M18 Milwaukee Impact Driver

[karoc]

For some reason I feel need for one, but only M18 Milwaukee. No other brands, it’s what I’m setup for. I’m getting older, I don’t have strength anymore. So I went window shopping or (internet shopping) for impact. Like everything else they’re all high price by my standards. I see that there are two that has 1/2 drive, also torque of 1200 and 1500. Scratch off the 1500 torque that run 400.00. My question is what about the ones that are not 1/2 drive that has hex? I’m not changing tires on 18 wheeler, nor on my 1/2 ton truck. But with 1/4hex I’m wondering if it would hold up for once in while use. Changing blades on lawn mower etc. There’s pretty good variety available, all depends on how much money want to spend. I’m just an occasional user only. What do yall believe would be good fit?

 

[mikey03]

That looks an old one. Make sure to get a new fuel model. They got three kinds of tools over the years

brushed
brushless
fuel - which is also brushless but better

not all tools come in fuel yet But most do and I wouldn’t buy anything but fuel

m12 works for most things esp now they got a gen 2 impact wrench that does 550 foot pounds

m18 shines for all day work cuz the battery last longer or if you need the high torque one that does like 1200 I think

impact driver means it take 1/4 inch bits
impact wrench means it got a square socket holding end

if you don’t already got batteries now you need those. Avoid m12 in the 3.0 and 6.0. The best m12 is 2.5 and 5.0

for m18 you prob don’t need a huge battery for what you want maybe a 5.0 works.

the reason to avoid some batteries is the cells they used ***** and the batteries fail

 

[jhendric]

The smaller Hex impact driver will do you fine from what you describe. It will probably even exceed your expectations on what it can do. Follow Mikey's advice and get the new one, you'll be happy with it. I have a half inch impact wrench and a hex driver and almost never use or need the half incher.

 

[JohnX14]

the reason to avoid some batteries is the cells they used ***** and the batteries fail

I have a brand new (used maybe 3X) 12 Ah that failed. That isn't a cheap battery. I did "force" my electrical distributor to replace it, even though it wasn't under warranty. (I had to ***** and tell him to figure out how to do it. I spend over $10K a month there, figure out how to warranty or give me a $100 battery.} I'm sure they made it up somehow, but it made me feel better I'd be really pissed if I were a 'regular' consumer who paid good money for an expensive tool and the battery failed.

 

[cgrutt]

Confused what you're looking for. You're describing an impact wrench but picture appears to be a 1/4 impact driver. For lug nuts, etc you'll need an impact wrench. I have older M18 1/2 and 3/8 impact wrenches. The 1/2 is a beast and works on everything I've used it for. Very disappointed in performance of the 3/8 driver but understand they may have improved significantly since I bought mine. As others said battery matters. I use my 9.0 high demand on impact wrench and it makes a noticeable difference in performance over a standard 5.0. The 1/4 impact driver pictured above is primarily used for driving screws.

 

[karoc]

Sorry for confusion on my part, as in my post I mention no tire changing, so 1500 torque at cost 400.00 is out of the equation. So what’s left is one the square driver at 1200 torque at cost of 300.00.
Really with first couple comments that was posted I’m looking at 1/4 hex drivers more but get fuel model. My post does get confusing to point I don’t understand. Thank goodness members can understand.
This one is HD listed at 179.00 but doesn’t show the torque.
My budget is 200.00 so hopefully be able find impact

 

[rust in the eye]

I can't overstate the usefulness of a 1/4" hex impact driver. Milw fuel ought to have no problem with your anticipated uses and then some.

 

[tarmy]

Look at the Surge version of the driver. Has more control and is my favorite. I have 3 non Surge that I never use any more. If we were closer I would make you a good deal on them. Soon as I bought my first Surge…I swapped all mine over to that.

OP…either version will work great for what you want.

 

[T45]

+1 on the surge, I have the m12 its way better for a grab and go.

The imact hex (m12 gen 3 for example) drivers are NOISY AF and basically you need hearing protetction with them, so its not a great grab-n-go solution for small tasks. Also they are so powerful they will wreck stuff (cross thread, snap bolts, etc)

The surge has much better control and if you are just zipping stuff off or doing assembly with long-thread HW, its much better designed tool...just my opinion.

The m18 gen-1 is also available as a surge, and I've seen guys use it for mobile mechanics kits in liue of the hex impact for the same reasons. They are on clearance at HD for cheap if you can find one.

Lastly, Don't worry about surge being under-powered, you solve that with a proper square drive impact wrench.

 

[karoc]

Look at the Surge version of the driver. Has more control and is my favorite. I have 3 non Surge that I never use any more. If we were closer I would make you a good deal on them. Soon as I bought my first Surge…I swapped all mine over to that.

I’ll check into that, see if can find YouTube on it.
Surge looks be 2760-20 at 153.00 that’s in my budget

 

[tarmy]

I’ll check into that, see if can find YouTube on it.
Surge looks be 2760-20 at 153.00 that’s in my budget

That is a great price…make sure you are buy it from a real dealer (HD is) cause there are counterfeit versions of all Milwaukee tools these days. They go on sale at HD for about that price…

 

[UserNameAttempt3]

I’ll check into that, see if can find YouTube on it.
Surge looks be 2760-20 at 153.00 that’s in my budget

Just be aware the surge has a lot lower torque rating than the mechanical hammer versions. The newest m18 surge has only 1000-in/lbs.

If you need raw torque, the standard impact would be better.

 

[theoldwizard1]

My question is what about the ones that are not 1/2 drive that has hex? I’m not changing tires on 18 wheeler, nor on my 1/2 ton truck.

You will some day want to change tires on a car/pickup !

Get the M18 1/2" drive mid-torque (save a few bucks and get a non-Fuel version) and a 48-03-4410 SHOCKWAVE™ 1/2" Square to 1/4" Hex Adapter.