m12 fuel impactor compared to Makita

[IndyGarage]

With all the folks here who love the fuel stuff from Milwaukee, I decided to upgrade my M12 impactor from the original version to the fuel.

I bought the tool only option which doesn't include batteries or a charger.

Took it out of the box, but a newly charged battery in it, and pulled out a 3 1/2 inch wood screw and a 6x6 to see how powerful and fast it is. The fuel has a 2 speed switch, so I set it to high.

I also pulled out my similar Makita Impactor for comparison.

Well, I guess I'm somewhat disappointed. The fuel is not any faster at drving screws than the Makita is. It also seems to be down on power, because it wouldn't drive the screw head below the surface of the 6x6.

Both of them were about 30% faster than the original M12 impactor, but I wouldn't say it's enough to have upgraded.

I also have a Bosch Impactor, which I think is much faster than the Makita. I'm going to take it over to the shop and test them all out.

I do like the LED light on the Fuel. It's much better than the old one.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I will assume there is no bit slip or stripping. Someone posted some results or review of the Milwaukee impacts on lug nuts. Even the M12 was removing some torqued at 90 ft-lbs. I don't see how that would bury a screw easily. My Makita impact works great on screws on undrilled wood or lag screws in pilot holes. It is great for drilling in compact spaces as well. I'm pretty impressed by it but the Milwaukee should be a little more impressive.

 

[firworks]

When you say the M12 Fuel "Impactor" which actual tool are you talking about?
2453-20 M12 Fuel 12-Volt Brushless Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver
2454-20 M12 FUEL™ 3/8" Impact Wrench

What Makita are you comparing it against?

We need some more info to understand what you are seeing.

 

[IndyGarage]

When you say the M12 Fuel "Impactor" which actual tool are you talking about?
2453-20 M12 Fuel 12-Volt Brushless Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver
2454-20 M12 FUEL™ 3/8" Impact Wrench

What Makita are you comparing it against?

We need some more info to understand what you are seeing.

First one, impact driver not the impact wrench. Sorry if I was confusing.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The key factor is if the tool will run the screw at rated speed while under load. Based on the specs, the Fuel version should be faster but based on the number of turns to the screw you would be better off running 10 or 100 screws and the. Averaging the time per screw to better determine which one if faster.

2450 0-2,000 RPM
2453 0-2,600 RPM

I suspect you didn't have the trigger pulled at 100%, try running the screws into some hardwood to more effectively test.

TheGrooveking

 

[IndyGarage]

The key factor is if the tool will run the screw at rated speed while under load. Based on the specs, the Fuel version should be faster but based on the number of turns to the screw you would be better off running 10 or 100 screws and the. Averaging the time per screw to better determine which one if faster.

2450 0-2,000 RPM
2453 0-2,600 RPM

I suspect you didn't have the trigger pulled at 100%, try running the screws into some hardwood to more effectively test.

TheGrooveking

You would suspect wrong about me not pulling the trigger all the way. I was specifically trying to see how much faster the fuel would run the screw into the wood compared to the old Milwaukee and the Makita version of the same tool.

The wood was a piece of 6x6 cribbing I had. It wasn't soft, probably Oak but I'm not sure. I used the same bit in each tool, and ran the screws multiple times to make sure I didn't hit a hard spot in the wood.

Each time the result was the same. Fuel (2453-20)and Makita (DT01W) were almost identical in speed, original Milwaukee M12 impactor was about 30-40% slower. The Fuel stopped turning the screw when the head was flush, the Makita kept turning it as it buried into the wood.

When I get a chance to take my Bosch PS41 over there I will test all four of them on 5 or 10 screws each. I have a feeling I already know what the answer will be, because I've tried the Bosch against the Makita and it's faster.

I have a feeling that if I wanted to test battery life, the Fuel would win that battle. I've always been a little disappointed with the Makita battery life compared to both Bosch and Milwaukee.

 

[firworks]

That's mysterious. Out of curiosity can you try just running both tools with no bit in them? The no-load speed of the M12 Fuel is 250RPM faster than the no-load speed of the Makita. Might be a big enough difference to at least see that one is faster or slower than the other. Either your M12 is hitting below it's weight or the Makita is hitting above. Makita DT01W is only rated at 66Ft/lbs of torque, where as that Fuel is right at 100Ft/lbs.

 

[IndyGarage]

That's mysterious. Out of curiosity can you try just running both tools with no bit in them? The no-load speed of the M12 Fuel is 250RPM faster than the no-load speed of the Makita. Might be a big enough difference to at least see that one is faster or slower than the other. Either your M12 is hitting below it's weight or the Makita is hitting above. Makita DT01W is only rated at 66Ft/lbs of torque, where as that Fuel is right at 100Ft/lbs.

