-others jobs; but they do their own jobs very well.

I know it seems huge & heavy now, but you'll get used to it quickly

 

[franzdom]

Tho I just ordered the M18 3/8 tonight.. I can't give you a side by side yet... but as for my first intentions of ordering the 3/8 M12. It was mainly for size. The battery shape of the m12 and how it drops inside of the actual tool itself.. I also have enjoyed the 17ft setting for the interior work of my vehicles, and on the more fragile low tq things... so for me it was size really

Perfect, you won't regret having both the larger and smaller of the M18 Fuel impacts. I use the beast for removing lug nuts mainly and the other one for pretty much everything else. One thing you will find is the beast is only good on setting 2. The low setting is really slow and weak. The smaller M18's have 3 adjustments and all are useful, especially #2 & #3. The smaller M18 will remove lug nuts on my cars that are torqued to 90 but it takes too long and is too noisy. The larger wrench takes them off immediately.

 

[TXBDan]

Note that the M12 3/8" impact is actually longer than the M18. Kind of strange and killed the M12 for me.

 

[Badger 13]

I have the same Milwaukee high torque impact, and a Dodge 2500 4x4 diesel. The main reason I went with this impact is for wheels. With the truck and two Jeep Wranglers in the family I do a lot of tire rotating and this does the job. Since I do like Cummins2015 and torque the lug nuts, I just gently run them up and use the torque wrench for the finishing touch. I'm sure you will get used to the size of it. I also take mine with me on trips along with "flip" lug nut sockets.

Good luck with it.

Jim

 

[dacan23]

I have 5 Milwaukee impacts and while 2 might be fine, each has an ideal use. Whats amazing is how good the fuel stuff is compared to earlier models. My new Fuel M12 1/4 hex has more power than the old 3/8, and the 2nd gen Fuel M18 1/4 hex almost has more power than the 3/8 compact. The M12 3/8 while not that powerful is nice for its small size with a 1.5/2.0 battery, if more power is needed then size probably isnt an issue and one of M18s can be used.

M12 3/8 Impact 2451 - 85 ft-lbs
M12 Fuel 1/4 Hex Impact 2453 - 100 ft-lbs
M18 1/2 Impact 2663 - 450 ft-lbs
M18 3/8 Compact Impact 2651 - 167 ft-lbs
M18 Fuel 1/4 Hex Impact 2753 - 150 ft-lbs

The nicest one I have is the new M18 Fuel 1/4 hex impact, with its 3 different selectable speeds as well as the variable speed. The M12 Fuel 1/4 hex impact only has 2 speeds, but still a very nice gun also.

 

[TNToy]

It is perfect for wheels. You're good.

Use it to pull them off and run the lugnuts back down until they're seated, and blip the trigger so you go another 1/8-1/4 turn or so.

After that it is a quick pull or two on your torque wrench to get the 'click' that your OCD craves. Makes it much faster, and you are still doing it right.

...they have a variable trigger for precisely this reason.

 

[Patrick73RS]

I don't have the Milwaukee but I have the snap on ones. I bought both (3/8 & 1/2) and use both. I get more use from the 3/8 including my wheel changes. I like having both.

 

[dnschmidt]

The beauty of the system is the interchangeability of the batteries. Buy the smaller impact, either 1/2" of 3/8" bare version and simply use the batteries from the big boy kit. The price for the bare tools is very reasonable for what you get.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Some great feedback on this thread. I've got the m12 & 18 hex bit impacts (non fuel) & am happy with both for what they are. I'd like a little more power. Just keep going back & forth whether a 3/8 is an unnecessary step or if I'd be better off with the cornwell at a local pawn shop (500lb break away). I'd get the m12 in a second if it had torque close to the 18. My m18 is more compact btw.

 

[thugline]

To give you an idea of the size difference between M18 Fuel Compact 1/2 and M12 Fuel 3/8 impacts...

 

[roguegts]

Already having a 1/4" impact driver I was faced with a similar dilemma recently. So I made the only reasonable decision, picked up the 2754 compact M18 3/8" impact and threw in the 1/2" 2763.

I'll probably get more use out of the 3/8", but having a big diesel truck I can see occasions where i'll need the big boy, and it is a bit quicker removing lug nuts and such. At least that's how I justify it.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Ultimately it will come in handy having both. I also just invested in the 2763 for home use and upgraded my older non-fuel m18 drill and 1/4" hex impact to the m18 Fuel 2897-22 kit. The 1/2 impact will brake loose damn near anything you could run into. I use my 1/4" hex Fuel Impact with 1/4 and 3/8 socket adapters for anything else.

BTW.....I am OCD also about torque (especially lug nut torque). I am going to buy a Sunex 60 ft. lb. and 120 ft. Lb torque limiting exension (exactly as we use at work) to use at home with my 2763. You can use the 60 ft lb. one on most cars and small trucks and then after setting the vehicle down you can acheive the final specified torque with a torque wrench. 120 ft. lb. stick used the same way for Chevy, Ford or Dodge full size trucks with 14mm or 9/16" studs that torque between 135 and 160.

I have taken my 2763 to work recently when I was going to rotate my tires. I hung out in the tire bays for awhile and used it on a few vehicles mainly to oohs and awes by our tire techs because it could handle anything their best air impacts could do.