m12 3/8 impact worth it?

[thatguysb]

Do you guys think the m12 3/8 impact is a good buy?

i already have the impact driver and i use it to do quite a bit of jobs due to its ability to use a adapter from 1/4 hex to 3/8.
Im getting one on a deal, a non fuel model.

anyone can give me a small review of theirs?

need something for brakes, i usually use a breaker bar first on wheels and zip them off.

 

[Ajwcotton]

Only the fuel one here. I use that thing every day. It is my go to for just about everything under the hood. You will have to break loose brake parts though.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

same here. Fuel. Don't even use my M18 Fuel 3/8 impact....

 

[paulsomlo]

I have the M12 3/8 Fuel. When I first got it, I wasn't sure if I would use it or not. After a year or so, I wouldn't part with it. It's incredibly light weight and gets in some tight spots. It makes quick work of things underhood, and I've even used it on some suspension stuff.

 

[jocww]

I have the non fuel and i can break my trailer lug nuts off, but I couldnt break the lugs of my bmw,but it is nice to use it for light work. Im going to get a m18 fuel sooner or later.

 

[shockwave]

I have both in fuel and use the 3/8 m12 mostly the m18 is only coming out for exhaust work and adapter for 3/8 is better than impact driver

 

[DFB]

I have both a 2454 3/8 and the older 2463 3/8 I was good with the earlier brushed model before I got the Fuel but I'm spoiled now having that one so I rarely use the older one as much.

I originally bought the 2463 mainly for assembling greenhouses the hundreds of nut and bolts. Was great little wrench, solidly built and fit nicely in my tool pouch.

The Fuel version is just much nicer IMO and does easily take off many wheel lugnuts for me though the brushed version could get a few too.

I also like it more than a 2754 I grabbed up on bare tool special for $99

If you don't have 3/8" anvil one already and the price is really right I think it be much better than using the 2462 impact driver with adapter for sockets especially deep sockets and will be slightly more powerful overall

 

[cmandp]

I asked for and got the brushed version as a gift. I would say if you intend to use it for automotive work get the fuel version; it just doesn't provide enough torque to break most fasteners loose that you would use 3/8 drive on. I recently used it to install some 1/4 by 3.5" tapcons to hold down a 2X4 wall plate and it put them in, but it took quite a few seconds of hammering on them towards the end.

However it is still good for running bolts out and in and occasionally loosening rusty bolts that you would end up breaking with a hand ratchet or breaker bar (on a car). I also got the 3/8 drive to 1/4 hex adapter and use it as an impact driver all the time. It is quite versatile that way.

 

[bcradio]

I wouldn't bother with the non-fuel version just like I wouldn't both with Nicad tools anymore either.

 

[Voi]

I have both in fuel and use the 3/8 m12 mostly the m18 is only coming out for exhaust work and adapter for 3/8 is better than impact driver

How is it better? More powerful?

I've long felt a compact impact wrench would be the better tool for me than a driver. Nearly all of my impact work is either sockets or driving T25 torx construction screws.

If I had a few T25 impact sockets I'd only rarely need to get out a square to hex adapter for other bits.

Here's hoping Milwaukee or Makita make a version of the Bosch IDH182.

 

[franzdom]

I have both in fuel and use the 3/8 m12 mostly the m18 is only coming out for exhaust work and adapter for 3/8 is better than impact driver

I am not following what you are saying here, please expand.

 

[theoldwizard1]

i already have the impact driver and i use it to do quite a bit of jobs due to its ability to use a adapter from 1/4 hex to 3/8.

I went the other way. 3/8" drive and then an adapter for 1/4" hex. (The 3/8" drive only seems to be available online.) VERY HAPPY !

Im getting one on a deal, a non fuel model.

I don't know if it was the hype, but I paid extra for the Fuel version. One thing that I am very impressed with is the battery charge life. I have used it on 3 or 4 small jobs over about 4-6 weeks and it is still 3/4 charged !

 

[Voi]

I went the other way. 3/8" drive and then an adapter for 1/4" hex. VERY HAPPY!

There was a thread some years ago and more than a few posters said that if they had to choose one tool they'd rather have one of the M18 compact wrenches with a square to hex adapter than one of the M18 impact drivers with a hex to square adapter.