Those torque ratings are always a fantasy. No way those tools get close to those ratings.

I'll try a more scientific test shortly.

 

[firworks]

Those torque ratings are always a fantasy. No way those tools get close to those ratings.

I'll try a more scientific test shortly.

I know my M12 FUEL 3/8" Impact can easily hit over 100 Ft/lbs so the rating on it isn't fantasy. I think it's capable of a lot higher actually. I took off a spindle nut with it at ~130 ft/lbs. It was not happy but it did it.

 

[Jeeper]

Those torque ratings are always a fantasy. No way those tools get close to those ratings.

I'll try a more scientific test shortly.

I am not so sure. Just got a new m12 fuel impact with the 3/8" anvil. I put a battery on it, a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter and a 13/16" socket and it took off a lug tightened to 100ft/lbs on my Jeep.

The rated torque is 1400 inch lbs. So 100ft/lbs with an adapter, I say that is pretty close.

 

[jd_1138]

Maybe upgrade to 18V/20V if that 12V isn't powerful enough for you. 12V is mainly for lighter duty applications and not all out power. Main benefit of the 12V is the lighter weight/smaller size, so pros who have to use it all day get less fatigued.

You didn't buy the screwdriver M12 Fuel by mistake? That's 1/4th as powerful as the impact driver.

 

[firworks]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yTsu97oWgpI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w2ogFHAC-1I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In the first video the lugnuts were torqued to 95 ft/lbs a few months prior to that video. In the second video the spindle nut was torqued to something around 130 ft/lbs. Both examples were with no adaptor, 3/8" impact sockets.

If you look at the two tools on the Milwaukee website I would expect they share a majority of their components so they should be pretty close in performance. The difference in torque ratings may come down to the final output mass (anvil vs 1/4" receiver). They even have the same max no-load rpm rating. Maybe your tool has a manufacturing defect or something and isn't performing as it should be? It's hard to say without another one you could drive into the same wood to check.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Is the Makita impactor you used 12 volt or 18 volt? Nevermind, I reread your post and saw the model number.

TheGrooveking

 

[IndyGarage]

Maybe upgrade to 18V/20V if that 12V isn't powerful enough for you. 12V is mainly for lighter duty applications and not all out power. Main benefit of the 12V is the lighter weight/smaller size, so pros who have to use it all day get less fatigued.

You didn't buy the screwdriver M12 Fuel by mistake? That's 1/4th as powerful as the impact driver.

Uh yeah, If I want I can pull out any number of more powerful tools.

Or I can use my Milwaukee, Bosch or Makita 12V. I wrote this because everyone raved about the Milwaukee Fuel, so I went out and bought it, only to find it not quite as good as the competitive one that I already have.

 

[IndyGarage]

So last night I went out and did a more thorough test. I ran the Milwaukee fuel 1/4 Hex driver (not the 3/8 impact - I already said that's not the one I have) against comparable tools from Makita, Bosch and the original Milwaukee. I was going to film the whole thing, but my camera battery died after the first one, so that was not to be.

My conclusion: The fastest of the bunch has been and still is Bosch. It's also the smallest and most compact of all of them. The second fastest, by about 10% is the Milwaukee fuel, which seems to be the largest and heaviest of the bunch. The Makita is slightly, but only slightly slower than the Fuel. And the older Milwaukee is clearly the trailer of the group by about 40%.

And just for comparison, I pulled out my Panasonic 14.4 impact gun - it blew all of these away, driving the screws at least twice as fast as any of them. Interestingly the head on the Panasonic is only slightly larger than these compact units, but of course the battery pack is huge in comparison.

After using them side by side I would order them, from best to worst:

1. Makita DT01W - It's not as fast as the Bosch, but almost as lightweight, however it seems to have more power than the others, and I like the ergonomics of it the best. It's a bit thinner than the others and fits my hand the best. One negative on Makita, it's the only one without a battery gauge on the tool.

2. Bosch PS41 - Surprisingly this is still the fastest of the bunch, even though it's been out for a few years now. It's the most compact of all of them and the lightest. I don't care for the handgrip as much, it's fatter than the others, and a bit harder to grip.

3. Milwaukee Fuel - Yes, my brand new Milwaukee Fuel came in third in my opinion. Why - well maybe some of it is expectations. But here's the problem with it: It's only very slightly faster than the Makita. It's bigger and heavier than the others, and the ergonomics are worse than the original tool. and for me much worse than Makita. For some reason they made the handle fatter than the old version, and they moved it forward on the tool, so it's less effective to use. It does have the best LED lighting system, and it has the best hex chuck.

