M12 fuel 3/8 impact vs 1/4 hex driver

[Snakebyt]

i have the 1/4 hex driver, would the 3/8 be more powerful enough to justify buying? links to both products below

M12 FUEL™ 1/4" Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only)

www.milwaukeetool.com

M12 FUEL Stubby 3/8" Impact Wrench | Milwaukee Tool

MILWAUKEE® M12 FUEL™ 3/8" Stubby Impact Wrench is the industry's most compact cordless impact wrench at 5.1" in length, featuring 250 ft-lb of breakaway torque, and 4-mode drive control

www.milwaukeetool.com

if i get the 3/8 it would be replacing a ridgid 18v hex driver, how would the 3/8 impact stack up against the ridgid 18v?

 

[ER70S-2]

Impact drivers and impact wrenches are completely different tools. While there is some overlap in usage, one can't totally replace the other.

 

[39 LaSalle]

I have the 1/4" Impact driver, and while I like it, I consider it a fairly "light duty" type of tool. Basically Milwaukee claims it puts out more or less 108 ft. lbs. of torque, but I haven't pushed mine anywhere near that hard to find out if it's true.

A couple of days ago Acme Tool had the 3/8" Stubby marked down to $129 so I hopped on one of those to see if I like it. My hope is that I can use it for taking off lug nuts occasionally, so I don't have to break out my 1/2" mid torque except for heavy duty stuff. BTW, I'm a weekend wrencher only if that matters.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Totally different tools. The 3/8" or 1/2" stubby impacts are worth the buy-in for the M12 line. IIRC, only the anvil is different between these guns. I have the 1/2", and it's my go to.

-Ryan

 

[ChevyEFI]

I am off-topic and gotta be me.

OP, why go from 18v to 12v?

For max utility of a 1/4 hex driver in 18v, get the top Bosch. (GDX18V-1800CB25) with 3 speeds and 1/4 hex built into a 1/2" anvil. It will remove lug nuts with out using a hex to square adapter.

You won't get that diverse of use from a single M12 tool. So double up if you're going there.

 

[X1 Mike]

I have the 3/8" stubby impact and it is a hard hitting little powerhouse. I've never put it to a bolt it hasn't removed. I have taken suspensions apart with it and it didn't need full power. Obviously I haven't asked anything of it that it wasn't designed for but I haven't even used my big daddy Makita since I bought it. Two thumbs up.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have the 2454 M12 Fuel 3/8" impact along with a 3/8" square to 1/4" Shockwave Impact Hex Adapter. Great combination ! The 3/8" square drive is perfect for working on outdoor power equipment and some brake work. In a pinch you could just A 1/4" socket but the adapter has the locking quick change mechanism which is very nice.

 

[f121]

What do you want to use it for? They are very different tools

 

[Fly YX]

I have the 3/8 and it has been in for repairs a few times. For home use it would probably be ok. I got it to try and have one battery platform at work that did not take a lot of room. Did not work out so well. The m12 ratchets are good and the bandsaw but the other stuff just did not last. If you already have 18v Ridgid look at the subcompact line not very powerful on the 3/8 or 1/2 in but most of the stuff I do it works. If not I have the bigger stuff for

 

[ajchien]

1/4” hex impact for me drives screws into wood.
3/8” impact wrench does 10-19mm bolts in automotive applications.

Although they may look and work similar, using a 1/4” hex impact to do lugnuts and a 3/8“ impact wrench to drive screws into wood leads to unnecessary frustration.

 

[Al Borland]

Bought an 18v 1/4" hex (Ryobi) for shits-n-giggles using a work-issued gift card. Wish i had it sooner. this thing is FUN. For screws and small bolts, it's great. Doubt it would work on lugnuts, but I also doubt a 3/8 is gonna be worthwhile on lugnuts either.

 

[BikeRider]

I just got the M12 3/8" stubby impact wrench and like it so far, although it's a little bit bulkier and heavier than I expected or wanted. But I guess that can't be avoided with today's technology for something this powerful, so I'm not complaining, just reflecting my initial views. Maybe in a few years they'll shrink it down more.