I don't recall anybody saying it was better but more like if they could only have one of the two.

I know this thread is about the M12 line but I can see the same logic applying.

 

[SoDoodoo]

I'd probably wait when they come out with the new fuel tools if they'll make a new m12 3/8. Right now I'm pretty sure the head on the m12 is longer than the m18, so it may not get into some tighter spaces.

 

[DFB]

Well that wait is gonna probably be long since they haven't announced any upgrades to the M12 3/8 impact wrenches and it'll be several months before the new stuff even begins hits the markets

OP should really tell us the deal price hey!

IMO anything less than $40 difference I say go with the FUEL but I got my 2463 out today and hammered off some 1/2" bolts I torqued up in the vise. Now I remember why I like it so much.

Works good too just like my NiMh Makita cordless saw I still use most EVERDAY at my job

It's a little powerhouse and it will strip more bolts under 1/2" than you will probably want if your not careful.

Check the specs a slight difference in max torque 200inch lbs. or 16.6 ftlb difference. The Fuel does have two mode speeds and is a bit shorter but also weighs more plus the handle is fatter, RPM /IPM difference is 200 on impacts and 150 on RPM.

 

[thatguysb]

I actually think i wont be purchasing it. I think its a better investment for me to purchase a m18 1/2". Im thinking for what i need it for, the m12 wont be enough.

I usually do all my work with hand tools as a DIY. My hardest task is wheels and suspension, due to lack of leverage ect but i get by with what i have.

i already have a 20gallon compressor but its a direct drive, pretty loud and annoying actually. So a good heavy duty electric impact is a good purchase.

 

[thatguysb]

Im not located in the USA, I am from Trinidad which is located in the Caribbean. Its costing me 800TTD which is roughly 120USD for the bare tool. If i import it ,it can cost a bit less but no warranty from local dealer .

the m18 1/2 kit is 3800TTD which is roughly 560$ USD. If i import it, 430USD maybe?

 

[franzdom]

I actually think i wont be purchasing it. I think its a better investment for me to purchase a m18 1/2". Im thinking for what i need it for, the m12 wont be enough.

I usually do all my work with hand tools as a DIY. My hardest task is wheels and suspension, due to lack of leverage ect but i get by with what i have.

i already have a 20gallon compressor but its a direct drive, pretty loud and annoying actually. So a good heavy duty electric impact is a good purchase.

That is sound reasoning, I would (did) get some M18 impact wrenches before getting an M12.

 

[DFB]

Wow those are some tough prices
Maybe worth vacation to the States lol!


So what version of the 1/2" M18 impact wrench is that anyhow?

 

[thatguysb]

milwaukee 2763-22

vacation would be nice, visa is a tough thing to acquire.

 

[shockwave]

How is it better? More powerful?

I've long felt a compact impact wrench would be the better tool for me than a driver. Nearly all of my impact work is either sockets or driving T25 torx construction screws.

If I had a few T25 impact sockets I'd only rarely need to get out a square to hex adapter for other bits.

Here's hoping Milwaukee or Makita make a version of the Bosch IDH182.

I am basically saying a driver starts out as 1/4 hex with socket adapter
Where a 3/8 impact with a reduction adapter will provide more torque over driver will

 

[jfranci3]

I've got the Fuel 3/8 impact.

I tested with a 17mm lug nut and a 3/8 Bosch 18v brushed unit I was selling. The 3/8 impact was good to remove about 90ft/lb on the lug nut. The Bosch was a bit weaker. You still need to use your tq wrench/breaker bar, but only for do the detail work.

If you have a good 1/4 hex driver, it's really the same tool with just a different head. I would just adapt your hex driver. I have both and I'd get the hex driver only because the 3/8" to hex adapter is really big and you're more likely to have space constraints with a hex application than 3/8 socket.

I would pony up for the Fuel on M18 Fuel unit in this application though.

 

[bcradio]

milwaukee 2763-22

vacation would be nice, visa is a tough thing to acquire.

You need a visa to come to the US?

 

[thatguysb]

Yep, visa for USA and canada.

m18 here i come.

 

[Hammer1963]

The Fuel version is fantastic for certain applications