4. Original Milwaukee M12. Even though this one is now outclassed by all of the newer tools, it still gets the same job done at a slower rate. If you are using it continuously that would be a problem in speed, but for occasional use - a few screws here or there or light assembly disassembly, you wouldn't know the difference. It's still my second favorite behind the Makita for ergonomics, because it has the better handle positioning than the fuel model, and I love Milwaukee's battery gauge - very convenient.

Now those rankings are independent of the decision to buy other tools. Milwaukee has the most comprehensive 12v lineup, so most are going to pick one of their tools to get the others in the line. I also like Milwaukee's batteries the best of all of them.

And as somebody said above, if you want more power, get a bigger tool. A full sized 14-18v tool will blow these away in power.

These are compact portable tools with light weight and portability in mind. The 12v (actually they are only 10.8 volt tools not 12v) was developed by Bosch about 10-12 years ago as a secondary set of cordless tools that could be easily carried around by a contractor all day long. They were not intended as a primary tool.

 

[firworks]

So last night I went out and did a more thorough test. I ran the Milwaukee fuel 1/4 Hex driver (not the 3/8 impact - I already said that's not the one I have) against comparable tools from Makita, Bosch and the original Milwaukee. I was going to film the whole thing, but my camera battery died after the first one, so that was not to be.

My conclusion: The fastest of the bunch has been and still is Bosch. It's also the smallest and most compact of all of them. The second fastest, by about 10% is the Milwaukee fuel, which seems to be the largest and heaviest of the bunch. The Makita is slightly, but only slightly slower than the Fuel. And the older Milwaukee is clearly the trailer of the group by about 40%.

And just for comparison, I pulled out my Panasonic 14.4 impact gun - it blew all of these away, driving the screws at least twice as fast as any of them. Interestingly the head on the Panasonic is only slightly larger than these compact units, but of course the battery pack is huge in comparison.

After using them side by side I would order them, from best to worst:

1. Makita DT01W - It's not as fast as the Bosch, but almost as lightweight, however it seems to have more power than the others, and I like the ergonomics of it the best. It's a bit thinner than the others and fits my hand the best. One negative on Makita, it's the only one without a battery gauge on the tool.

2. Bosch PS41 - Surprisingly this is still the fastest of the bunch, even though it's been out for a few years now. It's the most compact of all of them and the lightest. I don't care for the handgrip as much, it's fatter than the others, and a bit harder to grip.

3. Milwaukee Fuel - Yes, my brand new Milwaukee Fuel came in third in my opinion. Why - well maybe some of it is expectations. But here's the problem with it: It's only very slightly faster than the Makita. It's bigger and heavier than the others, and the ergonomics are worse than the original tool. and for me much worse than Makita. For some reason they made the handle fatter than the old version, and they moved it forward on the tool, so it's less effective to use. It does have the best LED lighting system, and it has the best hex chuck.

4. Original Milwaukee M12. Even though this one is now outclassed by all of the newer tools, it still gets the same job done at a slower rate. If you are using it continuously that would be a problem in speed, but for occasional use - a few screws here or there or light assembly disassembly, you wouldn't know the difference. It's still my second favorite behind the Makita for ergonomics, because it has the better handle positioning than the fuel model, and I love Milwaukee's battery gauge - very convenient.

Now those rankings are independent of the decision to buy other tools. Milwaukee has the most comprehensive 12v lineup, so most are going to pick one of their tools to get the others in the line. I also like Milwaukee's batteries the best of all of them.

And as somebody said above, if you want more power, get a bigger tool. A full sized 14-18v tool will blow these away in power.

These are compact portable tools with light weight and portability in mind. The 12v (actually they are only 10.8 volt tools not 12v) was developed by Bosch about 10-12 years ago as a secondary set of cordless tools that could be easily carried around by a contractor all day long. They were not intended as a primary tool.

I know that you don't have the 3/8" impact and that you have the 1/4" hex driver. However, I'm using it as a comparison because it's essentially the same tool. If you go on ereplacement parts you'll see that other than the output end every part matches.

2453-20

2454-20

I'm somewhat confident you could convert one to the other just by replacing the anvil and front gearcase assembly.

If that tool is seemingly underperforming that much, you should probably see if you can exchange it for another one. It shouldn't be vastly inferior to the others you are testing. I've put a 3/8" to 1/4" Milwaukee shockwave adaptor on my 3/8" impact and to me it feels comparably powerful to my Bosch 18V Compact Impactor. It might be performing as it should and something else is screwing things up but under normal use, in the test cases you described it shouldn't be performing worse than the Bosch PS41.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Wow, I thought you were talking about the 18 Volt LXT Makita Impact. That little 12V Makita looks like a toy to me. Maybe your Milwaukee is defective, battery perhaps.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I tested my Makita 18V LXT impact (1/4" hex) and got about 55 ft-lbs thru a 1/4 to 1/2" adapter. Not enough to remove lugs, but impressive non-the-less for its size.