M12 Fuel 3/8 impact quick review

[PoorOwner]

Guys, I just used this to take out a fuel tank and bunch of other bolts and didn't have to worry about the brushes and sparks, because it is brushless .

It has plenty of umph. Paired with impact extension and swivel sockets (deep and shallow) I was unstoppable at taking things apart.
I really appreciate this for home use when the car isn't that high off the ground, you don't have to worry about crunching your back or creeper over the air hose and it is a lot quieter.

I have the M18 fuel as well, but the M12 is very easy to use.

Also got the M12 stick light with me the whole time and the entire job had no wires or air hoses involved.

 

[ADSR]

Congrats. The fuel is a beast!

These have come a long way in power. No more pulling the air hose around or the noise.

 

[SASORacing]

I'm debating between m12 fuel 3/8 vs hex 1/4.

The hex has 200 in/lbs less torque, but is $30 cheaper. However the hex version is super easy switch between screwdriver bits and a 3/8 socket adapter.

 

[ADSR]

I'm debating between m12 fuel 3/8 vs hex 1/4.

The hex has 200 in/lbs less torque, but is $30 cheaper. However the hex version is super easy switch between screwdriver bits and a 3/8 socket adapter.

This is GJ, you buy both

 

[rice rocket]

M12 Fuel 1/4 hex, M18 Fuel 3/8.

 

[rmsg0040]

I'm debating between m12 fuel 3/8 vs hex 1/4.

The hex has 200 in/lbs less torque, but is $30 cheaper. However the hex version is super easy switch between screwdriver bits and a 3/8 socket adapter.

Milwaukee sells a 3/8 square to 1/4 hex driver, I would get the 3/8 impact first if it were me

 

[rice rocket]

The adapter is sloppy though, as is most sockets/adapters w/ a friction ring anvil. I have this on my M18 Fuel when I want to punish some screws. I wouldn't want to build a deck with the adapter.

I just bought a bunch of 1/4" quickchange nutsetter bits for the M12 rather than using the 1/4" hex to 1/4" square adapter for ease of use.

 

[DarenP]

N


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[SASORacing]

The adapter is sloppy though, as is most sockets/adapters w/ a friction ring anvil. I have this on my M18 Fuel when I want to punish some screws. I wouldn't want to build a deck with the adapter.

I just bought a bunch of 1/4" quickchange nutsetter bits for the M12 rather than using the 1/4" hex to 1/4" square adapter for ease of use.

I agree, the adapter to go from 3/8 to a screwdriver bit is also more expensive. I use my old 19.2v hex Craftsman impact gun for phillips bits more than the 3/8ths apater I have for it. I think I might spring for the hex Fuel version with 1200 in/ lbs vs 3/8 1400in/lbs.

 

[stearn786]

I bought the 3/8" fuel M12 a couple months ago and I love it. Plenty of power for the size and the battery life is excellent. There are still occasions where I need my 3/8" snap on air impact but its rare. It's awesome not being tethered to the wall.

I had to do a cylinder head on a van at work a couple of weeks ago and between my Milwaukee m12 screwdriver, my 3/8" m12 rachet, and the fuel impact, the only thing I used air for was the crank bolt and the lug nuts.

 

[AA/FC]

This is GJ, you buy both

 

[cgv69]

M12 Fuel 1/4 hex, M18 Fuel 3/8.

I agree with RR - I just got the M18 Fuel 3/8 impact wrench and next up is the M12 Fuel 1/4 Hex Impact.

I really debated between the M12 and M18 fuel impact wrenches but went with the M18 because...

Much more torque (M12 = 117ft/lbs Peak, M18 = 200ft/lbs)

The M18 has 3 torques ranges (0-30ft/lbs, 0-70ft/lbs & 0-200ft/lbs IIRC?) so you can set it appropriately for what you working on.

The appeal to the M12 would be it's size but the M18 version actually has a shorter head (M12 = 6.5" vs M18 = 6") so the M18 will fit into tighter spots.

I'm happy to see that cordless technology has advanced to a point where it's a legitimate option to air. Air is still useful but being cordless is really nice and convenient.

 

[PoorOwner]

The appeal to the M12 would be it's size but the M18 version actually has a shorter head (M12 = 6.5" vs M18 = 6") so the M18 will fit into tighter spots.

This was my observation by reading the brochure too, but, in actual use, the M12 handle much easier and less bulky to use, the overall dimensions is better when you don't have that huge 18V battery on the end of the grip.

I'm happy to see that cordless technology has advanced to a point where it's a legitimate option to air. Air is still useful but being cordless is really nice and convenient.

This I agree 100%, few years ago it was the tool truck brands but now we have some very good option without the tool truck price tag.