I'll probably use it mostly for auto work on fasteners ranging from 8mm to 19mm, e.g. valve cover bolts, hose clamp screws, caliper bolts, suspension bolts, the occasional 21mm lug nut, etc. My 1/2" impact wrench is too heavy and bulky for such tasks and is best reserved for lug and axle nuts and the like, my power screwdriver is too weak, and hand tools get tiresome if you're working on a lot of fasteners. Everyone here knows what I'm talking about.

However, more relevant to this thread's topic, I intend to eventually get the 1/4" impact driver. I don't really NEED it, but it's a really nice tool that would be good to have around for the occasional home project, and I'll probably get it in the kit that comes with the hammer drill, batteries, charger and case.

What I'm wondering is whether, with one of those stubby 1/4" hex to 1/4" square anvil adapters, I can effectively turn it into a 1/4" impact wrench, for use with 8-12mm fasteners. And if so, do the adapter and/or sockets have to be impact rated, given the relatively low torque values used on such smaller fasteners?

Sure, my 3/8" can do that and I have sockets for it. But sometimes you want something less powerful for smaller fasteners. And sometimes it's nice to have 2 tools handy, each with a different sized socket on it, for jobs where you have to keep switching between the two sizes and it gets annoying to keep switching sockets on one tool.

So what do you think, an M12 impact driver as a makeshift 1/4" impact wrench?

 

[Odd-job]

I think I understand where the OP is coming from. Have a little bit of "been there, done that" syndrome here in that I ended up with both through some a trial and error experience.

Bought a 3/8 stubby and also got rid of my m12 1/4 non-fuel impact driver. Figured I could use a 3/8 socket to 1/4 adapter. Thought it could drive screws just as well with more torque. Found myself stripping screws more as it is designed to drive large fasteners and also realized the stubby just couldn't fit as well in a lot of screw driving scenarios. Usually when trying to get a screw in a corner or next to a post. The stubby just had too much girth. Ended up buying the 1/4 fuel hex out of frustration building a fence.

Now I think I "need" the m12 surge

 

[Handyandy23]

I just got the M12 3/8" stubby impact wrench and like it so far, although it's a little bit bulkier and heavier than I expected or wanted. But I guess that can't be avoided with today's technology for something this powerful, so I'm not complaining, just reflecting my initial views. Maybe in a few years they'll shrink it down more.

I'll probably use it mostly for auto work on fasteners ranging from 8mm to 19mm, e.g. valve cover bolts, hose clamp screws, caliper bolts, suspension bolts, the occasional 21mm lug nut, etc. My 1/2" impact wrench is too heavy and bulky for such tasks and is best reserved for lug and axle nuts and the like, my power screwdriver is too weak, and hand tools get tiresome if you're working on a lot of fasteners. Everyone here knows what I'm talking about.

However, more relevant to this thread's topic, I intend to eventually get the 1/4" impact driver. I don't really NEED it, but it's a really nice tool that would be good to have around for the occasional home project, and I'll probably get it in the kit that comes with the hammer drill, batteries, charger and case.

What I'm wondering is whether, with one of those stubby 1/4" hex to 1/4" square anvil adapters, I can effectively turn it into a 1/4" impact wrench, for use with 8-12mm fasteners. And if so, do the adapter and/or sockets have to be impact rated, given the relatively low torque values used on such smaller fasteners?

Sure, my 3/8" can do that and I have sockets for it. But sometimes you want something less powerful for smaller fasteners. And sometimes it's nice to have 2 tools handy, each with a different sized socket on it, for jobs where you have to keep switching between the two sizes and it gets annoying to keep switching sockets on one tool.

So what do you think, an M12 impact driver as a makeshift 1/4" impact wrench?

If you're already covering 8mm-19mm with the 3/8" stubby, why would you need a different tool with a 1/4" anvil to cover 8-12mm fasteners? Especially when the stubby impact has 3 torque settings you can dial it down with if you're worried about hitting too hard on something tiny.

Like others have said, the 1/4" hex drivers have their use, but it's not really meant to overlap with the 3/8" stubby.

I've got the M12 3/8" stubby, the M12 Fuel Surge, and the M12 screwdriver, and I use all 3 of them a lot, and they all do what they're supposed to do well. Surge is great with deck screws, lag bolts, anything going into wood, and I replaced an older DeWalt 20v 1/4" hex driver with it. Much quieter and has just as much power. The screwdriver has lots of clutch settings so I can use it to assemble or disassemble even delicate screws, Ikea furniture, stuff like that without stripping it.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I just got the M12 3/8" stubby impact wrench and like it so far, although it's a little bit bulkier and heavier than I expected or wanted. But I guess that can't be avoided with today's technology for something this powerful, so I'm not complaining, just reflecting my initial views. Maybe in a few years they'll shrink it down more.

I'll probably use it mostly for auto work on fasteners ranging from 8mm to 19mm, e.g. valve cover bolts, hose clamp screws, caliper bolts, suspension bolts, the occasional 21mm lug nut, etc. My 1/2" impact wrench is too heavy and bulky for such tasks and is best reserved for lug and axle nuts and the like, my power screwdriver is too weak, and hand tools get tiresome if you're working on a lot of fasteners. Everyone here knows what I'm talking about.

However, more relevant to this thread's topic, I intend to eventually get the 1/4" impact driver. I don't really NEED it, but it's a really nice tool that would be good to have around for the occasional home project, and I'll probably get it in the kit that comes with the hammer drill, batteries, charger and case.

What I'm wondering is whether, with one of those stubby 1/4" hex to 1/4" square anvil adapters, I can effectively turn it into a 1/4" impact wrench, for use with 8-12mm fasteners. And if so, do the adapter and/or sockets have to be impact rated, given the relatively low torque values used on such smaller fasteners?

Sure, my 3/8" can do that and I have sockets for it. But sometimes you want something less powerful for smaller fasteners. And sometimes it's nice to have 2 tools handy, each with a different sized socket on it, for jobs where you have to keep switching between the two sizes and it gets annoying to keep switching sockets on one tool.

So what do you think, an M12 impact driver as a makeshift 1/4" impact wrench?

If you expect to use it as a light impact gun, you do not want the Surge. If you want smooth woodscrew use, go Surge.

The 1/4 hex tooling available is expansive. For that reason, getting the hex driver is probably going to make a more versatile tool than getting the stubby 1/4 square.

 

[BikeRider]

If you're already covering 8mm-19mm with the 3/8" stubby, why would you need a different tool with a 1/4" anvil to cover 8-12mm fasteners? Especially when the stubby impact has 3 torque settings you can dial it down with if you're worried about hitting too hard on something tiny.

Like others have said, the 1/4" hex drivers have their use, but it's not really meant to overlap with the 3/8" stubby.

I've got the M12 3/8" stubby, the M12 Fuel Surge, and the M12 screwdriver, and I use all 3 of them a lot, and they all do what they're supposed to do well. Surge is great with deck screws, lag bolts, anything going into wood, and I replaced an older DeWalt 20v 1/4" hex driver with it. Much quieter and has just as much power. The screwdriver has lots of clutch settings so I can use it to assemble or disassemble even delicate screws, Ikea furniture, stuff like that without stripping it.

Well like I wrote, sometimes it's nice to have 2 similar tools handy, each with a different size socket, for when you have to switch between the two often and don't want to keep switching sockets (which tend to get lost).

This is especially useful when you're under the car in an awkward position and changing sockets can be a challenge. Just switch between tools and you're good.

It's not why I'd get the driver, just an additional feature that might be useful now and then.

 

[BikeRider]

If you expect to use it as a light impact gun, you do not want the Surge. If you want smooth woodscrew use, go Surge.

The 1/4 hex tooling available is expansive. For that reason, getting the hex driver is probably going to make a more versatile tool than getting the stubby 1/4 square.

I'd never seriously considered getting the 1/4" impact wrench since I already have the much more versatile (for car work) 3/8". I was just asking about using a 1/4" impact driver as an occasional 1/4" "impact wrench" using an adapter, for the above stated reasons. I've actually used my existing impact driver this way, but it's not a compact one so it's a bit unwieldy to use that way. Plus it's brushed and starting to fail, thus thinking about buying a new, brushless compact one.